Tales of World War II: Amazing True Stories from the War that Shook the World

Hearn, Hattie. Tales of World War II: Amazing True Stories from the War that Shook the World. 2023. 160p. ISBN 9781684493128.

From the daring exploits of a Canadian cabin boy evading German U-boats to the secret code developed by Navajo soldiers and the bravery of a jazz singer working as a spy for the French Resistance, Tales of World War II showcases a diverse range of human experiences. The book also features captivating anecdotes, such as the heroic efforts of a dog during the London Blitz and the remarkable story of a bear recruited by the Polish army. Interspersed throughout these inspiring tales are informative pages that provide essential context on key events of the war, offering readers a comprehensive and engaging understanding of this crucial period in human history.

Tales of World War II offers a unique perspective on this pivotal period in history, moving beyond the well-known figures like Hitler, Roosevelt, and Churchill to focus on the extraordinary stories of ordinary people. This beautifully illustrated book brings to life the incredible acts of courage, resilience, and ingenuity displayed by individuals from all walks of life during this tumultuous time.

The School That Escaped the Nazis: The True Story of the Schoolteacher Who Defied Hitler

Cadbury, Deborah. The School That Escaped the Nazis: The True Story of the Schoolteacher Who Defied Hitler. 2022. 464p. ISBN 9781541751194.

The School that Escaped the Nazis recounts the remarkable story of Anna Essinger, a German schoolteacher who recognized the imminent danger posed by the rise of Nazism in 1933. Foreseeing the devastating impact of Hitler's ideology on her students, Anna made the audacious decision to relocate her entire progressive school from Germany to England. This daring escape allowed her to safeguard her pupils from the impending horrors of the Nazi regime.

As the war intensified in Europe, Anna's school in Kent, England, provided refuge not only to her original students but also to orphaned children who had endured unimaginable suffering under Nazi persecution. Anna's unwavering commitment to offering love, security, and a brighter future for these traumatized children serves as a testament to her resilience and her unwavering belief in the power of compassion and human connection. 

This poignant historical account, drawing upon firsthand testimonies, letters, and diaries, offers a unique perspective on the Holocaust and serves as an inspiring reminder of the importance of standing against hatred and violence.

Under the Same Stars

Bray, Libba. Under the Same Stars. 2025. 480p. ISBN 9780374388942.

Under the Same Stars weaves together three interconnected stories across generations, all centered around a mysterious oak tree in a forest in Germany believed to possess magical powers.

In the late 1930s Nazi Germany, Sophie, a young woman yearning for love, discovers a cryptic message hidden within the oak, sparking a romantic intrigue. Her best friend, Hanna and her have always looked to the oak tree to provide guidance on their lives, to the point of being insulted by the local boys who mocked them. As Germany provokes a war, however, the girls start using the tree for a more urgent purpose: to communicate with the resistance movement against the Nazi regime. But Sophie is still hopeful that one day she will find love.

In the 1980s, American teenager Jenny has just moved to West Germany and is struggling to adapt to her new life away from her friends. Jenny finds herself drawn to Lena, a rebellious punk rocker determined to break down the Berlin Wall. Their lives intertwine with Frau Hermann, an elderly woman harboring secrets connected to the oak tree's past.

Finally, in the midst of the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, two friends, Miles and Chloe, stumble upon a forgotten mystery while investigating the disappearance of two teenagers linked to the Bridegroom's Oak eighty years prior. As Miles and Chloe suffer through lockdowns and a loss of social contacts, they come across information that shed a light on what happened in the forest back in 1942, and that connect their lives to that of Sophie, Hanna, and Jenny.

This book explores themes of love, loss, resistance, and the enduring power of history. It weaves together the past and present, connecting the lives of these diverse characters through the enigmatic oak tree, revealing its secrets and the profound impact it has had on their lives and the world around them. Fans of coming of age story, or who want to learn more about living in Nazi Germany or another totalitarian society will enjoy Under the Same Stars.

House of Purple Cedar

Tingle, Tim. House of Purple Cedar. 2013. 192p. ISBN 9781935955245.

Rose is a Choctaw girl who lives in Skullyville, Oklahoma, back when it was still Indian Territory. Rose witnesses first hand the escalating tensions as white settlers encroach upon Choctaw lands. Rose's story takes a devastating turn with the tragic arson of New Hope Academy for Girls, resulting in the deaths of twenty young students. Miraculously, Rose survives this horrific event.

