New Books in Political Science Year in Review, 2019

Summary

To wrap up the year and look ahead to 2020, we talked about the books we loved and the podcasts that we enjoyed recording. There were quite a few excellent books in 2019, and we only had a chance to mention a few of them. Heath talked about a couple books that really stuck with him this past year, especially Alexander Hertel-Fernandez’s book State Capture, Bryan Jones, Sean Theriault, and Michelle Whyman’s The Great Broadening, and Sally Nuamah’s book How Girls Achieve. Heath noted that Niambi Michele Carter’s book, American While Black, and the podcast interview with Carter made a lasting impression on him. (He also thanked her for her expansive and helpful restaurant recommendations for Washington, D.C., just as many political scientists were travelling to D.C. in the fall for the annual APSA conference.) Susan Liebell, who will be joining the New Books in Political Science podcast as a host, also highlighted some of the books and podcasts she most enjoyed, including the podcast interview with Peter Josephson and Ward Holder about their book Reinhold Niebuhr in Theory and Practice. Susan noted that she was also fascinated by Michael Romano and Todd Curry’s book and podcast interview about Creating the Law. And Lilly talked about how much she learned from Stay Woke by Tehama Lopez Bunyasi and Candis Watts Smith, and how much she enjoyed reading Chris Galdieri’s book about carpetbaggers, Strangers in a Strange State. We also chatted a little about Heath’s new podcast project, titled Co-Authored, and thus his need to switch focus and depart as a regular host at the NB in Political Science podcast. We also forecast some of the books we are most looking forward to reading and podcasting about in 2020. Thanks to all of our loyal NB in Political Science podcast listeners!

Your Host

Susan Liebell

Susan Liebell is a Professor of Political Science at Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia.

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