Cornel West – The Black Intellectual in a Declining Empire

'Shadow and Act' is a collection of essays by Ralph Ellison, one of the most important African American writers of the 20th century. The book, published in 1964, brings together essays written over a period of twenty years, addressing literature, folklore, and culture. Ellison explores the complexities of black identity in America, the relationship between black culture and American identity, and the role of the artist in shaping cultural understanding. The essays blend personal reflection, literary criticism, and social commentary, offering insights into the African American experience and the broader American cultural landscape. 'Shadow and Act' remains a vital resource for understanding American literature and the ongoing dialogues about race, identity, and artistic expression.

Set in 19th-century Russia, 'The Brothers Karamazov' is a novel that delves into the lives of the Karamazov family, focusing on the three brothers—Dmitri, Ivan, and Alyosha—and their complex relationships with their father, Fyodor Pavlovich Karamazov. The novel is a murder mystery, a courtroom drama, and an exploration of erotic rivalry, faith, doubt, and reason. It examines the human psyche, moral dilemmas, and the search for meaning in a world fraught with suffering and uncertainty. The story revolves around the murder of Fyodor Pavlovich and the subsequent trial of Dmitri, accused of the crime, while exploring deeper themes of Russian life, social and spiritual striving, and the clash between faith and reason.

In 'Colossus,' Niall Ferguson argues that the United States is the most powerful empire the world has ever seen, both militarily and economically. He compares the U.S. to the British Empire, noting that both aspire to globalize free markets, the rule of law, and representative government. However, Ferguson contends that Americans shy away from the long-term commitments of manpower and money necessary to effectively manage and transform rogue regimes and failed states. He describes the U.S. as an empire with an attention deficit disorder, imposing unrealistic timescales on its overseas interventions and refusing to acknowledge its global responsibilities. The book warns of the negative consequences of this chronic myopia, both domestically and internationally, and suggests that the eventual collapse of this empire may come from within due to its internal weaknesses.

In this book, Thomas Sowell explores the fundamental differences in visions of human nature that underlie many political and ideological disputes. He identifies two primary visions: the 'constrained' vision, which sees human nature as inherently self-centered and limited by systemic processes, and the 'unconstrained' vision, which views human nature as malleable and perfectible through societal intervention. Sowell argues that these visions shape opinions on a wide range of issues, from justice and equality to power and social institutions. The book blends history, economics, philosophy, and law to provide a comprehensive understanding of these conflicting visions and their implications for political thought and action.

This book is a collection of essays written by Ta-Nehisi Coates during the Obama presidency, including 'Fear of a Black President. ' It reflects on the racial dynamics of Obama's presidency and the broader societal implications of his leadership. The essays also include Coates' personal reflections on his growth as a writer and thinker during that period.

Race Matters is a social sciences book that addresses some of the most urgent issues for black Americans, such as discrimination, despair, black conservatism, black-Jewish relations, and myths about black sexuality. The book consists of eight essays that tackle these topics with a fresh perspective, combining the love ethic of the African-American religious tradition with the political insights of the Black Panthers. West critiques traditional liberal and conservative rhetoric on race and advocates for a 'politics of conversion' centered on local leadership and individual transformation.