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History and Current Events January 2026 |
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| Capitalism: A Global History by Sven BeckertAward-winning Harvard historian Sven Beckert (Empire of Cotton) explores the development of capitalism around the globe in his sweeping and scholarly latest that's "a joy to read" and "a monumental achievement" (Publishers Weekly). Further reading: Capitalism and Its Critics: A History: From the Industrial Revolution to AI by John Cassidy. |
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| Captain's Dinner: A Shipwreck, an Act of Cannibalism, and a Murder Trial That... by Adam CohenIn 1884, the starving crew of the shipwrecked yacht Mignonette killed and cannibalized the vessel's cabin boy in accordance with the "custom of the sea." The resulting murder trial set a precedent that changed the course of legal history. Journalist Adam Cohen's engaging true crime account offers a richly detailed chronicle of the rapidly shifting mores of the Victorian era. For fans of: The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder by David Grann. |
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| Driven by the Monsoons: Through the Indian Ocean and the Seas of China by Barry CunliffeArchaeologist Barry Cunliffe's sweeping and illuminating history surveys nearly two millennia of Asian history by exploring the role the Indian Ocean played in trade and travel. Try this next: The Golden Road: How Ancient India Transformed the World by William Dalrymple. |
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| Mexico: A 500-Year History by Paul GillinghamHistorian Paul Gillingham's evocative and nuanced history of Mexico's global influence chronicles the country's evolution, from Spain's colonization of the Aztec empire in the early 16th century to Mexico's role today. Further reading: America, América: A New History of the New World by Greg Grandin. |
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| Daring to Be Free: Rebellion and Resistance of the Enslaved in the Atlantic World by Sudhir HazareesinghHistorian and Black Spartacus author Sudhir Hazareesingh's thought-provoking revisionist history eschews Eurocentric notions of abolition to reveal the forgotten ways in which enslaved Africans and African Americans actively resisted their captors in thought and deed. Further reading: Brooding Over Bloody Revenge: Enslaved Women's Lethal Resistance by Nikki M. Taylor. |
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| Barbieland: The Unauthorized History by Tarpley HittJournalist Tarpley Hitt's funny and engaging debut details the origins, evolution, and cultural impact of the iconic Barbie doll, which launched in 1959. For fans of: Dolls of Our Lives: Why We Can't Quit American Girl by Mary Mahoney and Allison Horrocks. |
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| Empire of Orgasm: Sex, Power, and the Downfall of a Wellness Cult by Ellen HuetIn her disturbing true crime debut, Bloomberg News reporter Ellen Huet investigates OneTaste, an "orgasmic meditation" wellness company whose promises of women's empowerment belied abusive and cult-like practices; the company's co-founder, Nicole Daedone, was convicted of forced labor conspiracy in June 2025 and currently awaits sentencing. For fans of: Don't Call It a Cult: The Shocking Story of Keith Raniere and the Women of NXIVM by Sarah Berman. |
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| The Greatest Sentence Ever Written by Walter IsaacsonBestselling biographer Walter Isaacson (Steve Jobs) turns his attention to the second sentence of the Declaration of Independence (which begins with "We hold these truths to be self-evident..."), offering a word-by-word breakdown of its significance. Published to coincide with the document's 250th anniversary, this "short, smart analysis" (Kirkus Reviews) will appeal to fans of The Pursuit of Happiness: How Classical Writers on Virtue Inspired the Lives of the Founders and Defined America by Jeffrey Rosen. |
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| Blank Space: A Cultural History of the Twenty-First Century by W. David MarxSurveying a wealth of topics including influencer culture, generative AI, identity politics, and more, culture writer W. David Marx's incisive analysis examines the cultural stagnation of the 21st century, detailing how an emphasis on profits and popularity weakens artistic expression. Further reading: Culture Creep: Notes on the Pop Apocalypse by Alice Bolin. |
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Contact your librarian for more great books!
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