Bill Thompson

1 month ago | postandcourier.com | Bill Thompson

ANCESTORS: Identity and DNA in the Levant. By Pierre Zalloua. Random House. 288 pages. $31. An ancient crossroads, the Levant is that region of the eastern Mediterranean encompassing the countries of Jordan, Lebanon, Israel, Syria, Turkey and the population of Palestine. At first blush, one might wonder what bearing the genetic and cultural heritage of this nexus of peoples has on his or her ancestry. The answer, in many cases: Almost everything.

2 months ago | nrcolumbus.com | Bill Thompson

We Americans will pay a lot to be entertained. If you’ve looked at the price of tickets for any sporting event or concert lately, you would have to assume that we really value those things. Being the cheapskate that I am, I tend to look for less expensive ways to enjoy my leisure. I have often mentioned those occasions when I’ve retired to the shade of the crape myrtle tree in my back yard.

Mar 23, 2025 | postandcourier.com | Bill Thompson

CARBON: The Book of Life. By Paul Hawken. Viking. 256 pages. $28. Who is best equipped to survive a global cataclysm? The answer, not surprisingly, are the most “primitive” peoples. Those who have mastered the age-old skills all but lost to modern humanity: oneness with the land, comprehensive knowledge of natural medicines, resource conservation, the fostering of genuine community, and the capacity to read the manifest signs the Earth and its creatures abundantly provide.

Mar 16, 2025 | postandcourier.com | Bill Thompson

OUTMANEUVERED: America’s Tragic Encounter with Warfare from Vietnam to Afghanistan. By James A. Warren. Scribner. 336 pages. $29.99. Blithely ignoring the truism that “insurgents never stop” has led to many disastrous U.S. policy decisions, and horrendous, unnecessary loss of life. In his brilliant analysis, “Outmaneuvered,” historian and foreign policy analyst James A.

Feb 9, 2025 | postandcourier.com | Bill Thompson

SWEET NOTHINGS: Confessions of a Candy Lover. By Sarah Perry. Mariner Books. 304 pages. $29.99. Can Twizzlers people and Red Vines people marry? Can Milk Duds and Rolos devotees find détente? Or is it the Hatfields and the McCoys all over again? In “Sweet Nothings,” essays on a lifetime of candy consumption, Sarah Perry surveys the most popular candies from around the world, from Andes to Zero, providing her own extensive tasting notes, some psychological insights, and admitting to her addictions.