Home / Catalog / Contact Us History and Current Events September 2018 Recent Releases The Fighters by C.J. Chivers What it is: a collection of portraits detailing the experiences of six U.S. military servicemen serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, chronicled over 12 years of on-the-ground reportage. Why you might like it: Searing and empathetic, this enlightening glimpse at combat will appeal to readers "no matter their feelings about the wars" (Booklist).   About the author: C.J. Chivers is a Gulf War veteran and New York Times senior editor who won a Pulitzer Prize for the story on which The Fighters is based.  The Poisoned City: Flint's Water and the American Urban Tragedy by Anna Clark What it's about: the ongoing man-made water crisis that has afflicted residents of Flint, Michigan since April 2014 and to date has resulted in 12 deaths. Why it's significant: Detroit-based journalist Anna Clark pulls no punches in this compelling call to arms, utilizing extensive research to show how racial inequality, housing segregation, and government underfunding led to this "decades-old, slow-burn emergency."  The future of terrorism : ISIS, Al-Qaeda, and the Alt-Right by Walter Laqueur hat it's about:  Two terrorism experts trace the post-bin Laden rise of terrorism throughout the world as well as the surge in right-wing extremism in the United States, identifying specific environments and political decisions that contributed to present-day threats Why it is significant:  The authors explain the structural features behind contemporary terrorism, how bad governance abets terror, the link between poverty and terrorism, why religious terrorism is more dangerous than secular, and the nature of "lone wolf terrorists. Dopesick: Dealers, Doctors, and the Drug Company That Addicted America by Beth Macy What it is: a gut-wrenching history of America's rising opioid epidemic that puts a human face on the disheartening statistics. Why it matters: Journalist Beth Macy began her research in her own community of Roanoke, Virginia, highlighting the day-to-day struggles of those from all walks of life struggling with addiction.  Further reading: American Fix: Inside the Opioid Addiction Crisis -- and How to End It by Ryan Hampton. Fly Girls: How Five Daring Women Defied All Odds and Made Aviation History by Keith O'Brien What it is: an intriguing, richly detailed history of five women (including Amelia Earhart) who competed in the national air races of the 1920s and 1930s -- and changed aviation forever. For fans of: Margot Lee Shetterly's Hidden Figures and its film adaptation. Reviewers say: "A vivid, suspenseful story of women determined to defy gravity -- and men -- to fulfill their lofty dreams" (Kirkus Reviews).   Culinary Histories The Potlikker Papers: A Food History of the Modern South by John T. Edge What it is: an engaging history of Southern cuisine and its relationship to sociopolitical history and gentrification. Don't miss: stories of African American cooks feeding marchers during the Montgomery bus boycotts. Is it for you? Whether you're a foodie or someone who appreciates social and regional histories, there's something for everyone to savor in this sweeping ode to Southern foodways. Chefs, drugs and rock & roll : how food lovers, free spirits, misfits and wanderers created a new American profession by Andrew Friedman What it is:  A history of the U.S. restaurant chef in the 70s and 80s describing the profession's  rivalry between French-established masters in New York City and the California newcomers.  Recounts the stories of cooking stars, including, Mario Batali, Tom Colicchio and Bobby Flay. About the author:  In addition to coauthoring 21 cookbooks, Friedman wrote seven books about the food world, including, Knives at Dawn, Don't  Try this at Home, and Dirty Dishes. Eight Flavors: The Untold Story of American Cuisine by Sarah Lohman Featuring: black pepper, vanilla, chili powder, curry powder, soy sauce, garlic, MSG, and sriracha.  Read it for: food blogger Sarah Lohman's infectious curiosity and her well-researched, insightful trivia about "the most complex and diverse cuisine on the planet."      Try this next: The American Plate: A Culinary History in 100 Bites, by Libby Haight O'Connell.  Grocery: The Buying and Selling of Food in America by Michael Ruhlman What it's about: In this lively survey, cookbook author and food writer Michael Ruhlman offers an absorbing look at the history of grocery stores and how they embody shifting mores about consumption and sustainability.  Want a taste? "Because they are a reflection, even symbol, of our culture, and thus a gauge of who we are, supermarkets illuminate what we care about, what we fear, what we desire."  The American plate : a culinary history in 100 bites by Libby Haight O'Connell What it is:  O'Connell presents the fascinating history of American food in one hundred culinary staples, from Native American maize traditions to the contemporary cuisines of sushi and salsa. Why you might like it:  Includes recipes, photos, and trivia on dozens of food from the surprising origins of Hershey bars to Native American delicacies such as roast turtle and grilled beaver tail. Contact your librarian for more great books! If you are having trouble unsubscribing to this newsletter, please contact the Fremont Public Library District at 847-566-8702.