Tags:20th century
A Shadow in Moscow
In the thick of the Cold War, a betrayal at the highest level risks the lives of two courageous female spies: MI6’s best Soviet agent and the CIA’s newest Moscow recruit.Vienna, 1954After losing everyone she loves in the final days of World War II, Ingrid Bauer agrees to a hasty marriage with a gentle Soviet embassy worker and follows him home to Moscow. But nothing within the Soviet Union’s totalitarian regime is what it seems, including her new husband, whom Ingrid suspects works for the KGB. Inspired by her daughter’s birth, Ingrid risks everything and reaches out in hope to the one country she understands and trusts—Britain, the country of her mother’s birth. She begins passing intelligence to MI6, navigating a world of secrets and lies, light and shadow.Moscow, 1980A student in the Foreign Studies Initiative, Anya Kadinova finishes her degree at Georgetown University and boards a flight home to Moscow, leaving behind the man she loves and a country she’s grown to respect. Though raised by dedicated and loyal Soviet parents, Anya soon questions an increasingly oppressive and paranoid regime at the height of the Cold War. Then the KGB murders her best friend and Anya chooses her side. Working in a military research lab, she relays Soviet plans and schematics to the CIA in an effort to end the 1980s arms race.The past catches up to the present when an unprecedented act of treachery threatens all agents operating within Eastern Europe, and both Ingrid and Anya find themselves in a race for their lives against time and the KGB.“Eloquently portrays the incredible contributions of women in history, the extraordinary depths of love, and, perhaps most important, the true cost of freedom.” —Kristy Woodson Harvey, New York Times bestselling author of The Wedding VeilAn exciting story of two brave female spies in Cold War MoscowIncludes discussion questions for book clubs
The Lion Women of Tehran
NATIONAL BESTSELLER An “evocative read and a powerful portrait of friendship, feminism, and political activism” (People) set against three transformative decades in Tehran, Iran—from nationally bestselling author Marjan Kamali. In 1950s Tehran, seven-year-old Ellie lives in grand comfort until the untimely death of her father, forcing Ellie and her mother to move to a tiny home downtown. Lonely and bearing the brunt of her mother’s endless grievances, Ellie dreams for a friend to alleviate her isolation. Luckily, on the first day of school, she meets Homa, a kind girl with a brave and irrepressible spirit. Together, the two girls play games, learn to cook in the stone kitchen of Homa’s warm home, wander through the colorful stalls of the Grand Bazaar, and share their ambitions of becoming “lion women.” But their happiness is disrupted when Ellie and her mother are afforded the opportunity to return to their previous bourgeois life. Now a popular student at the best girls’ high school in Iran, Ellie’s memories of Homa begin to fade. Years later, however, her sudden reappearance in Ellie’s privileged world alters the course of both of their lives. Together, the two young women come of age and pursue their own goals for meaningful futures. But as the political turmoil in Iran builds to a breaking point, one earth-shattering betrayal will have enormous consequences. “Reminiscent of The Kite Runner and My Brilliant Friend, The Lion Women of Tehran is a mesmerizing tale” (BookPage) of love and courage, and a sweeping exploration of how profoundly we are shaped by those we meet when we are young.
