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History and Current Events September 2019
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| The Liberation of Paris: How Eisenhower, de Gaulle, and von Choltitz Saved the City of Light by Jean Edward SmithWhat it is: a dramatic account of the August 1944 liberation of Paris, which left the city miraculously unscathed.
What sets it apart: the lesser-known story of Dietrich von Choltitz, the German general who defied Hitler's orders to destroy the city.
Don't miss: a moving new perspective on the relationship between Generals Dwight Eisenhower and Charles de Gaulle. |
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| On the Clock: What Low-Wage Work Did to Me and How It Drives America Insane by Emily GuendelsbergerWhat it's about: journalist Emily Guendelsberger's experiences working in the service industry after losing her job at a Philadelphia newspaper.
What she did: Guendelsberger held jobs as a "picker" at an Amazon fulfillment center in Louisville, an AT&T call center representative in North Carolina, and a cashier at a San Francisco McDonald's.
Why you might like it: Reminiscent of Barbara Ehrenreich's Nickel and Dimed, this eye-opening account offers ample context for the grueling (and often inhumane) working conditions of today's low-wage jobs. |
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Sand and blood : America's stealth war on the Mexican border
by John Carlos Frey
An award-winning journalist investigates the undeclared war at the U.S. border with Mexico, describing how the conflict has been escalating for decades, based on congress people who rely on racist fear-mongering about jobs and defense contractors seeking profits. 30,000 first printing.
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| The Vagabonds: The Story of Henry Ford and Thomas Edison's Ten-Year Road Trip by Jeff GuinnWhat it's about: Every year between 1914 and 1924, inventor pals and "autocamping" enthusiasts Henry Ford and Thomas Edison embarked on a cross-country summertime jaunt through America.
Why it matters: The pair's highly-publicized adventures contributed to the car industry boom, spurred the improvement of roadways, and inspired the concept of the road trip.
Read it for: a quirky blend of history, biography, and travelogue. |
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Canadian Federal Politics |
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Right Here, Right Now : Politics and Leadership in the Age of Disruption
by Stephen J. Harper
Former Prime Minister Stephen Harper calls on conservatives in particular and policymakers in general to eschew ideology and instead draw on the ideas and institutions that have worked in past and can be refined and reformed for the future. His prescriptions cover trade, markets, immigration, business practices, the role of the nation state, and so on. The book sets out concrete steps for business and political leaders to take in order to address working-class to interests, aspirations, and concerns, and ultimately ensure that our economies and societies remain strong and dynamic in the age of disruption.
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Who We Are : Reflections on My Life and Canada
by Elizabeth May
In this marriage of memoir and manifesto, Elizabeth May reflects on her extraordinary life and the people and experiences that have formed her and informed her beliefs about democracy, climate change, and other crucial issues facing Canadians. The book traces her development from child activist who warned other children not to eat snow because it contained Strontium 90 to waitress and cook on Cape Breton Island to law student, lawyer, and environmentalist and finally to leader of the Green Party and first elected Green Party Member of Parliament.
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Trudeau : The Education of a Prime Minister
by John Ivison
From one of Canada's most popular and connected political journalists, an unblinkered warts-and-all look at Justin Trudeau and the Liberal government's record in power.
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Love & Courage : My Story of Family, Resilience, and Overcoming the Unexpected
by Jagmeet Singh
From the leader of Canada's New Democratic Party--Jagmeet Singh--comes a personal and heartfelt story about family and overcoming adversity. ..We are invited to walk with him through childhood to adulthood as he learns powerful, moving, and sometimes traumatic lessons about hardship, addiction, and the impact of not belonging. We meet his strong family, including his mother, who teaches him that "we are all one; we are all connected," a valuable lesson that has shaped who he is today.
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Should we change how we vote? : evaluating Canada's electoral system
by Andrew Potter
Challenging the idea that first past the post is obsolete, Should We Change How We Vote? urges Canadians to make sure they understand their electoral system before making drastic changes to it. The contributors to this volume assert that there is perhaps no institution more misunderstood and misrepresented than the Canadian electoral system... They consider not only how the system works, but also its flaws and its advantages, and whether or not electoral reform is legitimate without a referendum.
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The Candidate : Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail
by Noah Richler
"A comical and revealing account of what it's like to run for office with no political experience, little money and only a faint hope of winning, told first-hand by celebrated writer Noah Richler... The Candidate lays bare what goes on behind the slogans, canvassing and talking points, told from the perspective of a political outsider.
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Contact your librarian for more great books!
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