The Inquisition Ep. 9: The European Mind Cannot Comprehend This: American Independence

Imperium is a narrative that spans several decades, beginning with Kapuściński's childhood memories of the Soviet occupation of Poland in the late 1930s. The book follows his journeys across the Soviet Union, including his travels on the Trans-Siberian Railway and through the Central Asian and Caucasus republics. Kapuściński describes the brutal measures used by the Soviet regime, the psychological effects on the people, and the eventual collapse of the empire. He reflects on the post-colonial sociology of the regions, the rise of nationalist sentiment, and the complexities of decolonization. The book is a poignant and evocative account of life within the Soviet Union, highlighting both the horrors and the resilience of its people.

Set in 1964 in a world where the Axis powers won World War II, 'Fatherland' by Robert Harris is an alternative history detective novel. The story follows Xavier March, a detective in the Kriminalpolizei (Kripo), as he investigates the murder of Josef Bühler, a high-ranking Nazi official involved in the Wannsee Conference. As March delves deeper into the case, he uncovers a conspiracy involving senior Nazi Party officials and discovers evidence of the Holocaust. The novel explores the dark and oppressive atmosphere of a totalitarian Nazi regime and the personal risks March and his American journalist ally, Charlotte 'Charlie' Maguire, take to expose the truth.

This book, the first volume in a projected cultural history of the United States, examines the folkways of four groups of immigrants from distinct regions of Great Britain and their lasting impact on American culture. Fischer argues that these groups—Puritans, Cavaliers, Quakers, and Scotch-Irish—each contributed uniquely to the formation of modern America, influencing aspects such as education, government, gender roles, and violence. Despite most Americans not having British ancestors, these regional cultures have persisted and continue to shape national politics and societal attitudes.