Browsing: Politics and Current Events

In this NPR Best Book of 2018, an investigative journalist’s harrowing, eye-opening experiences as a guard in a private prison result in a “hard-hitting exposé of the for-profit prison industry” (Publishers Weekly starred review).

“Excellent…stunning.”—Ta-Nehisi CoatesThe devastating story of how fugitive slaves drove the nation to Civil WarA New York Times Notable Book Selection…

In this #1 New York Times bestseller with over 38,000 five-star Goodreads ratings, the author of Sapiens explores the key issues that will shape humanity. “Fascinating… A crucial global conversation about how to take on the problems of the 21st century” (Bill Gates).

In this “exceptionally fluent and stirring” book (Booklist starred review), a Pulitzer Prize–winning author examines critical moments in US history to understand partisanship in contemporary politics — and argues that unity and hope consistently prevail. “Brilliant, fascinating, timely, and above all profoundly important” (Walter Isaacson).

What happens when humanitarian projects run out of cash? This incisive account by a former aid worker examines three sites of recent crises — Iraq, East Timor, and South Sudan — and looks at the impact of foreign intervention.

“This is history told the old-fashioned way. The book is only as long as it needs to be, the adroit…

In this New York Times Book Review Editors’ Choice, a renowned philosopher explores how the spread of fascism is undermining democratic governments around the world. “No single book is as relevant to the present moment” (New York Times bestselling author Claudia Rankine).

This “searing, swiftly paced” memoir (The Wall Street Journal) documents Masaji Ishikawa’s 36 difficult years in totalitarian North Korea — before he was finally able to escape. “Shocking and devastating” (Kirkus Reviews), with over 17,500 five-star Goodreads ratings.

From a Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist, this read follows Derek Black, the godson of David Duke, as he slowly began to reexamine everything he’d been taught — and confronted his past and his family. “Conveys that during this period of deepening racial division, there is the possibility of redemption” (The Washington Post).

In this “riveting, courageous memoir” that “ought to be mandatory reading for every American” (Michelle Alexander, New York Times bestselling author of The New Jim Crow), a Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist reflects on his experiences as an undocumented immigrant in the US. “Couldn’t be more timely and more necessary” (Dave Eggers).