The Wall Street Journal in its surprisingly strong coverage of art and culture publishes a book review each day.
Appearing on the front page of the WSJ's Opinion section along with newspaper columnists, the daily reviews give attention to books outside of the mainstream as well as those receiving widespread notice elsewhere.
The newspaper known for its international, national and economic reporting also gives readers insightful, authoritative book reviews in its Saturday Review section.
As The New York Times cuts back on its daily book reviews, the WSJ's commitment to publishing stands out. Rupert Murdoch's paper, in striking contrast to the Times, also still runs traditional editorials, from a staunchly conservative perspective. The WSJ's editorials on economic issues display deep knowledge in making complex problems understandable.
Dominic Greene's review in Tuesday's WSJ of historian Eric H. Cline's "After 1177 B.C." shows the value of the newspaper's daily books column.
A fellow of the Royal Historical Society, Greene gives an informed essay on Cline's examination of the collapse of Mediterranean Bronze Age civilizations and the slow recovery leading to the Iron Age glories of the Phoenicians, Greeks and Israel.
Greene presents Cline's book as the kind of gem that WSJ reviewers often uncover.
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