5 Best Update November 25 from The New York Times

On the Cover of Sunday's Book Review of The New York Times, Book Updated November 25, 2011

'And So It Goes'

By CHARLES J. SHIELDS
Reviewed by CHRISTOPHER BUCKLEY

Kurt Vonnegut died in 2007, but one gets the sense from Charles J. Shields's sad, often heartbreaking biography, "And So It Goes," that he would have been happy to depart this vale of tears sooner.

Buy "And So it Goes" from Amazon!

'Van Gogh: The Life'

By STEVEN NAIFEH AND GREGORY WHITE SMITH
Reviewed by DEBORAH SOLOMON

A speculative biography suggests that Vincent van Gogh might have been murdered.

Buy "Van Gogh: The Life" from Amazon!

'The Ecstasy of Influence: Nonfictions, Etc'

By JONATHAN LETHEM
Reviewed by ROBERT CHRISTGAU

This collection presents Jonathan Lethem as a reader and writer, but also showcases his nonliterary interests.


Buy "The Ecstasy of Influence: Nonfictions, Etc." from Amazon!

'Thinking, Fast and Slow'

By DANIEL KAHNEMAN
Reviewed by JIM HOLT

In the conflict between intuitive and rational decision-making, which side wins?

Buy 'Thinking, Fast and Slow' from Amazon!

'Free Ride'

By ROBERT LEVINE
Reviewed by JEFFREY ROSEN

Web sites that drive down content prices are "parasites," Robert Levine says.

Buy 'Free Ride'  from Amazon!