New Books Network

Julia Wagner, a film scholar and critic based in London, discusses her new book on Joan Micklin Silver's iconic film, Hester Street. She explores the film's portrayal of the immigrant experience and its surprising critical and commercial success despite being labeled a 'Jewish film.' Wagner examines the unique challenges Silver faced, from financing to production constraints, and how these shaped the film's intimate style. She also highlights underexplored themes, including feminism and cultural identity, positioning Hester Street as a milestone in American cinema.

Historian Brooke Barbier, author of "King Hancock: The Radical Influence of a Moderate Founding Father," delves into John Hancock's complex legacy. She explores how Hancock, a wealthy merchant and reluctant revolutionary, balanced privilege with activism, speaking for the ambivalent majority during the Revolution. Barbier shares insights on Hancock's rise from orphan to pivotal political figure, his strategic diplomacy, and unexpected role in the Continental Congress. She also highlights his showmanship and impact on American independence as well as his enduring fame through his iconic signature.

Anne Irfan, a historian at University College London, specializes in Palestinian refugee history and examines the intricate past of the Gaza Strip in her upcoming book. She discusses the Nakba as a pivotal turning point in Gaza's demographic shift and debunks myths of ancient conflict, framing the struggle as politically recent. Irfan highlights six key historical junctures and emphasizes the ongoing nature of displacements. She reflects on the role of history in shaping contemporary policies and shares human stories that reveal the complexity of Palestinian identity beyond conflict.

Jonathan S. Jones, a historian specializing in the U.S. Civil War and medical history, delves into the unsettling legacy of opioid addiction among veterans post-war. He reveals how wartime medicine made opiates prevalent, leading many soldiers to addiction. Addiction was framed as a personal failing, complicating support for veterans struggling with this crisis. Jones draws parallels between the historical 'opium slavery' and today's opioid epidemic, giving critical insight into the long-lasting impacts of this societal issue.

Theresa Delgadillo, a Vilas Distinguished Professor at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, explores the intricate ties of race, ethnicity, and gender in her work on Afro-Latinx and borderlands cultural production. She discusses the significance of Toña La Negra in Mexican cinema and the evolution of mestiza consciousness through Gloria Anzaldúa. Delgadillo also highlights the interconnectedness of the African diaspora across the Americas, emphasizing the crucial role of local solidarities in cultural memory and activism.

Michael Kardos, a two-time Pushcart Prize-winning author with a rich background in music, shares insights about his latest novel, Fun City Heist. He discusses the quirky life of Mo Melnick, a former band drummer turned beach chair renter, who grapples with a reunion gig and a scheme to rob a beachfront resort. Kardos also reflects on transforming personal experiences into fiction, the comedic aspects of perfect pitch, and Mo’s evolving relationship with his estranged daughter. Get ready for laughs and heartwarming moments!

Jessica F. Green, a Professor specializing in climate politics at the University of Toronto, discusses the failures of global climate institutions in addressing climate change. She critiques the focus on measuring emissions, arguing that it overlooks the political realities of asset ownership. Green highlights how fossil fuel companies resist decarbonization to protect their wealth, proposing a shift towards taxing the wealthy emitters and empowering green asset owners. Her insights reveal the complex intersection of climate policy and political power.

Matt Houlbrook, a Professor of Cultural History at the University of Birmingham and author, dives into the rich tapestry of 1920s and 1930s London, focusing on Seven Dials. He unpacks its journey from a planned development to a notorious slum, centered around a significant libel trial involving a local café. Houlbrook discusses the media's role in racializing the area, the pressures of gentrification, and the ongoing challenges of preserving its history amidst rapid change, revealing how the struggles of the past still resonate today.

Jimmy Wales, the visionary behind Wikipedia, dives deep into his new book, exploring the essence of trust. He shares the journey of Wikipedia's rise and the challenges of maintaining its neutrality. Wales discusses how granting trust can foster responsibility, reflecting on parenting dynamics. He also reveals insights from his interviews with experts and tackles the complexities of media mistrust. The conversation highlights practical strategies for building lasting trust in organizations and communities.

Anna Nyburg, an academic focused on exile studies, discusses her edited work on refugees from Nazism and their vital impact on British trade and engineering. She highlights how these refugees brought innovation in everyday items, contributing to fields like aviation and electromechanical devices. Nyburg explores their experiences during WWII, facing both material shortages and internment, while emphasizing the importance of their expertise in shaping modern industry. She also connects historical lessons to today's refugee policies, advocating for humane integration.