Basic Books Group

Lawless Republic | Washington Independent Review of Books The Independent is an important voice in the community of readers and writers dedicated to book reviews and writing about the world of books.

ICYMI: What the legendary orator/striver can teach us yet today. www.washingtonindependentreviewofbooks.com/bookreview/l... @basicbooksgroup.bsky.social #booksky

.@economist.com calls Eswar Prasad's new book THE DOOM LOOP "riveting."

Read the review here: bit.ly/4keyuMW

A huge congratulations to Karl Sigmund, whose book THE WALTZ OF REASON has won the 2025 Neumann Prize from the British Society for the History of Mathematics!

Learn more: bshm.ac.uk/prizes/#neum...

"THE DOOM LOOP: Why the World Economic Order Is Spiraling into Disorder" by Eswar S. Prasad is available now!

The acclaimed economist argues that the forces meant to stabilize the world’s economy are in fact driving global instability.

Read it now: #[bit.ly/4aahJhb

Europe A bold new history of Europe, from ancient Greece to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.   What do we talk about when we talk about Europe? Is it defined by ge...

Pre-order now: bit.ly/4rtd6G2

EUROPE | Kirkus Reviews A “gigantic promontory.”

Kirkus calls Roderick Beaton's "EUROPE: A New History" "a vividly insightful history of an ever-evolving continent."

Forthcoming 4/28!

Learn more: #[bit.ly/3NQseit

Susan Stryker's groundbreaking classic, TRANSGENDER HISTORY, is available now in an newly revised and updated edition for our times.

Learn more: bit.ly/45LQOHk

"THIS IS AN UPRISING: How Nonviolent Revolt Is Shaping the Twenty-First Century," the modern classic of social movement organizing by @markengler.bsky.social and Paul Engler, is now available in a tenth-anniversary edition!

Learn more: bit.ly/4c5agCE/

"The Billionaire Who Wasn't: How Chuck Feeney Secretly Made and Gave Away a Fortune," the bestselling life story of "the James Bond of hilanthropy" by Conor O'Clery, is now available in an updated paperback edition!

Learn more: bit.ly/4rlguCS/

772 Thucydides and The History of the Peloponnesian War (with Po… The Ancient Greek historian and general Thucydides (c. 460-400 BCE) called his history of a war between Athens and Sparta "a possession for all time." More than 2,4…

"The true patriot isn't the man who refrains from attacking his city when he's been unjustly deprived of it, but the one whose loyalty is so ardent that he does all he can to get it back."
– Thucydides

#books #history @basicbooksgroup.bsky.social @jackewilson.bsky.social

How Black Music Took Over the World by Melvin Gibbs The intricate rhythms and protean harmonies of Africa lie at the heart of most modern music, according to this exuberant debut s...

"[A] stimulating take on the complexities and influence of a rich and multifaceted musical tradition."

Read the latest review of "How Black Music Took Over the World," the "exuberant debut" by legendary jazz bassist @melvingibbs.bsky.social -- #[bit.ly/3LUW2tF

Strange People on the Hill A gripping story that reveals what happened to a small American town when an influential white nationalist group relocated its headquarters there, illustrati...

Pre-order now and get 20% off with code STRANGE20:
bit.ly/45DFM6S

Strange People on the Hill: How Extremism Tore Apart a Small American Town by Michael Edison Hayden In February 2020, white nationalist group VDARE purchased a $1.4 million castle in the historic West Virginia town of Berkeley S...

“[A] captivating, unsettling up-close look at America’s increasingly vicious partisan split.” —@publisherswkly.bsky.social

"Strange People on the Hill," @michaelehayden.bsky.social's investigation into small town extremism, will be available 4/7/2026.

Read the review: bit.ly/4t89Hy7

It’s on You: How Corporations and Behavioral Scientists Have Convinced Us That We’re to Blame for Society’s Deepest Problems by Nick Chater, George Loewenstein In this sharp takedown, psychologist Chater and behavioral economist Loewenstein (Exotic Preferences) argue that “nudge” theory,...

"[A] stunning emperor-has-no-clothes indictment."

IT'S ON YOU, Nick Chater and George Loewenstein's scalding critique of the "nudge" theory of social change, has a starred review in @publisherswkly.bsky.social!

