Winter storm warnings in northern Minnesota

MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all. 

Turn Up Your Support

I recommended two non-fiction books about politics and a fun novel

 with a lead character modeled after former First Lady Laura Bush.

This week, I’m back with two more novels

and a terrific political biography you shouldn’t miss. 

No list of political fiction is complete without 

, who died late last year. A former journalist, Just was the master of turning a mirror on America. He has a rich backlist, but I’m highlighting “

The novel begins in the 1930s as the powerful and privileged Senator Adolph Behl awaits a call expecting to hear he’s been chosen as the vice-presidential candidate. The nod goes to someone else, and the loss will set off political ripples through Washington and down through the generations of the Behl family.  

calls it a political novel “par excellence

one that the bookstore Politics & Prose in Washington, D.C. recommends

“I, Claudius,” it’s the fictionalized autobiography of Roman Emperor Tiberius Claudius. Author 

 has packed it with enough political intrigue that it could be the story of contemporary D.C. right now! 

Finally, let’s turn to a political biography. There are so many to choose from! But I’m urging you to read 

’s biography of Frederick Douglass, titled “Frederick Douglass: Prophet of Freedom.”

Blight draws us into the fatalism of the approaching Civil War and Douglass’ dawning belief that war was the only way to vanquish slavery. He also tells us of Douglass’ life during Reconstruction and how his life was influenced by three white men and a European woman.

: “In the end, Douglass fascinates us because he embodies all of the contradictions of the Black experience in America.”

Those are contradictions we’re still wrestling with today.

Arts and Culture

The Thread® - Books and Literary News

Shows

Big Books & Bold Ideas with Kerri Miller

Host

The Republican National Convention starts today. For her Thread must-read, Kerri Miller brings us three more books that will make a political junkie out of anyone!  

The Thread: Three books to read during the GOP convention

Go Deeper.

Like this?

News you can use in your inbox