Books

Commentator Maureen Corrigan reviews the reissue of Norman Mailer's autobiographical work, first published in 1959.

Book critic John Leonard reviews "The Secret History," by Donna Tart. She's associated with the young crop of writers from Bennington, including Bret Easton Ellis, to whom her novel is dedicated.

Writer Norman McLean died in 1990, leaving behind an unfinished manuscript about firefighters who died during the Mann Gulch Fire in Montana. It's just been published, and critic Maureen Corrigan has a review.

Commentator Maureen Corrigan reviews "Motor City" by Bill Morris. It's his first book, and deals with the auto industry and a whole host of cultural figures from the 1950s.

Book critic John Leonard reviews "When Nietzsche Wept," which he says is both high-minded and deeply entertaining with its use of real historical figures.

Critic Maureen Corrigan reviews "American Mythologies" by Marshall Blonsky, which seeks to recover the meaning behind the totality of American cultural production, from fast food to news anchors to pornography. Corrigan admires the project, but says Blonsky doesn't seem to like or respect his subjects.

John Leonard reviews "The Emperor's Last Island," by Julia Blackburn, a history of Napoleon with frequent digressions about why that narrative is relevant to the author's life. Leonard says it's a compelling read because Blackburn herself is compelling.

Book critic John Leonard reviews Susan Sontag's newest book, a long awaited return to fiction. It deals with historical figures and is written in a 19th century style. Leonard calls the novel both brilliant and surprisingly commercial.

Book critic John Leonard reviews Vaclav Havel's latest essay collection, which Leonard says is a depressing and often evasive take on the current political climate of Czechoslovakia.

In light of the current debate over abortion and "family values," critic Maureen Corrigan reviews the new biography of social reformer and birth control champion Margaret Sanger, by Ellen Chesler.