Books Like...
We Were Eight Years in Power by Ta-Nehisi Coates is a collection of essays that reflect on the eight years of Barack Obama's presidency, exploring topics such as politics, race, and American history. Coates writes with incisiveness, addressing systemic racism, the impact of Obama's presidency, and the challenges faced by the black community. The book delves into issues like racism in America, mass incarceration, the legacy of slavery, and the intersection of race and power.
The essays in We Were Eight Years in Power provide a thought-provoking analysis of race relations in America, offering a critical examination of the country's history and societal structures. Coates presents a compelling narrative that challenges readers to confront uncomfortable truths about the persistent effects of racism and inequality in the United States. Through his eloquent prose and powerful insights, Coates encourages readers to engage in a deeper understanding of the complexities of race and power dynamics in contemporary society.
If you liked We Were Eight Years in Power: An American Tragedy, here are the top 51 books to read next:
Carol Anderson's 'White Rage: The Unspoken Truth of Our Racial Divide' delves into the historical context of white supremacy and systemic racism in America, showcasing how advancements in racial equality for African Americans have consistently been met with backlash and oppression. Through meticulous research and compelling storytelling, the book uncovers the deep-rooted history of white rage, from Reconstruction to the modern-day challenges faced by black Americans. Anderson's writing style is informative, enlightening, and thought-provoking, providing readers with a comprehensive overview of key events and periods in black advancement while highlighting the continuous struggle for equality in the face of white dominance.
Although I first wrote about “white rage” in a Washington Post op-ed following the killing of Michael Brown and the subsequent uprising in Ferguson, Missouri, the concept started to germinate much ear...- #2
Save:Intellectuals and Society by Thomas Sowell is a thought-provoking analysis of the impact of intellectuals on modern society. The author argues that intellectuals shape public opinion in ways that can have negative effects on the direction of society. Sowell challenges the prescriptions offered by intellectuals for societal issues and highlights how they often ignore empirical evidence. The book delves into the influence of intellectuals on public policy, the role of intellectuals in economics, and the societal visions they promote. Sowell's writing style is described as attractively written, well-informed, and backed by strong arguments against sanctimonious intellectuals.
Intellect is not wisdom. There can be “unwise intellect,” as Thomas Carlyle characterized the thinking of Harriet Taylor, the friend and later wife of John Stuart Mill. Sheer brainpower—intellect, the... - #3
Save:Hailed by "Publishers Weekly" for its "forceful" and "bracing opinions on race and politics," "Class Notes" is critic Adolph Reed Jr.'s latest blast of clear thinking on matters of race, class, and other American dilemmas.
The book begins with a cons
... - #4
Save:From the "astounding" ( Entertainment Weekly ), "spectacularly evocative" ( The Atlantic ), and "brilliant" ( Los Angeles Times ) author of the New York Times bestsellers The Recovering and The Empathy Exams comes a return to the essay form in
... - #5
Save:Robert O. Paxton's 'The Anatomy of Fascism' is a slim, eminently readable work that delves into the political philosophical question of what fascism truly is. Paxton meticulously examines fascist movements in Europe and beyond, identifying the tropes and similitudes that characterize a fascist movement in action. Through a scholarly and highly perceptive analysis, the book traces the origins of fascism from its roots in the nineteenth century to its manifestation in Italy and Germany from 1919 to 1945. Paxton's writing style is accessible to both academic and non-academic readers, eschewing theoretical language in favor of a cautionary analysis supported by eminent authorities.
Fascism was the major political innovation of the twentieth century, and the source of much of its pain. The other major currents of modern Western political culture—conservatism, liberalism, socialis... - #6
Save:'The Souls of Black Folk' by W.E.B. Du Bois is a collection of essays that delve into the reality of black society, primarily in the deep South at the turn of the 20th century. Du Bois eloquently portrays the struggles and injustices faced by African Americans, highlighting the systemic racism and racial prejudices institutionalized during that era. Through his poignant writing style, he explores the complexities of identity, the duality of experience for black Americans, and the aspirations for self-conscious manhood in a society plagued by inequality and discrimination.
