Strength Without Compromise: Womanly Influence and Political Identity in Turn-of-the-Twentieth Century Rural Upstate New York

By Teri Gay
"Inspired by the true story of Lucy Allen, Chloe Sisson, and the Political Equality Club of small-town Easton, New York, this book focuses on the quest for female political equality as carried out by suffragists in the rural areas of upstate New York at the turn of the 20th century. Embracing their womanliess for their noble cause, these ladies organized to educate and inspire each other, their communities, and New York State about the wisdom of including women in the voting electorate."  (Publisher Description)  Check Our Catalog

Postwar: A History Of Europe Since 1945

By Tony Judt
"In this magnificent, unprecedented history of postwar Europe, esteemed historian Judt covers 34 countries across 60 years in a single integrated narrative, using a great deal of material from newly available sources."  (Publisher) Check Our Catalog

The Paris Wife

By Paula McLain
A deeply evocative story of ambition and betrayal, "The Paris Wife" captures a remarkable period of time and a love affair between two unforgettable people: Ernest Hemingway and his wife Hadley.  Check Our Catalog

Afghanistan: A Companion and Guide(2ND ed.)

By Bijan Amrani
"Thanks to 20 years of civil war and its association with terrorism, Afghanistan is often unjustly thought of in the West as a barbarous backwater. This guide dispels that image in a comprehensive introduction to 3,500 years of Afghan culture. Each chapter looks at the major cities and regions, describing their distinctive cultural and ethnic traditions, and their associations with poets, artists, musicians, travelers, and holy men, as well as warriors and conquerors. Wonderfully illustrated, this book also features engravings, paintings, and images of priceless museum artifacts. A number of specialist essays by leading experts present topics such as archeology, architecture, carpets, flora and fauna, miniature painting, and music."  (Publisher Description)  Check Our Catalog

Ireland Unhinged: Encounters with a Wildly Changing Country

By David Monagan
"American expat Monagan ("Jaywalking with the Irish" rode the Celtic Tiger, the decade of unprecedented Irish prosperity beginning in the mid-1990s, with serious trepidation that traditional Irish culture would be snared in its teeth. Simultaneously modern and ancient, enchanting and coarse, deeply melancholy and wildly exuberant, Monagan's Ireland is a fascinating paradox painted in (sometimes excessively) lyrical prose. Yet it is his bittersweet search for permanence in a changing world rather than his description of a country that gives his book relevance beyond the average travelog. Because Ireland's boom and subsequent bust were more dramatic than those of nearly any other country, it is a perfect microcosm for examining the loss and confusion reverberating around the post-recession globe. VERDICTMonagan's quest for continuity in a land struggling for its identity is a journey all readers, from armchair adventurers to economists, can share. Although the author occasionally gets carried away with melodramatic language and self-indulgent tangents, he presents a timely and humorous perspective on Ireland and the modern world."   (Library Journal)  Check Our Catalog

Why Unions Matter

By Michael D. Yates
"Yates (associate editor of Monthly Review) has produced a readable mini-text on a timely topic--labor unions. He updates his first edition (CH, Jul'99, 36-6377) with discussions of the impact on unions of the electronic revolution, the global economy, the Bush administration, and economic troubles. He contends unions still matter because they provide higher total rewards, a democratic voice of workers, and better understanding of legal and political rights. Classic labor relations chapters cover why unions should exist; how unions form; union structures and democracy; collective bargaining strategies; politics; immigration; and discrimination concerning race, gender, ethnicity, and sexual orientation. Special attention is paid to the development of the Change to Win federation and its differences with the AFL-CIO. The book also includes coverage of the United Farm Workers Union, labor history, the international labor movement, and Barack Obama's support of the Employee Free Choice Act. An appendix contains useful Internet resources about labor unions. James Bennett and Bruce Kaufman's What Do Unions Do?: A Twenty-Year Perspective (CH, Jun'07, 44-5749) provides a more academic and empirical perspective of the role of unions."  (Choice)  Check Our Catalog

Citizen's Handbook to Influencing Elected Officials: Citizen Advocacy in State Legislatures and Congress: A Guide for Citizen Lobbyists and Grassroots

By Bradford Fitch 
"One part research studies, one part interviews and focus groups, and one part experience, this text provides practical guidance on preparing for and meeting with elected officials and staff, writing effective letters and e-mails to elected officials, and strategies for influencing legislators face to face."  (Publisher Description)  Check Our Catalog