Israel's $1 Billion Hasbara Influence Machine since October 7th / Nick Cleveland-Stout

Fintan Drury's book examines the global networks—state and corporate—that have contributed to, enabled, or profited from the violence against Palestinians. Drawing on reporting and documentation, the author traces how many nations and firms have been implicated in supplying weapons, funding, or political cover. The book foregrounds firsthand accounts, official records, and policy analysis to map responsibility beyond local actors. It argues that the destruction in Gaza has been facilitated by an international ecosystem that needs accountability. Drury's work is positioned as a call for broader public and political reckoning over these transnational ties and responsibilities.

Charles Thorpe's 'Necroculture' explores how contemporary culture represents and commodifies death, framing it within political and economic contexts. He analyzes media, rituals, and institutions that shape public understandings and experiences of mortality. The book investigates the intersections of death with power, ideology, and consumer culture, revealing commodifying and aestheticizing tendencies. Thorpe draws on sociological theory and cultural analysis to map how death becomes a cultural object and social practice. The work prompts readers to consider ethical and political implications of living alongside pervasive necrocultural forms.

Mike Davis's "Planet of Slums" offers a stark portrayal of global urbanization and its consequences. The book argues that rapid urbanization, particularly in developing countries, has led to the proliferation of vast informal settlements characterized by poverty, inadequate infrastructure, and social exclusion. Davis analyzes the historical and economic forces driving this phenomenon, highlighting the role of neoliberal policies and globalization. He critiques the failures of governments and international institutions to address the needs of slum dwellers, emphasizing the urgent need for alternative approaches to urban development. The book's powerful imagery and compelling narrative have made it a seminal text in urban studies and development discourse.

Raul Perez's 'The Souls of White Jokes' analyzes the social and political functions of racist humor in sustaining white supremacy. He argues that jokes operate as mechanisms of boundary maintenance, ideological reinforcement, and emotional processing in racialized societies. The book blends theoretical analysis with cultural examples to trace how 'white jokes' contribute to systemic racism. Perez interrogates the ethics and politics of laughter, challenging defenses of humor detached from power imbalances. The work calls for critical engagement with the ways humor reproduces social hierarchies and injustice.

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In *The Counter-Revolution of 1836*, Gerald Horne examines the Texas Revolution as a pivotal event that not only solidified slavery in Texas but also contributed to the broader development of fascism in the United States. Horne argues that the revolution was driven by the desire to protect slaveholding interests and expand territorial control, setting a precedent for future conflicts over slavery and racial supremacy.

In 'Kids These Days,' Malcolm Harris presents a critical examination of the socio-economic forces that have shaped the Millennial generation, arguing that these young adults are the products of an intensifying culture of hyper-competition and economic exploitation. Harris meticulously dissects the pressures placed on Millennials, from the education system to the labor market, revealing how they have been conditioned to prioritize productivity and adaptability at the expense of personal well-being.

Kim Phillips‑Fein examines the recurring ideas and influential figures who have defended inequality in American history, showing how arguments for aristocracy, social Darwinism, and meritocratic technocracy evolved. The book traces these intellectual and political movements from early republic conservatives through Gilded Age defenders of concentrated wealth, early 20th‑century scientific racists, mid‑century meritocrats, and contemporary tech utopians. Phillips‑Fein situates these ideologies in their social and economic contexts, explaining how they shaped institutions and public policy. She also connects historical defenses of hierarchy to modern political debates over wealth concentration and democratic governance. The work argues that understanding this tradition is crucial to challenging entrenched inequality today.

This book explores the causes, effects, and legacy of New York City’s fiscal crisis of 1975. It delves into how the crisis transformed New York and reshaped ideas about government across America. The narrative includes the struggles of ordinary citizens, the impact on social services, and the political machinations that led to the imposition of austerity measures. The book is a sweeping history of New York's past, a gripping narrative of backroom deals, and an origin story of the politics of austerity.