How the Word Is Passed
Clint Smith
In 'How the Word Is Passed,' Clint Smith embarks on a powerful journey across the United States and to Gorée Island, exploring how different historical sites reckon with the enduring legacy of American slavery. Through visits to plantations, prisons, cemeteries, museums, and cities, Smith uncovers the varied ways history is remembered, distorted, or confronted. He weaves together personal reflections, historical analysis, and interviews with public historians and descendants, offering a profound examination of how the past shapes the present and challenging readers to grapple with the complex, often uncomfortable, truths of American identity.
The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich
William L. Shirer
A comprehensive historical account of Nazi Germany, from the rise of Adolf Hitler to the collapse of the Third Reich. Based on captured German documents and the author's firsthand experience as a journalist in pre-war Germany, this book offers a detailed look at the inner workings of the Nazi regime and its impact on the world.
Sapiens
Yuval Noah Harari
Explore the epic history of humankind, from the Stone Age to the present day. Yuval Noah Harari examines how Homo sapiens came to dominate the world, delving into the cognitive, agricultural, and scientific revolutions that shaped our species and its impact on the planet. A thought-provoking journey through the human story.
The Better Angels of Our Nature
Steven Pinker
A groundbreaking exploration of violence in human history, arguing that despite perceptions to the contrary, violence has in fact declined dramatically over long stretches of time. Pinker examines the psychological and historical roots of violence and the factors that have contributed to its reduction, offering a compelling vision of a more peaceful future.
Hidden Figures
Margot Lee Shetterly
During World War II, America’s aeronautics industry hired black female mathematicians to fill a labor shortage. These "human computers" stayed on to work for NASA and made sure America won the Space Race. They fought for their country’s future, and for their share of the American dream. This is their untold story.
The 1619 Project
Nikole Hannah-Jones
A groundbreaking reframing of American history that places slavery and its continuing legacy at the center of our national narrative. This book combines historical essays, literary works, and personal reflections to explore the ways in which slavery has shaped modern American life, from our economic system to our cultural identity.
The Intel Trinity
Michael S. Malone
Explore the remarkable story of Robert Noyce, Gordon Moore, and Andy Grove, the visionary leaders who transformed Intel into a global powerhouse and shaped the modern digital world. From their early days at Fairchild Semiconductor to the challenges and triumphs of building Intel, this book delves into the lives and legacies of these influential figures and their enduring impact on technology and society.
The Origins of Totalitarianism
Hannah Arendt
A seminal work that analyzes the historical and political elements that crystallized into totalitarianism in the 20th century. Arendt explores antisemitism, imperialism, and the breakdown of the nation-state, offering profound insights into the nature of power, ideology, and the human condition.