Rose's grandparents, Pokoni and Amafo, revered elders within the community, adhere to traditional Choctaw spirituality. However, their peaceful existence is shattered when the local sheriff brutally assaults Amafo in public. Instead of retaliating, Amafo unexpectedly chooses the path of forgiveness, a decision that profoundly impacts the community.

The story seamlessly blends historical events with elements of magical realism, introducing fantastical elements such as shape-shifting panthers and a one-legged woman with herbal remedies. Elements of the Choctaw culture are skillfully woven into the story, creating a unique and engaging reading experience.

House of Purple Cedar is a compelling exploration of racism, injustice, and the enduring strength of the human spirit. Reader who enjoy historical novels with a sprinkle of magic will appreciate this tale of resilience in the face of overwhelming odds and exploitation.

A Queen's Game

McGee, Katharine. A Queen's Game. 2024. 368p. ISBN 9780593710708.

Queen Victoria rules over the British Empire. Despite her advanced age, she continues to be concerned for the survival of the monarchy. With several granddaughters and eligible foreign royals, Victoria is looking for the perfect match for her grandson Eddie, who will become the future King of England. She would prefer Eddie marry her favorite granddaughter, Princess Alix of Hesse, in Germany. Alix is beautiful, well-spoken, and genteel. But Alix has a dark secret. Under stress, she hyperventilates and even passes out, something a royal should not do. Plus, she feels responsible for the death of her younger brother.

Princess Hélène is the unfortunate daughter of the former King of France, who has been removed from the throne following yet another revolution. Without a kingdom, Hélène's prospects for a royal marriage are slim. This has given her a liberty most girls her age do not have, allowing her to escape conventions that are strictly enforced against British royalty. When she catches Eddie's eyes, she suddenly finds herself at the center of a web of power.

May has always been on the fringes of the royal family. Her father has depleted the family estate, and they are essentially living on handouts. Unlike other royals, May can ill afford the clothes and the experiences others have, and her prospects of marrying a prince are slim. But armed with information, she may be able to eliminate her rivals and attract Eddie's attention.

Based on historical events, A Queen's Game illustrates the strictures that governed the British royal family and those who hoped to marry into it. Fans of historical romance and royalty will enjoy reading a story told from three different perspectives. As the three young women compete with each other in a cut-throat environment, will they be able to secure their dreams and desires? 

A History of Air Warfare

Olson, John Andrea. A History of Air Warfare. 2010. 522p. ISBN 9781597974400.

 

A History of Air Warfare is a comprehensive anthology that explores the evolution of air power in military conflicts throughout the 20th and 21st centuries. Featuring contributions from leading military experts, this book examines a series of key campaigns that marked the field of air warfare, analyzing the objectives, events, and key players involved. Each essay meticulously scrutinizes the role of air power within the broader strategic and operational context of a military engagement or campaign, considering the interplay between political factors and military operations. It concludes with a broader analysis of air and space power in both conventional and unconventional warfare, offering valuable insights into the strengths and weaknesses of air power across different historical periods.

Beyond a simple celebration of air power, A History of Air Warfare offers a critical and even-handed assessment of its role in military history. It highlights the challenges of joint and coalition warfare, making it a valuable resource for scholars of modern warfare, and air power specialists. Readers who enjoy military history will appreciate the descriptive nature of this book and the thorough analysis of the impact of air power on modern warfare.

Tales of Ancient Egypt: Myths & Adventures from the Land of the Pyramids

Cook, Hugo. Tales of Ancient Egypt: Myths & Adventures from the Land of the Pyramids. 2024. 160p. ISBN 9781684493807.

Tales of Ancient Egypt is a captivating journey through the rich history of the ancient civilization of Egypt. Moving beyond the familiar story of Tutankhamun, this book delves into a wealth of lesser-known tales, including the daring escape of Cleopatra to meet Julius Caesar and the Cinderella-like tale of a peasant girl who married the pharaoh. The book seamlessly blends historical accounts with fascinating myths, offering a vibrant tapestry of love, betrayal, and royal intrigue.

Beyond the engaging narratives, Tales of Ancient Egypt provides valuable insights into Egyptian history and culture. Readers will learn about the construction of pyramids, the intricate process of mummification, and the role of gods and goddesses in ancient Egyptian society. With its engaging storytelling, meticulous research, and stunning visual presentation, this book is an great introduction to ancient Egypt for young readers, sparking their curiosity and inspiring further exploration.

