Bart Ehrman, "The New Testament: A Historical Introduction..." (2003)

The full subtitle of this text is: "A Historical Introduction to the Early Christian Writings."

I've temporarily discontinued reading this book, but fully intend to return to it. Sorry!http://www.bartdehrman.com/books/nt_early_writingsR4.htm

Candida Moss, "The Myth of Persecution" (2013)

The subtitle of this book is, "How Early Christians Invented a Story of Martyrdom."

I've finished the book, but have yet to write a summary. Sorry!

In the interim, some positive reviews (with links to other reviews) can be found at the Unreasonable Faith blog
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/unreasonablefaith/2013/03/a-good-way-to-die-the-myth-of-persecution/

and Salon.com.

For some balance, I've also included a negative review from First Things.

J.T. Patterson, "The Eve of Destruction" (2012)

The subtitle of this book is, " How 1965 Transformed America."

I've finished the book, but have yet to write a summary. Sorry!

You can listen to/watch the author give a talk on the book at the University of Virginia's Miller Centre (Jan. 2013).

A discussion with the author is available via BookTV.

Some reviews of the book are linked here:
John Wilson, Books & Culture.