Tara Sonenshine

Tara D. Sonenshine is a former undersecretary of state for public diplomacy and public affairs. From 2009 to 2012 she served as Executive Vice-President at the U.S. Institute for Peace.

Ms. Sonenshine has served in various capacities in the White House including transition director of the national security council. She is a journalist by training and winner of 10 News Emmy Awards for national and international coverage during her tenure at ABC NEWS. 

She has also been a contributing editor at Newsweek and author of multiple articles about domestic and foreign policy. 

Ms. Sonenshine has advised numerous non-profit organizations on gender diversity and communications strategy and she is currently affiliated with World Learning, a global organization working on international development and education.

An avid reader and commentator, whose literary reviews have appeared in the Huffington Post and other media outlets, Ms. Sonenshine is also a Distinguished Fellow at George Washington University's School of Media and Public Affairs where she works with Planet Forward, a consortium of schools addressing sustainability.

Book Reviews by Tara Sonenshine

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Americans have stopped listening—to each other and to their institutions.

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“Holtzman is courageous in writing this book. It certainly won’t win her a White House invitation to the Christmas Party.

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In a world obsessed with productivity, it is timely to read a book that tells us who is likely to be productive and why. 

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“Alec Ross answers the clarion call for innovators who can imagine tomorrow today.”

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You don’t have to be a dog lover to love books about dogs—especially when the book is well written and has a good plot.

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“If you want to understand the rise and evolution of Hezbollah . . . this is a good place to start.”

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“A good primer on Islamic militancy for anyone who lives anywhere in the world today.”

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Socrates and Rabbi Jonathan Sacks would have gotten along famously. They both love to ask hard questions. They are teachers and scholars ruminating about cosmic issues.

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“Painful, powerful, and full of historical data about life in Nagasaki after the bombs fell.”

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“We could all use a little more Christmas in our day.”

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“This book may not change hearts or minds, but it will provoke thought and discussion—and that is a contribution.”

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King David comes alive in a deeply emotional “novel” that tackles the man and the myth in an ambitious sweep of history and lore.

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“The uplifting themes of this novel are around forgiveness, community, and compassion, although they are eclipsed and outweighed by heartbreak.”

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“May we find the courage . . . to make this land . . . a more just, more reasonable, and more tolerant place.”

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WARNING:  This book is hot. Do not pick it up late at night or if you are in a dark, dark wood.

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Grief. It is a freighted word—laden with the weight of sorrow and loss. Grief. It is a universal emotion yet so individually experienced and expressed.

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Among the Ten Thousand Things is praise-worthy. Stunningly written . . .”

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It takes guts to write a novel entitled A Cure for Suicide. It takes guts to read it.

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In a nation of immigrants, at a time when immigration is the hot topic, it is refreshing to read a novel in which hyphenated Americans have a chance, without political scrutiny, to express the tug

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A good yarn often happens over a good meal. With the right food and a glass of fine wine, people talk.

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There is nothing little about this book including its emotional impact.

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Our Souls at Night is a peaceful gem of a story.

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Ask adults or adolescents what they know about Judy Blume and many will say Fudge. Blume’s Fudge series remains a classic although it was just one part of her 28 titles spanning four decad

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The Green Road would make a great movie—long, painful, and strangely uplifting.”

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“If you are looking for a Thomas Hardy-like adventure story with profanity, pornography, and passion, you will find it . . .”

This is not a harmless story.

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To read A Small Indiscretion is to eat fudge before dinner: slightly decadent behavior, highly caloric, and extremely satisfying.

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“For those who like history and drama, there is plenty of both in this novel, with good plot twists and turns.”

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“I simply wanted to be left alone.” Those words are spoken by Father Odran Yates, the main character and narrator in John Boyne’s novel, A History of Loneliness.

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“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has,” said Margaret Meade, the great anthropologist. 

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For months he stood over me—a lone soldier in a silhouette.