The Forgotten Names
For fans of The Book of Lost Names and The Way We Hide!In August 1942, French parents were faced with a horrible choice: watch their children die, or abandon them forever. Fifty years later, it becomes one woman's mission to match the abandoned names with the people they belong to.Five years after the highly publicized trial of Klaus Barbie, the "Butcher of Lyon," law student Valérie Portheret began her doctoral research into the 108 children who disappeared from Vénissieux fifty years earlier, children who somehow managed to escape deportation and certain death in the German concentration camps. She soon discovers that their rescue was no unexplainable miracle. It was the result of a coordinated effort by clergy, civilians, the French Resistance, and members of other humanitarian organizations who risked their lives as part of a committee dedicated to saving those most vulnerable innocents.Theirs was a heroic act without precedent in Nazi-occupied Europe, made possible due to a loophole in the Nazi agenda to deport all Jewish immigrants from the country: a legally recognized exemption for unaccompanied minors. Therefore, to save their children, the Jewish mothers of Vénissieux were asked to make the ultimate sacrifice of abandoning them forever.Told in dual timelines, The Forgotten Names is a reimagined account of the true stories of the French men and women who have since been named Righteous Among the Nations, the children they rescued, the stifled cries of shattered mothers, and a law student, whose twenty-five-year journey allowed those children to reclaim their heritage and remember their forgotten names. With its gripping narrative and thought-provoking themes, The Forgotten Names is a must-read for history enthusiasts and book clubs alike. Dive deeper into the novel with included discussion questions, a historical timeline, and insightful author notes.Also by author: Auschwitz Lullaby, Children of the Stars, Remember Me, The Librarian of Saint-Malo, The Teacher of Warsaw, and The Swiss Nurse
The Unravelling
The Unravelling is a captivating historical fiction set in Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe, and the United Kingdom during the late 1970s and early 1980s. The novel depicts the military, political, and tribal intrigues that led to the country's collapse as its disenfranchised black population, with the support of two global super powers, China and Russia, took up arms to break free from Rhodesia’s colonial past. You will meet two young men, Nick and Sipho, who have a deep love for the country of their birth and for its endangered elephant and rhino herds which are facing an existential threat from poaching. During the Rhodesian Bush War both men had served with distinction with the Rhodesian African Rifles (RAR) and had become stalwart brothers in armsFollowing his demobilisation from the RAR in July 1980 Nick had been accepted into the University of Edinburgh. He travels to the UK to begin this new chapter of his life. There he meets Rachel Dixon who is a student at Oxford University. Rachel is the only daughter of a controversial but highly successful English businessman named Stuart Dixon. Stuart had worked with Nick’s father, Matthew Sinclair, to help broker some of Rhodesia’s tobacco sanction busting deals.The two students fall in love and in July 1981 Nick brings Rachel back to Zimbabwe for a month long holiday.Sipho remains in Zimbabwe. He is a patriot from the Ndebele nation. He loves his tribal heritage but loves his country more. Following the disbandment of the RAR he joins the new Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) and serves it with distinction. However, despite such service he becomes the victim of shameful tribal discrimination by the ZNA hierarchy.You will also meet Johannes du Toit. Johannes is a callous white man with a love for power and money. During the Rhodesian Bush War, he had served with the elite Rhodesian Light Infantry which was the country’s pre-eminent counter-insurgency unit. Johannes had however gone AWOL in September 1978 when he fled from the country when his illegal poaching activities came to light. Johannes returns to Zimbabwe in July 1981 to resurrect his nefarious rhino poaching activities.Fate had predestined that circumstances would bring Nick, Sipho, Rachel and Johannes together at a place called Mhuka Ranch in southeast Zimbabwe in 1981. Here a lethal encounter takes place which leaves three people dead. The truth of what happened on that fateful day remains unknown to the public but will be revealed to the reader.
Countdown to World War 3
In the 21st century, the world is facing a series of challenges that are pushing us closer to the brink of global conflict. From political extremism and economic instability to the looming threats of climate change and resource scarcity, the potential for a world war is not something of the distant past—it is a reality that could emerge at any moment. But unlike previous global conflicts, the nature of a potential World War 3 would be vastly different, shaped by advanced technology, nuclear capabilities, and a more interconnected world than ever before.This book explores the many factors that could lead to the outbreak of a global war. It examines how seemingly unrelated issues—like the rise of nationalism, the collapse of global alliances, the spread of misinformation, and the environmental crises—are becoming powerful forces in shaping the future of international relations. We will look at the history of global conflicts, the dynamics of modern warfare, and the current political landscape to understand how a series of escalating tensions might eventually lead to a conflict unlike anything the world has ever experienced.But this book is not just about predicting doom. It is about understanding the risks we face and how, by addressing these issues now, we can avoid the destructive path of war. The ultimate goal is not to create fear but to spark awareness. By recognizing the warning signs and working together, we can change the course of the future and ensure that we do not repeat the devastating mistakes of the past.As we go through the chapters, we will explore key themes such as:The rise of political extremism and nationalism, and how these ideologies are dividing nations and increasing the potential for conflict.The collapse of global alliances and the emergence of new power blocs that could alter the balance of power.The growing threat of climate change and environmental disasters, and how competition for resources could spark wars.The role of technological advancements and cyber warfare in modern conflict.Economic instability and the risk of collapse, and how economic crises have historically led to wars.The dangers of biological and chemical warfare, and how these weapons could be used in the future.At the same time, we will discuss how these threats can be mitigated. How can diplomacy, international cooperation, and peacebuilding prevent the catastrophic consequences of war? What steps can individuals, governments, and organizations take to create a future of peace and security for everyone?As you read this book, keep in mind that the possibility of global conflict is not set in stone. The future is still unwritten, and it is in our hands. The choices we make today—as individuals and as nations—will determine whether we head toward a future of war or peace.
