OPINION: 10 best books of May, The Monitor’s picks
1. “The Soul of America,” by Jon Meacham — Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Jon Meacham canvasses American history for moments of division and strife. He finds plenty of them but is also able to highlight the ways in which America’s “better angels” (quoting Abraham Lincoln) prevailed in the end to restore sanity. This intelligent survey of the past should offer reassurance to readers worried about the present.
2. “The Perfectionists,” by Simon Winchester — Bestselling British author Simon Winchester’s latest book is about the raw engineering and precision manufacturing that make the dreams of scientists possible. In large part this is a protracted study of ball bearings, chrome-plated telescope components, and mass-produced crankshafts. Sound boring? Not to worry. Winchester knows how to make everything he writes fascinating, and at the heart of this book is an account of the unsung heroes of our modern world.
3. “The Wind in My Hair,” by Masih Alinejad — Gutsy Iranian journalist and activist Masih Alinejad tells her life story in a chatty, confiding tone. Right from her childhood in a small village in rural Iran, she was a rebel. As a young adult, she chose the unusual (for an Iranian woman) career of journalism and was exiled to Britain, where she created My Stealthy Freedom, a Facebook page for women who reject the compulsory hijab. Alinejad’s experiences make for a compelling and eye-opening read.