Our review of : Benjamin Franklin: An American Life

In The Bomber Mafia, Malcolm Gladwell tells the story of a group of Canadian airmen who became obsessed with bombing Germany during World War II. These men were determined to take down as many enemy targets as possible, and they were willing to do whatever it took to make that happen. The bomber mafia was [...]

The Road to Unfreedom is a comprehensive and alarming look at the current state of Russia, Europe, and America. Timothy Snyder provides readers with an in-depth analysis of how democracies can succumb to authoritarianism, detailing the warning signs that we should all be aware of. The book is essential reading for anyone who wants to [...]

The Gulag Archipelago 1918-1956 is a nonfiction book by Aleksandr I. Solzhenitsyn that documents the existence of the Soviet Union’s forced labor camp system. The work consists of testimonies from survivors, as well as analysis and documentation from Solzhenitsyn himself. It is often considered to be one of the most important books on Russian history [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

Timothy Snyder’s Bloodlands is a disturbing and brilliantly executed study of the area between Hitler and Stalin that accounted for upwards of 14 million deaths. Snyder examines the policies and politics behind this staggering figure, as well as the personal experiences of those who lived through it. The result is both comprehensive and harrowing, painting [...]

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 [...]

‘Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win’, is a book written by Jocko Willink which chronicles the author’s time as a SEAL officer, and how he applied the principles of ‘extreme ownership’ to lead his troops to victory in some of America’s most high-profile military engagements during Operation Iraqi Freedom. The book provides [...]

The Woman Who Smashed Codes tells the extraordinary story of Elizebeth Smith Friedman, a codebreaking genius whose work helped win World War II. Friedman was born in Chicago in 1892 and came from a family of accomplished women. She originally wanted to be an actress, but she eventually pursued cryptography instead, learning how to break [...]

This book tells the story of Winston Churchill’s experience during World War II, as well as his family life. It is a compelling account of the Blitz bombings in London and the challenges that both he and his loved ones faced. For who is this book for ? The Splendid and the Vile is a [...]

In Braiding Sweetgrass, Robin Wall Kimmerer draws on her life as a scientist and a member of the Potawatomi Nation to explore the connections between traditional indigenous teachings and modern scientific knowledge. She demonstrates that both systems are based on observation, rationality, and respect for the land-and that by integrating these two ways of knowing [...]

How the Word is Passed takes an unflinching look at America’s history of slavery. It moves beyond traditional narratives that focus narrowly on the institution in the South, instead reckoning with how racism and its legacy have played out across the country. The book offers a searing indictment of white supremacy while also celebrating Black [...]