The Wildest Sun
Following her New York Times bestselling debut Fifty Words for Rain, Asha Lemmie's next sweeping and evocative novel introduces a determined young woman’s search for the larger-than-life literary figure she believes to be her father. When tragedy forces Delphine Auber, an aspiring writer on the cusp of adulthood, from her home in postwar Paris, she seizes the opportunity to embark on the journey she's long dreamed of: finding the father she has never known. But her quest—spanning from Paris to New York’s Harlem, to Havana and Key West—is complicated by the fact that she believes him to be famed luminary Ernest Hemingway, a man just as elusive as he is iconic. She desperately yearns for his approval, as both a daughter and a writer, convinced that he holds the key to who she's truly meant to be. But what will happen if she is wrong, or if her real story falls outside of the legend of her parentage that she’s revered all her life? The Wildest Sun is a dazzling, unexpected, and transportive story about coming into adulthood—from escaping our pasts, to the stories we tell ourselves, to the ambition that drives us—as we seek to find out who we are.
Monster, 1959
From the critically acclaimed author of The Preservationist and The Book of Samson, Monster, 1959 is an extraordinary tale of 1950s America---flawed, conflicted, and poised to enter the most culturally upended decade of the century. The United States government has been testing the long-term effects of high-level radiation on a few select islands in the South Pacific. Their efforts have produced killer plants, mole people, and a forty-foot creature named K. Covered in fur and feathers, gifted with unusable butterfly wings and the mental capacity of a goldfish, K. is an evolutionary experiment gone very awry. Although he has no real understanding of his world, he knows when he's hungry, and he knows to follow the drumbeats that lead him, every time, to the tree where a woman is offered to him as a sacrifice by the natives. When a group of American hunters stumble across the island, it's bound to get interesting, especially when the natives offer up the guide's beautiful wife to K. Not to be outdone, the Americans manage to capture him. Back in the States, they start a traveling show. The main attraction: K.
The Shadow of War
From the bestselling author comes the story of rising conflict between the super-powers that gripped the world, a global war that almost happened: The Cuban Missile Crisis.In 1961, the new president John F. Kennedy, inherited an ill-conceived, poorly executed invasion of Cuba that failed miserably and set in motion the events that put the U.S. and the Soviet Union on a collision course that nearly started a war that would have enveloped much of the world. Extensively researched and vividly imagined, The Shadow of War brings to life the many threads that lead to the building crisis between the Soviet Union and the United States in 1962. Told from a multitude of perspectives and voices, from the Russian engineer attempting the near impossible task of building the missile launch facilities in Cuba, to the U.S. Navy commanders who ships are sent to "quarantine" Cuba, to the Soviet Premier, Nikita Khrushchev, desperately trying to maintain a challenging balancing act between the conflicting demands of various powerful forces, to the brothers Kennedy (Bobby and JFK) who can't allow Russia to land nuclear missiles in Cuba, or to appear weak in confronting Khrushchev, but keenly understand how close they are dancing to the edge of war. Shaara brings to life all the action and actors, famous and little known, that embodied a war that almost happened, the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Wolf at the Table
The Corrections meets We Need to Talk About Kevin in this harrowing multigenerational saga about a family harboring a serial killer in their midst in this “masterful novel” that “peers into the dark heart of America” (Richard Ford, Pulitzer Prize–winning author of Independence Day) As late summer 1951 descends on Elmira, New York, Myra Larkin, thirteen, the oldest child of a large Catholic family, meets a young man she believes to be Mickey Mantle. He chats her up at a local diner and gives her a ride home. The matter consumes her until later that night, when a triple homicide occurs just down the street, opening a specter of violence that will haunt the Larkins for half a century. As the siblings leave home and fan across the country, each pursues a shard of the American dream. Myra serves as a prison nurse while raising her son, Ronan. Her middle sisters, Lexy and Fiona, find themselves on opposite sides of class and power. Alec, once an altar boy, is banished from the house and drifts into oblivion. As he becomes an increasingly alienated loner, his mother begins to receive postcards full of ominous portent. What they reveal, and what they require, will shatter a family and lead to devastating reckoning. Through one family’s pursuit of the American dream, Wolf at the Table explores our consistent proximity to violence and its effects over time. Pulitzer Prize finalist Adam Rapp writes with gorgeous acuity, cutting to the heart of each character as he reveals the devastating reality beneath the veneer of good society.
