Masterpiece by Fiona Davis

Recent historical novels by Fiona Davis (The Dollhouse, The Address) have been very popular and feature New York City locations (Barbizon Hotel and The Dakota). I requested an advance reader copy of her newest, THE MASTERPIECE, and found it entertaining and informative. In this novel Davis focuses on the beautiful architecture of Grand Central Terminal (or Grand Central Station as it is often incorrectly, though more affectionately, called) and the art movements of the 1920s through two intertwining stories.  One is set in the 1970s (when the station’s demolition was being adjudicated) with a recent divorcee, Virginia, obtaining an entry level job with the railroad and discovering a hidden painting.  That painting was created roughly 50 years earlier and relates to the more compelling second story about fictional Clara Darden, an aspiring illustrator and instructor at Grand Central School of Art (which did actually exist). There’s a bit of mystery here and some wonderful historical detail, especially for readers who know and love New York City. THE MASTERPIECE received a starred review from Library Journal and was a LibraryReads selection for August 2018.

High-Speed Empire by Will Doig

HIGH-SPEED EMPIRE by Will Doig focuses on a fairly narrow idea – high speed transport development by China – with surprisingly broad impact. Doig is a journalist whose work has appeared on NPR, Salon and The Daily Beast in addition to Next City and George Soros's Open Society Foundations.  Doig’s expertise in the areas of urban development, transportation, and infrastructure is readily apparent in his analysis of China’s ambitious projects throughout Southeast Asia. In talking about development in Laos for instance, Doig noted “what many in Southeast Asia today both yearn for and fear: the heavy hand of China reaching deep into their countries, … but also a rising level of Chinese visibility that stirs up concerns about sovereignty and identity.” This relatively short book is part of the Columbia Global Reports series and even though it is a fast read, it is filled with interesting and thought-provoking statistics. For example, 10 of the world’s top 20 container posts are in China; its expressway system is longer than the US Interstate Highway System and plans are underway for building forty new airports between 2015 and 2020. This is a country on the move, not only within its own borders, but also within the region as evidenced by the increasing value of trade and projects like the One Belt One Road initiative. HIGH-SPEED EMPIRE has received praise from scholars and was named one of 800-CEO-READ's Must-Read Business Books for May 2018.  If you are interested in a related text exploring the geographical potential of this area, look for Where China Meets India which was written a few years ago by Thant Myint-U, noted historian and grandson of U Thant.