| Dapper Dan: Made in Harlem by Daniel R. DayWhat it is: A moving memoir by groundbreaking fashion designer Daniel Day, who parlayed the hustling skills he acquired as an impoverished Harlem youth into a successful career designing street wear.
Why it matters: Day's designs, popularized by hip-hop artists and athletes, have left an indelible mark on black culture since the 1980s.
Want a taste? "Fashion for me wasn't about expression. Fashion was about power." |
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| The Sixth Man by Andre Iguodala with Carvell WallaceWhat it's about: NBA swingman, 2012 All-Star, and 2015 Finals MVP Andre Iguodala's remarkable life both on and off the court.
Topics include: Iguodala's gold medal win in the 2012 Summer Olympics, his three NBA championship wins with the Golden State Warriors, and his success as a Silicon Valley investor.
Reviewers say: "The best basketball memoir since Bill Russell's Go Up for Glory...a sports memoir for the ages" (Booklist). |
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Haben : The Deafblind Woman who Conquered Harvard Law by Haben GirmaStarring: Disability rights lawyer Haben Girma, the first deafblind person to graduate from Harvard Law School.
What sets it apart: Emboldened by her Eritrean refugee parents' stories of surviving war-torn Ethiopia in the 1980s, Girma has faced the setbacks of living in an ableist society with wit and optimism.
Reviewers say: "An absolute must-read" (Library Journal).
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George Marshall: Defender of the Republic by David L. RollWhat it is: A comprehensive biography of revered five-star general George Marshall, whose storied military career included key roles in both World Wars and the Korean War, and two cabinet positions in President Truman's administration.
Did you know? Marshall is the only serving military officer to have been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
Don't miss: Previously unpublished letters that offer illuminating insights on Marshall's family life and sense of humor.
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When I was White : A Memoir by Sarah ValentineWhat it's about: Raised as the white daughter of Italian and Irish-descended parents, Sarah Valentine often fielded awkward questions about her dark skin and hair. It wasn't until she was 27 that she learned the truth -- that her biological father was African American.What happened: Shaken by her family's betrayal, Valentine set off on a journey to discover both her biological father and herself. Try this next: For another affecting memoir exploring issues of paternity fraud and racial identity, check out Sil Lai Abrams' Black Lotus.
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The Family Next Door : The Heartbreaking Imprisonment of the Thirteen Turpin Siblings and their Extraordinary Rescue by John GlattWhat it is: T he disturbing story of seemingly picture-perfect couple David and Louise Turpin, who for years brutalized and imprisoned their 13 children in their suburban California home.What happened: In January 2018, the Turpins' 17-year-old daughter Jordan made a daring escape to successfully alert the authorities.Is it for you? True crime fans will appreciate this timely account of a gruesome case that's still making headlines -- in April 2019, David and Louise received life sentences for their crimes.
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On the Clock: What Low-wage Work did to Me and How it Drives America Insane by Emily GuendelsbergerWhat it's about: Journalist Emily Guendelsberger's experiences working in the service industry after losing her job at a Philadelphia newspaper.What she did: Guendelsberger held jobs as a "picker" at an Amazon fulfillment center in Louisville, an AT&T call center representative in North Carolina, and a cashier at a San Francisco McDonald's.Why you might like it: Reminiscent of Barbara Ehrenreich's Nickel and Dimed, this eye-opening account offers ample context for the grueling (and often inhumane) working conditions of today's low-wage jobs.
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The Vagabonds: The Story of Henry Ford and Thomas Edison's Ten-Year Road Trip by Jeff GuinnWhat it's about: Every year between 1914 and 1924, inventor pals and "autocamping" enthusiasts Henry Ford and Thomas Edison embarked on a cross-country summertime jaunt through America.
Why it matters: The pair's highly-publicized adventures contributed to the car industry boom, spurred the improvement of roadways, and inspired the concept of the road trip.
Read it for: A quirky blend of history, biography, and travelogue.
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