Challenging Authority

In this Collection, we've gathered together a selection of fictional and real-life narratives that share the theme of Challenging Authority. These selections feature protagonists and real-world figures who stand up to both powerful individuals and oppressive systems in an array of cultural and historical settings.

Wordslut

by Amanda Montell

Publication year 2019

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Language, Femininity, Sexual Identity, Politics & Government, Equality, Power & Greed

Tags Gender & Feminism, World History, Women`s Studies, Social Justice, Sociology

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Words of Radiance

by Brandon Sanderson

Publication year 2014

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Climate, Self Discovery, Social Class, Politics & Government, War, Equality, Fate, Order & Chaos, Power & Greed

Tags Fantasy, Action & Adventure, Science Fiction

Words of Radiance is the second novel in the high fantasy series, The Stormlight Archive, by Brandon Sanderson. It is the sequel to The Way of Kings and is followed by Oathbringer, Rhythm of War, and Wind and Truth. It was originally published on March 4, 2014, by Tor. It enjoyed critical success on its publication, winning the 2015 David Gemmel Legend Award for best novel. Brandon Sanderson is a popular fantasy and high fantasy... Read Words of Radiance Summary

World Order

by Henry Kissinger

Publication year 2014

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Economics, Power & Greed, Politics & Government, Order & Chaos, War

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

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World War Z

by Max Brooks

Publication year 2006

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Apathy, Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Perseverance, Fear, Guilt, Hope, Death, Future, Environment, Community, Education, Nation, Social Class, Politics & Government, War, Art, Fame, Truth & Lies, Beauty, Good & Evil, Order & Chaos, Power & Greed, Safety & Danger

Tags Science Fiction, Horror & Suspense, Fantasy, Social Class, Disability, Depression & Suicide, Leadership, Military & War, Trauma & Abuse, Politics & Government

World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War is a horror fiction novel by Max Brooks published in 2006. The book was a critical and commercial success, generally receiving positive reviews and spending several weeks on The New York Times bestseller list. It has sold millions of copies around the world and was subsequently turned into a successful movie starring Brad Pitt, released in 2013, and a highly rated video game, released in... Read World War Z Summary

World Without End

by Ken Follett

Publication year 2007

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Order & Chaos, Power & Greed, Femininity, Social Class, Religion & Spirituality, Politics & Government

Tags Historical Fiction, Medieval, British Literature, World History, Fantasy, Romance

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Yellow Wife

by Sadeqa Johnson

Publication year 2021

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Power & Greed

Tags Historical Fiction, American Civil War, Race & Racism, Social Justice, Relationships, Trauma & Abuse, Military & War, World History

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Z For Zachariah

by Robert C. O'Brien

Publication year 1974

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Gender Identity, Coming of Age, Future, Climate, Environment, Food, War, Power & Greed, Religion & Spirituality, Science & Technology

Tags Science Fiction, Survival Fiction

Z for Zachariah (1974) by Robert C. O’Brien is a young adult dystopian novel. It tells the story of Ann Burden, who survives a nuclear war that destroys the world thanks to a natural phenomenon that keeps her valley safe from radiation. After over a year alone, she awakes one morning to a column of smoke, and John Loomis—a scientist who has traveled for weeks in a protective suit—arrives and disrupts her life of solitude... Read Z For Zachariah Summary

Zofloya

by Charlotte Dacre

Publication year 1806

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Gender Identity, Race, Sexual Identity, Coming of Age, Good & Evil, Loyalty & Betrayal, Power & Greed, Truth & Lies

Tags Horror & Suspense, Gothic Literature, World History, Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Classic Fiction

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Zoobreak

by Gordon Korman

Publication year 2009

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Perseverance, Childhood & Youth, Animals, Environment, Power & Greed

Tags Mystery & Crime Fiction, Action & Adventure, Humor, Animals, Children`s Literature, Realistic Fiction

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Zorro

by Isabel Allende

Publication year 2005

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Race, Social Class, Animals, Conflict, Justice, Power & Greed

Tags Historical Fiction, Action & Adventure, Latin American Literature, Social Class, World History, Magical Realism, Romance, Classic Fiction

Zorro, first published in 2005, is a historical fiction novel by the Chilean writer Isabel Allende. Taking the form of a biography or bildungsroman, Zorro is the first work to chronicle the origins of Zorro, a fictional character created by American pulp writer Johnston McCulley in 1919.Set against the backdrop of Spanish colonialism at the turn of the 19th century, the novel details the events that led the protagonist, Diego de la Vega, to become... Read Zorro Summary