Robert Cullen

This anthology includes a pretty wide range of viewpoints and ideas about topics like gender relations, education and race - from Rick Santorum to Thoreau. There certainly is a leftward slant, as the conservative writers included really only create the barest semblance of balance. Rereading America really hits its stride in the last section, where our concept of democracy is discussed in light of the War on Terror. Provocative questions are raised - things that might shock kids out of complacency.… (mere)

From this book, now retitled "Citizen X," I learned more about Soviet and Russian culture and everyday life than I ever did from the many somber and glacial tomes that adopted the sociological approach. The psychological make up of the killer, Andrei Chikatilo, and the inherent inability of the Soviet system to catch or even promptly search for him was also fascinating. There are a number of other books about Chikatilo which I have not read, one per serial killer being more than adequate for me, but this one presents him in an understandable, even sympathetic way.… (mere)