Podcast Book Review: Kipling in America

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Podcast Book Review: Kipling in America

Review of Christopher Benfey’s “If—: the Untold Story of Kipling’s American Years”

Scott Holleran

Dec 31, 2023

Transcript

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Book Review: If—: The Untold Story of Kipling’s American Years by Christopher Benfey

Scott Holleran

October 24, 2021

Book Review: If—: The Untold Story of Kipling’s American Years by Christopher Benfey

If this enticing, bestselling book doesn’t quite live up to its excellent introduction, and it doesn’t, it is not for lack of effort. Author Christopher Benfey is astute and intelligent about key parts of Rudyard Kipling’s life, including his years in America. I learned more about Kipling, America and literature than I knew before reading

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Book Review: “Brave New World” by Aldous Huxley

Scott Holleran

January 17, 2021

Book Review: “Brave New World” by Aldous Huxley

Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World is a tale of three men awakening in “the nightmare of swarming indistinguishable sameness.” That this world is becoming real right now makes the novel, published in 1932, perfectly relevant. Brave New World contains insight and wonder as five distinctive characters arc with clever plot tie-ins and twists. Reading the clas…

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Book Review: Stork Club by Ralph Blumenthal

Scott Holleran

June 2, 2021

Book Review: Stork Club by Ralph Blumenthal

For pure nostalgia, Stork Club (Little, Brown 2000; reviewed Back Bay Books paperback edition, 2001) by Ralph Blumenthal amuses and enthralls. Packed with interesting modern cultural and historical tales, this brisk, captivating book about one of New York City’s iconic establishments offers revealing snapshots of America and New York. Tucked into its sh…

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