Our review of : America Before

“Kleptopia: How Dirty Money Is Conquering the World,” by Tom Burgis, is a riveting account of how corruption and bribery have become rampant throughout the world economy. From Russia to China to Nigeria, Burgis provides eye-opening examples of how kleptocrats (individuals who rule through theft) are able to amass wealth and wield power at the [...]

This book tells the story of Quanah Parker, a Comanche Indian chief who led his tribe during an era of great change and upheaval. Drawing on extensive research, S. C. Gwynne provides a compelling account of the rise and fall of the Comanches, as well as their interactions with white settlers and government officials. This [...]

In this sweeping, century-spanning history of American race relations, Pulitzer Prize winner Isabel Wilkerson argues that the social caste system in America is not based on skin color but on African Americans’ origin—a “caste” derived from slavery. Wilkerson chronicles two centuries of race relations in America, from the arrival of the first. For who is [...]

When we meet someone for the first time, what do we talk about? How do we create a connection with a stranger? In “Talking to Strangers,” Malcolm Gladwell explores the dynamics of communication and offers insights into how best to navigate our interactions with people who are unfamiliar to us. Drawing on research in psychology, [...]

In 1995, Barack Obama visited Kenya for the first time since he was two years old. He had come to see the land of his father’s birth and to learn more about the country where his family came from. Nearly two decades later, as president of the United States, he returned to Africa—this time with [...]

Red Famine tells the story of Stalin’s deliberate policy to starve millions of Ukrainians in the early 1930s. It is a chilling tale of incompetence, cruelty and mass murder. For who is this book for ? Red Famine is a history book that tells the story of Stalin’s deliberate policy to starve millions of Ukrainians [...]

Mythos is a book written by Stephen Fry that tells the history of mythology. The book goes through various different myths from around the world, and explores their origins and meanings. For who is this book for ? Mythos would be a great book for someone who is interested in mythology, and wants to learn [...]

In The Nineties, Chuck Klosterman examines the era-defining decade through a cultural lens. He explores how technologies like cell phones and the internet changed both our personal lives and public discourse; he considers what made Kurt Cobain such an influential musician and why America’s politicians became so unpopular; he looks at how various figures—from Jean-Claude [...]

The Way I Heard it is a collection of short, true stories from Mike Rowe’s varied and interesting life. The anecdotes are engaging, humorous, and sometimes shocking – but always told with the trademark wit and intelligence that has made Rowe one of America’s most beloved storytellers. From his early days as a janitor in [...]

The Man Without a Face is a riveting and alarming account of the rise to power of Vladimir Putin, one of the most enigmatic and powerful leaders in recent history. Journalist Masha Gessen traces Putin’s trajectory from rural obscurity to president of Russia, uncovering along the way his dark secrets and mysterious past. This richly [...]

This is a book about the Vanderbilt dynasty – one of America’s most famous and powerful families. It tells the story of their rise to power, as well as their eventual fall from grace. The book is written by Anderson Cooper, an acclaimed journalist and TV personality who happens to be related to the Vanderbilts [...]

The Color of Law tells the forgotten story of how our government segregated America. Using extensive research and compelling storytelling, author Richard Rothstein provides a timely and important history lesson that is essential for understanding race relations in America today. For who is this book for ? This book is for anyone who wants to [...]