|
History and Current Events April 2020
|
|
|
|
| The Man in the Red Coat by Julian BarnesWhat it is: a gossipy history of Belle Époque France as experienced by the colorful characters who inhabited it.
Starring: licentious gynecologist Samuel Pozzi, subject of John Singer Sargent's famous 1881 portrait Dr. Pozzi at Home and friend of Marcel Proust, Oscar Wilde, Henry James, and more.
Read it for: the primary sources deployed to humorous effect (the Princess of Monaco referred to Pozzi as "disgustingly handsome.") |
|
| Suffrage: Women's Long Battle for the Vote by Ellen Carol DuBoisWhat it is: a lively and accessible history of the women's suffrage movement, published to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment and packed with profiles of lesser-known activists.
What sets it apart: historian Ellen Carol DuBois' frank exploration of how proponents of the suffrage movement often excluded women of color from participating.
Further reading: For a suspenseful account of how the 19th Amendment passed, check out The Woman's Hour by Elaine Weiss, soon to be adapted for TV by Stephen Spielberg. |
|
| Dark Towers: Deutsche Bank, Donald Trump, and an Epic Trail of Destruction by David EnrichFollow the money: In this sobering and well-researched chronicle, New York Times finance editor David Enrich investigates Germany-based Deutsche Bank's long and troubled history, from its funding of Auschwitz to its close relationship with Donald Trump, who owed the company a staggering $350 million at the time of his election.
Who it's for: fans of compelling business exposés like Andrew Ross Sorkin's Too Big to Fail or Christopher Leonard's Kochland. |
|
| Operation Chastise: The RAF's Most Brilliant Attack of World War II by Max HastingsMay 17, 1943: Britain's Royal Air Force (RAF) blew up two dams in Germany's Ruhr valley, an effort that shook German confidence and killed more than 1,500 civilians, many of them forced laborers.
How they did it: through much trial and error -- the RAF spent two years testing the "bouncing bomb" developed by engineer Barnes Wallis.
Reviewers say: "Another Hastings must-read" (Kirkus Reviews). |
|
| Hood Feminism: Notes from the Women That a Movement Forgot by Mikki KendallWhat it's about: how mainstream feminism prioritizes white women while ignoring marginalized voices.
Why you might like it: In this incisive collection of essays, author Mikki Kendall draws on her own experiences as a black woman who has experienced poverty, racial discrimination, and violence to deliver an enlightening guide to embracing intersectionality.
Chapters include: "Solidarity is Still for White Women;" "The Hood Doesn't Hate Smart People;" "Allies, Anger, and Accomplices." |
|
|
Historic Texas courthouses
by Michael A. Andrews
Delivering an education in the elements of architectural style, this book gives attention to one hundred landmark courthouses in Texas. Details about the artisans and their materials and methods are recorded, and stories abound of the spirited competition by towns for the trophy of being designated as the county seat.
|
|
|
Red Fortress: History and Illusion in the Kremlin
by Catherine Merridale
In Red Fortress, a "well-done portrait of both Russian history and the Kremlin" (Booklist), historian Catherine Merridale portrays both the initial building and the frequent rebuilding of the central administrative complex in Moscow while reflecting on the autocratic leadership styles of eight centuries of rulers. From Ivan the Terrible's oppressive, bloody rule through Stalin's executions and forced labor camps, Russian governments tried and failed to hold power over a large, varied, and disorganized swath of territory. The rich culture and politics of Russian history emerge clearly in this fascinating biography of an architectural icon.
|
|
|
Tower : an epic history of the Tower of London
by Nigel H. Jones
A dramatic history of the Tower of London places its story in a context of national and international events, drawing on primary sources to explore its diverse functions as a British symbol, epicenter for violent events and modern tourist attraction.
|
|
Contact your librarian for more great books!
|
|
|
Carrollton Public Library 1700 Keller Springs Road, Carrollton Texas 75006 4220 North Josey Lane, Carrollton Texas 75010 |
|
|