Top Reviewed Nonfiction Books of September

1. *The Castle: Adventures in a World of Unraveling Men* by Jon Ronson (Riverhead)

- 7 Rave • 5 Positive • 1 Mixed

Jon Ronson’s first book in 11 years offers a complex exploration of modern masculinity and the mental health crisis facing men today. Sinead Gibney of The Irish Times praised it as a work that provides new insights and lasting impressions.

2. *American Scoundrel: Roy Cohn’s Dark Journey from Joe McCarthy to Donald Trump* by Kai Bird with Susan Goldmark (Scribner)

- 8 Rave • 2 Positive

Laura Miller from Slate described the book as addictive and filled with astonishing twists, calling it a captivating narrative of midcentury intrigue and legal escapades.

3. *Said the Dead* by Doireann Ní Ghríofa (FSG)

- 8 Rave • 1 Positive

Joelle Egan of Booklist highlighted this genre-bending work as emotionally charged, merging history and fiction to depict women's struggles amidst societal constraints.

4. *Crossing the Wine-Dark Sea: Journeys Through Ancient Literature* by Emily Wilson (Liveright)

- 8 Rave

Described by Jennifer Szalai of The New York Times as spirited and engaging, Wilson interweaves ancient literature with contemporary relevance, making the book accessible even to those less familiar with the subject.

5. *Redwood: The Untold Story of the Cold War’s Most Extraordinary Spy* by Ben Macintyre (Crown)

- 7 Rave

Joseph Finer of The New York Times Book Review commended Macintyre for transforming archival material into compelling nonfiction, noting that the book’s conclusion is particularly poignant.