Irving G. Bornet's "The Presidency of Lyndon B. Johnson" provides a comprehensive and scholarly account of LBJ's time in office, balancing his monumental "Great Society" domestic achievements with the escalating foreign policy challenges, primarily the Vietnam War, that ultimately defined and complicated his presidency.
Sigrid and her family escaped communism not once but four times. They went from feudal glory under the Czars through the Soviet revolution to democracy in Estonia, Nazism in Poland during World War II, then communism in East Germany, and finally freedom in West Germany and the United States.
It started with a few East Berlin teens who caught the Sex Pistols on a British military broadcast—and ended with the fall of East Germany. In a gray, controlled world, punk rock’s raw sound and rebellious spirit sparked a quiet revolution. As these young punks formed bands, the Stasi cracked down, spying, expelling, and imprisoning them. But they resisted, becoming key players in the underground movement that helped topple the regime. Burning Down the Haus tells the untold story of East German punk: a bold, cinematic account of youth, music, and defiance in the face of oppression.
Alexander Werth's "Russia under Khrushchev" offers a political and cultural analysis of the Soviet Union during Nikita Khrushchev's leadership (1953-1964). Drawing on his Moscow experience, Werth explores de-Stalinization, internal reforms, and the intense Cold War, including pivotal events and the USSR's critical relationship with East and West Germany.
In Behind the Berlin Wall, Steven Kelman recounts his 1966 experience as an American exchange student in East Germany. Through his personal observations and interactions, Kelman offers a rare, candid glimpse into life under a communist regime. He explores the daily realities of surveillance, censorship, and ideological control, while also revealing the contradictions and quiet dissent among ordinary East Germans. The book is both a political reflection and a coming-of-age story, capturing the tension between youthful idealism and authoritarian reality.
Lou Cannon's "President Reagan: The Role of a Lifetime" is a highly comprehensive biography offering an in-depth, insider's look at Reagan's presidency, drawn from decades of the author's direct coverage. It thoroughly explores both his significant domestic policies and his pivotal foreign policy initiatives that contributed to ending the Cold War, providing a nuanced portrait of a complex leader.
In Berlin Journal, 1989–1990, historian Robert Darnton offers a vivid, on-the-ground account of the fall of the Berlin Wall and the early days of German reunification. Blending personal observation with historical insight, Darnton captures the energy of the revolution and introduces readers to everyday East Germans navigating a time of massive upheaval. From activists to mechanics, his portraits humanize history, showing how ordinary people shaped—and were shaped by—a transformative moment in world history.
"The Kennedy Years" by Joseph M. Siracusa serves as a comprehensive historical dictionary of John F. Kennedy's presidency, meticulously detailing the key political and foreign policy events of his era. This extensive reference work includes numerous concise biographies of influential figures, along with essential primary source documents and a detailed chronology, providing a complete overview of Kennedy's time in office.
The Year of the Barricades explores the global wave of political and cultural upheaval in 1968. David Caute examines key movements and protests in cities like Paris, Prague, Berlin, Chicago, and Mexico City, tracing the student uprisings, anti-war demonstrations, and calls for civil rights and reform. With a journalist’s eye and historian’s depth, Caute captures the spirit of rebellion that defined a pivotal year, offering insight into its causes, characters, and lasting impact.
"The New Germany in the New Europe," edited by Paul J. Tümmel, provides an insightful examination of the challenges and opportunities facing a unified Germany in the post-Cold War era. Published years after reunification, this collection explores Germany's evolving identity, its complex internal integration, and its significant foreign policy and economic roles within a transforming Europe at the close of the 20th century.
Stuart Eizenstat's "President Carter: The White House Years" offers a definitive, insider's history of the administration, drawing on the author's extensive, never-before-seen notes as Carter's Chief Domestic Policy Adviser. The book provides a comprehensive look at Carter's surprising accomplishments, from the Camp David Accords and human rights policy to energy reform and deregulation, while also detailing missteps like the Iranian Hostage Crisis, ultimately revealing how Carter's principled leadership shaped his legacy.
