Week 8: assignments 1) and 2): done and done.

3)

History
071.3 D
Scandals, Tragedies and Triumphs edited by John Avalon, Jesse Angelo and Errol Louis. 

A collection of some of the best newspaper columns in recent American history, this book will appeal to a wide audience.  It is particularly good for anyone who likes fast paced true crime; many modern murders are represented, compellingly, in two pages.  Also enjoyable for sports fans, politics aficionados, history buffs and those who like uplifting feel good stories, in small portions. I wouldn't recommend the whole book to each, but there are dozens of articles that each will enjoy.

Politics
324.709 M
Confessions of a Political Hitman by Stephen Marks
Part legal thriller, part history book, part memoir, Confessions of a Political Hitman is  moderately paced with a straightforward prose style.  The narrator outlines his decent into political corruption and how it eventually sickened him to the point where he decided he had to change. People who enjoy reading about powerful people, scandal and intrigue won't be disappointed.

Memoir
Bio HEN
Junior Officers Reading Club by Patrick Hennesy
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes to read about the military.  It's tales of military culture, training, deployment, camaraderie of soldiers and R and R are prominent themes. While it is set in many countries, I wouldn't recommend it as a travel book, he's descriptions of Afghanistan are dominated by how insanely insouciant the Afghan  soldiers are in the face of battle. Or casual carjacking, for a good cause. It is also not very political or historical, he doesn't as much discuss why he is fighting as much as he does the joy of battle and how experiencing that high affects you after you leave. Good for people who like heroic tales and heroes who are still very human.

Essays
814. S
When You Are Engulfed in Flames by David Sedaris
I recently recommended this to a book club that wanted something funny.  It covers lots of topics that will  provoke lively discussion, family, neighbors, smoking, Japan, and scary cab drivers.  It isn't for the cozy mystery set; there isn't a lot of sex, but when there is, it is discussed frankly. And it frankly has an adventurous moment.  It is funny, a little snarky at times, has complex characters who are appealing and flawed, or flawed and almost- not- quite- sympathetic, and in one case a character is flawed and an insect.  It definitely has a dark facet, but on the whole it is warm, generous and self depreciating. While it isn't a particularly quick read, the chapters are each stand alone essays, so it is good for people who read in short bursts and don't want something too long.  There is also a lot of growing up and coming out so it is actually something the could fall into that new adult sub genre.