A Bánh Mì for Two

Nguyen, Trinity. A Bánh Mì for Two. 2024. 224p. ISBN 9781250910837. 

Lan is a dutiful and loving daughter working with her mother in their small bánh mì food stall in Saigon, Vietnam. Ever since her father died, Lan has needed to put her dreams of writing and attending university on ice. Her cousin, who lives with them, pursues his studies and works at the stall too, helping the family get by. With Lan's mother being sick, Lan feels caught and hopeless. Even her famous food blog, A Bánh Mì for Two, which is read by people all over the world and often mentioned by tourists who visit their stall, has suffered from Lan's writing block.

Vivi lives in California, and her parents are also from Vietnam. But their past lives are shrouded in mystery. For her father, it's because he immigrated when he was a toddler, and doesn't remember much about the country. For her mother, it's because dark secrets have shut down any discussion about the past and what life was like there. Vivi doesn't even know if she has relatives still in Vietnam.

When the opportunity to study abroad presents itself, Vivi jumps on it. Weary that her mother would not approve, Vivi tells her parents she's heading to Singapore for a semester, but instead she travels to Saigon. Armed with old photos she stole from her mother, Vivi hopes she can track down her relatives, try all of the places she discovered on A Bánh Mì for Two, and, perhaps even meet the writer, with whom she shared a writing contest application worth a lot of money.

Vivi's dorm is located across the road from Lan's stall, and soon Vivi discovers that Lan is her favorite writer. Vivi makes a deal with Lan. She will help her come up with ideas for the writing contest, and Lan will help her track down her family. As their relationship blossoms into love, both Lan and Vivi learn about their past, gain a better understanding of their parents, and take steps towards their own independent futures.

Fans of light romance will love A Bánh Mì for Two, with its realistic portrayal of two older teen searching themselves for a future that is hidden. The description of food and of Saigon, with its smells and tastes makes the reader salivate and wish they were in Vietnam with Vivi.

After 1177 B.C.: The Survival of Civilizations

Cline, Eric H. After 1177 B.C.: The Survival of Civilizations. Book 12 of the Turning Points in Ancient History series. 2024. 352p. ISBN 9780691192130.

Climate change, social fractures, wars and famines are currently plaguing the world, worrying some that humans are forever modifying the planet, and not for the better. Dr. Cline points out in After 1177 that we have been here before. During the late Bronze Age of the 1200s BCE, the climate shifted, and areas known as the fertile crescent suddenly suffered massive droughts, causing a collapse in food supply and reducing the population by more than half over three hundred years.

A process that began in 1200 BCE culminated in the collapse of empires, with Egypt and Crete sinking into poverty and strife, while the Hittites simply melting away and never returning. Prosperous cities fell into disuse and eventually disappeared. Trade routes were abandoned, and commerce all but stopped over long distances. The civilizations in the Aegean and in the Eastern Mediterranean sputtered along for another three hundred years until decades of rain ushered in a renewed prosperity, with new empires such as the Assyrians. new kingdoms such as the Israelites, the Phoenicians, and the resurgence of old countries like Egypt and Greece. 

Along with renewed commerce ties, the exploitation of iron and the constant food surplus led to a renewed interest in massive buildings. A simplified writing system spread throughout the Mediterranean, influencing ancient Greek and Latin. New cities were founded, and prosperity was restored. 

After 1177 explores how some societies were able to transform themselves in the face of catastrophic climactic, geographic, and political events, while others failed to do so and were consigned to the dustbin of history. The resilience of these societies point to possible avenues for us to explore as we attempt to maintain our own societies in the face of drastic changes coming our way.

You might also enjoy Guns, Germs, and Steel or Material World: The Six Raw Materials That Shape Modern Civilization

South

Shackleton, Ernest. South. 2016. 384p. ISBN 9780760350256

In the early 20th century, one of the few remaining frontiers was Antarctic, the vast landmass sitting on top of the South Pole. Many expeditions had been mounted, including Roald Amundsen's team being the first to reach the South Pole in December 1911. But no one had crossed the continent from one side to the other. Ernest Shackleton, a polar explorer, was appointed in 1914 to mount such an expedition. Setting sail from England in August 1914, a few days after the beginning of the First World War, Shackleton, who commanded the Endurance, a coal powered icebreaker, hoped to land in the Weddell Sea on the Atlantic side of Antarctica, then cross through the South Pole to Cape Evans, on the Pacific  side of Antarctica. This was his third expedition to Antarctica, and it would prove to be the most dangerous.

