New Books Network

Colm Murphy, a historian of modern British and Irish politics at Queen Mary University, shares insights from his book on the Labour Party's transformation from 1973 to 1997. He discusses the importance of pluralism and coherence in leftist politics, how think tanks shaped policy, and the contentious definition of 'modernisation.' Murphy also explores the impact of globalisation on national strategies, the shift from manufacturing to human capital, and the role of gender and race in Labour's modernization efforts, revealing a nuanced narrative of 20th-century social democracy.

Negar Mansouri, a historical sociologist and legal scholar at Copenhagen Business School, and Daniel R. Quiroga-Villamarín, a Colombian postdoctoral researcher, unpack their co-edited work on international institutional law. They discuss how the field has become stagnant, critiquing its reliance on positivism. The guests introduce four themes: expertise, structure, performance, and capital, emphasizing the need for interdisciplinary insights. Additionally, they explore the impact of capitalism on international organizations and examine how race shapes visual politics in institutions like the UN.

Susan Weingarten, a food historian and expert on Jewish foodways, dives into the rich culinary traditions of Late Antiquity. She explores how talmudic texts unveil food preparation practices often overlooked in classical literature. Weingarten discusses the societal implications of grain choices, contrasting wheat and barley economics, and the differing meat consumption in Palestine and Babylonia. She also highlights shared food customs across cultures, examines food's role in social status, and reflects on recreating ancient flavors to better understand historical diets.

Edward McPherson, a writer and creative writing professor at Washington University in St. Louis, dives into the fascinating world of long-distance mapping and aerial perspectives. He explores the allure of aerial views, discussing their power to shape societal narratives while also shedding light on the dangers of surveillance. McPherson reflects on historical and modern parallels, like the 19th-century craze for bird's-eye maps and today's drone usage. He emphasizes the need to balance lofty insights with grounded awareness for a richer understanding of our world.

In this engaging discussion, Michael Uebel, a psychotherapist and researcher from Austin, explores the evolving concept of equanimity. Uebel challenges the idea that equanimity is mere stillness, reframing it as a dynamic, flexible state of being. He discusses the relevance of equanimity in Buddhist traditions and its practical application for PTSD, emphasizing the need for perspective shifting. Uebel also highlights the impact of technology on attention and proposes ways to cultivate multi-perspectivism through mindfulness and playfulness.

Melissa K. Byrnes, a professor of modern European history, dives into her research on North African migrants in post-war French suburbs. She explores local officials' complex motivations—ranging from solidarity to political gain—in shaping migration policies. Byrnes contrasts different suburbs like Saint-Denis and Aulnay, highlighting unique local responses to housing crises. She emphasizes that local belonging often outweighs formal citizenship, showcasing how non-national solidarities can foster community support for migrants. Lastly, she hints at her future research linking grassroots activism to global anti-colonial movements.

Historian Peter Zarrow, a translator of modern Chinese texts, discusses his new translation of Liang Qichao's influential essays. He highlights Liang's evolution from political awakening in the Qing dynasty to his ideas on citizenship, democracy, and women's rights during China's modernization. Zarrow reveals Liang's unique perspectives formed during his exile in Japan and addresses the challenges of translating his complex references. The conversation also touches on Liang's enduring impact on anti-imperialism and civic identity in contemporary China.

In a thought-provoking conversation, Peter Newell, a Professor of International Relations at the University of Sussex, delves into his new book, exploring the state's complex role in facilitating sustainable transitions. He discusses the paradox of state functions and their impact on environmental governance, critiques the limitations of entrepreneurial models, and advocates for inclusive industrial policies. Newell emphasizes the need for a relational understanding of state power, linking climate change responses to social welfare, while stressing the importance of democracy in times of crisis.

Rituparna Patgiri, a sociologist and co-editor of the volume exploring the interplay of food, culture, and society in India, shares fascinating insights. She discusses food as a form of communication that shapes identity and social meaning. The conversation covers culinary hierarchies, gastro-nostalgia, and gendered labor in kitchens, revealing deep cultural ties. Rituparna highlights how digital media impacts food representation, democratizing voices from the margins. She emphasizes the book's empirical diversity and its contributions to evolving food studies.

Dr. Camesia O. Matthews, a general and certified sports dentist, discusses her innovative book that links oral health to overall wellness and athletic performance. She reveals startling connections between oral bacteria and systemic diseases like heart issues and Alzheimer’s. Camesia shares her five pillars of dental fitness—Prevention, Posture, Protection, Presentation, and Psychology—for improving health and boosting confidence. She also addresses dental anxiety and emphasizes the need for integrating oral care into general health conversations.