Jeremy D. Popkin’s The First Emancipation reveals how revolutionary ideals of freedom and equality were tested against the institution of slavery, exposing both the triumphs and contradictions of the era. Through vivid storytelling and meticulous scholarship, Popkin traces the struggle that led to France’s groundbreaking 1794 abolition and the tragic reversal that followed.

From the moment Jews arrived in New Amsterdam in 1654, they encountered efforts to exclude them. In her book, Antisemitism, an American Tradition, Pamela S. Nadell shows how, across generations, American Jews have faced discrimination—and fought back with resilience and determination.

Through insider accounts and sharp analysis, While Israel Slept reveals how years of flawed assumptions and ignored warnings left Israel vulnerable to a shocking assault. Yaakov Katz and Amir Bohbot present a sobering look at the political and military missteps that allowed Hamas to strike at the heart of a nation once thought invincible.

In Bear With Me, historian Daniel Horowitz examines how bears evolved from fearsome symbols of the untamed frontier into global cultural celebrities, from Grizzly Adams to Winnie the Pooh. Known for his sharp cultural insights, Horowitz reveals what our changing relationship with bears says about American identity and imagination.

Government secrecy isn’t just a federal issue—it’s a pervasive problem at the state and local levels, where hidden deals quietly impact everyday lives. Through years of investigative reporting, Backroom Deals in Our Backyards by Miranda S. Spivack reveals the stories of five everyday Americans who became accidental activists. As they uncover secret deals, corruption, and a lack of transparency in their local and state governments, their shaken faith in the system transforms into a determined fight for accountability and change.