Power

This curated selection of titles examines the concept of power and its role in shaping society. The texts in the Power Collection draw upon a wide range of literary traditions and genres to explore concepts related to power and its pursuit, such as equality and injustice, colonialism, authority, and conflict.

Ask Not

by Maureen Callahan

Publication year 2024

Genre Biography, Nonfiction

Themes Shame & Pride, Femininity, Masculinity, Sexual Identity, Family, Marriage, Social Class, Nation, Politics & Government, Good & Evil, Justice, Loyalty & Betrayal, Power & Greed, Safety & Danger, Trust & Doubt, Truth & Lies, Wins & Losses

Tags World History, Biography, Politics & Government, Gender & Feminism

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A Small Place

by Jamaica Kincaid

Publication year 1988

Genre Essay / Speech, Nonfiction

Themes Politics & Government, Colonialism, Conflict, Hate & Anger, Social Class, Education, Economics, Truth & Lies, Justice, Power & Greed

Tags Creative Nonfiction, Afro-Caribbean Literature, World History, Politics & Government, Black Lives Matter, Education, Education, Travel Literature, Classic Fiction

A Small Place by Jamaica Kincaid is a work of creative nonfiction originally published in 1988. Kincaid shares memories of her home country, Antigua, both while it was under colonial rule and self-governance. She illustrates how life has and hasn’t changed for Antiguan citizens because of government corruption, the legacies of slavery, and the preoccupation with tourism over public welfare. Though the book won no awards, Kincaid has won a plethora of awards for her... Read A Small Place Summary

A Storm of Swords

by George R. R. Martin

Publication year 2000

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Perseverance, Guilt, Memory, Revenge, Disability, Femininity, Masculinity, Mental Health, Climate, Place, Family, Self Discovery, Social Class, Politics & Government, War, Fate, Justice, Loyalty & Betrayal, Power & Greed, Safety & Danger

Tags Fantasy, Science Fiction, Action & Adventure

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Astor

by Anderson Cooper, Katherine Howe

Publication year 2023

Genre Biography, Nonfiction

Themes Mental Health, The Past, Social Class, Community, Economics, Immigration, Nation, Politics & Government, Equality, Fame, Justice, Loyalty & Betrayal, Power & Greed

Tags US History, Politics & Government, Business & Economics

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A Supposedly Fun Thing I'll Never Do Again

by David Foster Wallace

Publication year 1997

Genre Essay Collection, Nonfiction

Themes Apathy, Loneliness, Self Discovery, Community, Education, Nation, Art, Fate, Literature, Power & Greed, Truth & Lies

Tags Humor, Philosophy, Postmodernism, American Literature

A Supposedly Fun Thing I’ll Never Do Again is a 1997 essay collection by David Foster Wallace. The seven essays explore 1990s US social issues through subjects such as television, tennis, and (in the most famous essay) a Caribbean cruise. The essays have been referenced many times in popular culture, particularly the title essay, which recounts Wallace’s experiences on a cruise.This guide references the 1998 Abacus edition of the collection.SummaryIn the first essay, “Derivative Sport... Read A Supposedly Fun Thing I'll Never Do Again Summary

A Thousand Acres

by Jane Smiley

Publication year 1991

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Family, Conflict, Revenge, Gender Identity, Appearance & Reality, Power & Greed

Tags Drama, Historical Fiction, American Literature, Modern Classic Fiction, Classic Fiction

A Thousand Acres is a historical fiction novel by the American author Jane Smiley. Taking place on an Iowa farm in the 1970s, the novel is a contemporary retelling of William Shakespeare’s tragedy King Lear. Shakespeare’s play focuses on King Lear as he determines which of his three daughters will inherit his kingdom depending on how much they flatter him. Smiley’s novel reimagines Shakespeare’s tragedy on an Iowa farm in the 1970s as Larry Cook... Read A Thousand Acres Summary

