Mr. and Mrs. Psmith’s Bookshelf

REVIEW: Aztecs, by Inga Clendinnen

Aztecs: An Interpretation, Inga Clendinnen (Cambridge University Press, 1991).

Aug 31 • John Psmith

782

216

139

REVIEW: Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site, by Sherri Duskey Rinker

Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site, Sherri Duskey Rinker (illus.

Aug 3 • Jane Psmith

188

32

20

June 2026

BRIEFLY NOTED: Reader Recommendations

We’ve already established that I usually don’t read the comments on these posts, because I am a weak and fallible human and thus seek to avoid…

Jun 29 • John Psmith

100

10

7

REVIEW: 1939, by David Gelernter

1939: The Lost World of the Fair, David Gelernter (Avon, 1996).

Jun 15 • Jane Psmith

92

29

8

REVIEW: Anabasis, by Xenophon

Anabasis, Xenophon (trans.

Jun 1 • John Psmith

235

27

30

May 2026

REVIEW: 50 Years of Text Games, by Aaron Reed

50 Years of Text Games: From Oregon Trail to AI Dungeon, Aaron A.

May 11 • John Psmith

196

37

30

April 2026

REVIEW: The Greatest Knight, by Thomas Asbridge

The Greatest Knight: The Remarkable Life of William Marshal, the Power Behind Five English Thrones, Thomas Asbridge (Ecco, 2015).

Apr 27 • Jane Psmith

169

27

18

March 2026

REVIEW: Boyd, by Robert Coram

Boyd: The Fighter Pilot Who Changed The Art Of War, Robert Coram (Back Bay Books, 2002).

Mar 23 • John Psmith

208

65

25

REVIEW: BoyMom, by Ruth Whippman

BoyMom: Reimagining Boyhood in the Age of Impossible Masculinity, Ruth Whippman (Harmony, 2024).

Mar 9 • Jane Psmith

245

95

34

January 2026

JOINT REVIEW: Philosophy Between the Lines, by Arthur M. Melzer

Philosophy Between the Lines: The Lost History of Esoteric Writing, Arthur M.

Jan 26 • Jane Psmith and John Psmith

160

78

32

REVIEW: How to Solve It, by George Pólya

How to Solve It: A New Aspect of Mathematical Method, George Pólya (Princeton University Press, 1945).

Jan 12 • John Psmith

246

40

44

December 2025

2025: The Year in Review(s)

Jane: Well, we’ve done it again: despite the many forces militating against us (our children, your job, an exciting variety of upper respiratory…

Dec 29, 2025 • Jane Psmith and John Psmith

152

39

13