Though its subtitle seems to suggest that Washington Post Book World editor Jabari Asim has created a usage manual for a disagreeable epithet, The N Word is much more than that--it's a historical examination of the "N" word, as well as a survey of the role of African-Americans in society and popular culture from the Revolutionary War onwards. As Asim examines racism from the perspective of its most volatile word, he finds the institutionalization of bigotry in every aspect of American society, and argues that the word is a slur that helps keep blacks at the bottom of the socio-economic ladder. "Informed, sensible and impassioned," says Kirkus Reviews.

Each of the U.S. presidents profiled in this engaging collection faced daunting problems that affected the entire country, and while none were perfect, each was able to find success by taking risks not fully supported by their constituents. From Lincoln's fight for the emancipation of the slaves to Reagan's struggle with the Soviet Union, the nine leaders discussed here dramatically affected the future of the U.S. through bold executive decision-making. Well-known historian Michael Beschloss presents the presidents in all their complexities, and offers insight into the factors that influenced their choices.

This 2nd volume of historian Saul Friedländer's examination of the Holocaust depicts the situation that Jews across Europe found themselves in as Nazi Germany attempted to exterminate the entire European Jewish population. Incorporating recent research as well as diaries written by Jews during the Holocaust, Friedländer addresses both the motivations behind the mass killings as well as the factors that allowed the Nazis to proceed with their plans. Publishers Weekly calls Friendländer's work "masterful."

When New York's Penn Station was completed in 1910, it was not only an architectural masterpiece but also a triumph over nature and politics, for its tunnel engineers won out over Hudson River tides just as Pennsylvania Railroad's president Alexander Cassat did over corrupt political machine Tammany Hall. This epic retelling of the building of this terminal and its tunnels, which linked Manhattan to Long Island and New Jersey, describes both engineering feats and political struggles in vivid detail, and covers the eventual decline of the Pennsylvania Railroad and Penn Station's demolition in 1963.

Covering in exquisite detail the sweltering summer of 1911, this portrait of an English society on the brink of turbulent change describes such events as the crowning of a new king, industrial strikes that nearly paralyzed the country, and the first London appearance of the Ballets Russes. Author Juliet Nicolson uses a wide variety of primary sources to depict that summer in voices as varied as a debutante and a footman, soon-to-be-Queen Mary and a choirboy, and even Winston Churchill (then the home secretary). Those interested in English history or the era just prior to World War I will find this "as entertaining as it is edifying" (Booklist).

After many years of struggle, Jamestown became the first English settlement on the North American continent to survive and succeed, thanks in part to tobacco, a new cash crop. In Savage Kingdom, author Benjamin Woolley details not only the daily experiences of the settlers (80% of whom died in a single winter) and their replacements, but also the political and financial motivations that led them to that swampy island. Using new discoveries in the British archives and other previously untapped sources, this history of the Jamestown colony "blends nuanced analysis with fast-paced narrative" (Publishers Weekly).

D-Day, June 6th, 1955. Using eyewitness accounts from both sides of this historic assault, historian Stephen Ambrose chronicles the events, politics, and personalities of this pivotal day in World War II. In the process, he sheds light on the strategies of commanders on both sides as well as the consequences of this decisive battle. Ambrose's comprehensive account of the fighting on the beaches and bluffs is "unsurpassed for detail, emotion, and suspense" (Publishers Weekly).

Watergate break-in, June 17th, 1972. When five men were arrested for breaking into an office at the Watergate complex, Washington Post reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein were assigned to investigate the story--and the ensuing scandal eventually led to President Nixon's resignation. Their extensive research resulted in the publication of this 1974 book, which is packed with details from their investigation. The New York Times calls it "remarkable."

King John of England puts his seal to the Magna Carta, June 15th, 1215. This revealing, richly textured portrait of 13th-century Britain chronicles the everyday activities of the people--rich and poor alike--of the 13th century as well as the events that led up to the signing of the Magna Carta in 1215. The Magna Carta (more properly referred to as simply Magna Carta) is considered to be the most significant early influence on the creation of constitutional law, and was written because of disagreements over the extent of King John's rights over his citizens. The Washington Post says that 1215 is "brimming with period detail."

The U.S. Congress adopts the first official U.S. flag, June 14th, 1777. In this breezy history of the American Flag--and the national anthem it inspired--New York Times reporter Irvin Molotsky tells of, among other things, the real Betsy Ross and the evolution of "The Star Spangled Banner" from an old English drinking song. In other words, he sets readers on the path to the truth about two national icons that are found from post offices to ballgames--and many places in between. Ever wonder what kind of rockets Francis Scott Key was referring to in the line "the rockets' red glare"? Now's your chance to find out!

Six-Day War, June, 1967. The Six-Day War of 1967 was fought between Israel and its neighbors, Egypt, Jordan, and Syria, who were backed by other Arab nations. Fearing an invasion, Israel launched an attack on Egypt's airforce; Jordan then attacked Israeli cities. By the end of the war, Israel had gained control of several areas, including the Gaza Strip and the Sinai Peninsula. Six Days of War relates the events of this six-day Arab-Israeli altercation and analyzes its consequences for the Middle East. As The Wall Street Journal recounts, author Michael Oren's "meticulous research cuts through the propagandized histories on all sides."

Death of James Byrd, Jr., June 7th, 1998. On this horrific day, a 49-year-old black man named James Byrd, Jr., was gruesomely murdered--chained to the bumper of a truck, he was dragged down a country road by three white men. All three were convicted, but the murder brought national attention to the longstanding racial divisions in their Texas town. In A Death in Texas, author Dina Temple-Raston uses detailed interviews to show how the town reacted to this tragedy, and how it came to be so divided. Kirkus Reviews calls her effort "not just a painstaking anatomy of a murder, but of the intractable difficulties in resolving America's ongoing racial dilemma."