Answers of the Month: June/July 2025

In the April/May newsletter we asked for you suggestions via our Question of the Month: What has been your favorite history book that you would recommend? And why? (no spoilers please)

Below are the responses to our question of the month along with some other reading favorites as you indulge in your end of summer poolside reading.

Lenore Garon (BA '69) wrote: When the Sea Came Alive: An Oral History of D-Day, by Garrett M. Graff. Because it made D-Day come alive. It begins really when WWII began, and contains the perspectives not only of the Allies, but also the Germans, participants and bystanders. It really brought home the enormous complexity of the invasion and the amazing heroism of the Allied combatants.

Terry Gillen (BA '77) wrote: Ron Chernow's biography of Ulysses Grant. It sets the record straight on Grant. Chernow also gives a masterful overview of the period after the Civil War, when the South was governed by the US military. Plus it covers Reconstruction and the early Gilded Age.

Ben Seitelman (BA '11) American Prometheus, which does a great job condensing the life of J. Robert Oppenheimer into a digestible narrative. Chris Nolan did a great job adapting it into Oppenheimer.

Peter Susko (BA '73) suggested: Lords of Finance by Liaquat Mahemed. A very entertaining and well written book following the four leaders of the central banks of the US, Great Britain, France and Russia during the 25 years leading up to the Great Depression.

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We have included more suggestions for poolside readings from our administrators and faculty members below.

Jean Pedersen, Professor of History, I recommend Laurie R. King, The Beekeeper’s Apprentice, The Lantern’s Dance, and/or Knave of Diamonds.  These are the first one and the most recent two in a series of 19 mystery novels based on the idea that Sherlock Holmes takes an apprentice in the person of Mary Russell.  The research is impeccable, the characters are great, and the puzzles are perfect.  Read them all!

Jacqui Rizzo, Business Administrator, enjoys a different type of history by revisiting memories through the books of childhood including White Fang and the Anne of Green Gables series.

Robert Westbrook, Joseph F. Cunningham Professor Emeritus of History, mentioned the stylish spy novels by Alan Furst, all of them set in interwar Europe (mostly Eastern Europe and Paris). Rich in historical context, the details of everyday life, and spy craft. The Polish Officer is a good place to start the series.

If these suggestions have piqued your curiosity or you would like to add to our list, please let us know! We would love to hear from you about your favorite readings, articles, books, comics, novels, novellas, journals, or even a blog that have sparked your interest.