Behind the Wall: A Journey Through China

Colin Thubron. Harper Perennial, $9.95 (306pp) ISBN 978-0-06-097256-1

``Like a classical Chinese scroll, this book follows a meandering, atmospheric course through China's landscape,'' reported PW . As the author rambles from exuberant urban centers to farmlands, small towns and villages, ``he creates images that linger in memory.'' (Sept.)

Featured Nonfiction Reviews

Bruce Chadwick

The Battle of Gettysburg was a dramatic combination of pathos and absurdity, according to this remarkable selection of primary sources from historian Chadwick (The Cannons Continue reading »

Joshua Howe, Alexander Lemons

Howe (Behind the Curve), a professor of environmental history at Reed College, and U.S. Marine veteran Lemons team up for a searing mix of wartime memoir and scientific Continue reading »

Rich Benjamin

Benjamin (Searching for Whitopia) delivers a devastating memoir about the ripple effects of the coup that ousted his grandfather, Haitian president Daniel Fignolé, in 1957. Continue reading »

Marlene L Daut

Historian Daut (Awakening the Ashes) offers a powerful biography of Henry Christophe (1767-1820), who fought for, defected from, and ultimately ruled over Haiti. She first Continue reading »