Russell Roberts

Discover the amazing untold story of Leonard Cohen's 1973 tour of Israel during the Yom Kippur War. In Who by Fire, journalist Matti Friedman seamlessly intertwines Cohen's personal struggles with the backdrop of a country at war. With access to Cohen's own writings and rare photographs, this haunting and beautiful book offers an intimate portrait of an artist and the young people who heard him sing in the midst of combat. A book full of feeling that will resonate with readers long after the final page is turned.

A Swim in a Pond in the Rain is a literary master class on what makes great stories work and what they can tell us about ourselves—and our world today. George Saunders shares his twenty-year experience teaching a class on Russian short stories to MFA students at Syracuse University. In this book, he pairs iconic short stories by Chekhov, Turgenev, Tolstoy, and Gogol with his technical yet accessible essays on how narrative functions, why we stay immersed in a story, and the bedrock virtues a writer must foster to create compelling fiction. Through this exploration, Saunders illuminates how the mind itself works while reading and how the reading and writing of stories make genuine connection possible.

Discover how to find meaning in suffering and move forward with renewed purpose by exploring the riveting memoir of a psychiatrist who survived Nazi death camps. In this influential book, based on his own experience and the stories of his patients, the author argues that we cannot avoid suffering but we can choose how to cope with it and find meaning in it through his theory of logotherapy. This book is a must-read for anyone searching for significance in the act of living.

A powerful and insightful account of one man's survival in a Nazi concentration camp. Written by an Italian Jew who was sent to Auschwitz with 650 others, only 20 of whom survived, this book provides an extraordinary firsthand perspective on the horrors of the Holocaust. Through his incredible resilience and determination to bear witness to the atrocities committed, the author sheds light on the unimaginable violence and cruelty inflicted upon millions of innocent lives. A must-read for anyone seeking to understand the human experience during this dark period of history.

This powerful memoir tells the inspiring story of one man's liberation from Auschwitz and his journey home to Italy after World War II. Through bombed-out cities and transit camps, the author encounters former prisoners and Russian soldiers, imparting unforgettable insight into the aftermath of the Holocaust. A remarkable feat of literary craft, this book is a testament to faith, hope, and courage in the face of unimaginable darkness.

Experience the majestic beauty of the American wilderness through a captivating love story and epic adventure in Lonesome Dove. Follow a cast of unforgettable characters - including heroes, outlaws, and ladies - as they journey through the last wild frontier in Texas. With rich authenticity and masterful writing, this Pulitzer Prize-winning classic is a timeless masterpiece that will make you laugh, weep, and remember.

Explore the stark and beautiful coastal landscape of a Cornish fishing village through the eyes of an adventurous female writer. Dark, Salt, Clear presents a captivating portrait of Newlyn's hardcore career fishermen, their frustrations, and the complexities of their lives. Ash's transformational journey aboard the Filadelfia and her astute observations of the landscape and people will transport you on a multilayered travelogue filled with indelible characters. This fiercely auspicious debut is reminiscent of Annie Dillard, Barry Lopez, and Robert Macfarlane, and is not to be missed.

Experience the lush, literary epic of love, beauty, and war in this acclaimed novel by Mark Helprin. Follow Alessandro Giuliani, a privileged son of a Roman lawyer, through his idyllic life of racing horses, climbing mountains, and falling in love. But when the Great War intervenes, Alessandro's world changes forever. Fast forward half a century to meet an aging hero, who tells the tragic story of his life, including loss, gain, and a love song for his family.

Discover the forgotten masterpiece of one of history's greatest thinkers in How Adam Smith Can Change Your Life by Russ Roberts. Through examining the Scottish philosopher's epic work on human nature, Roberts uncovers a treasure trove of practical and timeless wisdom. Smith's insights into happiness, virtue, fame, and fortune are framed within the context of current events, literature, history, and pop culture, making this self-help book highly entertaining and relevant to modern day.

A candid and engrossing memoir, "Open" tells the remarkable story of a man who was groomed to be a tennis champion from birth. Despite achieving fame, wealth, and eight grand slam titles, Andre Agassi struggled to find fulfillment in the sport he came to resent. Through his highs and lows, Agassi reveals his early success, marriage to Brooke Shields, interest in philanthropy, and uncomfortable relationship with fame. This book goes far beyond a professional tennis memoir and offers readers a glimpse into the life of a man who overcame great challenges to find true happiness.