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.

Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas

by Hunter S. Thompson

Publication year 1971

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Justice, Nation

Tags Life-Inspired Fiction, Journalism, Addiction & Substance Abuse, US History, American Literature, Modern Classic Fiction, Travel Literature, Humor, Classic Fiction

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas is a 1971 novel by American author Hunter S. Thompson. The book chronicles the story of journalist Raoul Duke and his attorney Doctor Gonzo who drive to Las Vegas, ostensibly to cover an iconic off-road vehicle race. However, they are also looking to “find the American Dream” and take with them a car’s load of hard drugs. Duke is a fictionalized surrogate for Thompson, while Gonzo is based off... Read Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas Summary

Finding My Way

by Malala Yousafzai

Publication year 2025

Genre Autobiography / Memoir, Nonfiction

Themes Fame, Love, Coming of Age, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Perseverance, Hope, Gender Identity, Mental Health, Place, Family, Marriage, Self Discovery, Education, Nation, Politics & Government, Equality

Tags Memoir & Autobiography

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Fireborne

by Rosaria Munda

Publication year 2019

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Conflict, Memory, Revenge, Coming of Age, Self Discovery, Social Class, Nation, Politics & Government, War, Justice, Order & Chaos

Tags Fantasy, Romance, Science Fiction

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Foul Lady Fortune

by Chloe Gong

Publication year 2022

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Conflict, Nation, Good & Evil, Justice, Loyalty & Betrayal, Power & Greed, Safety & Danger, Truth & Lies, Trust & Doubt, Family

Tags Historical Fiction, Romance, Fantasy, Asian History, Mystery & Crime Fiction, World History

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Fresh Fruit, Broken Bodies

by Seth M. Holmes

Publication year 2013

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Immigration, Food, Social Class, Community, Globalization, Economics, Education, Politics & Government, Nation, Shame & Pride, Conflict, Justice, Safety & Danger, Power & Greed, Truth & Lies

Tags Anthropology, Social Justice, Sociology, Health, Education, Education, Anthropology, Food, Politics & Government

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From Beirut to Jerusalem

by Thomas L. Friedman

Publication year 1989

Genre Autobiography / Memoir, Nonfiction

Themes Nation, Politics & Government, War, Justice, Order & Chaos, Safety & Danger

Tags Jewish Literature, Military & War, Journalism, World History, Travel Literature, Politics & Government

From Beirut to Jerusalem is a 1989 book by the American journalist Thomas Friedman. It chronicles the years he spent as a journalist in the two cities of the book’s name, during a remarkably tumultuous period in that region’s politics. It is part personal memoir, part analysis (leaning on the advice of many of his expert friends, such as Fouad Ajami), part collection of anecdotes ranging from the funny to the heartbreaking to the absurd... Read From Beirut to Jerusalem Summary

From #Blacklivesmatter to Black Liberation

by Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor

Publication year 2016

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Perseverance, Hope, Hate & Anger, Race, Social Class, Colonialism, Politics & Government, Community, Economics, Education, Nation, Equality, Justice, Power & Greed, Truth & Lies, Trust & Doubt

Tags Black Lives Matter, Race & Racism, Social Justice, Civil Rights & Jim Crow South, US History, Business & Economics, Diversity, Social Class, Education, Finance, Poverty, Politics & Government, Trauma & Abuse, Sociology, World History

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Gone Tomorrow

by Lee Child

Publication year 2023

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Order & Chaos, Power & Greed, Safety & Danger, Trust & Doubt, Truth & Lies, Conflict, Perseverance, Death, Place, Globalization, Nation, Politics & Government, War, Good & Evil, Justice

Tags Horror & Suspense

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Gooseberries

by Anton Chekhov

Publication year 1898

Genre Short Story, Fiction

Themes Fate, Equality, Justice, Self Discovery, Social Class, Community, Education, Nation

Tags Classic Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Historical Fiction, Social Class, Finance, Education, World History, Social Justice, Russian Literature, Education, Philosophy, Philosophy

“Gooseberries,” by Russian author Anton Chekhov, is a short story that uses symbolism, subtlety, irony, and keen observation of human behavior to explore themes of the quest for happiness, the meaning of life, social expectations, privilege, and social equality. Written in mid-1898, the story is the second in what was later referred to as The Little Trilogy, together with “The Man in the Case” and “About Love.” All three stories explore the definitions of happiness... Read Gooseberries Summary

Grandma Gatewood's Walk

by Ben Montgomery

Publication year 2014

Genre Biography, Nonfiction

Themes Grandparents, Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Hope, Loneliness, Memory, Shame & Pride, Femininity, Aging, Death, The Past, Environment, Plants, Daughters & Sons, Marriage, Mothers, Self Discovery, Community, Nation, Fame, Safety & Danger

Tags Travel Literature, Action & Adventure, Biography, Inspirational, US History, Trauma & Abuse

Grandma Gatewood’s Walk (2014) is a work of nonfiction biography by Pulitzer Prize–finalist journalist Ben Montgomery. The book chronicles the journey of Emma “Grandma” Gatewood, who at 67 became the first woman to solo thru-hike the Appalachian Trail in 1955. Carrying little more than a denim sack and wearing tennis shoes, Gatewood’s public feat masked her private motivation: escaping a life defined by decades of domestic abuse. A New York Times bestseller, Grandma Gatewood’s Walk... Read Grandma Gatewood's Walk Summary