Roger Bennett

This football book is not just about the game - it's an exploration of the unique role Black British footballers have played in shaping it both on and off the pitch. A New Formation tells new, forgotten, and undervalued stories with heart, humanity, and humor, with contributions from legendary players and sports broadcasters alike. Rather than focusing on the usual narratives of trauma and oppression, the book offers a highly original analysis of the intersections between football and wider Black British culture. Discover the vibrancy and nuance of contemporary Black life in Britain through this groundbreaking collection of essays.

Explore the fascinating history and culture of Mexico City, the largest Spanish-speaking metropolis in the world. The fear of earthquakes led to the city’s horizontal expansion and author Juan Villoro takes readers on a compelling journey through its people, places, and landmarks. From ancient indigenous roots to modern political and financial influence, Villoro unveils the experiences and identities that make Mexico City unique. The book is structured around themes of “Living in the City,” “City Characters,” “Shocks,” “Crossings,” and “Ceremonies,” creating a cohesive and eye-opening portrait of the city’s spirit of place.

This book offers a wide-ranging and kaleidoscopic portrait of the Beatles phenomenon, delving into a vast catalog of heretofore unexamined lore. Part anthropology and part memoir, this humorous, elegiac, and at times madcap take on the Beatles' role in the making of the sixties and of music as we know it is enriched by the recollections of everyone from Tom Hanks to Bruce Springsteen.

Discover the incredible and untold story of survival and acceptance in Memoirs of a Kamikaze. Follow the journey of Kazuo Odachi, who unwittingly became a member of the Kamikaze Special Attack Corps at just 17 years old. Experience the hardships of fighter pilot training, the psychological trauma of each mission, and the eventual surrender of Japan. Learn about the samurai spirit that carried Odachi through to his nineties and discover the truth about the Kamikaze pilots. This book offers a new perspective on one of the darkest chapters in Japanese history, straight from the words of Kazuo Odachi himself.

Explore the resurgence of authoritarianism in the 21st century with Pulitzer Prize-winning author and historian Anne Applebaum's Twilight of Democracy. As liberal democracy wanes and populism and nationalism gain traction across the globe, Applebaum offers insight into the appeal of the strongman leader and political systems that prioritize loyalty above all else. Through historical examples and investigative reporting in several countries, she sheds light on the practical motivations that drive individuals toward authoritarianism and highlights the dangers of a one-party state. Discover the seductive power of totalitarian thinking in this thought-provoking and timely book.

This novel is a powerful exploration of womanhood, family, and identity in modern-day Japan. It follows the stories of three women - an unmarried narrator, her older sister obsessed with breast enhancement surgery, and her young daughter paralyzed with fear of puberty. As they navigate their own struggles, the novel tackles broader issues like the repression of women, poverty, domestic violence, and reproductive ethics. With a mix of comedy and realism, this epic journey invites readers to find inner strength and peace.

Poets from across the US share their experiences of the pandemic as they shelter in place in this urgent outpouring of American voices. From grief and fear to hope and resilience, Together in a Sudden Strangeness provides an intimate and intricate portrait of our suddenly altered reality. These poems offer wisdom, companionship, and depths of feeling that enliven our spirits during these difficult and strange times.

A WWII soldier's guilt and struggles with atonement for his participation in Nazi atrocities comes to light in a letter to his grandson. Raw and visceral, this novel explores the moral ambiguity of war and the complicity of an entire country in heinous acts. Can one ever truly atone for the lives lost? A compelling page-turner that challenges beliefs and blurs the lines between right and wrong.

Explore the hidden caste system that has shaped America through this immersive and deeply researched narrative by the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Warmth of Other Suns. In Caste, Isabel Wilkerson examines the power hierarchy that defines our lives today, beyond race, class, or other factors. Through real stories about people like Martin Luther King Jr. and baseball's Satchel Paige, she uncovers the eight pillars that underlie caste systems across civilizations. Wilkerson also links the caste systems of America, India, and Nazi Germany, showcasing how the cruel logic of caste requires a bottom rung to measure against. This eye-opening read offers hope in moving beyond these artificial and destructive separations in pursuit of our common humanity.