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James Polk Is Finally on the Map

Nov. 17, 12 a.m.

“Who is James Polk?” That isn’t just a question posed to reveal modern-day ignorance. In the presidential election battle of 1844, these words were a campaign slogan. Supporters of Whig nominee Henry Clay transformed the question into a chant of condescension against his Democratic opponent, James Polk.

When Ronald Reagan Stood for Change

Nov. 17, 12 a.m.

If you read enough political history and biographies, you’ll realize that while the cast of characters may change, the themes rarely do. Sure, every era has its own defining crises, but the underlying messages are fairly consistent. The promise of change, the professed belief in the American spirit, the promise to improve the life of the common man.

Obama Campaign Leader Recalls Historic Journey

Nov. 17, 12 a.m.

Former Obama campaign manager David Plouffe’s latest book, “The Audacity to Win,” recalls the highs and lows of the dramatic 2008 campaign — but his loyalty to Obama and his personal involvement with the campaign results in a largely flattering portrait of the president-to-be and his historic campaign effort.

One More Vote to Fix Congress

Nov. 10, 12 a.m.

Congress scores poorly in its performance review. At least that’s the opinion of Lee Hamilton in his new book, “Strengthening Congress.”

Some Women Are Born to Be Blue

Nov. 10, 12 a.m.

Metropolitan Police Chief Cathy Lanier’s rise to power seems ripped from a book: Pregnant at 14, she dropped out of high school, got married (and soon divorced) and put herself through college while becoming an officer.

GOP, You Got Punked

Nov. 10, 12 a.m.

I Am Martin Eisenstadt: One Man’s (Wildly Inappropriate) Adventures With the Last Republicans” is the somewhat true memoir of a completely fictitious pundit.

Doctor Without Candor

Nov. 3, 12 a.m.

Most political memoirs are stale rehashes of talking points recycled from a politician’s days in office — Richard Nixon’s explanations of Watergate, for instance, or Bill Clinton’s refusal to honestly address the controversies surrounding Monica Lewinsky, Paula Jones and Whitewater in “My Life.” In fact, candor in a political figure is what really has shock value.

Journalist Dives Into Danger and Lives to Tell the Tales

Nov. 3, 12 a.m.

There’s never a shortage of arguments that people use to bash journalists: They’re in the tank for one political party or another, they can’t be objective, and they’re in the business to feed their egos. While in some cases those accusations may be true, Emmy Award winner Greg Dobbs tries to dispel such stereotypes in his new book.

Poet Laureate Sets Sights on Community Colleges

Oct. 27, 12 a.m.

The nation’s official poet wants to honor community colleges for the way they “stitch the world together” by making them the focus of her laureate project.

The Man Who Made The Missiles

Oct. 27, 12 a.m.

Neil Sheehan is a master of presenting one person’s biography as a window into a significant moment in history. His 1989 book, “A Bright Shining Lie,” chronicled the arc of the Vietnam War through the story of Army officer John Paul Vann. And his latest work, “A Fiery Peace in a Cold War,” tells of the race to build the first nuclear missiles by recounting the life and career of Air Force Gen. Bernard Schriever.

How to Stay the Course

Oct. 27, 12 a.m.

Among the many words of advice that Members of Congress give in the new book “Political Rules of the Road: Representatives, Senators, and Presidents Share Their Rules for Success in Congress, Politics, and Life” is former Rep. Al Cederberg’s (R-Mich.) simple poem, “Remember the Congressman’s Lament.”

What Makes a Leader?

Oct. 20, 12 a.m.

What defines a presidency? Is it circumstance — the state of world affairs or the domestic situation left behind by the previous commander in chief? The present administration has made reference to the economic and diplomatic messes left by George W. Bush, possibly as a buffer to criticism that President Barack Obama isn’t doing enough or hasn’t made good on certain promises. But if Princeton professor Fred I. Greenstein is correct, the success or failure of the Obama presidency will rest more on the man himself than on the current point in history.

Civil Rights History Revisits Mississippi’s Troubled Past

Oct. 20, 12 a.m.

Author and lawyer Harry N. MacLean had Mississippi on his mind for at least a year, but it wasn’t until James Ford Seale was indicted in January 2007 that he got the framework he needed to write a story about the state.

The Long War of Four Generals

Oct. 20, 12 a.m.

Few historians excel at providing a detailed look at the lives of military leaders who are charged with commanding thousands of troops through battle and making snap decisions that alter the course of history.

A Portrait of the Justice As a Tightwad Buddy

Oct. 20, 12 a.m.

In his book “Rehnquist: A Personal Portrait of the Distinguished Chief Justice of the United States,” Herman J. Obermayer paints an endearing picture showing how two parallel lives, inside their friendship, discover a bond that not many knew about.

Cleland’s War and Peace

Oct. 13, 12 a.m.

Most would assume that war makes you a different person. Still, the lingering physical and emotional wounds that come from the battlefield can be hard to fathom. In his new memoir, “Heart of a Patriot: How I Found the Courage to Survive Vietnam, Walter Reed and Karl Rove,” former Sen. Max Cleland (D-Ga.) offers the chance to understand a veteran’s anguish and triumphs.

Life After JFK: Johnson In the First 24 Hours

Oct. 13, 12 a.m.

Historian Steven Gillon was inspired by the popular TV drama “24” when he wrote his newest book, “The Kennedy Assassination — 24 Hours After: Lyndon B. Johnson’s Pivotal First Day as President.”

Book Tells of African Tragedy, American Rebirth

Oct. 13, 12 a.m.

Tracy Kidder’s powerful writing style and moving themes are reasons alone to read “Strength in What Remains: A Journey of Remembrance and Forgiveness.” But as striking as the prose is, Kidder also offers the chance to witness nobler things — effective altruism, the power of the human spirit and kindness — all in a true story.

How a China Hand Lost to McCarthyism

Sept. 29, 12 a.m.

John S. Service ended up on the right side of history. The front-page charges of Communist sympathy leveled against this former foreign service officer and China expert after World War II have mostly been reduced to a historical footnote in a more sordid tale involving such notables as ex-Sen. Joseph McCarthy (R-Wis.), Alger Hiss and the Rosenbergs.

Art for Obama’s Sake

Sept. 29, 12 a.m.

The “Barack appeal” that swept across America during the historic 2008 presidential election inspired contemporary artists from around the globe to put their brushes in motion.

What Really Happened Before 9/11

Sept. 29, 12 a.m.

Eight years have passed since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States. In that time, countless books, articles and commentary have been written, with everyone from eyewitnesses to conspiracy theorists coming forward to give their take on what really happened that September morning.

Tell-All Books Recall Bush, Clinton Years

Sept. 29, 12 a.m.

Two more tell-all books about former presidents are sure to take Washington by storm this week — promising intimate portraits of George W. Bush and Bill Clinton.

What’s Inside a Symbol?

Sept. 22, 12 a.m.

According to author Dan Brown, the Capitol is a building that holds secrets few people even know exist. From a “killer bathtub” to a hole in the Rotunda, Brown claims there is far more than meets the eye in this historic building.

What We Talk About When We Talk Race

Sept. 22, 12 a.m.

Racism in this country is not history. And neither blacks nor whites are over it.

Women Left Behind in a Long War

Sept. 22, 12 a.m.

By now the story of the U.S. military invasion in Iraq has been told many times. While U.S. forces toppled Saddam Hussein, they did not find the weapons of mass destruction that U.S. leaders claimed Iraq had.