Read it here: #[bit.ly/3Odgy9n

Thoughts without a Thinker Blending the lessons of psychotherapy with Buddhist teachings, Mark Epstein offers a revolutionary understanding of what constitutes a healthy emotional life...

And get the book here: bit.ly/4q4rhjO

Self-Help That Actually Helps And If (P)leather Jackets Were Attachment Styles

Lena Dunham recommends a Basic Books classic: "Thoughts without a Thinker: Psychotherapy from a Buddhist Perspective" by Mark Epstein.

"Pro tip: listen to the audiobook as Dr. Epstein has one of the all time great voices."

Read the essay: bit.ly/3NJNxSJ

🫣☺️🙏

Chief Wakara died on this day in 1855. He remains one of the most complex and influential figures in the history of the American West. Read Max Perry Mueller's definitive biography for the complete story of his life and legacy, a tale of America with native people at its center.

A History of Modern Syria — the people at the heart of their own story Daniel Neep’s excellent account corrects the traditional narrative to show a nation surviving and resisting the powers that have vied to dominate it

.@financialtimes.com calls Daniel Neep's forthcoming book "SYRIA: A Modern History" an "excellent, comprehensive history... [that] corrects the traditional narrative of a passive Syria by placing its people at the heart of their story."

Read it here: bit.ly/4bpx1RB

"This is an excellent book—engaging and well written." —Nassim Nicholas Taleb

IT'S ON YOU, by Nick Chater and George Loewenstein, is available today!

Learn more: bit.ly/4a8PzV6

"AUGUSTUS: First Emperor of Rome," the definitive and critically acclaimed biography by eminent historian Adrian Goldsworthy, is now available from Basic Books!

Learn more: bit.ly/4qzd53k

"WE REFUSE: A Forceful History of Black Resistance" by @kcarterjackson.bsky.social is now available in paperback!

Named a Best Book of 2024 by Smithsonian * Kirkus * Chicago Review of Books * Emancipator

Learn more: bit.ly/46gtNwf

"IT'S ON YOU: How Corporations and Behavioral Scientists Have Convinced Us That We’re to Blame for Society's Deepest Problems," by Nick Chater & George Loewenstein, is available today!

Learn more: bit.ly/49RNfAF

A recap of the books we’ve spotlighted in the past few days. www.washingtonindependentreviewofbooks.com/features/our... @aaknopf.bsky.social @littlebrown.bsky.social @eccobooks.bsky.social @basicbooksgroup.bsky.social @uchicagopress.bsky.social #booksky

"A wise and deeply researched book and a stirring call to action." —@timharford.ft.com

"IT'S ON YOU: How Corporations and Behavioral Scientists Have Convinced Us That We're to Blame for Society's Deepest Problems," by Nick Chater and George Loewenstein, will be available January 27th!

It’s on You Two leading behavioral scientists argue we should reject “nudge” policies and stop blaming personal failure for society’s failures "Excellent. A maste...

Pre-order today, and get 20% off with promo code ITSONYOU20: bit.ly/4a8PzV6

IT'S ON YOU, a critique of the "nudge" theory of social change by leading behavioral scientists Nick Chater and George Loewenstein, will be available January 27th wherever books are sold!

@dacemoglumit.bsky.social calls it "a master class on how to blend individual psychology with institutions."

Crick: A Mind in Motion | Washington Independent Review of Books The Independent is an important voice in the community of readers and writers dedicated to book reviews and writing about the world of books.

An outstanding look at the DNA whisperer’s life. www.washingtonindependentreviewofbooks.com/bookreview/c... @basicbooksgroup.bsky.social @matthewcobb.bsky.social #booksky

The Food System Paradox Introducing Feed the People!: Why Industrial Food Is Good and How To Make It Even Better

Read the introduction to *Feed the People!: Why Industrial Food Is Good and How To Make It Even Better,* my new book with @jandutkiewicz.bsky.social that is out with @basicbooksgroup.bsky.social next month.

bearistotle.substack.com/p/the-food-s...

"A sweeping reimagining of how we think about Muslim history." —Reza Aslan

@jamesrmcd.bsky.social's "Worlds of Islam: A Global History" is available now: bit.ly/3Nu2wA6