In 'The Storm Before the Storm' by Mike Duncan, the author takes readers on a riveting journey back to Ancient Rome's tumultuous times before the Republic's fall. Duncan skillfully delves into the political intrigue, societal unrest, and the rise of authoritarian figures that ultimately led to the demise of the Roman Republic. Through meticulous research and engaging storytelling, he brings to life the key figures like the Gracchi brothers, Marius, and Sulla, illustrating how their actions set the stage for the civil wars and the rise of Julius Caesar. This book offers a compelling narrative that educates and captivates readers with its insights into power dynamics and political upheaval.
Mike Duncan is a prominent podcaster, historian, and author known for his compelling storytelling in the realm of historical non-fiction. He gained widespread acclaim for his award-winning podcast series, 'The History of Rome,' which solidified his position as a leading voice in the historical podcasting world. His subsequent works, including 'Revolutions' and 'The Storm Before the Storm,' have further showcased his talent for making complex historical events accessible and engaging to a wide audience. Duncan's impactful blend of research and narrative skill continues to captivate readers and listeners, cementing his legacy as a pivotal figure in modern historical literature.
Presented as a letter to his teenage son, Ta-Nehisi Coates's Between the World and Me is a profound meditation on race, history, and identity in America. Drawing from his own experiences as a Black man, Coates examines the legacy of systemic racism, police violence, and the illusion of the American Dream. Inspired by Baldwin yet distinctly contemporary, the book offers a deeply personal and unflinching account of what it means to live in a Black body. With lyrical prose and intellectual rigor, Coates compels readers to confront uncomfortable truths and reconsider notions of privilege, safety, and belonging.
In this harrowing and deeply reported memoir, journalist Patricia Evangelista documents Rodrigo Duterte’s brutal war on drugs in the Philippines. Drawing from years of firsthand reporting, Evangelista chronicles the violence, propaganda, and moral disintegration that defined a nation’s descent into authoritarianism. Through vivid narratives of victims, enforcers, and survivors, the book becomes a powerful indictment of state-sponsored killings and a meditation on fear, complicity, and resistance. Some People Need Killing is both a work of fearless journalism and a profoundly personal reckoning with truth and accountability in the face of terror.
Richard Feynman, Nobel laureate and icon, was a genius with an insatiable appetite for adventure and a remarkable talent for storytelling. This collection of short pieces and reminiscences reveals his diverse passions, from his appreciation of beauty to his college antics and the unique lessons imparted by his father. Feynman takes us behind the scenes of the Challenger investigation, vividly recounting his pivotal experiment that exposed the disaster's cause. He also shares the poignant story of meeting his beloved first wife, Arlene, and their brief, cherished time together. Infused with Feynman's characteristic curiosity and zest for life, these writings are both deeply moving and wonderfully humorous.
by Jonathan Eig
This definitive biography offers a sweeping, intimate portrait of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., drawing on newly released FBI files and hundreds of interviews. Jonathan Eig presents King not as a sanitized icon but as a complex, courageous, and fallible human being. From his rise in the civil rights movement to his assassination, King explores the moral convictions and personal struggles that shaped his leadership. The book reveals new dimensions of his activism, including his economic and anti-war stances. King is a monumental work of scholarship that restores the radical legacy of one of America’s most transformative figures.