Summaries of books about History & Biographies:
Don’t Tell Mummy
A True Story of the Ultimate Betrayal
Toni Maguire
The book is a harrowing memoir of a woman who suffered sexual abuse at the hands of her father throughout her childhood. It details her struggle with the trauma, the secrecy imposed upon her, and her journey towards healing and bringing her abuser to justice.
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Blood
A Memoir
Allison Moorer
The memoir delves into the tragic family history of the author, exploring the impact of her parents' tumultuous relationship and the harrowing murder-suicide of her father killing her mother before taking his own life. It reflects on themes of loss, grief, and the quest for healing as she recounts her personal journey through music and storytelling.
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No Beast So Fierce
The Terrifying True Story of the Champawat Tiger, the Deadliest Man-Eater in History
Dane Huckelbridge
The book chronicles the harrowing tale of a notorious Bengal tiger responsible for over 400 deaths in Nepal and India at the turn of the 20th century. It delves into the hunt led by British colonial hunter Jim Corbett to stop the man-eater, while also exploring the broader historical and environmental factors that contributed to the tiger's deadly behavior.
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The Silk Roads
The Extraordinary History that created your World – Illustrated Edition
Peter Frankopan
The book presents a visual exploration of the historical and cultural significance of the Silk Roads, showcasing the interconnectedness of trade, ideas, and civilizations from Asia to Europe. It features rich illustrations and maps that bring to life the diverse peoples, empires, and events that have shaped the world along these ancient trade routes.
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If Then
How the Simulmatics Corporation Invented the Future
Jill Lepore
The book delves into the history of the Simulmatics Corporation, a Cold War-era company that pioneered data mining and predictive analytics, and its influence on politics, advertising, and the Vietnam War. It examines the company's work on voter behavior prediction and its legacy in the development of modern technology and algorithms that shape contemporary society.
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97 Orchard
An Edible History of Five Immigrant Families in One New York Tenement
Jane Ziegelman
The book explores the culinary traditions and adaptations of five immigrant families from different ethnic backgrounds who lived at 97 Orchard Street in Manhattan's Lower East Side. It delves into the broader story of American immigration and cuisine by examining how these families maintained their unique food cultures while blending into the melting pot of early 20th-century New York City.
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Shrinks
The Untold Story of Psychiatry
Jeffrey A. Lieberman
The book provides a historical overview of the field of psychiatry, tracing its evolution from a pseudoscientific practice to a respected medical discipline. It delves into the stories of the men and women who advanced psychiatric knowledge and treatment, as well as the challenges and controversies that have shaped its development.
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Unforgettable
A Son, a Mother, and the Lessons of a Lifetime
Scott Simon
The book chronicles the author's experience as he sits by his dying mother's bedside in a hospital, sharing their final moments together. It weaves together memories, conversations, and reflections on life, love, and loss, offering insights into the enduring bond between a mother and her child.
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The Last Pirate
A Father, His Son, and the Golden Age of Marijuana
Tony Dokoupil
The book chronicles the true story of a man's discovery of his father's secret past as a big-time marijuana smuggler during the 1970s and 1980s, a period often considered the "golden age" of marijuana trafficking. It delves into the impact of the drug trade on the author's family life and explores the broader cultural and legal shifts surrounding marijuana in America.
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Marriage, a History
How Love Conquered Marriage
Stephanie Coontz
The book traces the evolution of marriage from ancient times to the present, highlighting how the institution has shifted from a means of securing alliances and managing property to a pursuit of love and personal fulfillment. It examines the social, political, and economic forces that have transformed marriage's roles and meanings, challenging many common assumptions about the tradition's past and present.
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