George Washington’s Final Battle | The Epic Struggle to Build a Capital City and Nation by Robert P. Watson looks into Washington’s impact on creating his new country’s capital city. Washington had a direct role in planning many aspects of the city that would house the young republic, creating a landmark that gave the fledgling democracy credibility, united a fractious country, and created a sense of American identity.
The World Turned Upside Down | A History of the Chinese Cultural Revolution by Yang Jisheng gives an unparalleled account of the Cultural Revolution in China. The book puts every political incident of those ten years under extraordinary scrutiny, and arrives at a moment when Chinese governance is leaning once more toward a highly centralized power structure and Mao-style cult of personality.
The Great Kosher Meat War of 1902 | Immigrant Housewives and the Riots That Shook New York City by Scott D. Seligman explores the collective action Jewish housewives took to end the price gouging of kosher meat. Convinced by the latest jump in the price of kosher meat, they assembled with intent on shutting down every kosher butcher shop in New York’s Jewish quarter.
The Bitch by Pilar Quintana is a powerful and beautiful novel that examines the painful chaos of life. It is written in a prose as terse as the villagers, with storms―both meteorological and emotional―lurking around each corner.
The War of Return | How Western Indulgence of the Palestinian Dream Has Obstructed the Path to Peace by Adi Schwartz and Einat Wilf looks further into how the permanent “refugee” problem is hindering peace between Israel and Palestine. They argue that this Palestinian demand for a “right of return” has no legal or moral basis and make an impassioned plea for the world to recognize this fact, for the good of Israelis and Palestinians alike.
The Journey of Liu Xiaobo | From Dark Horse to Nobel Laureate edited by Joanne Leedom-Ackerman with Yu Zhang, Jie Li, and Tienchi Martin-Liao reflects on the incredible life of Liu Xaiobo. A fearless poet and prolific essayist and critic, Liu Xiaobo became one of the most important dissident thinkers in the People’s Republic of China.
Forbidden Memory | Tibet during the Cultural Revolution by Tsering Woeser uncovers the lost stories of Tibet during the societal-changing Cultural Revolution. The author presents three hundred previously unseen photographs taken by her father that show for the first time the frenzy and violence of the Cultural Revolution in Tibet.
Our People | Discovering Lithuania’s Hidden Holocaust by Rūta Vanagaitė and Efraim Zuroff explores the history of Lithuania’s decisions and actions during the Holocaust. The book exposes the significant role in implementing the Final Solution played by local political leaders and the prewar Lithuanian administration that remained in place during occupation.
Drunk in China | Baijiu and the World’s Oldest Drinking Culture by Derek Sandhaus follows the author’s journey to discover the history and culture of Baijiu drinking. China is one of the world’s leading producers and consumers of liquor. Yet to the outside world, China’s most famous spirit, baijiu, remains a mystery.
Catch ’67 | The Left, The Right and The Legacy of the Six Day War by Micah Goodman, a best-selling Israeli author analyzes the complicated situation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Through philosophical critique and political analysis, Goodman builds a creative, compelling case for pragmatism in a dispute where a comprehensive solution seems impossible.