Everything that could go wrong did. The Endurance had expected smooth sailing deep inside the Weddell Sea, but early ice floats blocked the path, and despite several attempts to move south the ship soon found itself stuck in ice, unable to free itself. Hoping for rescue, the crew continued to conduct science experiments and collect samples, until it became clear no one was coming for them. As the ice slowly crushed the ship, a decision was made to abandon it and trek to land. When this proved impossible, the crew found itself stranded on an ice float. As the ice drifted north, they eventually escaped the now dangerously thin ice and made for Elephant island, where they erected a shelter but lacked food and warmth. 

Shackleton and three other crew members then departed in one of the lifeboats, hoping to strike South Georgia 800 miles away in open and choppy frigid waters. Miraculously, they reached land 16 harrowing days later, only to discover they were on the wrong side of the island, and now needed to trek through the unchartered mountains to reach the whaling station that was their ultimate destination. An additional 36 hours of dangerous climbing through glaciers and crevices sapped their remaining strength, until they reached the whaling stations called Stromness. 

Finally rescued, Shackleton and his men were not at the end of their labors, for the rest of the crew remained on Elephant Island. Shackleton mounted a rescue, but had to turn back due to lack of fuel. He returned with another ship, and finally rescued his remaining crew members 128 days after leaving them behind. Despite the odds, no one died, and all of them survived this incredible ordeal.

Told by Shackleton himself, this story remains one of extreme survival against the odds. Fans of survival stories will appreciate the grit and determination it took to survive and to rescue a stranded crew.

The 60's: Mods & Hippies

Powe-Temperley, Kitty. The 60's: Mods & Hippies. Part of the 20th Century Fashion series. 2000. 32p. ISBN 9780836826012. Available at 391 POW on the library shelves.

The 1950s ended with the beginning of the space age, as both the Soviet Union and the United States placed satellites in orbit. During the 1960s, a space race took place to see who would get to the Moon first. This race saw the creation of new materials to design space suits, and inspired fashion towards the modern and streamlined look. The 1960s also saw the rise of the fight against the establishment, as protests over the Vietnam war erupted on campuses across the United States. Corporate attire came under assault as hippy prints, loose clothings, and the miniskirt appeared on the fashion radar of teenagers.

The rocker look continued to evolve in the 1960s, but was counteracted by the mods, or modernists, who preferred minimalist clothes inspired by jazz musicians. Famous designers such as Coco Chanel and Mary Quant continued to propose clothes inspired by events and by trends, but second hand shops and boutiques suddenly found a market for cheap clothes. Fashion icons from movies and music further influences dress styles in the 1960s, including the Beatles' more and more outlandish outfits and haircuts. 

Marcus Garvey: Black Nationalist

Caravantes, Peggy. Marcus Garvey: Black Nationalist. Part of the Notable Americans series. 2003. 128p. ISBN 9781931798143. Available at B GAR on the library shelves.

Born in Jamaica in 1887, Garvey was the eleventh children of a family that had middle class aspirations but always struggled to get by. Experiencing racism at an early age when a friend's parents forbade them to play with a Black boy, Garvey dedicated his life to fight for Black people everywhere. Pursuing his education, Garvey gained an appreciation for the plight of Black people around the world. Colonial powers in Africa were oppressing Black majorities. Attitudes in the United States considered African-Americans to be second class citizens. Garvey determined to promote Black nationalism and a return to Africa where Black people could be leaders and serve in independent countries.

Having seen the plight of Black people in Jamaica and Panama, Garvey articulated a consciousness of race that appealed to Blacks, but he found himself blocked by British colonial authorities from effecting any meaningful change. Garvey moved to the United States, where he hoped to pursue the struggle. There he founded UNIA, an organization designed to unite Blacks and promote Black leadership and ownership, as well as a return to the African continent.

Over the years, projects such as purchasing a shipping line, building infrastructure in Liberia, and promoting projects led by Blacks increased Garvey's status, but also brought along enemies. Differences in ideologies and in political aims caused a split in the UNIA, and Garvey found himself behind bars before being released and removed from the United States.

