Sunday reviews
A nuanced portrait of the high court
In “The Roberts Court,” Marcia Coyle goes behind the scenes of four recent cases.
Our robotic friends and foes
Robots will see us, hear us and respond to us; they will recognize our faces and perceive our smiles.
New approach for U.S. Mideast policy
In “Beyond War,” David Rohde argues for the U.S. to work with moderates in the region.
Reinventing government, again
Gavin Newsom’s “Citizenville” and Cass Sunstein’s “Simpler” apply trendy thinking to an old tradition.
New luster for a hard-boiled gem
“They Don’t Dance Much” is attuned to the ambiguities of human behavior and tightly controlled.
Book review: ‘Cheat the Clock’
A science writer for The Washington Post, Margaret Webb Pressler decided to unravel the mystery of her husband’s biology.
How a mom educated her autistic son
In “The Spark,” Kristine Barnett tells how she and her son defied the experts.
Horrors of World War II
Rick Atkinson’s “The Guns at Last Light” reconstructs the war in compelling detail.
Behind creation of Dodd-Frank reform
In “Act of Congress,” Robert Kaiser shows how Congress succeeds and stumbles in governing.
The man who became pope
In “Pope Francis,” the new pontiff speaks in his own words on his life and his Church.
Robotic space exploration
In ‘Red Rover,’ Roger Wiens explores his work with the Curiosity mars rover and a laser that vaporizes rocks
Between vengeance and justice
In ‘Payback,’ Thane Rosenbaum examines why vengeance makes Americans squeamish
The life and times of Edna O’Brien
In ‘Country Girl’ the novelist reflects on her vigorous, fascinating life
African journey from bliss to sorrow
In “The Last Train to Zona Verde,” Paul Theroux goes to Africa to escape his routine.
Six weeks that saved the union
“Through the Perilous Fight” about the War of 1812 recounts the burning of Washington and Fort McHenry.
Recent Reviews
Book review: ‘Flora’ by Gail Godwin
Things fall apart when a young girl is left alone in the house with her emotional cousin.
Book review: ‘Raven Girl,’ by Audrey Niffenegger
The author of ‘The Time Traveler’s Wife’ returns with a novella for the Royal Ballet in London.
Book review: Eleanor Morse’s ‘White Dog Fell from the Sky’
A novel about the unusual friendship between a South African refugee and an American expatriate.
‘Paris,’ by Edward Rutherfurd
Author stuffs stale history lessons into his multi-generational journey through the City of Light.
Book review: ‘The Hand of Kornelius Voyt’
A supernatural mystery tale by Oliver Onions (1873-1961) stands with the best of its genre.
Trauma in Chechnya gives way to hope
REVIEW | In Anthony Marra’s “A Constellation of Vital Phenomena,” neighbors struggle to survive.
Book review: Brian Kimberling’s ‘Snapper’
A scientist makes a meager living observing the effects of climate change on Indiana’s birds.
Book review: ‘The Dark,’ by Lemony Snicket and Jon Klassen
A little boy faces the inky darkness in this charming book for children.
Book review for kids: ‘The Beatles Were Fab’
This picture-book introduction to the Beatles is a loving tribute.
YA Book review: ‘Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass’
Meg Medina’s gritty new novel for teens tackles the subject of bullying straight on.
Three new novels about Zelda Fitzgerald
Therese Anne Fowler, Erika Robuck and R.Clifton Spargo reimagine the most romantic couple of the ’20s.
John le Carre’s latest thriller defies expectations
“A Delicate Truth” is popcorn reading — you can shovel buckets of it into your mouth as you turn the pages.
Bee Ridgway’s ‘The River of No Return’
A wealthy man in 21st-century Vermont discovers he’s actually a time-traveling 19th-century lord.
Stephen King’s sons follow father’s footsteps, but take own path
New books by Joe Hill and Owen King prove the young writers can be considered on their own merits.
‘The Letters of William Gaddis’
The novelist won National Book Awards for “J R” and “A Frolic of His Own.”
Book review: ‘Red Moon’ as sharp — and subtle — as a werewolf’s bite
The novel’s prose can be lyrical, but its McNuggets of social commentary have no taste.
Washington Post Bestsellers May 19
The books Washington has been reading.
Washington: From cover to cover
From novels to history to cooking and ghost stories, Post editors and critics offer introduction to capital.
Ron Charles
Book review: ‘Flora’ by Gail Godwin
Things fall apart when a young girl is left alone in the house with her emotional cousin.
Ron Charles
Trauma in Chechnya gives way to hope
REVIEW | In Anthony Marra’s “A Constellation of Vital Phenomena,” neighbors struggle to survive.
Ron Charles
Book review: ‘Red Moon’ as sharp — and subtle — as a werewolf’s bite
The novel’s prose can be lyrical, but its McNuggets of social commentary have no taste.
Michael Dirda
Book review: ‘The Philosopher, the Priest, and the Painter’
Steven Nadler’s fascinating survey of Golden Age Dutch culture, Cartesian philosophy and art connoisseurship.
Michael Dirda
Book review: ‘The Hand of Kornelius Voyt’
A supernatural mystery tale by Oliver Onions (1873-1961) stands with the best of its genre.
Michael Dirda
‘The Letters of William Gaddis’
The novelist won National Book Awards for “J R” and “A Frolic of His Own.”
Jonathan Yardley
The life and times of Edna O’Brien
In ‘Country Girl’ the novelist reflects on her vigorous, fascinating life
Jonathan Yardley
Seize the dad: Saul Bellow as father
Saul Bellow was a great writer but a distant father, according to his son’s memoir “Saul Bellow’s Heart.”
10 armies in hell: a World War II battle
In “Monte Cassino,” Peter Caddick-Adams recounts the fierce battle fought in Italy in 1944.
Literary Calendar
Going Out Guide: Upcoming events
Get the latest on readings, signings and author appearances in the D.C. area.
Elsewhere in Entertainment
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