|
History and Current Events April 2019
|
|
|
|
| How to Hide an Empire: A History of the Greater United States by Daniel ImmerwahrWhat it is: A fast-paced, illuminating history exploring the impact of American imperialism on past and present non-mainland U.S. territories including Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines.
Why it matters: This absorbing work reveals a perspective on American history that is often overlooked.
Did you know? Nearly half of the mainland population is unaware that today's four million territory residents are U.S. citizens. |
|
| Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland by Patrick Radden KeefeWhat it's about: In December 1972, Belfast widow and mother of 10 Jean McConville was wrongly accused of being an informant for the British Army. Abducted from her home by members of the Irish Republican Army (IRA), she was never seen again.
Why you might like it: Blending elements of murder mystery, political history, and true crime, this heartwrenching deep dive into The Troubles offers an unflinching portrait of the conflict's lasting repercussions. |
|
| An American Summer: Love and Death in Chicago by Alex KotlowitzWhat it is: An intimate and empathetic chronicle of the summer of 2013 in Chicago neighborhoods plagued by violence and neglect.
What's inside: Immersive interviews with advocates, bystanders, victims, and perpetrators.
Author alert: Journalist Alex Kotlowitz is the author of There Are No Children Here, which was named by the New York Public Library as one of the 150 most important books of the 20th century. |
|
| No Turning Back: Life, Loss, and Hope in Wartime Syria by Rania AbouzeidWhat it is: A sobering account of the ongoing Syrian Civil War, which has claimed an estimated 500,000 lives since 2011.
What sets it apart: Branded a spy by the Syrian government and banned from entering the country, journalist Rania Abouzeid spent several years clandestinely entering Syria to conduct her reportage.
Book buzz: No Turning Back was a 2018 Booklist Editors' Choice and New York Times Notable Book selection. |
|
| The French Revolution: From Enlightenment to Tyranny by Ian DavidsonWhat it is: A dramatic, richly detailed history of the French Revolution (1789-1799), which resulted in the overthrow of the French monarchy and the establishment of a democratic republic.
Featuring: Helpful maps, graphics, and timelines.
Who it's for: Readers familiar with the topic or those looking for a comprehensive overview. |
|
| October: The Story of the Russian Revolution by China MiévilleWhat it is: A breathtaking month-by-month account of Russia's two 1917 revolutions, which culminated in the rise of Vladimir Lenin and the creation of the world's first workers' state.
Read it for: Award-winning fantasy author China Miéville's (Perdido Street Station) lyrical prose.
Want a taste? “Trench-drenched soldiers the colour of ripped-up earth taking what hours of respite they could, drinking tea from tin mugs.” |
|
Contact your librarian for more great books!
|
|
|
|
|
|