Garvey pursued the struggle from Jamaica and Britain, but was never able to reestablish prominence among Black leaders. Facing personal and professional difficulties, Garvey died in London in 1940, and his body was finally returned to Jamaica in 1964, where he was acclaimed as a hero.

Abandon Ship! The True World War II Story About the Sinking of the Laconia

Tougias, Michael J. and A;lison O'Leary. Abandon Ship! The True World War II Story About the Sinking of the Laconia. Part of the True Survival Series. 2023. 272p. ISBN 9780316401371. Available at 940.54 TOU on the library shelves. 

During wartime, sinking enemy ships was considered of paramount importance, denying the enemy the ability to transport troops and move equipment. The laws of warfare suggests that civilians should not be targeted, but in the fog of war, with decisions needing to be taken within split seconds, sometimes tragedies occurred. A reckless disregard for human life often affected commanders in the field as well, as they sought to destroy enemy targets regardless of civilian casualties. 

There have been "famous sinkings" of passenger ships during the First and Second World War, from the destruction of the Lusitania in 1915 to the tragic sinking of Wilhelm Gustloff in 1945 with over 25,000 dead. A little-known sinking, that of the Laconia in 1942, however, should be better known, as several passengers who managed to escape survived for nearly a month drifting at sea. Some were rescued by German submarines, others by French warships. Still, some eventually landed on the coast of Africa after a trip of 700 miles.

Mistaking the ship for a cargo ship, a German submarine fired two torpedoes which struck dead center, causing the Laconia to sink in less than an hour. Survivors jumped overboard and boarded rescue boats. Realizing they had sunk a British civilian liner instead of a cargo ship, the German captain made the unprecedented decision to rescue as many survivors as possible, even if this meant putting his own ship at risk. When he discovered that many of the survivors were Italian prisoners of war, the captain received permission to continue the rescue.

An attack by an American bomber ended those efforts, and those who remained in the water found themselves without water or food as they drifted away from shipping lines. Through grit and pure survival instinct, a few hardy individuals survived to tell the tale of the Laconia.

Fans of history and of true survival stories will appreciate this quick read.

A Stinky History of Toilets

Meikle. Olivia. A Stinky History of Toilets. 2024. 48p. ISBN 9781684493739.

We use them every day, and by the time we live a long full life we will have spend over 2 years of our lives sitting on them. But really, when is the last time you thought about the history of toilets? Most likely never, which is why this book exists to tell the fantastic stories of how human excrements have been handled in societies past and present.

From gross-out details like Romans sharing sea sponges to wipe their behinds to Mongols catapulting buckets of waste over city walls, A Stinky History of Toilets describes how human ingenuity sought (sometimes poorly) to overcome a massive and stinking waste problem. Filled with fun (and disgusting) facts, like the average human produces 24,320 pound of poop during their lifetime, the early toilets were prone to explode, and most mammals, regardless of size, take about 12 seconds to void their insides, this book will fascinate, spark some thinking, and perhaps induce vomiting, but all in the name of learning!

Pox Romana: The Plague That Shook the Roman World

Elliott, Colin. Pox Romana: The Plague That Shook the Roman World. 2024. 328p. ISBN 9780691219158. 

Rome has a long an dramatic history as a city that conquered the world and imposed its rule from Britain to Arabia, and from Germany to north Africa. The death of Julius Caesar destroyed what remained of the Roman Republic, and the civil wars that ensued ended when Augustus ascended the throne. For 150 years, rulers came and went, Romans fought each other, but the Roman Empire kept on expanding, imposing a set of common laws, measures, and, to some extent, a shared language. By the 170s, Rome was at its zenith.

But the timid peace imposed by Roman arms, known as Pax Romana, was shattered by the arrival of a strange disease that affected the young and the old, as most diseases do, but also healthy adults, especially soldiers. The Antonine plague, as this disease was known, spread like wild fire, much like the Black Plague would a millenium later, devastating entire cities and regions. Combined with a decade-long famine due to climatic conditions in Egypt, the equilibrium that maintained Rome at the top of the ancient Western world came tumbling down, and though the Roman world endured for another 300 years, the Empire was never able to regain its footing and glory.

