The Fever in the Heartland by Timothy Egan (Biaggio)

Although difficult to find, Biaggio was a perfect venue.  It was quiet and offered a good variety of Italian dishes at a reasonable price.  The book by Egan also pleased us all.  A story of the Ku Klux Klan's takeover of Indiana politics in tbe 1920's, the book provided a detailed look at a reactionary movement not unlike the current day MAGA phenomenon.  Lots of parallels emerged from the book, which ended with a criminal trial that sank the movement in 1924. The next books we'll read are: Anne Applebaum, Autocracy, Inc., and Eric Larson, The Demon of Unrest. We plan to meet on Dec. 19; Dick is next to suggest the following book.

The Bridge at St Luis Rey by Thornton Wilder (Cocina Del Barrio)

The book is considered a classic and was made into at least two movies, but for the most part, we found the story and portraits of the victims of the bridge collapse interesting but not especially compelling or meaningful.  Nevertheless, we were happy to get this book into the "already read" category.  Our restaurant, at 50th and France, offered excellent food options, but the place was a little noisy.  Our next book will be Timothy Egan's Fever in the Heartland.  Other titles: Joan Didion, Year of Magical Thinking, Kazuo Ishiguro, Never Let Me Go, and Amor Towles, A Gentleman in Moscow.  Our next meeting will be Tuesday, Oct. 29 and Peter will suggest the next book.

The Long Petal of the Sea by Isabel Allende (Christos)

The book is the story of two people caught in the chaos of the Spanish Civil War, their escape to France and then Chile. and their lives in the challenging politics of each country.  The author includes detailed stories of the main characters and the larger political events surrounding them.  Our restaurant lived up to its reputation for fine Greek cuisine and excellent service.  Our book for next time is The Bridge at San Luis Rey by Thornton Wilder.  Other titles considered were Silent Spring by Rachel Carson and Erasure by Percival Everett.  Roger suggests the next book.

The Crowded Hour by Clay Risen (The Tea House)

The book is a detailed account of Theodore Roosevelt's Rough Riders and their experiences in the Cuban theater during the Spanish-American War. Full of interesting anecdotes and behind-the-scenes facts, it began to drag with the weight of all that information.  The restaurant, once a top rated place, disappointed.  The food was good, but the service and atmosphere were substandard.  Our next book is Isabelle Allende, A Long Petal of the Sea. Others considerted were Horse by Geraldine Brooks, and This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger.

Homelands by Timothy Garton Ash (Emmett's)

The restaurant was quiet and the food uniformly excellent, with a menu tilting to ward Irish fare.  With the Timberwolves winning in the background, we talked about politics, travel, and many other topics.  We were a bit divided on the book with some thinking it was a patchwork of personal experiences in European travel and others considering it an interesting summary of the development of the EU based on personal interviews and diary entries.  Probably not a candidate for a Hollywood movie, the book is a readable overview of post-WWII Europe and its leaders.  

The next book is Clay Risen, The Crowded Hour.  Other titles suggested were: Deborah Davis, Guest of Honor, Adam Hochschild, American Midnight, James Patterson, Rise and Decline of America's Postwar Political Order, and Thomas Knock, To End All Wars. Our next meeting is July 2, and Don will suggest the next book.

James by Percival Everett (Estelle)

Everybody liked James, a retelling of Huckleberry Finn from the viewpoint of Jim. It's quite a tour de force, full of insights about race relations, language and class, and American culture and history.  Seen through the aurhor's eyes, several familiar tropes, involving minstrel shows and how to talk in "mixed company", are funny and engaging.  The restaurant served great food and the service was impeccable. Our next book is Homelands: A Personal History of Europe by Timothy Garton Ash.  Other titles considered were James McBride's The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store and Kazuo Ishiguro's Never Let Me Go.  The next meeting is set for Tuesday, May 28, with Dick in charge of searching out candidates for the next book.

One Summer, America 1927 by Bill Bryson (Online)

An interesting book about the year 1927 but it could have been organized better since it jumps back and forth, descrbing the unfolding events of the year.  Also, it is something of an update to a classic book written in 1930 by William Allen White. It's always fun to read Bryson, however, so it was well worth the time.  The next book is James by Percival Everett, and the following book will be suggested by Roger.

City of Thieves by David Benioff (online)

Supposedly based on a true story, Benioff spins a tale about a couple of Russian soldiers who are sent on a dangerous and ludicrous mission outside the city walls of Leningrad in the midst of the WWII siege.  The author is a co-creator of Game of Thrones and in this novel shows us excellent skils in writing and character development.  Since two of our members were out of town, we held this discussion online.  Our next book is Bill Bryson's One Summer: America, 1927.  Other ideas were Ann Patchett's Tom Lake and Tomorrow and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin.  Next book will be suggested by Peter.

Chances Are... by Richard Russo (McCormick and Schmick)

McCormick and Schmick proved to be an excellent venue for us.  We had a quiet, semi-private table and the menu was eclectic and affordable,  Plus, our server was lively and attentive.  The Russo book got high ratings from everyone: He's a fine writer with a gift for character development and a twisting plot.  Our next book is City of Thieves by David Benioff. Other titles were Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby and Bernard Cornwell"s The Last Kingdom. We decided to meet next on Thursday, February 1, although two of our members will be out of town so we may choose to connect by Zoom or Google Meet instead of going to a restaurant.  Max suggests the next book.

The Wager by David Grann (NIghtingale)

Perhaps not David Grann's best book, but The Wager was a compelling story of a mid-18th century British warship and crew that tragically went off the rails.  Buffeted by storms, suffering extensive loss of life, and marooned on the southwest coast of South America, the few surviving crew end up with differing stories and accusations in a naval inquiry back home.  The restaurant was very good but noisy.  Our next book is Richard Russo's Chances Are....  We also considered James McBride's Deacon King Kong and Julie Schumacher's The Shakespeare Requirement.  We tentatively plan to meet on January 4, subject to everyone's availability.  Dick will suggest the next book.

All the Shah's Men by Stephen Kinzer (La Grolla)

This book digs into the overthrow of the Mossadegh regime in Iran by the British and American security services in the years leading up to 1953.  It's a fascinating, complex story that the author turns into a well written and researched thriller.  The restaurant offered great food and service but also lots of noise.  Our next book is David Grann, The Wager.  Also considered were Grann's Killers of the Flower Moon and Ann Patchett's Tom Lake.  We plan to meet on December 13 and Don will bring a list of books for the following month.

Don Fraser by Iric Nathanson (The Great Wall)

The bio of Don Fraser was welcomed by all of us because he played a key role in Minnesota politics for many decades and became an important force for an internationalist foreign policy in the U. S. Congress.  The book covered the important events in Fraser's life but the account seemed one dimentional.  As an introvert, Fraser was a strange and unexpected political phenomenon.  And he sometimes made     questionable career choices, like returning to local politics as Mayor of Minneapolis after years of thinking and working at the international level. But we enjoyed the book and loved the food and service at the Great Wall.  

Our next book is Kinzer's, All the Shah's Men.  Also considered were Patchet, Tom Lake, Orwell, 1984, and McLean, A River Runs Through It.  We plan to meet on Wednesday, Oct. 25.  Peter suggests the next book.