It’s that time of year again, time for my neither requested nor anticipated list of top reads for 2021! My only rules for this list are that each book must be a book I read in 2021, and I generally (but not always) avoid adding re-reads to the list unless they were particularly impactful. I once had a rule about not listing multiple works by the same author, but that went out the window a few years ago. I’ve included my top ten favorite reads for the year below and also a link to my Goodreads account for a complete list of the books I’ve read this past year.
Till We Have Faces by C. S. Lewis
This was Lewis’ final novel considered by many to be his best. It is a retelling of the myth of Cupid and Psyche with Lewis’ brilliant prose and keen insight into the world serving as guides through this powerful and profound tale.
African Kaiser by Robert Gaudi
This is the incredible story of the “Schutztruppe” (Defense Force) of German East Africa during the first World War and their remarkable leader Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck. Featuring everything from airships, repurposed guns from a trapped cruiser, and even a fling with a future literary star, this true story has something for everyone and will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Uprooted by Grace Olmstead
A beautiful exploration of the meaning of home and the exodus of youth and talent from small-town America. Olmstead explores the consequences of leaving both for the communities and for the people who leave and in so doing rediscovers stories of people like her great-grandparents and grandparents who chose to make the tiny farming town their home and provides a stirring meditation on the value of a thriving community.
Blood and Thunder by Hampton Sides
Sides with his usual engaging storytelling brings us the complex and often messy story of the New Mexico territory in the 19th century, a period that would take it from Spanish frontier outpost to settled American territory. The story closely follows the remarkable life of Kit Carson and the complex and ultimately tragic tale of the Navaho Indians.
In the Garden of Beasts by Erik Larson
In 1933 Berlin, just as Hitler and the Nazis are coming to power, this book picks up the story of the American ambassador William Dodd and his family as they navigate the reign of terror that descended upon Germany. Dodd was a mild-mannered professor who only wanted to be left alone to finish his academic work, yet he could not ignore his growing concerns with the tone and actions of Germany’s new leadership. Meanwhile, Dodd’s daughter was enamored with the prospects of the “New Germany” and was busy philandering with various Nazi officials. These are pivotal times and Larson guides the reader through them with his distinctive flair.
Prisoners of Geography by Tim Marshall
With colorful maps and a strong knowledge of history and current geopolitics, Marshall argues that a nation’s geopolitical priorities can be defined by its place on the map.
Range by David Epstein
In this ode to the generalist, Epstein draws from examples in the world of business, sports, science, and academia to argue that while the emphasis today seems to be on the value of early specialization, the people who actually have the most successful and fulfilling careers often come to them late. He explores the same research used to argue that early specialization is key to success and then uses that research to build the case that many times, the most impactful people have developed broad interests and diverse experiences, not deep specialties.
The Zealot and the Emancipator by H. W. Brands
This thought-provoking biography follows Abraham Lincoln and John Brown through the tumultuous mid-1800s contrasting Brown’s antislavery crusade and ultimate demise after Harpers-Ferry with Lincoln’s rise from a small-town attorney with unclear views on slavery to his place in American history as the great emancipator. This book tells their story and begs the question of who was ultimately more successful?
Andrew Jackson: His Life and Times by H. W. Brands (I usually try not to include two books by the same author, but I figure that if I can set the rules then I can also break the rules.)
No figure symbolizes the second generation of prominent American figures more than Andrew Jackson and Brands traces his journey from his rebellious childhood, through his time as one of the founding fathers of Tennessee and ultimately to the White House with lots of action, interesting characters, and duels along the way.
O Jerusalem by Larry Collins and Dominique Lapierre
In this compelling and even-handed work, Collins and Lapierre tell the story of the final hours of British rule in Jerusalem. Drawing from Arab, Israeli, and British sources this book chronicles the desperate scramble for control between Jews and Arabs and the world-shaking figures who created the modern middle east.
If you found these books interesting, check out my full list of books I read this year at the link below. If you have any recommendations or would like to discuss any of the books, please drop me a line!
Notes from the Shadowlands 