Looking through historical evidence to determine what this disease could have been, the Antonine plague was most likely the world's first pandemic, affecting the globe from China to Britain and into Africa. Over the course of five or six years, the plague wound its way through the Roman world, destroying legions, savaging the economy, and exposing that the Roman foundation of prosperity and peace rested on quickly shifting sand. Examining reports from the era, and reconstructing the history of the times, Pox Romana convincingly argues that the first pandemic started the inexorable decline and fall of the Roman Empire, but that this process was hastened by conditions that existed prior to the arrival of the pandemic.

Fans of history and of the Roman Empire will appreciate the scope and breath of Pox Romana and will explore a time where, at the height of its power, the Empire was already collapsing from within.

American Wings: Chicago's Pioneering Black Aviators and the Race for Equality in the Sky

Smith, Sherri L. amd Elizabeth Wein. American Wings: Chicago's Pioneering Black Aviators and the Race for Equality in the Sky. 

The soaring of the first airplane triggered a race to the skies in the United States. Intrepid individuals took to the air in home-made planes, but as commercial engines became available, a whole infrastructure grew up around servicing and flying airplanes. African-Americans, who were discriminated against, wanted to fly just like their White counterparts, but were being prevented by segregated airfields and laws and customs that argued for the separation of people. African-Americans who wanted to fly were thus hampered in their abilities to do so, and had to ingeniously devise their owns way to get airborne.

During the First World War, several Black pilots flew airplanes, but they did it for France or for the United Kingdom. American pilots could only be White. Following the end of the war, a few of them came back but found their flying prospects limited. Others, like Cornelius Coffey, were enthusiasts who wanted very much to fly, but were blocked from doing so. Cornelius Coffey, a mechanic by trade, partnered with Johnny Robinson, and the two of them, instead of being deterred by all of the obstacles in their way, decided to create their own flying opportunities. They bought their own plane, secured rights to use a field, and eventually even started their own flying school. Black women were doubly hampered by these restrictions, but they fought just like their male counterparts and soon many of them were flying as well.

The struggle continued with exams that Black students could not sit for, permits that were not delivered, and Jim Crow attitudes especially in the South, but through it all Black pilots persevered. As the world hurled towards the Second World War, the need for more military pilot became apparent, and soon programs were expanded to Black students as well, providing them opportunities that had not previously existed., such as the Tuskegee program. These programs demonstrated that integration was possible and did not undermine the fighting spirit and cohesion of a unit. 

By the end of the Second World War, Harry Truman desegregated the military, and folks of all stripes could now learn to fly. Thanks to the struggles of those who came before them, today's pilots share the skies regardless of race or gender.

One of the authors of this book also wrote Code Name Verity, about two girls who fly airplanes during the Second World War and crash in France.

Free to Obey: Management from Nazism to the Present Day

Chapoutot, Johann. Free to Obey: Management from Nazism to the Present Day. 2020. 144. ISBN 9781609458041.

When the Nazis were elected to power in 1933, they set out to dismantle the State to achieve what they deemed a "free" society. The Nazis sought to remove any constraints on actions to further the Nazis' goals, as the people were the State, and not the other way around. This created particular difficulties for the organization of labor, as corporations and businesses were organized around unions and management relations. The Nazis took over all unions, and enforced strict management rules. How could workers express their displeasures at labor policies under such a system? Reinhard Höhn, a technocrat and respected labor specialist, joined the Nazis and proposed changes that would increase German productivity without undermining the power of management to set goals and run their organizations as they saw fit. 

Höhn promoted the concept of freedom for employees. Management could set goals, and employees were free to find ways to meet these goals. Obviously, they were expected to be successful, and would own any failure that resulted from attempting to reach these goals. In this way, employees gained flexibility while the rigid hierarchical structure that granted management power and control over the employees remained solidly in place, despite a push for eliminating the rest of the "State."

Following Germany's defeat, Höhn did not disappear from public life like many other former Nazis. Instead, he founded a management school that continued to extoll the virtues he promoted during the Nazi years, without the racial component so clearly loved by them. And over the following decades, more than half a million managers and white collar workers attended the school, receiving instructions and being formed to this management idea that workers should be free to obey. This definition remains a cornerstone of Western-style management today. Thus, Nazi-inspired ideas about organization of labor and the management of corporations remain with us to this day.

Fans of history and of management will appreciate this succinct history, and will wonder if there are better opportunities to structure labor / management relationships in organizations in businesses that will increase productivity while reducing labor conflicts.

