Books matching: human rights abuses
87 result(s)
Readers also searched for:
- #1
Save:A powerful, well-sourced wake-up call about the dark side of cheap goods - a must-read if you want to understand global injustice beyond the headlines.
'Made in China: A Prisoner, an SOS Letter, and the Hidden Cost of America's Cheap Goods' by Amelia Pang provides an eye-opening look into the dark underbelly of China's manufacturing sector. It traces the life of a Chinese man who refused to bow down to the Chinese dictators, shedding light on forced labor, organ harvesting, and the conditions in Chinese slave labor prisons. The author exposes the atrocities committed in these facilities, including torture, starvation, and denial of basic human rights, while also addressing the issue of forced human organ donations and the exploitation of political prisoners.
Sun Yi lay on a stretcher in a barren white room. His mouth was parched. A steel gag had kept it pried open for more than twenty-four hours. Sun, a forty-two-year-old man with pensive eyes and a small...February 2021•288 pages - #2
Save:A stunningly written, thought-provoking literary novel - best for those who appreciate poetic prose and don’t mind piecing together a complex, emotionally subtle story.
'Anil's Ghost' by Michael Ondaatje follows the journey of Anil Tissera, a forensic anthropologist returning to Sri Lanka to investigate political murders during the civil war. Through Anil's investigation, the story delves into the complexities of the war-torn country, touching on themes of human rights, corruption, and the impact of violence on individuals. The writing style is described as lyrical, fragmented yet engaging, with a focus on character development and exploring the personal and political struggles faced by the characters.
The narrative of 'Anil's Ghost' navigates through different time periods and characters, providing a multilayered and thought-provoking exploration of the Sri Lankan civil war. Ondaatje's prose is praised for its beauty, precision, and ability to evoke emotions in the reader. offers a mix of mystery, love, and lament for the horrors of war, creating a poignant and immersive reading experience that sheds light on the personal and political challenges in Sri Lanka.
Halfway into Michael Ondaatje's new novel, Anil's Ghost, there is a scene so quietly devastating that it alone makes the novel worth reading. It is the mid-1980s, and a civil war is raging on the tiny...1999•317 pages - #3
Save:A riveting, real-world thriller that’s both entertaining and unsettling - essential reading for anyone curious about Putin’s Russia, financial corruption, or the story behind the Magnitsky Act. Just be ready for one man’s intense (and somewhat self-starring) perspective.
'Red Notice: A True Story of High Finance, Murder, and One Man's Fight for Justice' by Bill Browder is a gripping true story that delves into the author's early career in finance, the establishment of Hermitage Capital, and his investments in Russia. The narrative transitions into the harrowing tale of Browder's persecution by the Russian State, the tragic death of his lawyer, and his relentless pursuit to enact the Magnitsky Bill. The book is commended for its captivating storytelling, shedding light on the corruption and human rights abuses in Putin's Russia.
Here’s what they mean: every other weekend I traveled from Moscow, the city where I lived, to London, the city I called home. I had made the trip 260 times over the last ten years. The “1” purpose of...2014•428 pages - #4
Save:'Putin's Russia' by Anna Politkovskaya, Arch Tait is a gripping and courageous account of the governance experienced by the Russian people under Vladimir Putin. The book delves deep into the loss of democracy in Russia, shedding light on the horrific circumstances faced by ordinary citizens. The author's writing style is described as amazing, as she fearlessly investigates and reports on corruption, wars, and the sad state of the political system in post-Soviet Russia.
It is November 18, 2002. Nina Levurda is a heavy, slow-moving woman, a retired schoolteacher, old and tired and with a string of serious ailments. Like many other times over the past year, she has bee...2003•296 pages - #5
Save:A haunting, beautifully written novel that humanizes the cost of living under a repressive regime - gripping and illuminating, but unrelentingly grim. Highly recommended for fans of powerful, character-driven historical fiction; not for the faint of heart.
'The Vagrants' by Yiyun Li is set in the aftermath of the Cultural Revolution in China, focusing on the small provincial city of Muddy River. The story revolves around the execution of a counterrevolutionary young woman, Gu Shan, which serves as a catalyst for a nascent democracy movement. The novel portrays the struggles and uncertainties of life in 1970s China, weaving together the lives of various characters in the town who are affected by the political and personal ramifications of Gu Shan's death. Through dark prose and intense storytelling, Yiyun Li delves into themes of oppression, brutality, moral ambiguity, love, betrayal, and the quest for humanity in a repressive regime.
The narrative style of 'The Vagrants' is raw, powerful, and multi-layered, offering a glimpse into the poverty, brutality, and complexities of post-revolution Chinese society. The characters, ranging from an innocent young boy to a deformed girl, a lonely child, and a sociopathic outcast, are vividly portrayed as they navigate the oppressive political landscape and personal hardships. The book skillfully captures the atmosphere of fear, repression, and resilience in a changing cultural and political climate, leaving readers with a haunting portrayal of life under an authoritarian regime.
The day started before sunrise, on March 21, 1979, when Teacher Gu woke up and found his wife sobbing quietly into her blanket. A day of equality it was, or so it had occurred to Teacher Gu many times...2008•369 pages A riveting, eye-opening look at the dark underbelly of the oceans - relentlessly researched, shocking, and important. Reads like a real-life thriller and will change the way you think about seafood and the world’s last lawless frontier.
