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Neil Shubin’s “Ends of the Earth” takes readers on an epic adventure to the North and South Poles to uncover the secrets locked in the ice and profoundly shift our understanding of life, the cosmos, and our future on the planet.
Shubin shares lively adventure stories from the field to reveal just how far scientists will go to understand polar regions and to reveal the poles’ impact on the rest of life on the planet.
Author: Haruki Murakami
Haruki Murakami’s novel “The City and Its Uncertain Walls,” with an English translation by Philip Gabriel, is a mesmerizing journey into the complexities of human emotions, memory and the elusive nature of reality.
As I delved into its pages, I found myself drawn into a world that felt both familiar and strangely distant, echoing the sentiments of my own life experiences.
The 2024 novel revolves around a nameless protagonist who navigates the labyrinthine streets of a city that is both vibrant and haunting. Murakami’s signature blend of magical realism and profound introspection creates a narrative that challenges the reader to ponder the walls we build around ourselves — both physically and emotionally.
The city serves as a character in its own right, with its “uncertain walls” symbolizing the barriers we erect to protect ourselves from pain and vulnerability.
Interestingly, the story has its roots in a short story published by Murakami in 1980, also titled “The City and Its Uncertain Walls.” The writer has expressed that he felt he could never let go of that initial narrative, which drove him to expand it into this larger, more fulfilling work.
One of the most striking aspects of the book is Murakami’s ability to evoke a sense of loneliness amid the bustling cityscape. As I read, I was reminded of my own moments of isolation, even in crowded spaces.
The protagonist’s encounters with various individuals — each grappling with their own fears and desires — resonated deeply with me. It made me reflect on the connections we seek and the disconnections we often experience in modern life.
The novel invites readers to engage with complex themes, making it impossible to summarize in a straightforward way. It led me to compare it to “1Q84,” one of my favorite Murakami novels, which also delves into parallel universes and unconventional love stories. However, “The City and Its Uncertain Walls” leans more toward philosophical exploration, prompting contemplation about reality and self.
The narrative unfolds in three parts, beginning with a young love story reminiscent of classic fantasy, where a boy searches for a girl who has mysteriously vanished. The first part conjures images of a medieval world, complete with castles and guards, which initially felt disconnected from my expectations of Murakami’s style.
The second part washes over the reader like a wave of melancholic familiarity, anchoring us back to the essence of Murakami’s storytelling.
In conclusion, “The City and Its Uncertain Walls” is more than just a novel; it is an exploration of the human condition. Murakami’s ability to capture the essence of solitude and connection left a lasting impression on me.
The book is a testament to the power of storytelling, inviting readers to reflect on their own lives while navigating the uncertain walls we all confront. I emerged from its pages with a renewed appreciation for the beauty and complexity of existence.
Africa’s long 19th century was a time of revolutionary ferment and cultural innovation for the continent’s states, societies, and economies.
Yet the period preceding what became known as “the Scramble for Africa” by European powers in the decades leading up to World War I has long been neglected in favor of a Western narrative of colonial rule.
The African Revolution demonstrates that “the Scramble” and the resulting imperial order were as much the culmination of African revolutionary dynamics as they were of European expansionism.
Author: IAN STEWART
Before the Greeks and Romans, the Celts ruled the ancient world. They sacked Rome, invaded Greece, and conquered much of Europe, from Ireland to Turkey.
Celts registered deeply on the classical imagination for a thousand years and were variously described by writers like Caesar and Livy as unruly barbarians, fearless warriors, and gracious hosts. But then, in the early Middle Ages, they vanished.
In “The Celts,” Ian Stewart tells the story of their rediscovery during the Renaissance and their transformation over the next few centuries into one of the most popular European ancestral peoples.
Author: Leo Tolstoy
Russian literary giant Leo Tolstoy’s “The Death of Ivan Ilyich,” published in 1886, is a powerful story about facing death and the lies we tell ourselves to fit into society.
At under 100 pages, this timeless classic moves beyond its 19th-century roots to ask big, enduring questions: What makes life meaningful? What happens when we refuse to see the truth about ourselves?
Ivan Ilyich, a respected magistrate in Tsarist Russia, lives a life governed by propriety and ambition.
A minor injury, however, escalates into a terminal illness, shattering his carefully curated existence.
As pain consumes him, Ivan descends into isolation, abandoned by family and colleagues who prioritize decorum over compassion.
In his final days, he confronts the hollowness of his achievements, leading to a searing epiphany: Only authenticity and empathy can grant peace in life’s closing act.
Tolstoy’s genius lies in his psychological brutality. He unveils Ivan’s psyche, exposing denial, rage and fleeting grace with unflinching honesty.
The novella’s interrogation of what makes life meaningful stands out as a universal experience through time.
Equally compelling is Tolstoy’s critique of bourgeois values, framing social climbing as a cowardly distraction from life’s impermanence.
The book’s realism influenced writers such as Albert Camus and philosophers studying the human condition.
For modern readers, Ivan’s journey — from delusion to clarity — serves as both a cautionary tale and a call to live with intention.
Content moderation on social media has become one of the most daunting challenges of our time. Nowhere is the need for action more urgent than in the fight against terrorism and extremism.
“Safe Havens for Hate” looks at how content moderation shapes the tactics of harmful content producers on a wide range of social media platforms.
Tamar Mitts shows how differing moderation standards across platforms create safe havens that allow these actors to organize, launch campaigns, and mobilize supporters.