This Rebel Heart

Locke, Katherine. This Rebel Heart. 2022. 433p. ISBN 9780593381243.

Csilla's parents were ardent communists, and they supported the Soviet takeover of Hungary following the Second World War. As Jews, the whole family took refuge in the Danube, the river that runs through the capital city of Budapest following the German invasion in 1944. However, revolutions have a habit of devouring their own, and her parents were soon accused of crimes against the state and were executed by Soviet authorities. Now 18 in 1956, Csilla lives in a paranoid society where everyone spies on everyone else, and one wrong word can get you arrested or worse.

For the last year, Csilla has been planning her escape out of Hungary. As the daughters of two enemies of the state, she is under constant surveillance, and she cannot let her guard down even for one moment. Ready to leave, Csilla suddenly finds herself in the middle of a convulsion that threatens the Hungarian Communist party as student protests escalate into something dangerous. Her parents are publicly exonerated, clearing her pariah status, but also revealing that her father was not the hero she thought he was. 

As Hungary drifts into chaos, with Soviet tanks massing on its borders, Csilla has a choice. She can escape as she planned, and look to a new life away from the painful memories of her youth, or she can stay and fight for a new future for her country, with the real possibility that the result will be violence and death. Can Csilla learn to trust again?

Fans of historical fiction will enjoy this deep dive into a little known part of European history, and will appreciate Csilla's resilience and determination to survive no matter the obstacles in her path. For a similar perspective, this time from the other side of the Berlin Wall, be sure to grab A Night Divided.

The 40s and 50s: Utility to New Look

Reynolds, Helen. The 40s and 50s: Utility to New Look. Part of the 20th Century Fashion series. 1999. 32p. ISBN 9780836826005. Available at 391 REY on the library shelves.

With the Second World War in full swing, the beginning of the 1940s feature fashion that is utilitarian, mass produced, and cost effective. The war effort required everyone to sacrifice, and clothes were designed to be useful instead of for their appearance or feel. War uniforms were predominant for men, while many women found themselves working on the home front and needing clothes they could get dirty and not need to clean on a daily basis. Military style influenced the fashion of the time, with bomber jackets soon adopted by young males in the late 1940s and early 1950s. Rationing was everywhere, and fabric for personal use was rare.

The war ended, but rationing continued for years afterwards. This did not stop people from enjoying life once again, and soon dancing and movies were more popular than ever. Clothing became more relaxed, with shorter dresses for women and less formal wear for men. The bikini made its appearance, while rebels without a cause began sporting jeans and t-shirts, instead of plaid pants. 

The 1950s saw an explosion of clothes, as mix and match became the norm. Men and women could now find tops and bottoms and mix them, instead of having to purchase sets. This allowed more flexibility in the way people looked, but also promoted consumerism. The zoot suit emerged from Harlem, just in time to be eclipsed by the rock'n'roll look of the new youth culture. Soda fountains became the rage, and jukeboxes were everywhere, playing popular youth music. Changes in fabrics and the appearance of the first synthetic, nylon, dramatically changed what was possible

Imperialism

Lenin, vladimir. Imperialism. 2022. 318 mins. ISBN 9781781984444.

Best known as the first leader of the Soviet Union, Vladimir Lenin was also Communist philosopher and thinker who expounded on social, historical, and economic issues. While the world was engulfed in the First World War, Lenin wrote Imperialism to present his theory that capitalism, taken to its extremes, created monopolies and generated the need and desire for colonialism, the conquering of new markets and the imposition of one's social structures on another society. These actions in turn fostered imperialism, a practice where strong nations gain political, economic, and social dominance over weaker ones, exploiting their resources and people for their own benefit. The First World War was an excellent example of this, according to Lenin, with Imperialist powers on both sides seeking to retain control of the parts of the world they already controlled.

As a capitalist business became more efficient and generated extra capital, it sought to improve and expand its services while also acquire its competitors, to reduce competition and increases prices. Successful businesses could achieve a monopolistic status at home. As it continued to generate capital, it would then seek additional opportunities outside the boundaries of its state. As it expanded elsewhere, it could lobby its own government to impose favorable terms on the other countries, and, when profits were threatened, the State could militarily intervene. This in turn led to imperalist expansions, and inflict pain and suffering on the local populations as they were mercilessly exploited.

Though Lenin's vision of the world never came to be, his views on imperialism and the exploitative nature of colonialism remains important to understand the world we live in today.