Other books that might interest you

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  Nostalgia - A History of a...

  Agnes Arnold-Forster

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  Read by the author, Agnes Arnold-Forster.‘Arnold-Forster belongs to that valuable non-jargon-spouting breed of academic who is capable of explaining complex ideas in simple language.’ – The TimesIn Nostalgia: A History of a Dangerous Emotion, Agnes Arnold-Forster blends neuroscience and psychology with the history of medicine and emotions to explore the evolution of nostalgia from its first identification in seventeenth-century Switzerland (when it was held to be an illness that could, quite literally, kill you) to the present day (when it is co-opted by advertising agencies and politicians alike to sell us goods and policies).Nostalgia is a social and political emotion, vulnerable to misuse, and one that reflects the anxieties of the age. It is one of the many ways we communicate a desire for the past, dissatisfaction with the present and our visions for the future. Arnold-Forster’s fascinating history of this complex, slippery emotion is a lens through which to consider the changing pace of society, our collective feelings of regret, dislocation and belonging, the conditions of modern and contemporary work, and the politics of fear and anxiety. It is also a clear-eyed analysis of what we are doing now, how we feel about it and what we might want to change about the world we live in.

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  Pragmatism

  William James

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  In this book, James argues that the most important criterion for evaluating ideas and beliefs is their practical usefulness in real-life situations, rather than their abstract truth or correspondence to reality. James introduces the concept of "pragmatism," which he defines as a method of approaching philosophical questions by examining their practical consequences. He argues that truth is not an absolute and fixed entity, but rather a relative and changing one that is determined by the practical outcomes of our beliefs and actions. Read in English, unabridged.

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  7 Seconds to Die - A Military...

  John Antal, Alexander Kott

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  The first full analysis of the second Nagorno-Karabakh war—the first war in history won primarily by unmanned systems. 
   
   
   
  The second Nagorno-Karabakh war—fought between Armenia and Azerbaijan between September 24 and November 10, 2020—was the first war in history won primarily by unmanned systems. 
   
   
   
  This forty-four-day war resulted in a decisive military victory for Azerbaijan. Armenia was outfought, outnumbered, and outspent and lost even though they controlled the high ground in a mountainous region that favored traditional defense. Azerbaijan's alliance with Turkey, and close technological support from Israel, strategically isolated Armenia. In addition, Turkey's posturing influenced the Russians not to intervene to support Armenia. That Azerbaijan attacked Armenia during the pandemic was an additional factor. The fact that Azerbaijan won the war is not extraordinary, considering the correlation of forces arrayed against Armenia. What is exceptional is that this was the first modern war primarily decided by unmanned weapons. In this war the Turkish-made BAYRAKTAR TB2 Unmanned Air Combat Vehicle (UCAV) and the Israeli-made HAROP Loitering Munition (LM) dominated the fighting and provided Azerbaijan with a war-winning advantage.

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  The Rise of Isis - The Formation...

  Fredrich Hazelton

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  The rise of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) stands as one of the most significant and alarming phenomena of the 21st century. Emerging from the chaos of regional conflicts and geopolitical missteps, ISIS transformed from a little-known insurgent group into a global threat that captured the world’s attention. At its height, ISIS declared a self-styled caliphate, controlling vast territories across Iraq and Syria, and wielded its influence far beyond the Middle East. Through acts of brutality, strategic propaganda, and a sophisticated recruitment network, the group redefined the face of modern terrorism.  
    
  The story of ISIS is not one of sudden emergence but rather a culmination of decades of historical, political, and social factors. Its rise cannot be fully understood without examining the regional instability created by the Iraq War, the Arab Spring uprisings, and the Syrian Civil War. These events set the stage for the group’s ascent, enabling it to exploit power vacuums, sectarian divisions, and state failures. The role of key figures, such as Abu Musab al-Zarqawi and Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, was pivotal in shaping the group’s ideology, operations, and global ambitions.  
    
  Equally crucial to understanding ISIS’s impact is its approach to governance and control. The group operated as more than a terrorist organization—it functioned as a quasi-state, establishing administrative systems, levying taxes, and providing services to populations under its rule. Its brutality, however, served as both a tool of fear and a declaration of its unyielding vision, attracting supporters and horrifying opponents. Through propaganda disseminated across digital platforms, ISIS extended its reach to every corner of the globe, inspiring attacks in cities far removed from its territorial base. 

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  Deceptive Practices - Actions...

  Cito Harder

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  Deception has been a fundamental part of human interaction throughout history, shaping societies, relationships, and institutions. Whether through subtle manipulation, outright lies, or carefully crafted misinformation, deception influences decisions, perceptions, and behaviors in both personal and collective spheres. While often viewed negatively, deception is not always malicious; in some cases, it serves strategic, protective, or even necessary functions. Understanding the role deception plays in society requires examining its various forms, motivations, and consequences. 
  One of the most common areas where deception is prevalent is in personal relationships. People deceive for different reasons, ranging from self-preservation to maintaining social harmony. White lies, for example, are often used to spare feelings or avoid unnecessary conflict, while more harmful deceptions, such as infidelity or emotional manipulation, can cause deep and lasting damage. The complexity of deception in relationships highlights its dual nature—sometimes beneficial, sometimes destructive. 
  Beyond personal interactions, deception extends into professional and institutional environments. In workplaces, deceptive practices can manifest as misleading job descriptions, false performance evaluations, or office politics designed to manipulate outcomes. Deception in business, such as false advertising or hidden fees, can mislead consumers, erode trust, and cause financial harm. Similarly, political deception—through propaganda, misinformation, and strategic framing of facts—shapes public opinion, influencing elections, policies, and societal norms.

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  Why Religion? - A Personal Story

  Anonymous

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  New York Times bestseller 
  One of PW’s Best Books of the Year 
  One of Amazon’s Best Books of the Month 
   
  Why is religion still around in the twenty-first century? Why do so many still believe? And how do various traditions still shape the way people experience everything from sexuality to politics, whether they are religious or not? In Why Religion? Elaine Pagels looks to her own life to help address these questions. 
  These questions took on a new urgency for Pagels when dealing with unimaginable loss—the death of her young son, followed a year later by the shocking loss of her husband. Here she interweaves a personal story with the work that she loves, illuminating how, for better and worse, religious traditions have shaped how we understand ourselves; how we relate to one another; and, most importantly, how to get through the most difficult challenges we face. 
  Drawing upon the perspectives of neurologists, anthropologists, and historians, as well as her own research, Pagels opens unexpected ways of understanding persistent religious aspects of our culture. 
  A provocative and deeply moving account from one of the most compelling religious thinkers at work today, Why Religion? explores the spiritual dimension of human experience.

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