BETWEEN me and the other world there is ever an unasked question: unasked by some through feelings of delicacy; by others through the difficulty of rightly framing it. All, nevertheless, flutter round... The Recovering: Intoxication and Its Aftermath by Leslie Jamison is a poignant examination of alcoholism, intertwining personal experiences with cultural and historical accounts. Jamison's prose is powerful and engaging, delving into the relationship between addiction and creativity, while also exploring the societal perceptions and recovery journey of addicts. The book weaves together personal stories, literary analysis of famous writers who struggled with addiction, and insights into the recovery process, creating a narrative that is both intimate and informative.
The first time I ever felt it—the buzz—I was almost thirteen. I didn’t vomit or black out or even embarrass myself. I just loved it. I loved the crackle of champagne, its hot pine needles down my thro...Rick Perlstein's 'The Invisible Bridge: The Fall of Nixon and the Rise of Reagan' is a detailed account of the political and social climate of the United States in the 1970s. The book covers the tumultuous years between Nixon's reelection and the 1976 Republican convention, focusing on the fall of Nixon and the rise of Ronald Reagan. Perlstein skillfully intertwines political events with cultural contexts, providing a lively narrative that delves into the complexities of American conservatism during this era. The book offers insight into the political decadence and ideological shifts that shaped the landscape of American politics in the mid-1970s.
Perlstein's writing style is described as witty, engaging, and entertaining, reminiscent of a historical narrative. The book not only chronicles the key political events of the time but also delves into the cultural influences, pop culture references, and personal anecdotes that provide a comprehensive understanding of the era. Through meticulous research and storytelling, Perlstein offers a deep dive into the rise of right-wing conservatism, the personalities of key political figures, and the societal changes that marked this transformative period in American history.
ONCE UPON A TIME WE had a Civil War. More than six hundred thousand Americans were slaughtered or wounded. Soon afterward, the two sides began carrying out sentimental rituals of reconciliation. Confe...- #9
Save:'Black Rednecks & White Liberals' by Thomas Sowell is a collection of six essays that delve into the history of racism, prejudice, and cultural misconceptions. Sowell uses historical facts to challenge common beliefs, such as the origins of ghetto culture, the misperception of black identity, and the rewriting of slavery history. Through thought-provoking arguments, the author explores topics like the achievements of immigrant groups, the role of progressive white folks in distorting history, and the consequences of prioritizing vision over historical truth. Sowell's writing style is described as well-researched, documented, and informative, providing readers with a different perspective on social, racial, and economic issues.
These people are creating a terrible problem in our cities. They can’t or won’t hold a job, they flout the law constantly and neglect their children, they drink too much and their moral standards woul... - #10
Save:In the book 'Black Like Me' by John Howard Griffin, the author undergoes a transformation to experience life as a black man in the deep South during the late 1950s. Griffin's daring experiment of darkening his skin and disguising himself as a black man sheds light on the harsh realities of racism and segregation prevalent in the American society at that time. Through his first-hand experiences, Griffin delves into the depths of race relations, bigotry, and prejudice, providing readers with a poignant and eye-opening account of the discrimination faced by African Americans.
Griffin's writing style in 'Black Like Me' is described as powerful, honest, and emotionally charged. The book offers a profound message about the race dilemma in America, inviting readers to step into the shoes of a black man and witness the injustices and struggles faced on a daily basis. Through Griffin's narrative, readers are taken on a journey of self-discovery and societal reflection, highlighting the universal themes of persecution, fear, and the destructive nature of racism across different communities and eras.
This speculation was sparked again by a report that lay on my desk in the old barn that served as my office. The report mentioned the rise in suicide tendency among Southern Negroes. This did not mean...
