The Young Turk's Crime Against Humanity - Taner Akçam

An academic book by a turkish historian working out of big american university.  This book offers a meticulous examination of several questions around the Armenian genocide and tries to answer the questions through examination of historical documents, archive records, witness accounts both from inside and outside the government, trial records, etc.  The evidence seems to be overwhelmingly in support of a deliberate and centrally organized attempt to eliminate the Armenian population of Turkey.  It also explores some of the reasons behind this plan besides the usual "internal enemies of the state" argument, for which it seems there is little evidence, and in fact several statements from local governors stating the opposite.  One important causal element was the need to find a place for hundreds of thousands of repatriated turkish speakers from countries in the Balkans and Greece.

A definitive read.

Cry Wolf - Michael Gregorio

A crime novel set in Umbria, specifically Spoleto and Parco dei Sibillini.  Well-written. Fast-paced.  Surprise ending.

The Ojibwa of Southern Ontario - Peter S. Schmalz

An older book, but a very thorough look at the history of the Ojibwa in Ontario - how they came to settle and move into the former Huron lands, their dominant position vis a vis the Iroquois in Ontario and the north east in general, their role in various conflicts (1812, WWI, WWII).  He also looks at how the government, settlers and Indian Department failed to honour agreements, maintain reserve lands, administer band land and finances to the tribe' advantage.  It is obvious, when you read of Ojibwa being moved off farms they had cleared and settled, that the talk of integrating natives into the white man's world was meaningless.  There are also many examples of Indian Affairs refusing to invest the bands' own money in projects that would have helped economic development, especially when there was the possibility of competing with white businesses.  The primary attitude and motivation all along on the part of whites has been greed - greed for the native's land, and for any money or economic benefits coming from that land.
The book follows the history up to the 90's and traces the gradual development after WWII of Native activism and a stronger voice in insisting on treaty rights and self-determination.
This chronicle of the willful robbery of their property and wealth guaranteed by treaty rights over the many decades highlights why Natives need a new deal, as well as vast amounts of cash recompense.

Sweet Carress - William Boyd

Another good read by this great author.  Several interesting elements in the story.  Told from a woman's point of view with a life that passes through periods of history when very few women had independence and significant public roles.  Boyd returns to one of his main themes or situations that he explores again and again from different points of view - conflict, war.  Both the 1st, 2nd and Vietnam wars are in this book.
He also returns to the Berlin of the 30s.  Not sure what he is after there, but this is a time period that seems to draw a lot of (English?) writers.  I am curious about what it is that draws them in - a society at once sophisticated and polished yet rubbing elbows intimately with overt sex and violence?  Have to see what else I can find on this question.
This book is also illustrated with random photos that Boyd has collected over many years.  I wonder in which parts the story came first, and in which parts the photo came first?
In this book, Boyd is also exploring what aging means, how we deal with aging and the changes in our lives and selves as we age.  As well as the memories.
The opening quote is:
 "Quelle que soit la durée de votre séjour sur cette petite planète, et quoi qu'il vous advienne, le plus important c'est que vous puissiez - de temps en temps - sentir la caresse exquise de la vie."  
                     Jean-Baptiste Charbonneau, Avis de passage (1957) - an author who is a character in the                                                                                                                  book

Looking at some interviews with him, it seems he has become more and more obsessed with creating fiction that could be real.  I must find his biography and oeuvre of the imaginary painter Nat Tate.