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Author: SIMON MAY
Cuteness has taken the planet by storm. Global sensations Hello Kitty and Pokémon, the works of artists Takashi Murakami and Jeff Koons, Heidi the cross-eyed opossum and E.T.—all reflect its gathering power.
But what does “cute” mean, as a sensibility and style? Why is it so pervasive? Is it all infantile fluff, or is there something more uncanny and even menacing going on—in a lighthearted way? In “The Power of Cute,” Simon May provides nuanced and surprising answers.
Our understanding of dinosaur behavior has long been hampered by the inevitable lack of evidence from animals that went extinct more than 65 million years ago and whose daily behaviors are rarely reflected by the fossil record. Today, with the discovery of new specimens and the development of new and cutting-edge techniques, paleontologists are making major advances in reconstructing how dinosaurs lived and acted.
“Uncovering Dinosaur Behavior” provides an unparalleled look at this emerging field of science.
Dragonflies are large and beautiful insects, diverse in color and pattern.
This premier field guide provides all the information you need to identify every male and female dragonfly found in North America, whether in the field, in the hand, or under the microscope.
The extensive illustrations are the heart of the book. Close-up color portraits of each species, often several times life size, show the best possible specimens for close examination.
“Dragonflies of North America” is the ultimate guide to these extraordinary insects.
“On the Edge: The Art of Risking Everything” is a 2024 nonfiction book by Nate Silver.
It is a bold attempt to dissect the nature of risk-taking, blending personal experiences, analytical thinking, and societal commentary.
Known for his expertise in data analysis, Silver ventures into a more narrative-driven exploration of the psychology and consequences of making bold decisions.
Silver’s ability to simplify complex ideas is one of the book’s standout features.
His writing is engaging and approachable, with real-world examples — such as poker games, sports betting, and entrepreneurial ventures — bringing his points to life.
The concept of dividing people into two groups, “The River” (risk-takers) and “The Village” (risk-averse), provides an interesting albeit confusing framework for readers to evaluate their own attitudes toward risk.
Additionally, the chapter outlining “Thirteen Habits of Successful Risk-takers” leans heavily into motivational territory, which may feel out of place for readers expecting a more analytical or data-driven approach.
Another shortcoming is the book’s limited exploration of ethical concerns. While Silver highlights the ingenuity and daring of risk-takers, he largely avoids deeper discussions about the potential downsides of such behavior.
Topics of societal risks associated with reckless decision-making in industries like technology are mentioned but not examined in detail. This lack of critical engagement leaves some aspects of the discussion feeling underdeveloped.
“On the Edge” is an engaging read that will appeal to fans of Silver’s previous work and those curious about how bold choices shape individual lives and society.
However, while it succeeds as an exploration of boldness and strategy, it falls short as a thorough analysis of risk’s broader implications.
Author: MICHEL PASTOUREAU
In this richly illustrated book, Michel Pastoureau—a renowned authority on the history of color and the author of celebrated volumes on blue, black, green, and red—now traces the visual, social, and cultural history of yellow.
Focusing on European societies, with comparisons from East Asia, India, Africa, and South America, Yellow tells the intriguing story of the color’s evolving place in art, religion, fashion, literature, and science.
Throughout, Pastoureau illuminates the history of yellow with a wealth of captivating images.
Author: Jakub S. Benes
As the First World War ended, villages across central and eastern Europe rose in revolt. Led in many places by a shadowy movement of army deserters, peasants attacked those whom they blamed for wartime abuses and long years of exploitation—large estate owners, officials, and merchants, who were often Jewish. At the same time, peasants tried to realize their rural visions of a reborn society, establishing local self-government or attempting to influence the new states that were being built atop the wreckage of the Austro-Hungarian and Russian Empires. In “The Last Peasant War,” Jakub Beneš presents the first comprehensive history of this dramatic and largely forgotten revolution and traces its impact on interwar politics and the course of the Second World War.
Sweeping large portions of the countryside between the Alps and the Urals from 1917 to 1921, this peasant revolution had momentous aftereffects, especially among Slavic peoples in the former lands of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. It enabled an unprecedented expansion of agrarian politics in the interwar period and provided a script for rural resistance that was later revived to resist Nazi occupation and to challenge Communist rule in east central Europe.
