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History and Current Events January 2026 |
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| Capitalism: A Global History by Sven BeckertWhat it is: Award-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 CohenWhat it's about: In 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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| Mexico: A 500-Year History by Paul GillinghamWhat it is: Historian 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 HazareesinghWhat it's about: Historian 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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| Empire of Orgasm: Sex, Power, and the Downfall of a Wellness Cult by Ellen HuetWhat it is: In 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 IsaacsonWhat it is: Bestselling 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.
For fans of: 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 MarxWhat it's about: Surveying 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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