Laura McCallum

Feb 14, 2024 | auburnpub.com | James Traub |Laura McCallum

When I was asked to review "True Believer," my first reaction was: "But I just read another Hubert H. Humphrey book." Samuel Freedman's excellent "Into the Bright Sunshine" should be required reading for anyone who wants to understand Minneapolis' history of racism and antisemitism (among other reasons). But James Traub's "True Believer" has a broader focus. Freedman's book details Humphrey's life from childhood through the 1948 Democratic National Convention speech that put HHH on the map.

Feb 6, 2024 | startribune.com | James Traub |Laura McCallum

When I was asked to review "True Believer," my first reaction was: "But I just read another Hubert H. Humphrey book." Samuel Freedman's excellent "Into the Bright Sunshine" should be required reading for anyone who wants to understand Minneapolis' history of racism and antisemitism (among other reasons). But James Traub's "True Believer" has a broader focus. Freedman's book details Humphrey's life from childhood through the 1948 Democratic National Convention speech that put HHH on the map.

Nov 18, 2023 | yoursun.com | Laura McCallum

Confession: I'd never read Willa Cather before reviewing this book. Always meant to, just never got around to it. My knowledge was mostly limited to: She wrote about the Midwest a long time ago and became well-known later in life. Fortunately, Cather expertise isn't a prerequisite for reading "Chasing Bright Medusas" and in fact, this "brief and tender biography" (in the publisher's words) is a nice introduction to her life and work. kAmq6?;2>:? %2J=@CVD D=:> 9@>286 E@ r2E96C 42? 36 C625 :? 2?

Nov 15, 2023 | thebrunswicknews.com | Laura McCallum

By Laura McCallum, Star Tribune Confession: I'd never read Willa Cather before reviewing this book. Always meant to, just never got around to it. My knowledge was mostly limited to: She wrote about the Midwest a long time ago and became well-known later in life. Fortunately, Cather expertise isn't a prerequisite for reading "Chasing Bright Medusas" and in fact, this "brief and tender biography" (in the publisher's words) is a nice introduction to her life and work.

Nov 8, 2023 | startribune.com | Benjamin Taylor |Laura McCallum

Confession: I'd never read Willa Cather before reviewing this book. Always meant to, just never got around to it. My knowledge was mostly limited to: She wrote about the Midwest a long time ago and became well-known later in life. Fortunately, Cather expertise isn't a prerequisite for reading "Chasing Bright Medusas" and in fact, this "brief and tender biography" (in the publisher's words) is a nice introduction to her life and work.