The Anarchy
William Dalrymple
A gripping account of how the East India Company, a private corporation based in London, rose to dominate the Indian subcontinent, eclipsing the Mughal Empire and reshaping global trade. It explores the company's ruthless tactics, political maneuvering, and the devastating consequences of its pursuit of profit, revealing a dark chapter in the history of colonialism and corporate power.
The Attention Merchants
Tim Wu
A deep dive into the history of how our attention has been captured and commodified, from the first newspapers to modern social media. It explores the rise of the attention industry and its profound impact on our lives, urging us to reclaim our collective consciousness.
The Book Thief
Markus Zusak
Narrated by Death, this is the story of Liesel Meminger, a young girl living in Nazi Germany. After her brother dies, Liesel finds solace in stolen books, learning to read and finding comfort in words amidst the chaos of war. A tale of resilience, friendship, and the power of stories in the darkest of times.
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
John Boyne
A heartbreaking story about innocence in the face of unimaginable horror. Through the eyes of a young boy named Bruno, we witness the atrocities of the Holocaust as he struggles to understand the world around him after his family moves to a place called 'Out-With' (Auschwitz). His friendship with a boy on the other side of the fence leads to devastating consequences.
The Code Book
Simon Singh
A sweeping history of encryption, tracing its evolution and revealing the dramatic effects codes have had on wars, nations, and individual lives. From Mary, Queen of Scots, to the Navajo Code Talkers, to the breakthrough that made Internet commerce secure, The Code Book tells the story of the most powerful intellectual weapon ever known: secrecy.
The Color of Law
Richard Rothstein
An examination of how federal, state, and local governments systematically imposed residential segregation in every major metropolitan area in the United States, creating a legacy of inequality that persists to this day. It challenges the myth of de facto segregation and exposes the unconstitutional policies that shaped the racial landscape of America.
The Congo from Leopold to Kabila
Georges Nzongola-Ntalaja
A compelling and lucid account of the Congolese people's struggle for democracy and liberation throughout the 20th century, from colonial rule to post-independence exploitation and warfare. It examines the challenges and limitations of the Congolese democracy movement, offering essential insights into the ongoing crisis in the Congo and the Great Lakes region.
The Curious History of Dating
Nichi Hodgson
A fascinating journey through the history of dating, from the lonely hearts ads of the 1700s to the dating apps of today. Explore the changing social norms, courtship rituals, and the pursuit of love across the centuries.