A Christmas Wish at Woolworths
Kent, 1953. The Woolworths Erith store, a beloved cornerstone of the community, faces closure if the December turnover fails to increase. And, as if store manager Betty Billington doesn't have enough on her plate, personnel shortages and a troublesome new employee add to the strife.With Christmas on the horizon, Betty and her staff must strive to find solutions to improve business and keep the store running – from special events for late-night customers to a festive group trip into central London. The Erith Players pantomime also promises to draw a crowd, injecting excitement into the local community.With the store festooned with decorations, lifting the spirits of customers and Betty, can a Christmas miracle save their beloved store?A Christmas Wish at Woolworths is the next instalment in Elaine Everest’s much-loved Woolworths series – a heartfelt tale of resilience, community and an unwavering spirit during hard times.This is the tenth book in the Woolworths series, following Celebrations for the Woolworths Girls.
A Woman of Intelligence
"Captivating." ––The Washington PostNamed a Best Book of Summer by Good Morning America • BuzzFeed • PopSugar • BookRiot • LifeSavvy • CT PostFrom "a master of historical fiction" (NPR), Karin Tanabe's A Woman of Intelligence is an exhilarating tale of post-war New York City, and one remarkable woman’s journey from the United Nations, to the cloistered drawing rooms of Manhattan society, to the secretive ranks of the FBI.A Fifth Avenue address, parties at the Plaza, two healthy sons, and the ideal husband: what looks like a perfect life for Katharina Edgeworth is anything but. It’s 1954, and the post-war American dream has become a nightmare.A born and bred New Yorker, Katharina is the daughter of immigrants, Ivy-League-educated, and speaks four languages. As a single girl in 1940s Manhattan, she is a translator at the newly formed United Nations, devoting her days to her work and the promise of world peace—and her nights to cocktails and the promise of a good time. Now the wife of a beloved pediatric surgeon and heir to a shipping fortune, Katharina is trapped in a gilded cage, desperate to escape the constraints of domesticity. So when she is approached by the FBI and asked to join their ranks as an informant, Katharina seizes the opportunity. A man from her past has become a high-level Soviet spy, but no one has been able to infiltrate his circle. Enter Katharina, the perfect woman for the job.Navigating the demands of the FBI and the secrets of the KGB, she becomes a courier, carrying stolen government documents from D.C. to Manhattan. But as those closest to her lose their covers, and their lives, Katharina’s secret soon threatens to ruin her.With the fast-paced twists of a classic spy thriller, and a nuanced depiction of female experience, A Woman of Intelligence shimmers with intrigue and desire.
Love Will Find a Way
Cliffehaven, December 1946From a hill above the town of Cliffehaven, a young woman makes a heart-breaking choice that will change the course of her life forever.Hours later, a baby is found in the Nativity crib of the local church.Who could have left him there, and why?The mystery preoccupies everyone in Cliffehaven - not least Peggy Reilly, who has enough to contend with at Beach View Boarding House without this extra secret to unravel.What's certain is that the whole community will pull together to keep the baby safe - and to support his mother when the truth of her identity is finally discovered...The latest gripping installment in Ellie Dean's Cliffehaven series, With Promises to Keep, is available to pre-order now!