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History and Current Events July 2024
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Unruly: The Ridiculous History of England's Kings and Queens
by David Mitchell
What It's About: In this hilarious book that takes history seriously, a British actor and comedian introduces England's earliest kings and queens, who were mostly as silly and weird in real life as they appear today in their portraits, revealing a story of narcissists, inadequate self-control, excessive beheadings, uncivil wars and more.
Reviewers Say: “Clever and amusing . . . gloriously bizarre . . . razor sharp . . . People who have never before picked up a history book will read and enjoy this one.”—The Times
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The Rise and Fall of the Second American Republic: Reconstruction, 1860-1920
by Manisha Sinha
What it's about: From 1860, when the election Abraham Lincoln triggered the secession of the Deep South states and ending in 1920 when women were granted the right to vote, an acclaimed historian narrates the major episodes of the era and introduces the key individuals who helped remake American democracy, or whose actions spelled its doom.
Reviewers say: "Sinha not only has taken on this vast subject, but has greatly expanded its definition, both temporally and spatially. . . . She covers these difficult issues with remarkable skill and clarity." ―S. C. Gwynne, New York Times Book Review
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Blood Memory: The Tragic Decline and Improbable Resurrection of the American Buffalo
by Dayton Duncan
What it's about: The epic story of the buffalo in America, from prehistoric times to today—a moving and beautifully illustrated work of natural history inspired by the PBS series "American Buffalo". This is the rich and complicated story of a young republic's heedless rush to conquer a continent, but also of the dawn of the conservation era-a story of America at its very best and worst
Reviewers say: "Duncan and...Burns present an elegiac complement to their PBS series, The American Buffalo...This will bring readers to tears, then fill them with hope."—Publishers Weekly, Starred Review
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The Playbook: A Story of Theater, Democracy, and the Making of a Culture War
by James Shapiro
What it's about: This masterful history of the Federal Theatre Project, which entertained the public from 1935-1939, takes us through its most remarkable productions, from Shakespeare to modern plays that confronted the pressing issues of the day until it was shut down on the grounds it promoted“un-American” activity.
Reviewers say: “Another captivating theater history in which politics and entertainment intersect . . . Shapiro’s exquisite backstage history also cannily reflects on present-day political implications. It’s a bravura performance.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review)
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My Black Country: A Journey Through Country Music's Black Past, Present, and Future
by Alice Randall
What It's About: The first black woman to cowrite a #1 country hit offers a lyrical, introspective and unforgettable account of her past and her search for the first family of black country music, in this celebration of the radical joy in realizing the power of black influence on American culture.
Reviewers Say: "Randall beautifully weaves together history and her personal story in a narrative informed by a deep love of country music...and her determination to change the face of Nashville to create space for herself and other Black artists.” (Booklist (Starred Review))
In Our Collection: This is available as an Adult Nonfiction book, an eBook, and an eAudiobook.
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| Hip-Hop Is History by QuestloveWhat it's about: Grammy Award-winning Roots drummer and Academy Award-winning filmmaker Questlove's lively history explores the first 50 years of hip-hop music by spotlighting one song from each year since the genre's 1973 origins.
Why you might like it: Questlove skillfully traces the creative and cultural forces that made and shaped hip-hop, highlighting both the forgotten but influential gems and the undeniable chart-topping hits―and weaves it all together with the stories no one else knows.
Reviewers say: “Questlove closely examines the social, political, and artistic factors contributing to hip-hop’s growth, many facets and styles, stars, controversies, innovations, and far-ranging influence. This is a must-read . . . Questlove’s illuminating and insightful survey is as personal as it is expert.”―Booklist (starred review) |
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Contact your librarian for more great books!
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