The most important non-fiction books of the month: How citizens were deceived about Joe Biden's health and what Germany can learn from Ludwig Erhard
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At the end of his term, he often appeared weak, no longer up to the task: Joe Biden's arrogance persuaded him to run again, write Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson in their book "Hubris." They show how those around him isolated him.
Christina von Braun and Tilo Held: Battle for the Unconscious
Cultural theorist Christina von Braun and psychiatrist Tilo Held have worked and lived together for decades. In their book "The Battle for the Unconscious," they interpret the crises of the present. They recommend more psychoanalysis instead of ideological obstinacy!
Ales Adamovich and Janka Bryl: Fire Villages
Fifty years ago, Belarusian writers documented war crimes committed by the Wehrmacht during World War II. Now, their report on the atrocities in the "Fire Villages" is being published in German for the first time.
Gerhard Paul: May 1945
On May 8, Hitler's Germany officially surrendered. However, cabinet meetings continued to take place in the last remaining seat of government until the end of May. Gerhard Paul tells the story of the "Third Reich" beyond the end of the war.
Ludwig Erhard: Experiences for the future
Germany has a new government. And similar problems to those of the early 1960s. Back then, economist, politician, and "father of the economic miracle" Ludwig Erhard wrote a book about his time as chancellor. Today, it reads like déjà vu.
David Blackbourn: The Germans in the World
Historiography usually stops at national borders. Unjustly, says David Blackbourn. For his book "The Germans in the World," the British historian has chosen a universal approach. He shows that the entire world is the setting for German history.
Ralf Konersmann: Outsider
Nonconformist, difficult, stubborn. Not like everyone else: outsiders are sometimes difficult for society to tolerate. They defy the rules and question what the masses believe to be right. The character has a long tradition, but in the present, it has fallen into disrepute.
Wolf Gregis: The Good Friday Battle
April 2, 2010: The most momentous battle in the history of the Bundeswehr takes place near Kunduz, Afghanistan. Historian and officer Wolf Gregis has reconstructed the events – based on interviews, images, and videos.
Martin Puchner: Culture: A New History of the World
Culture never emerges from within itself, but always in interaction with other cultures: Literary scholar Martin Puchner develops a new theory of culture. And at the same time, a theory of humanity from its beginnings to the present day.
The best nonfiction books in April Douglas Rushkoff: Survival of the Richest
Instead of a life in paradise, tech billionaires are preparing for "the event." The impending catastrophe. Media theorist Douglas Rushkoff tries to explain why.
Wolfgang Benz: Exile: A History of Expulsion 1933–1945
Hundreds of thousands were forced to flee when the Nazis seized power in Germany. Wolfgang Benz aims to provide a comprehensive picture of emigration from Hitler's Germany.
Taina Tervonen: The Repair of the Living
Senem identifies bones from mass graves in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Darija visits families of missing people. Two women search for the truth in a war-torn country.
Pankaj Mishra: The World After Gaza
Pankaj Mishra promises a critical analysis of the war in the Middle East in his new book. But looking through postcolonial lenses leaves the Indian author virtually blind.
Jan Markert: William I.
A weak king and a chancellor who rules: This remains the image of Wilhelm I and Otto von Bismarck to this day. Historian Jan Markert fundamentally revises it.
Ilka Quindeau: Psychoanalysis and Antisemitism
Antisemitism seems to be an anthropological constant. In any case, hatred of Jews cannot be eradicated. But how can it be explained? Ilka Quindeau attempts to use psychoanalysis.
Sergei Lebedev: No! Voices from Russia against the war
Even before the invasion of Ukraine began, the critical Russian intelligentsia was harassed by the Putin regime, and since February 24, 2022, it has been in shock.
Julian Baggini: How the World Thinks
Philosophy is not a Western concern. Systems of thought were also developed in Asia and Africa. Julian Baggini presents a global history of philosophy. And he idealizes more than he explains.
Dietmar Pieper: Churchill and the Germans
Without Churchill, Germany would not have been liberated from the Nazis. But the Germans never forgave him for the air war: Dietmar Pieper paints a new picture of the British wartime Prime Minister.
The best non-fiction books in March Roberto Saviano: Loyalty
The mafia is a man's game. At least in its core business: threatening, extorting, and killing. But that's not enough to run a crime syndicate. Roberto Saviano shows the role women play in these clans.
Donatella Di Cesare: When Auschwitz is negated
Since October 7, 2023, violence against Jews has increased. Holocaust deniers are also spreading their conspiracy theories more freely than ever. Donatella Di Cesare shows how they manipulate history.
Riccardo Nicolosi: Putin's war rhetoric
Putin isn't a gifted speaker. He favors a pseudo-legal tone that portrays Russia as the guardian of international law and the West as a fraud. Nevertheless, it's worth listening to him.
Louise Morel: Becoming a Lesbian
Becoming lesbians because they're fed up with men: this is what activist Louise Morel advises women. This way of thinking reveals, above all, the misguided path identity politics has taken.
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