History & Politics

adrienne maree brown wrote the book we all needed. Rooted in and expanding on Black radical tradition, brown crafts a whole new understanding of resistance and world-changing. Revolution is not some catastrophic moment, it is a way of living your life in embodied resistance — one that is so beautifully explored in Pleasure Activism. - Citlalli

This book is an achievement—in prose that is engaging and accessible, Zuboff breaks down the logic and operating principles behind today's major tech companies, connecting the emphasis on collection of users' data to the massive profits of Google, Facebook, Amazon, and more. Zuboff unpacks the major stories you've seen in the news, including the Cambridge Analytica scandal that forced Mark Zuckerberg to testify in front of Congress, and provides a thorough analysis of the contemporary moment in order to plan and strategize for the future. Central to this book's analysis is the idea that it is impossible to compare an unprecedented event to something that has happened before, and Zuboff makes the case that the unregulated expansion of behavioral data collection by major tech companies represents an unprecedented event with dangerous implications. This book does for privacy and surveillance what Rachel Carson accomplished with Silent Spring, and should be required reading for any user of the internet or participant in a democracy. - Billy

Do you know the name of Virginia Hall? The WWII American spy with one leg in Churchill's Special Operation Executive? Progenitor of Allied spy networks in Occupied France? Hall spent her life looked over by those in power for her gender, nationality, and disability, but let none of that stop her from combating evil. Sonia Purnell has written a long-overdue biography for those familiar with WWII France, a chance to know this unsung hero and her epic work. - Jocelyn

A short book that posits and answers an immense question. Angela Davis outlines the history of incarceration as the primary form of punishment and asks us to imagine a world interested in rehabilitation more than retribution and in healing rather than perpetuating the cycle of oppression. An absolute must-read from a legend. - Ksenia

I won't be able to adequately describe my excitement in reading this book, but trust me that if you are looking for answers towards our social ills, pick this up. Klinenberg advocates for “social” infrastructure—physical spaces such as parks, libraries, walkways, even coffee shops--with credible studies that show these spaces create “community,” reduce crime, fight poverty, improve education, combat climate change, and more. Needless to say, he's convinced me, and I now have actionable efforts to advocate for. - Jocelyn

In her latest essay collection, Solnit once again grapples with the injustices of our time and then provides a hopeful path forward. She addresses a wide range of topics, from the #MeToo movement to climate change, in a rational, non-confrontational manner. Her writing is eloquent and accessible and is both a great introduction for readers who aren’t familiar with feminist writing and a thought provoking read for those versed in the subject. - Jade

A fascinating look at the female anthropologists who revolutionized the way our society perceives gender, race, and sexuality and their transgressive ringleader; Franz Boas. Though many of their methods are now outdated, they paved the way for future generations and their research has had a lasting impact on western culture. You don’t need to know anything about anthropology to enjoy this book, and I think that its content is particularly relevant in our current cultural climate, where people are being divided and persecuted due to the fictional construct of race. - Jade

New York Times investigative journalist Ian Urbina spent several years and traveled thousands of miles to research this book, and his dedication shines through. This deeply immersive account of illegal fishing, piracy, and human slavery on the high seas gripped me right away. A real eye-opener, Urbina sheds light on the true cost of the seafood industry and its devastating effect on our oceans and the people who inhabit them. - Jade

From the very first line, Silver, Sword & Stone instantly drew me in and transported me to a Latin America I never knew: from the heights of the Peruvian Andes, into the depths of violent revolutions, and into what it means to be a Catholic in Central America. Widely published in The Washington Post, The New York Times, and National Geographic, among others, Marie Arana describes the lives of contemporary Latin Americans with exacting prose and a conversational tone. - Aric

If you have any interest in history, social justice, or true crime, and you haven’t already picked up this book, you need to right now. Grann lays a meticulous thriller, but it’s all true. Introducing vivid characters, painting a living landscape, pacing the twists and turns of the mystery, and highlighting the injustices whose effects echo today, this will keep you up reading, and stay with you. - Jocelyn