Sam Freedman

Discover the Jewish immigrants who shaped America's movie industry in this award-winning group biography. "An Empire of Their Own" highlights the fascinating individuals who were the driving force behind the golden age of Hollywood. Richly entertaining and original, this book brings to life the captivating history of the movie moguls.

Cinema Speculation is an intellectually rigorous and insightful book focused on key American films from the 1970s. Written by the celebrated filmmaker Quentin Tarantino, the book is a unique and creative exploration of cinema that is both entertaining and informative. Organized around movies that Tarantino saw as a young moviegoer, Cinema Speculation combines film criticism, theory and personal history in a delightful and infectious way.

Uncover a century of life in Russia as you sift through faded photographs, old postcards, diaries, and letters in this poetic memoir. In Memory of Memory retells the story of an ordinary family's survival during a time of persecution and repression, highlighting their pursuit of a peaceful and civilized life. This book combines elements of essay, memoir, travelogue, history, and fiction and is filled with intellectual curiosity and soft-spoken prose. Engage with ideas and personalities as you explore cultural and personal memory with this bold and thought-provoking read.

This powerful book explores modern beauty myths and challenges common attitudes about sex and gender. The author uses her own experiences in the porn industry and with rape and prostitution to create a space for those who refuse to obey societal norms. With humor and candor, the author provides a highly charged and thought-provoking account of women's lives today.

Explore the golden age of British intellectual life between the wars, featuring Arnold Toynbee, Aldous and Julian Huxley, H.G. Wells, Marie Stopes, and other public intellectuals and scientists. Author Richard Overy expertly showcases the emergence of ideas like eugenics, pacifism, and world government, as well as the common fear of societal dystopia. Enjoy a vivid portrayal of the time through BBC radio lectures, public debates, psychoanalysts, and more. This insightful read offers a thought-provoking glimpse into a world both different from and similar to our own.

A chilling tale of a world decimated by plague, where dreams foretell the rise of a sinister figure known as the Dark Man. As fear grips society, the Prince of Evil's domain flourishes, and an inevitable battle for the fate of humanity looms.

This book by esteemed Yale Law professor Daniel Markovits challenges the notion of meritocracy in American society. Markovits argues that the meritocratic ideal - that social and economic rewards should follow achievement rather than breeding - is a sham, perpetuating inequality and consolidating wealth and privilege across generations. The author draws from his personal experiences to expose the inner workings of the meritocratic machine and suggests steps towards a new world that values dignity and prosperity for all Americans.

Discover how the landscape of education has drastically changed in the past century. From only 2% of the population attending university pre-WWII, to now where half of all young people go to university. The Crisis of the Meritocracy explores the revolution in attitudes and expectations that caused this shift. As society places greater importance on education and upward mobility, the tension between meritocracy and democracy grows. This book is an essential read for those seeking to understand the larger forces at play in the education system.

Explore Lincoln's lifelong fight against American slavery in this definitive account of his pragmatic principles and political navigation. Master historian Eric Foner expertly balances Lincoln's personal journey with the broader history of the period, highlighting the president's unparalleled capacity for moral and political growth.

Experience an alternative view of Abraham Lincoln in the novel from Gore Vidal's Narratives of Empire series. Delve into the political and personal struggles of the president during the Civil War, as he grapples with making decisions and facing loss. With Vidal's signature knowing and ironic style, Lincoln is portrayed as more than just a monolithic figure, but a complex and human character.