Nation & Nationalism

These texts explore the concept of the nation, an idea of community that inspires patriotism and nostalgia. What makes a nation? And why are people willing to die—or to kill—to protect it? These are just a couple of the questions examined in the texts in this collection.

Bad Indians

by Deborah A. Miranda

Publication year 2012

Genre Autobiography / Memoir, Nonfiction

Themes Family, Indigenous Identity, Colonialism, Memory, Perseverance, Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Justice, Self Discovery, Nation, Community

Tags US History, Trauma & Abuse, Addiction & Substance Abuse, Depression & Suicide, Education, History of the Americas, Race & Racism, Social Justice, Women`s Studies, Education, World History, Biography

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Bananas, Beaches And Bases

by Cynthia Enloe

Publication year 1990

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Perseverance, Hope, Femininity, Gender Identity, Masculinity, Family, Social Class, Community, Education, Globalization, Immigration, Nation, Politics & Government, Equality, Justice, Safety & Danger, Trust & Doubt, Truth & Lies, Emotions/Behavior: Courage

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

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Becoming Mexican American

by George J. Sanchez

Publication year 1993

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Nation

Tags US History

Becoming Mexican American is a nonfiction book published in 1993 by social historian George J. Sánchez. Sánchez examines the cultural adaptation of Mexican immigrants in Los Angeles between 1900 and 1945 and its role in the formation of Chicano identity. The Mexican population of Los Angeles combined practices and beliefs from Mexico and the United States to form a unique ethnic form of Americanism, which was later mobilized by the second generation of American-born Chicanos... Read Becoming Mexican American Summary

Blood Money

by Peter Schweizer

Publication year 2011

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Economics, Globalization, Nation, Politics & Government, Science & Technology

Tags Politics & Government, Horror & Suspense, Mystery & Crime Fiction, Business & Economics, Action & Adventure

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Borders

by Thomas King

Publication year 1993

Genre Short Story, Fiction

Themes Race, Colonialism, Nation, Family

Tags Satirical Literature, Colonialism & Postcolonialism, Children`s Literature, Realistic Fiction

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Born Behind Bars

by Padma Venkatraman

Publication year 2021

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Family, Nation, Social Class, Politics & Government, Community, Friendship, Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Love, Hope

Tags Realistic Fiction, Social Justice, Poverty, Indian Literature, Social Class, Politics & Government, Incarceration, Children`s Literature, Modern Classic Fiction

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Born in Blood and Fire

by John Charles Chasteen

Publication year 2001

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Colonialism, Social Class, Equality, Politics & Government, Nation

Tags World History, Latin American Literature, Arts & Culture, Military & War, Politics & Government, European History, Social Class, Colonialism & Postcolonialism, Education, Education, US History

Born in Blood and Fire: A Concise History of Latin America, 4th Edition, by John Charles Chasteen was published in 2016. The first edition was printed in 2001. Chasteen works as an author, translator, and professor of Latin American history and culture. He teaches at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Some of his other notable works are Americanos: The Struggle for Latin American Independence, National Rhythms, African Roots: The Deep History of... Read Born in Blood and Fire Summary

Boule De Suif

by Guy de Maupassant

Publication year 1880

Genre Short Story, Fiction

Themes Social Class, Nation, War

Tags French Literature, Military & War, Historical Fiction

“Boule de Suif,” which translates to “ball of fat” in English, is a short story by 19th-century French Naturalist writer Guy de Maupassant. Published in 1880, it was his first published story and is considered one of his greatest works. The story explores the power dynamics of class and gender while also painting a picture of the dismal final days of the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-1871 in Prussian-occupied France. All told, Maupassant wrote some 300... Read Boule De Suif Summary

Bound For Oregon

by Jean Van Leeuwen

Publication year 1994

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Perseverance, Hope, Indigenous Identity, Childhood & Youth, Coming of Age, Environment, Family, Fathers, Self Discovery, Colonialism, Nation, Safety & Danger, Trust & Doubt

Tags Children`s Literature, Education, Education, US History, World History, Historical Fiction

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Bringing Up Bébé

by Pamela Druckerman

Publication year 2012

Genre Autobiography / Memoir, Nonfiction

Themes Family, Mothers, Gratitude, Hope, Love, Shame & Pride, Femininity, Language, Childhood & Youth, Midlife, Food, Nature Versus Nurture, Daughters & Sons, Marriage, Social Class, Immigration, Nation

Tags Memoir & Autobiography, Parenting

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Brunelleschi's Dome: How a Renaissance Genius Reinvented Architecture

by Ross King

Publication year 1999

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Art, Wins & Losses, Perseverance, Social Class, Nation, Politics & Government, War, Beauty, Religion & Spirituality, Science & Technology

Tags European History, Arts & Culture, Renaissance

Brunelleschi’s Dome: How a Renaissance Genius Reinvented Architecture is a 2000 nonfiction book by Ross King. The book describes how Filippo Brunelleschi radically altered the course of architectural history, defying expectations by designing and building the dome for Florence’s cathedral during the early Renaissance. Receiving widespread praise from critics, King has been commended for making a complex subject accessible to lay readers. King is a bestselling nonfiction writer who lectures across Europe and North America... Read Brunelleschi's Dome: How a Renaissance Genius Reinvented Architecture Summary

Bullet Points

by Jericho Brown

Publication year 2019

Genre Poem, Fiction

Themes Perseverance, Fear, Grief, Race, Death, Mothers, Community, Nation, Equality, Justice, Safety & Danger, Truth & Lies

Tags Trauma & Abuse, Race & Racism, Social Justice

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Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee

by Dee Brown

Publication year 1970

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Wins & Losses, Power & Greed, Loyalty & Betrayal, Justice, Politics & Government, Nation, War, Indigenous Identity, Place, Environment

Tags US History, Military & War, Race & Racism, Politics & Government, World History, Classic Fiction

Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee: An Indian History of the American West, a nonfiction history by librarian and historian Dee Brown, was published in 1970 and became a widely influential bestseller. Dee Brown (full name Dorris Alexander Brown) was the author of more than 30 fiction and nonfiction books. As a librarian at the University of Illinois, he had access to the primary historical records from the late 19th century that became the main... Read Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee Summary

Butcher's Crossing

by John Edward Williams

Publication year 1960

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Nature Versus Nurture, Conflict, Perseverance, Fear, Hope, Loneliness, Memory, Indigenous Identity, Masculinity, Coming of Age, Death, Animals, Appearance & Reality, Environment, Food, Place, Teamwork, Self Discovery, Colonialism, Economics, Globalization, Nation, Beauty, Fate, Good & Evil, Justice, Literature, Order & Chaos, Power & Greed, Religion & Spirituality, Safety & Danger, Trust & Doubt, Truth & Lies, Wins & Losses

Tags Western, American Literature, Historical Fiction

Published in 1960, Butcher’s Crossing is a revisionist Western novel by American author John Williams. The book follows a young Harvard dropout who ventures into the Kansas wilderness in the 1870s on a buffalo-hunting expedition, confronting the brutal realities of the American frontier and the destruction of the natural world. The novel explores themes that include The Deconstruction of the American Frontier Myth, Human Arrogance Versus Nature’s Indifference, and Disillusionment and the Loss of Idealism.Williams... Read Butcher's Crossing Summary