New Books Network

Pierre-Yves Donzé, a business historian at Osaka University, teams up with Maki Umemura from Cardiff University to discuss the evolving landscape of Japanese business history. They explore why Japanese scholars have lost visibility in global discourse since 2000. The conversation delves into new interdisciplinary perspectives, the impact of traditional firm-focused narratives, and underrepresented topics like minority entrepreneurship. They also touch on cultural adaptation with Nintendo's Pikachu and the dynamics of financial liberalization in Japan.

In this discussion, Caroline Jack, an associate professor at UC San Diego and author of "Business as Usual," explores how sponsored media has shaped American capitalism. She uncovers the subtle ways companies used public service announcements and educational films to promote a vision of free enterprise as patriotic. Jack highlights the tension between educational values and marketing, tracing promotional nationalism from WWI to modern advertising. She also shares examples of audience resistance to these campaigns, revealing the ongoing impacts of this media on public perception today.

Eric Halsey, a historian and expert on the First Bulgarian Empire, explores the fascinating origins and achievements of this historical power. He discusses how the Proto-Bulgarians created an identity amid Balkan turmoil, highlighting the birth of the Cyrillic Alphabet and the crowning of the first Tsar. Halsey reveals the empire’s dramatic struggles, including the defeat of the first Arab invasion of Europe. He also delves into the reasons behind the empire’s collapse and its lasting legacy in modern Bulgaria.

Mila Burns, an Associate Professor at Lehman College and expert in Latin American studies, discusses her groundbreaking work on Brazil's covert role in the 1973 Chilean coup. She reveals how Brazil not only supported Salvador Allende’s overthrow but also facilitated Pinochet's rise through intelligence and weapons. The conversation shifts to the lived experiences of Brazilian exiles in Chile and the profound impact of regional dynamics over Cold War narratives. Burns emphasizes the importance of documenting painful histories, shedding light on the complexities of power and resistance in South America.

Astrophysicist Craig Hogan, a professor at the University of Chicago and former director at Fermilab, dives into the mysteries of our universe. He unpacks the cosmic microwave background (CMB), revealing how it acts as a window to the early universe and why its smoothness is so surprising. Hogan also discusses the implications of general relativity on cosmic expansion and explores theoretical anomalies that challenge our understanding. He invites listeners to ponder the big questions of existence while weaving in the latest findings in cosmology.

Amy L. Allocco, a scholar of Hindu rituals and iconography, teams up with Xenia Zeiler, an academic from the University of Helsinki, to delve into the currents shaping contemporary Hindu practices. They explore the concepts of 'sweetening,' which softens religious narratives, and 'intensification,' emphasizing visceral rituals. The discussion reveals how these themes interlace through diverse case studies, reflecting on their significance in diaspora contexts. Unexpected findings highlight the historical depth and creative approaches of contributors across the volume.

Anand P. Vaidya, an Associate Professor of Anthropology at Reed College, dives into the complexities of India's Forest Rights Act. He shares harrowing tales of Ramnagar's destruction and the ethical dilemmas he faced during his research. Vaidya explores how forests are not just natural spaces but battlegrounds for property rights and state power. He discusses the role of activists leveraging legal strategies to empower forest dwellers and the intricate dynamics between courts and the executive. His insights reveal the law's potential for both exclusion and resistance.

Ronald Angelo Johnson, the Ralph and Bessie May Lynn Endowed Chair of History at Baylor University, dives into the intricacies of diplomacy and racialized freedom in his book. He unravels stories of American patriots from Saint-Domingue resisting European tyranny. Johnson highlights how the 1763 Treaty sowed revolutionary seeds and examines the impact of print culture in shaping Atlantic ideas. He also discusses the overlooked contributions of Crispus Attucks to the Boston Massacre narrative and connects the American Revolution to the rise of the Haitian Revolution.

Dr. Jonas Enander, a science communicator and author, dives into the mysterious world of black holes, tracing humanity's fascination with these cosmic phenomena from John Michell's 18th-century ideas to the groundbreaking image captured in 2019. He explains black hole myths, discusses wartime influences on scientific advancement, and highlights their connection to breakthroughs like Wi-Fi. Enander delves into how our quest to understand black holes uncovers deeper truths about our place in the universe and urges us to cherish scientific inquiry as a profoundly human endeavor.

Justin Marozzi, a historian and journalist, delves into the complex history of slavery in the Islamic world, illuminating roles from slave soldiers to concubines. He discusses the diverse origins of slaves, primarily from sub-Saharan Africa and the Balkans. Marozzi contrasts Islamic ideals of equality with the reality of racial prejudice and highlights the significant roles of eunuchs in society. He also examines the legacy of Barbary piracy and how Muslim societies today view this historical practice, revealing varied contemporary responses.