A Thousand Steps into Night

by Traci Chee

Publication year 2022

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Perseverance, Fear, Forgiveness, Hate & Anger, Grief, Hope, Love, Regret, Revenge, Shame & Pride, Beauty, Equality, Fate, Good & Evil, Justice, Loyalty & Betrayal, Order & Chaos, Trust & Doubt, Truth & Lies, Power & Greed, Religion & Spirituality, Safety & Danger, Wins & Losses, Appearance & Reality, Space, Animals, Place, Daughters & Sons, Friendship, Fathers, Family, Teamwork, Femininity, Gender Identity, Masculinity, Sexual Identity, Social Class

Tags Fantasy, Action & Adventure, Mythology, Coming of Age, Historical Fiction, Gender & Feminism, Asian Literature, Japanese Literature

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Atlas Shrugged

by Ayn Rand

Publication year 1957

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Economics, Politics & Government, Power & Greed

Tags Science Fiction, Classic Fiction, Philosophy, Business & Economics, Philosophy, Politics & Government

The novel Atlas Shrugged (1957) was written by Russian American author Ayn Rand. Widely considered to be the author’s magnum opus, Atlas Shrugged is a divisive text that has remained popular in the public consciousness despite harsh criticism from academics and philosophers across the political spectrum. Set in a dystopian US wherein the collectivist government bureaucracy has a stranglehold on industry, the narrative follows protagonist Dagny Taggart as she fights to defend her family’s transcontinental... Read Atlas Shrugged Summary

At Swim-Two-Birds

by Flann O'Brien

Publication year 1939

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Literature, Social Class, Fate, The Past, Power & Greed, Good & Evil, Trust & Doubt, Conflict

Tags Irish Literature, Humor, Fantasy, Magical Realism, Fairy Tale & Folklore, Satirical Literature, Arts & Culture, Social Class, British Literature, World History, Classic Fiction

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Autumn

by Ali Smith

Publication year 2016

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Art, Aging, Love, Friendship, Apathy, Perseverance, Fear, Hate & Anger, Hope, Memory, Femininity, Death, The Past, Environment, Place, Community, Immigration, Nation, Politics & Government, Justice, Order & Chaos, Power & Greed

Tags British Literature

Ali Smith’s 2016 novel Autumn is a work of literary fiction and the first installment in her celebrated Seasonal Quartet. It was shortlisted for the 2017 Man Booker Prize. The story centers on the tender, unconventional friendship between Elisabeth Demand, a young lecturer, and Daniel Gluck, her 101-year-old former neighbor, who lies near death in a care facility. As Elisabeth keeps vigil by his bedside, the narrative drifts between the fractured political landscape of the... Read Autumn Summary

A Voice in the Wind

by Francine Rivers

Publication year 1993

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Religion & Spirituality, Power & Greed, Good & Evil

Tags Historical Fiction, Christian, Romance, World History, Religion & Spirituality

A Voice in the Wind (originally published in 1993) by American author Francine Rivers is an amalgam of history, Christian allegory, and romance novel. Set in ancient Rome, the novel uses the decadence and cruelty of the Roman Empire as a backdrop for a tale of religious persecution, forbidden love, and the triumph of faith. Rivers has written extensively in the Christian fiction genre, producing four multi-book series and several stand-alone novels, including Redeeming Love... Read A Voice in the Wind Summary

Away

by Megan E. Freeman

Publication year 2025

Genre Novel/Book in Verse, Fiction

Themes Perseverance, Hope, Coming of Age, Teamwork, Self Discovery, Community, Politics & Government, Justice, Power & Greed, Truth & Lies

Tags Children`s Literature, Science Fiction

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Babylon's Ashes

by James S. A. Corey

Publication year 2016

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Space, Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Perseverance, Hate & Anger, Hope, Revenge, Death, Future, Appearance & Reality, Environment, Objects & Materials, Place, Family, Friendship, Teamwork, Self Discovery, Social Class, Colonialism, Community, Economics, Globalization, Nation, Politics & Government, War, Fate, Good & Evil, Justice, Literature, Loyalty & Betrayal, Order & Chaos, Power & Greed, Religion & Spirituality, Safety & Danger, Science & Technology, Trust & Doubt, Truth & Lies, Wins & Losses

Tags Science Fiction, Fantasy, Action & Adventure

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