Roy Lotz's Blog, page 4

Review: What it Takes

What It Takes: The Way to the White House by Richard Ben Cramer

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This book has been on my shelf for years, but I was waiting for the perfect moment. My plan was to tackle it during the summer of a presidential election, to fully appreciate the book’s insights. But COVID prevented me from coming home during the last race, and so the book languished until the next election.

And here we are. When I read the first page of this book, Biden was still the presumptive Democratic nomi...

Manhattan: Top to Bottom

One Hundred Famous Views of New York

“What kinda photos you take?”

The guy at the bagel store had noticed my camera. I was in Inwood, far uptown, waiting for my friend Greg.

“Oh, you know. A bit of everything, I guess.”

“Got any kind of social media I can follow?”

Very flattered, I typed in my Instagram on his proffered phone.

“I’m not famous or anything,” I said, and took another bite of my bagel—everything, with lox, cream cheese, and onions. A New York classic.

“I’m sure ...

Historic Hudson Homes: Springwood & Vanderbilt Mansion

Of the many famous names associated with the Hudson Valley—John D. Rockefeller, Alexander Hamilton, Washington Irving, just to name a few—one name looms over them all: Franklin Delano Roosevelt. He needs no introduction. As president, he guided the nation through two existential threats; and he did much of his work from the home where he was born, overlooking the Hudson River.

The young cousin of the great Teddy Roosevelt—whose own stately home Long Island, Sagamore Hill, has also been turned...

Historic Hudson Homes: Springwood and Vanderbilt Mansion

Of the many famous names associated with the Hudson Valley—John D. Rockefeller, Alexander Hamilton, Washington Irving, just to name a few—one name looms over them all: Franklin Delano Roosevelt. He needs no introduction. As president, he guided the nation through two existential threats; and he did much of his work from the home where he was born, overlooking the Hudson River.

The young cousin of the great Teddy Roosevelt—whose own stately home Long Island, Sagamore Hill, has also been turned...

Interview: A Trip to China

Throughout most of our relationship, I have been the traveller—visiting as many corners of Europe as time and money allowed. But recently Rebe has started surpassing me, most notably by taking a 10-day trip—by herself!—to the heart of China. This is an interview about her trip, edited for clarity. All photo credits also belong to her: Rebeca López.

ROY: To begin with, why China? Of all the countries in Asia, it’s not the trendiest place to visit. Most people I know want to go to Japan or ...

Sorolla: A Tale of Two Cities

Madrid has some of the finest museum-going in Europe, holding its own against Vienna, London, and even Paris. And this would be true if the city only had its big three: the Prado, the Thyssen, and the Reina Sofia. In addition to these heavyweight picture galleries, however, the city is also home to a great many excellent small museums. The best of these is, without a doubt, the one dedicated to Joaquín Sorolla.

It is somewhat ironic that Sorolla’s museum should be located in Madrid, as he was...

Review: The Ethical Slut

The Ethical Slut: A Guide to Infinite Sexual Possibilities by Dossie Easton

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This is a good example of a book which I almost certainly would never have read had it not been for an excellent review on Goodreads. I refer to the one by Trevor, whose reaction pretty much sums up my thoughts as well as I can hope to. But I would still like to take a crack at it.

Polyamory has been having a kind of cultural moment lately, and I admit that my gut reaction has been consistently negat...

Review: Master of the Senate

Master of the Senate by Robert A. Caro

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


When I finish a doorstopper like this—a book of enormous scope and ambition, a genuine tour de force—I usually feel that I should reflect this weightiness in my review. After all, I spent months on this thing, bringing it up in conversation after conversation, enjoying the feeling of gradual enlightenment as I made my way from the beginning to the end. And yet, I think Caro has made his point so well, so clearly, and so forcefully that...

Review: The Way

The Way by Dermot C. Miller

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


The story of how I came to read this book is, I think, necessary to relate before I launch into the review. It began with an invitation to a birthday party. There, amid strangers, I met a thoroughly charming Irishman named Enda, another expat (he hates the word, but it seems to fit) with a literary bent. Last year, Enda—along with his writing and business partner, María—commenced on the bold experiment of opening their own publishing company, Ybe...

Review: The Hinge of Fate

The Second World War, Volume IV: The Hinge of Fate by Winston S. Churchill

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I find that I am liking each one of these volumes more than the last. The pleasure of this history is that, through the eyes of Winston Churchill, the war takes the shape of an enormous board game, played over months and years. Far removed from the gore of the front lines, Churchill sees the conflict as symbols on a map, which he needs to arrange in the most advantageous possible way—a game he plays ...