Politics & Government

As far as topics go, politics may be as divisive as they come. Still, there's no escaping the role that it plays in our lives. The texts in this collection explore the gamut of how politics shapes and reshapes societies throughout history.

Publication year 2005

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Politics & Government, Economics, Colonialism, Social Class, Globalization, Nation, Justice, Power & Greed

Tags Politics & Government, Business & Economics, Urban Development, Poverty, Finance, Asian History, History: African , European History, US History, Social Justice, Social Class, Science & Nature, Sociology, World History

Planet of Slums is a non-fiction book published in 2006 by American author and urban theorist Mike Davis. It chronicles the spread of poverty in cities around the world at a time when more than a billion people live in what the United Nations (UN) classifies as "slums."SummaryIn 1950, only 86 cities around the world had populations of one million people or more. When Davis wrote this book in 2005, he predicted that by 2015... Read Planet of Slums Summary

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Politics & Government, Order & Chaos, Social Class

Tags Philosophy, Education, Education, Philosophy, Classical Period, Classic Fiction, Politics & Government, World History, Ancient Greece

Politics by Aristotle is a study of political theories and approaches written in the fourth century BCE. Politics serves as a companion to Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics. In Politics, Aristotle builds a case in response to Plato’s Republic. Aristotle argues that the purpose of a city is to contribute to the common good, creating a framework for individuals to pursue happiness through virtue. The philosopher and scientist gathered data on 158 different cities before writing his... Read Politics Summary

Publication year 1511

Genre Essay / Speech, Nonfiction

Themes Religion & Spirituality, Marriage, Politics & Government

Tags Religion & Spirituality, Satirical Literature, Philosophy, Politics & Government, Relationships, Renaissance

Desiderius Erasmus of Rotterdam (c. 1466-1536) was one of the most influential Renaissance humanists, and his 1509 satire Praise of Folly has become his best-known and most popular work. Originally written in Latin, the book is presented as a long speech or “declamation” delivered by a personified Folly. Erasmus uses the character of Folly as a mouthpiece to criticize and to poke fun at the foibles of human nature in general as well as many... Read Praise Of Folly Summary

Publication year 1945

Genre Poem, Fiction

Themes Race, Colonialism, Politics & Government

Tags Lyric Poem, Race & Racism, Arts & Culture, African Literature, Politics & Government

“Prayer to the Masks” is a poem by influential Senegalese poet and politician Léopold Sédar Senghor, published in 1945 in his collection Chants d’ombre (Songs of Shadow). Senghor often used his work to illuminate African history and contemplate the consequences of colonialism. Educated in Paris, Senghor was a founding member of the artistic and political movement Négritude, which emphasized pride in African and Black identity and history, which he practiced through his poetry. With “Prayer... Read Prayer to the Masks Summary

Publication year 1991

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Teamwork, Community

Tags US History, Race & Racism, Southern Literature, World History, Politics & Government

Praying for Sheetrock is a book of literary nonfiction by writer Melissa Fay Greene. The book was a finalist for the National Book Award in 1991. A group of experts convened by New York University’s journalism department also included the book on its list of the best journalism of the 20th century. The book’s author, Greene, is a native of Georgia. She has published six nonfiction books and has written for many publications, including The... Read Praying for Sheetrock Summary

Publication year 2023

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Nation, Politics & Government, Justice, Loyalty & Betrayal, Power & Greed

Tags US History, Mystery & Crime Fiction, World War II, Military & War, World History, Politics & Government

Publication year 1960

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Tags Politics & Government

In 1960 Richard Neustadt’s Presidential Power, which constitutes the first eight chapters of the work discussed here, set forth an analysis of the US presidency that argued for presidents to focus on the prospective enhancement and conservation of their own power in terms of politics as they actually occur. The book became a classic, representing the entry of presidential studies into modern political science. It was soon read by individuals holding the office and their... Read Presidential Power and the Modern Presidents Summary

Publication year 2007

Genre Autobiography / Memoir, Nonfiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Globalization, Nation, Safety & Danger

Tags Middle Eastern History, Incarceration, Trauma & Abuse, World History, Religion & Spirituality, Politics & Government, Biography

Prisoner of Tehran is a memoir by Marina Nemat that recounts her harrowing experiences in an Iranian prison post-1979 revolution, highlighting The Impact of Political and Ideological Repression. Through her narrative, Nemat explores The Challenges Faced by Women Under Authoritarian Regimes, illustrating the severe constraints and injustices they endured. Despite these adversities, her story is a testament to The Resilience of the Human Spirit, which showcases her journey of survival and defiance against oppressive forces.This... Read Prisoner of Tehran Summary

Publication year 2015

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Tags Politics & Government, Science & Nature, Business & Economics, World History

Prisoners of Geography: Ten Maps That Explain Everything About the World, by Tim Marshall, was published in 2015 and became a New York Times bestseller and a Sunday Times #1 bestseller. The book describes how geography—mountains, plains, rivers, coastlines, climate, and natural resources—shape the fate of nations. Each chapter explains geography’s effects on a particular country or region. The book also considers how other influences—religion, culture, language, ethnicity—interact with local geography.Chapter 1 explores Russia, where... Read Prisoners of Geography Summary

Publication year 1955

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Tags Politics & Government, US History, World History, Classic Fiction, Biography

Profiles in Courage articulates and argues for the significance of the idea of "political courage" in American political history. Through four parts, the author, President John F. Kennedy argues that the preeminent value of a senator is "political courage," which he defines from drawing from the lives of eight former American senators.The first of these Senators is John Quincy Adams, the son of President John Adams. Considering an embargo against Britain over its aggression on... Read Profiles in Courage Summary

Publication year 1879

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Economics, Justice, Science & Technology, Equality

Tags Business & Economics, Philosophy, Politics & Government, Poverty, Social Justice, Urban Development, Sociology, World History, Philosophy, Classic Fiction

Publication year 2022

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Family, Grief, Memory, Perseverance, Nation, Justice, Politics & Government

Tags Historical Fiction, World War II, Arts & Culture, Civil Rights & Jim Crow South, Food, Grief & Death, US History, World History, Immigration & Refugeeism, Incarceration, Military & War, Philosophy, Politics & Government, Love & Sexuality, Relationships, Social Justice

Publication year 2026

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Love, Midlife, Self Discovery, Politics & Government

Tags Romance, Humor, Politics & Government

Dorothy "Dot" Clark is a 25-year-old account manager at a tech-focused public relations firm in Manhattan. She lives in an inherited Upper West Side apartment and has planned her life carefully, but nothing is working out. Her job is unfulfilling, her boss promotes less-qualified colleagues over her, and her six-month relationship with Ryan Montgomery, a finance professional, has gone stale. She suspects he is about to propose.Dot's two best friends from NYU are equally adrift... Read Purple State Summary

Publication year 2016

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Shame & Pride, Race, Education

Tags Race & Racism, Education, Gender & Feminism, Women`s Studies, Education, Sociology, Social Justice, Politics & Government

Publication year 1813

Genre Poem, Fiction

Themes Religion & Spirituality, Death, Place, Environment, Future, Politics & Government, Power & Greed, War

Tags Narrative Poem, Christian, Poetry: Dramatic Poem, Mythology, Fantasy, Philosophy, Politics & Government, Military & War, World History, Science & Nature, Religion & Spirituality, Grief & Death, Romanticism, British Literature, Health, Philosophy, Food, Classic Fiction

Publication year 1942

Genre Essay / Speech, Nonfiction

Themes War, Colonialism, Perseverance, Hope, Community, Power & Greed, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Justice

Tags Philosophy, Politics & Government, Asian History, World War II