Mr. and Mrs. Psmith’s Bookshelf

REVIEW: An Amish Paradox, by Charles E. Hurst and David L. McConnell

An Amish Paradox: Diversity and Change in the World’s Largest Amish Community, Charles E. Hurst and David L. McConnell

Dec 15 • Jane Psmith

101

25

10

GUEST REVIEW: The Triumph of the Moon, by Ronald Hutton

The Triumph of the Moon: A History of Modern Pagan Witchcraft, Ronald Hutton (1999; Oxford University Press, 2021).

Dec 1 • Gabriel Rossman

74

49

17

November 2025

REVIEW: The Everlasting Empire, by Yuri Pines

The Everlasting Empire: The Political Culture of Ancient China and Its Imperial Legacy, Yuri Pines (Princeton University Press, 2012).

Nov 17 • John Psmith

198

61

23

BRIEFLY NOTED: Further Arguments Against Jared Diamond

I was one-shotted in my teens by the way Guns, Germs, and Steel ✨explained everything✨ and I’ve been chasing that dragon ever since.

Nov 3 • Jane Psmith

146

62

14

October 2025

GUEST REVIEW: Alexander to Actium, by Peter Green

Alexander to Actium: The Historical Evolution of the Hellenistic Age, Peter Green (University of California Press, 1993).

Oct 20 • Blake Neff

167

44

34

BRIEFLY NOTED: Summer Reading

My output this summer was small measured in number of posts, but large measured in number of words.

Oct 6 • John Psmith

168

31

22

September 2025

JOINT REVIEW: Class, by Paul Fussell

Class: A Guide Through the American Status System, Paul Fussell (1983; Touchstone, 1992).

Sep 22 • Jane Psmith and John Psmith

369

152

75

REVIEW: Storia do Mogor, by Niccolao Manucci

Storia do Mogor; or, Mogul India 1653-1708 (vols. 1 and 2), Niccolao Manucci, (trans. William Irvine, John Murray, 1907).

Sep 8 • John Psmith

209

17

31

August 2025

REVIEW: Cuisine and Empire, by Rachel Laudan

Cuisine and Empire: Cooking in World History, Rachel Laudan (University of California Press, 2015).

Aug 25 • Jane Psmith

81

19

9

June 2025

REVIEW: Leap of Faith, by Michael J. Mazarr

Leap of Faith: Hubris, Negligence, and America’s Greatest Foreign Policy Tragedy, Michael J.

Jun 30 • John Psmith

267

64

57

REVIEW: Cambridge Latin Course Unit 1, by the Cambridge School Classics Project

Cambridge Latin Course: Unit 1, 4th Ed., The Cambridge School Classics Project (Cambridge University Press, 2001).

Jun 2 • Jane Psmith

105

40

9

May 2025

REVIEW: The Hard Thing About Hard Things, by Ben Horowitz

The Hard Thing About Hard Things: Building a Business When There Are No Easy Answers, Ben Horowitz (Harper Business, 2014).

May 5 • John Psmith

158

19

19