The Power Broker Breakdown Wrap-Up

In 'Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing', Ted Conover recounts his nearly year-long experience as a correctional officer at Sing Sing prison. After being denied the opportunity to shadow the department's employees as a journalist, Conover took the job of a correctional officer to gain firsthand knowledge of the prison system. The book details his training at the corrections officer academy and his subsequent assignments in various roles within the prison. Conover explores the ethical complexities, daily challenges, and psychological dynamics faced by both prisoners and correctional officers, highlighting issues such as boredom, fear, violence, and trauma. The book provides a comprehensive look at the inner workings of the prison system and the human experiences within it.

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.

In 'Domu: A Child's Dream', Katsuhiro Otomo tells the story of a massive housing complex plagued by a series of mysterious deaths. The main antagonist, an old man named Chojiro Uchida (Old Cho), possesses extraordinary psychic powers that allow him to manipulate the residents, causing them to kill themselves or others. The police are baffled by the events, but the arrival of a young girl named Etsuko, who also has psychic abilities, sets the stage for a climactic battle between the two. The story explores themes of isolation, the psychological impact of living in large housing complexes, and the struggle between generations. Otomo's artwork is praised for its detail and cinematic quality, making 'Domu' a masterpiece in the manga genre[1][3][4].

The book delves into the relationship between journalists and their subjects, using the case of Joe McGinniss and Dr. Jeffrey R. MacDonald as a central example. Malcolm argues that journalists often engage in a form of seduction and betrayal, gaining the trust of their subjects only to betray them in their writings. The case involves McGinniss's book 'Fatal Vision,' which portrayed MacDonald as a pathological liar and cold-blooded killer, despite McGinniss's initial pretense of supporting MacDonald's innocence. The book explores the broader implications of journalistic ethics and the power dynamics between journalists and their subjects.

The book follows Arthur Dent, an ordinary Englishman, whose house and planet are about to be demolished. He is rescued by his friend Ford Prefect, an alien researcher for the 'Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy'. Together, they embark on a journey through space, encountering various characters such as Zaphod Beeblebrox, the two-headed, three-armed president of the galaxy, Trillian, a human woman, and Marvin, a paranoid android. The story involves their adventures on the spaceship Heart of Gold, which has an Infinite Improbability Drive, and their quest to understand the ultimate question of life, the universe, and everything, which is revealed to be '42'. The novel is known for its humor, satire, and imaginative storytelling.

In 'Motherless Brooklyn', Jonathan Lethem tells the story of Lionel Essrog, a private investigator with Tourette's syndrome, who works for a small-time detective agency in Brooklyn. After his mentor, Frank Minna, is murdered, Lionel sets out to solve the crime, navigating through a complex web of gangsters, corruption, and personal relationships. The novel is praised for its unique protagonist, intricate plot, and Lethem's vivid portrayal of Brooklyn in the late 1990s. It won the National Book Critics Circle Award for fiction in 1999 and the 2000 Gold Dagger award for crime fiction.

Akira is set in a post-apocalyptic Neo-Tokyo, 38 years after World War III. The story revolves around Shotaro Kaneda, the leader of a teenage biker gang, and his friend Tetsuo Shima, who develops powerful telekinetic abilities. The narrative explores themes of political turmoil, social isolation, corruption, and the struggle for power in a dystopian world. Key characters include Kei, a militant revolutionary, Colonel Shikishima, and the enigmatic Akira, a child with immense psychic powers. The series delves into the consequences of scientific experimentation and the catastrophic events that unfold as Tetsuo's powers grow and Akira is awakened[1][2][4].

In 'The Proud Tower', Barbara W. Tuchman vividly portrays the era from 1890 to 1914, focusing on the decline of the Edwardian aristocracy, the rise of Anarchism in Europe and America, Germany's self-image through figures like Richard Strauss, Diaghilev’s Russian ballet and Stravinsky’s music, the Dreyfus Affair, the Peace Conferences in The Hague, and the tragic culmination of Socialism with the assassination of Jean Jaurès on the eve of World War I.

In this ambitious one-volume history, Jill Lepore examines the origins and rise of the United States, focusing on the core ideas of political equality, natural rights, and the sovereignty of the people. The book spans over five centuries, from 1492 to the present, and delves into various themes such as the legacy of slavery, the persistence of inequality, and the impact of technological change. Lepore's narrative is characterized by its elegant prose and comprehensive coverage of American politics, law, journalism, and technology, highlighting both well-known and lesser-known figures in American history[2][5][3].

Lonesome Dove is a classic Western novel that follows the journey of two former Texas Rangers, Augustus McCrae and Woodrow F. Call, as they embark on a cattle drive from Texas to Montana. The novel is renowned for its vivid descriptions of the American West, its exploration of themes such as friendship, loyalty, and the decline of the Old West, and its well-developed characters. It is the third book in the Lonesome Dove series and is widely regarded as McMurtry's magnum opus.

The Years of Lyndon Johnson is a multi-volume biography that meticulously details the life of Lyndon B. Johnson. The series includes four published volumes: The Path to Power, Means of Ascent, Master of the Senate, and The Passage of Power. These volumes cover Johnson's early life in the Texas Hill Country, his rise through Congress, his tenure as Senate Majority Leader, and his assumption of the presidency after John F. Kennedy's assassination. The biography is known for its exhaustive research, including interviews with numerous contemporaries of Johnson and a deep dive into the historical context of his life and times[2][4][5].

The novel centers around Gabriel Syme, a poet and undercover detective who infiltrates the Central Anarchist Council by becoming 'Thursday', one of the seven members named after the days of the week. As the story unfolds, Syme discovers that most council members are also undercover policemen, leading to a surreal chase and a confrontation with the enigmatic leader, Sunday. The book explores themes of law versus anarchy, social philosophy, and the nature of reality, with Chesterton's characteristic wit and metaphysical insights[2][3][4].

This book is a monumental biography of Robert Moses, who was the single most powerful man in New York City and State during his time. It explores how Moses accumulated and wielded power, shaping the city through his public works projects, including highways, bridges, and parks. The book delves into Moses's early life, his idealistic beginnings, and his transformation into a powerful figure who dominated New York's politics without ever being elected. It also highlights the social and environmental impacts of his projects and his eventual fall from power. The biography is renowned for its detailed and nuanced portrayal of power dynamics in urban politics[2][4][5].