Department of Political Science

The remarkable story of how an illegitimate child growing up in the British West Indies ended up as one of the most influential statesmen in American history.

Every serious Beatles fan knows that Mark Lewisohn is the ultimate authority on the band.  Until his 3-volume history is published, though, Spitz's book stands as one of the best musical biographies of the four lads from Liverpool.  Some Beatlesologists are critical of the book, but the extensive treatment of the Fab Four's early years is very fine.  That famous chance meeting of two boys at the Woolton Village Fete changed the face of popular music.

Knowlson traces the life of the playwright and novelist Samuel Beckett, whose poignant and sad characters offered dark comic insights through disconnected, unfinished but often profound thoughts.  Without him, there would likely have been no Harold Pinter, no Tom Stoppard, and no David Mamet.  "You're on earth.  There's no cure for that."

Who would have thought that the search for the secret of human genetics could be this competitive, fast-paced, and fascinating?

As the principal architect of the U.S. Constitution, no person has had a greater influence on American life.  Ketcham covers Madison's life in rich detail.

The intriguing race to invent a reliable nautical clock.  A humble English clockmaker makes successive attempts, each time learning from his previous mistakes, and ultimatley succeeds desipte numerous doubters and detractors who had a vested interest in his failure.  A remarkable tale of human ingenuity.

Pouring seed and lead shot into human skulls to measure their capacity?  Gould replicates the work of craniologists and re-analyzes their data in this fascinating study of how science has been used to support irrational prejudice.

Not just the greatest work in political philosophy, but a roadmap to a well-lived life.

A touching memoir of Conroy's youth.  It is, by turns, funny and tragic.  His description of lonley spans of time spent in remote Florida and the object lesson he was given on the dangers of tobacco use are especially memorable.

Wallace focuses his unmatched power of observation on, among other things, tennis, the films of David Lynch, and the Illinois State Fair.  His essay on luxury cruises --- a modern variation on one of my favorite Mark Twain volumes, The Innocents Abroad --- is a work of comic genius. 

The boyhood adventures of the young renegade are still a pleasure to read.  Through the innocent eyes of Huck and with dialogue that begs to be read aloud, Twain demonstrates his uncanny knack for seeing through society's hypocrisies.

In his most underrated novel, Fitzgerald explores lives lost to decadence, alcohol abuse, and emotional immaturity.

The ability to fictionalize wide swaths of history was Michener's unique gift.  In this novel, he addresses issues of religion, slavery, and industrialization, all set against the backdrop of the great natural beauty of the eastern seaboard of the United States.

A kaleidoscopic fairy tale of the mysterious powers possessed by the children born on the day of India's independence.  A memorable, magical accomplishment in story telling. No wonder it was recognized as the best of all Booker Prize winners.

Maugham's semi-autobiographical masterpiece, it follows the life of Philip Carey who, uncomfortable in his own skin, searches for happiness as he experiences the growing pains of life through a series of adventures that take him from England, to Germany, France, and back again.

The tragic downfall of the daring Lily Bart as she desperately tries to maintain her independence while gaining a foothold in the society of old New York.

Gene Forrester returns to the prep school of his youth and relives how, during the waning days of boyhood innocence as he and and his classmates prepare to enter the fighting forces of World War II, a small incident born of envy takes a catastrophic, life-altering turn.

Lodge's best academic novel, where he skewers the vanities of professoinal conferences.  A priceless story.

Buckley's ironic take on the world of lobbying follows the misadventures of the tobacco industry's representative in Washington.

With his stipped-down arrangements and cooly-delivered lyrics, this elusive and understated artist has influenced such greats as Eric Clapton (who popularized Cale's "After Midnight" and "Cocaine" and whose own "Lay Down Sally" epitomizes the Cale sound), Lynyrd Skynyrd (who had a major hit covering his "Call Me the Breeze"), and Mark Knopfler (the Dire Straits frontman whose song "Calling Elvis" sounds more like Cale than Cale does).

McCartney at his post-Beatles best --- Jet, Bluebird, Picasso's Last Words, the title track, and of course the iconic album cover.  His first solo albums were somehwat uneven, but this record elminated any doubts about his abilities as an independent singer/songwriter.

JT has produced a wealth of memorable music, but none (with the possible exception of Hourglass) compares to this brilliant showcase of his songwriting and musicianship. The over-production that was common in the 1970s is evident in a few tracks, but thirty years after its release, it remains a testament to his talent.

Their first all original album and the strongest collection of their early work.  John and Paul --- who wrote the songs in a matter of days --- collaborated to create this classic of popular music.  From that famous opening strum, you can tell it's something special. 

No one --- and I mean no one --- played the piano like the great Oscar Peterson.  (Don't believe it?  Watch this.)  And no album better showcases his musical gifts than this one. Listening to tracks like Au Privave, one cannot but be awed by his talent.

The voice and musical brains behind Steely Dan soars in his first solo album.  Note-perfect from start to finish.

One of the greatest guitarists who ever lived.  Although his life was tragiclally cut short, he left a remarkable catalogue of hard-driving rock house blues. 

George Martin's willingness to allow The Beatles to experiment pays enormous dividends here, as they begin to make the transition from popular rock band to true musical innovators.  The full evolution of their music would not be apparent until their next album, Revolver, but this record managed to capture both the sound that made The Beatles so popular and the imaginative direction in which they were headed.

Perhaps the quintessential jazz album.

It's not really fair to pick just one recording by Randy Newman.  Even this terrific album doesn't include such memorable songs as "Dixie Flyer," "Louisiana 1927," "Mama Told Me Not to Come," "Rednecks," and "You've Got a Friend in Me."  Backed up by such luminaries as Lindsey Buckingham, Don Henley, Rickie Lee Jones, Christine McVie, Linda Ronstadt, Bob Seger, and Paul Simon, the wittiest man in popular music displays his unique gift for combining irony with catchy melodies. 

Two of film's greatest actors --- Richard Burton and Peter O'Toole --- tell the story of Thomas Becket's break from his king after becoming the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Edward Woodward's brilliant turn as the gentle poet on trial during the Boer War for carrying out orders that no one will admit to giving.

A classic film deserving of every accolade and award it received.  Set in post-World War I England, it follows two Olympians, motivated by different facets of their religious faiths, as they tear up the track.  Probably the best film on running ever made.

Starring an unknown cast, the inspiring story of an improbable Irish soul band that, for a brief shining moment, masters the power and pathos of American rhythm and blues.

Although they never appear on screen together, Al Pacino and Robert De Niro combine to produce this magnificent mafia epic.

Unlike the Godfather films, which tend to romanticize a life in organized crime, Goodfellas shows us that violence is a messy, unpredictable, and ill-considered business.  Is there any filmmaker as gifted as Martin Scorsese?

The great Paul Scofield stars as Thomas More, struggling between his conscience and loyalty to his king, Henry VIII.  One of director Fred Zinnemann's finest films.

Martin Brest's inspired decision to cast an inflammable Robert De Niro, as a reluctant bounty hunter, alongside a deadpan Charles Grodin, as the mob accountant he is hired to capture and take cross-country, produced one of the funniest buddy movies ever made.

This painstaking adaption of Jane Austen's classic novel tells the story of the independent-minded Miss Elizabeth Bennett and her reluctant love for the proud Mr. Darcy.  Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth are brilliant.

John Ford's picture postcard of pastoral Ireland.  John Wayne, in the title role, woos one of the most captivating women ever to walk the earth, the incomparable Maureen O'Hara.