Civilization
Niall Ferguson
An exploration into the rise of Western civilization and its dominance over the rest of the world, beginning in the 15th century. It delves into the unique factors that propelled Western Europe to global power, examining its economic, social, and political institutions, and questioning whether this dominance is coming to an end.
Color: Travels Through the Paintbox
Victoria Finlay
A journey through the history and origins of colors, exploring the stories, anecdotes, and adventures inspired by the human quest for color in art, fashion, and beyond. From ancient techniques to modern innovations, this book uncovers the secrets behind the pigments that shape our world.
Command and Control
Eric Schlosser
A ground-breaking account of accidents, near-misses, extraordinary heroism, and technological breakthroughs, Command and Control explores the dilemma that has existed since the dawn of the nuclear age: how do you deploy weapons of mass destruction without being destroyed by them? Schlosser reveals how the combination of human fallibility and technological complexity still poses a grave risk to mankind.
Common Sense and Other Writings
Thomas Paine
A collection of Thomas Paine's most influential writings, including Common Sense, The American Crisis, Rights of Man, and The Age of Reason. This volume captures Paine's revolutionary ideas on government, society, and religion, which ignited the American Revolution and continue to inspire political thought today.
Confronting the Presidents
Bill O'Reilly
From the #1 New York Times bestselling authors of the Killing series comes the first book in an explosive new series: Confronting the Presidents. Bill O'Reilly and Martin Dugard take on the daunting task of ranking and profiling each of our chief executives, beginning with George Washington. Discover the surprising stories and hidden eccentricities that shaped the leaders of the United States, for better or worse.
Consider the Fork
Bee Wilson
Award-winning food writer and historian Bee Wilson traces the ancient lineage of our modern culinary tools, revealing the startling history of objects we often take for granted. Charting the evolution of technologies from the knife and fork to the gas range and the sous-vide cooker, Wilson offers unprecedented insights into how we’ve prepared and consumed food over the centuries—and how those basic acts have changed our societies, our diets, and our very selves.
Cubed: A Secret History of the Workplace
Nikil Saval
A fascinating exploration into the history of the office, from its origins to its modern form. It delves into the social, cultural, and architectural forces that have shaped the workplace and the lives of those who inhabit it. Discover the surprising stories behind the evolution of the office and its impact on our society.
D-Day, June 6, 1944
Stephen E. Ambrose
Stephen E. Ambrose draws from over 1,400 interviews with veterans to create a chronicle of D-Day. Ambrose reveals how the original plans for the invasion were abandoned, and how ordinary soldiers and officers acted on their own initiative. D-Day is the epic story of men at the most demanding moment of their existence, when the horrors, complexities, and triumphs of life are laid bare.