Endless work, little money, occasional UFOs: my father’s five decades driving Brazil’s roads

The book tells the story of José Henrique Bortoluci's father, Didi, a truck driver for 50 years, and his role in building Brazil's monumental infrastructure projects. It weaves together the father's road trip tales, the author's sociological commentary, and the broader narrative of Brazil's political and economic history. The book explores the impact of Brazil's development projects, such as the Trans-Amazonian Highway, on the country's environment and society. It also delves into the personal and national identity through the lens of the author's family history and social class transitions.

In 'Illness as Metaphor,' Susan Sontag critiques the use of metaphors in describing illnesses, particularly focusing on tuberculosis and cancer. She argues that these metaphors lead to victim-blaming and stigmatization of patients, suggesting that diseases are often seen as reflections of personal psychological traits or moral failings. Sontag advocates for a more literal and medical understanding of illness, free from punitive or sentimental fantasies. The book contrasts the historical and cultural perspectives on these diseases, highlighting how they have been symbolically interpreted in different eras and societies[1][2][4].

Originally published in 1926, 'The Sun Also Rises' is Ernest Hemingway’s first novel and a classic example of his spare but powerful writing style. The novel follows a group of young American and British expatriates as they wander through Europe in the mid-1920s, capturing the moods, feelings, and attitudes of the cynical and disillusioned Lost Generation. The story centers around Jake Barnes, a World War I veteran and journalist, and Lady Brett Ashley, as they journey from the wild nightlife of 1920s Paris to the brutal bullfighting rings of Spain. The novel portrays an age of moral bankruptcy, spiritual dissolution, unrealized love, and vanishing illusions, reflecting the existential disillusionment characteristic of the Lost Generation[2][3][4].

In this autobiography, Edward Teller recounts his life journey from his early childhood in Hungary to his significant contributions in nuclear physics. The book covers his early love of music and mathematics, his interactions with influential scientists such as Niels Bohr and Enrico Fermi, and his role in pivotal scientific and political events, including the discovery of nuclear fission and the development of the hydrogen bomb.