'The Outlaw Ocean: Journeys Across the Last Untamed Frontier' by Ian Urbina is a compilation of investigative journalism chronicling piracy, slavery, poaching, rape, murder, and general lawlessness on the world's oceans. The author takes readers on a journey to various dangerous places, shedding light on illegal fishing practices, exploitation of crewmen, and the overall lawlessness that exists in the international waters. Through immersive storytelling, Urbina presents different facets of the outlaw ocean, highlighting the exploitation of people, marine life, and the ocean itself.
Did they stand a chance? A glimpse of an answer was offered around 2:00 a.m. on January 21, 2015, in a one-story office building in West Virginia. As he pounded out another email, Bjorn Bergman, a res...August 2019•552 pages- #7
Save:A bold, unflinching expose of Mao and his era - gripping for fans of political biographies, but controversial for its alleged bias and relentless negativity. Brace yourself!
'Mao: The Unknown Story' by Jung Chang delves deep into the life of Mao, painting a portrait of a ruthless and cold individual who used Communism as a tool to gain absolute control over others. The book explores Mao's disregard for human life and suffering, highlighting his tyrannical reign and the horrors of China's Modern Dark Age under his rule. Through a detailed examination of Mao's actions and decisions, the authors provide a chilling account of a sadistic psychopath who was willing to sacrifice millions for his own gain.
The narrative of the book unfolds with stories of Mao's betrayal, manipulation, and ruthless pursuit of power, showcasing how he valued individuals only for their usefulness to his objectives. From Mao's involvement in deadly military campaigns to his role in orchestrating mass atrocities like the Great Leap Forward and the Cultural Revolution, the book exposes the true nature of a leader consumed by a desire for control and domination.
MAO TSE-TUNG, who for decades held absolute power over the lives of one-quarter of the world’s population, was responsible for well over 70 million deaths in peacetime, more than any other twentieth-c...September 2002•801 pages - #8
Save:Beautiful, intense, and haunting - "Perla" is a lyrical journey through Argentina's history and the human heart that will stick with you long after the last page.
Perla by Carolina De Robertis is a poignant tale set during Argentina's Dirty War from 1976 to 1983, focusing on Perla, an Argentinian psychology student who encounters a ghost of one of the disappeared from the era. The book skillfully weaves magical realism into the narrative, exploring themes of memory, trauma, and the hidden bond between Perla and the ghost stranger, with a non-linear structure that keeps readers engaged and intrigued.
Some things are impossible for the mind to hold alone. So listen, if you can, with your whole being. The story pushes and demands to be told, here, now, with you so close and the past even closer, bre...March 2012•270 pages - #9
Save:Raw, heartbreaking, and vital - 'Guantanamo Diary' is a stunning firsthand account of injustice and resilience that every world citizen should read, redactions and all.
'Guantanamo Diary' by Mohamedou Ould Slahi is a harrowing account of an innocent man's life after being kidnapped and thrown into Guantanamo Bay by the US government. Slahi's story sheds light on the inhumane treatment, torture, and suffering endured by individuals caught in the web of the US war against terrorism, showcasing the power and reach of governments when faced with suspects linked to terrorism. The book is a poignant reflection on the loss of moral decency in the post-9/11 world, as well as a testament to Slahi's resilience, faith, and forgiveness in the face of unimaginable torment.
Through Slahi's compassionate portrayal of his captors and torturers as individuals, the book brings to life the characters involved in his ordeal, offering a unique perspective on the political background in various Arab countries and the inner workings of the American government and justice system. Despite the extreme redactions in the text, 'Guantanamo Diary' provides a gripping and eye-opening narrative that delves into the complexities of the War on Terror, the lack of due process, and the enduring spirit of a remarkable man who maintained his faith and forgiveness throughout his unjust imprisonment.
This book is an edited version of the 466-page manuscript Mohamedou Ould Slahi wrote by hand in his Guantánamo prison cell in the summer and fall of 2005. It has been edited twice: first by the United...2015•448 pages - #10
Save:A harrowing, inventive classic that dives deep into the heart of tyranny - brilliant and beautiful, though not an easy read. Essential for fans of literary and Latin American fiction.
"The President" by Miguel Angel Asturias is a grim and satirical portrait of life under a totalitarian regime in an unnamed Latin American country. The story revolves around the President's favorite, Angel Face, who is tasked with handling the disappearance of General Canales, a close associate of the President who has fallen into disgrace. The plot unfolds with intricate political schemes, betrayals, and a deep exploration of the brutal realities of the political system, set against the backdrop of a dictatorship characterized by terror, deception, and secrecy.
Asturias's writing style captures the lushness of the scenes, the sufferings of the characters, and the ominous mood that pervades the country under the dictatorship. The narrative is filled with surreal effects, dream sequences, lyrical descriptions of nature, and terrifying portrayals of the prison experience. delves into the insanity of dictatorship at various levels, exploring how it affects individuals psychologically and how propaganda and misinformation are used to maintain the President's iron control over the country.
1946•312 pages
