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Book reviews are written by the booksellers at local independent bookstores. By John M. Barry Sep 02, 2004 12:00 AM A A Bookwagon New and Used Books 1652 Ashland Street — "Blue Latitudes: Boldly Going Where Captain Cook Has — Gone Before," by Tony Horowitz — On one level a biography of Captain James Cook and on — another level a travel memoir. Pulitzer Prize winning Journalist Horowitz — crisscrosses the Pacific to examine the legacy and consequences of Cook's — historic travels. — Paper, $5.95 — — — "The Great Influenza," — This epic tale of the influenza pandemic of 1918, which — killed more people in one year than the plagues of the Middle Ages killed — in a century, is a fascinating history of scientific medicine, which rose — to the occasion, and government, which did not. — Hardcover, $11.95 — — "Brunelleschi's Dome," by Ross King — This is a fascinating tale of the building of Santa Maria — del Fiore, Brunelleshi's masterwork. Set against the backdrop of plague, — war, and political intrigue of Renaissance Florence, King weaves a seamless — narrative that entertains as it educates. — Paper, $5.20 — — — Shakespeare & Co. Books and Antiques 154 E. Main St.. — "On the Road" by Jack Kerouac — With its emphasis on travel, drug experimentation, promiscuous — sex, and Asian philosophy, the Beat lifestyle of the 1950s was eagerly — embraced by many and contributed to a change in the American consciousness — that led directly to the counterculture movement of the 1960s. When "On — the Road" was published in 1957, it was simultaneously denounced for its — lack of literary merit and praised for its vivid portrayal of the "Beats." — Today - still in print and possessed of a cult following - it is recognized — as a literary classic that bears comparison to the works of Walt Whitman, — Mark Twain, and William Faulkner. — — — "Hamlet" by William Shakespeare — Thought by many scholars to be Shakespeare's greatest — play, "Hamlet" is undeniably one of the most tragic. Fertile with familial — misunderstandings, Hamlet contains all the melodramatic elements of a — contemporary soap opera, from insanity, depression, suicide, father fixation, — betrayal, and mistaken homicide to aborted romance, treachery, heartbreak, — and bloodshed. — — — Bloomsbury Booksellers 290 East Main Street — "April 1865 - the Month That Saved America," by Jay Winik — This is a gripping panoramic narrative that proves our — future often rests on a few crucial decisions and twists of fate. The — critical period of American history was the 30 tumultuous days at the — end of the Civil War. - Sheila — Paper $14.95. — — — "The Bitch in The House,"edited by Cathi Hanauer — Brave and honest essays about the personal lives of women — one rarely discusses. It explores a range of topics from open marriages — to obesity, to the harsh realities of trying to "have it all." Fresh, — witty, soul-searching stories. I couldn't put it down. - Rebecca, paper. — — — "The Danish Girl," by David Ebershoff — The mysterious nature of love, gender and relationships — is explored in this beautifully written and fascinating story of a transsexual — artist and his wife. Based on the life of Danish landscape painter Einer — Wegner, the novel delves into the feelings and emotions inherent in this — complex situation. An extremely engaging love story. - Anita — Paper $13.