Mr. and Mrs. Psmith’s Bookshelf

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

120

34

11

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, 2025 • Jane Psmith

157

30

25

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, 2025 • Gabriel Rossman

82

58

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, 2025 • John Psmith

203

61

26

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, 2025 • Jane Psmith

147

62

15

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, 2025 • Blake Neff

169

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, 2025 • 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, 2025 • Jane Psmith and John Psmith

372

152

76

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, 2025 • John Psmith

214

17

32

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, 2025 • 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, 2025 • John Psmith

287

67

65

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, 2025 • Jane Psmith

113

41

10