History and Current Events
September 2025
Recent Releases
King of Kings: The Iranian Revolution: A Story of Hubris, Delusion and Catastrophic...
by Scott Anderson

In his thought-provoking and unputdownable latest, journalist and New York Times bestselling author Scott Anderson (The Quiet Americans) chronicles the 1979 Iranian Revolution, which saw the rise of Ayatollah Khomeini and ushered in an era of religious nationalism that continues to this day. 
Peak Human : What We Can Learn from the Rise and Fall of Golden Ages
by Johan Norberg

In Peak Human, acclaimed historian Johan Norberg examines seven of humanity’s greatest civilizations – ancient Athens, the Roman Republic, Abbasid Baghdad, Song China, Renaissance Italy, the Dutch Republic and the Anglosphere – and asks: how do we ensure that our current golden age doesn’t end?
The Mission: The CIA in the 21st Century
by Tim Weiner

Pulitzer Prize winner Tim Weiner follows up his National Book Award-winning Legacy of Ashes: The History of the CIA with a richly detailed exploration of the CIA’s shifting role in United States foreign policy following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, delivering a “singular triumph” that “should be required reading” (Kirkus Reviews). Further reading: Spies, Lies, and Algorithms: The History and Future of American Intelligence by Amy B. Zegart.
Strong Ground : The Lessons of Daring Leadership, the Tenacity of Paradox, and the Wisdom of the Human Spirit
by Brené Brown

In a time when uncertainty runs deep and bluster, hubris, and even cruelty are increasingly framed as acceptable leadership, Brown delivers practical, actionable insights that illuminate the mindsets and skill sets essential to reclaiming focus and driving growth through connection, discipline, and accountability.
The Last Days of Marilyn Monroe
by James Patterson

Before Marilyn Monroe, there was Norma Jeane. No one would have thought that the girl who spent her childhood between foster homes and orphanages would one day become a global star. 'The Last Days of Marilyn Monroe' tells the extraordinary story of Marilyn Monroe's life - and the shocking circumstances of her death. For decades, fans have speculated about the truth of her final days. Was it suicide? A tragic accident? Murder? Drawn from rigorous research, this book seeks answers. Told in vivid, dramatic scenes, James Patterson and Imogen Edwards-Jones uncover the life and death of the remarkable woman who was Marilyn Monroe.
Girl on Girl : How Pop Culture Turned a Generation of Women Against Themselves
by Sophie Gilbert

From Atlantic critic and Pulitzer Prize finalist Sophie Gilbert, a blazing critique of how early-aughts pop culture turned women and girls against each other-and themselves-with disastrous consequences.
How to Kill a Witch
by Zoè Venditozzi

A darkly witty, feminist exploration of 16th-century Scottish witch trials, revealing how fear, sexism and law converged to justify the systematic identification, accusation and execution of women labeled as witches during a time of national crisis.
The Bible Says So : What We Get Right and Wrong About Scripture's Most Controversial Issues
by Dan Mcclellan

The Bible is the world's most influential book, but do we really know what it says? Every day across social media and in homes, businesses, and public spaces, people try to cut debate short by claiming that "the Bible says so!" However, they commonly disagree about what it actually does and doesn't say, particularly when it comes to socially significant issues. For instance, does the Bible say we should be on the lookout for an antichrist associated with the number 666? Does it say women shouldn't wear revealing clothing? Does it say it's okay to hit your kids?
Contact your librarian for more great books!