DANGEROUS GAMES The Uses and Abuses of History

In this brief book, historian Margaret MacMillan examines the way history is interpreted and used to justify political and social ideas. As she says, "history comforts us, even though, paradoxically, we know less and less about it," yet we see references to historical events used to support or criticize current political arguments. While narrator Barbara Caruso is effective in reading this book, her intimate tone tends to minimize the seriousness of the arguments. Her reading sounds like a friendly discussion over tea, whereas MacMillan's theses are much more vital and compelling than this tone suggests. This book is essential to put into perspective "the uses and abuses of history" that all too often take place in today's political arena. K.M. © AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine [Published: NOVEMBER 2009]