Our review of : The Gulag Archipelago 1918-1956

Alexander Hamilton tells the riveting story of one of America’s most prominent and controversial Founding Fathers, from his humble beginnings on the Caribbean island of Nevis to his role in creating the United States government. Raised by a single mother, Hamilton was orphaned at a young age and later became a penniless refugee. He taught [...]

The Devil in the White City tells the true story of two men – one, a brilliant architect and designer, and the other, a serial killer who used the fairgrounds as his playground. Set at the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago, this is an edge-of-your seat thriller that weaves together themes of murder, magic, and [...]

“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 [...]

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 [...]

Catherine Belton’s “Putin’s People” is an insightful look at the resurgence of the Russian KGB under Vladimir Putin and their subsequent efforts to rebuild Russia’s relationship with the West. Drawing on interviews with key insiders, Belton provides a unique perspective on how Putin has successfully brought back much of the KGB mentality into modern-day Russia [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]