21st century

"Anthology of curated essays exploring changes in the United States, its global allies and adversaries, and their relationships, in [more] recent years"--Provided by publisher.

Religion is on a decline in the United States, as the religiously unaffiliated segment climbs to more than 25% of the overall population. This is likely due to demographic shifts, but it may also be influenced by factors such as mass migrations from rural to urban areas and the advancement of isolating technology. Additionally, many are turned off by what they consider outdated stances and exclusiveness of many religions. Given these changes, what place does religion have in contemporary society? Can it adjust with the times? Diverse experts in the field tackle this timely topic.

"A landmark biography . . . that reveals how systemic racism shaped George Floyd's life and legacy-from his family's roots in the tobacco fields of North Carolina, to ongoing inequality in housing, education, health care, criminal justice, and policing-telling the singular story of how one man's tragic experience brought about a global movement for change. The events of that day are now tragically familiar: on May 25, 2020, George Floyd became the latest Black person to die at the hands of the police, murdered outside of a Minneapolis convenience store by white officer Derek Chauvin. The video recording of his death set off a series of protests in the United States and around the world, awakening millions to the dire need for reimagining this country's broken systems of policing. But behind a face that would be graffitied onto countless murals, and a name that has become synonymous with civil rights, there is the reality of one man's stolen life: a life beset by suffocating systemic pressures that ultimately proved inescapable. This biography of George Floyd shows the athletic young boy raised in the projects of Houston's Third Ward who would become a father, a partner, a friend, and a man constantly in search of a better life. In retracing Floyd's story, [the authors] bring to light the determination Floyd carried as he faced the relentless struggle to survive as a Black man in America. Placing his narrative within the larger context of America's deeply troubled history of institutional racism, [this book] examines the Floyd family's roots in slavery and sharecropping, the segregation of his Houston schools, the overpolicing of his communities, the devastating snares of the prison system, and his attempts to break free from drug dependence-putting today's inequality into uniquely human terms."--Provided by publisher.

"When the Russian invasion of Ukraine began on February 24, 2022, Ukraine's relatively young and inexperienced president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, immediately marshalled his nation's military forces. From that moment forward, Zelenskyy has displayed remarkable courage and resolve in the face of a brutal and larger, more well-equipped foe. . . This book explores how Zelenskyy, a former comedian and television personality, has become an unlikely hero--to his people and to the world"--Provided by publisher.

"The democratic ideal demands that the citizenry think critically about matters of public import. Yet many Democrats and Republicans in the United States have fallen short of that standard because political tribalism motivates them to acquire, perceive and evaluate political information in a biased manner. The result is an electorate that is more extreme, hostile and willing to reject unfavorable democratic outcomes. In this work, the author provides a host of actionable strategies that are designed to reduce the influence of political tribalism in our lives. The text includes instructions for plumbing the depths of political views; evaluating sources of political information; engaging in difficult political conversations; appraising political data; and assessing political arguments. The first of its kind, this how-to guide is a must-read for partisans who want to become more critical political thinkers"--.

"China today is never out of the news, with stories about international finance, population, and human rights controversies. From the contrast between its ancient heritage and emerging identity to the Chinese 'economic miracle', this Very Short Introduction addresses the themes, developments, and contradictions that have shaped Modern China. In this new edition Rana Mitter provides a contemporary view of the world's most populous nation, considering China's changing foreign policy, and its unique engagement with the internet. Giving an integrated picture of modern Chinese society, Mitter also addresses China's current global position, and analyses the country's growth in international significance"--Front flap.

In 'A History of Modern Japan,' cultural historian Christopher Harding delves into the untold stories of Japan's recent history--from a pop star's nuclear power protest song in 2011, to Japanese feminists who fought for an equal political voice in the 1890s. Though highly successful, and typically portrayed as a unified effort, Japan's rebuilding throughout the 20th century faced a lot of domestic criticism. This story-led account gives a voice to those who felt they didn't fit in with what Japan was becoming. It's that push and pull that made the country what it is today.

"A lively and diverse continent of fifty-four countries, over two thousand languages, and 1.4 billion people, Africa has long been painted with a broad brush in Western literature, media, and culture, flattening it into a monolith. In [this book], . . . journalist Dipo Faloyin . . . counters the stereotypes and highlights the realities of Africa's communities and histories. Starting with the complex urban life of Lagos, the largest city on the continent, Faloyin then traces the history of modern Africa, revealing how arbitrary boundaries drawn by colonizers led to tribal and cultural clashes, before telling the story of democracy in 10 dictatorships. He unravels the perils and ubiquity of the 'white savior complex,' explores the rivalries at the heart of the African Cup of Nations tournament, and joins the heated debate over which West African country makes the best jollof rice. And with an eye towards the future promise and potential of the continent, he speaks with local activists, artists, and writers who are defining Africa on their own terms"--Provided by publisher.

"Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright . . . reflects on the final stages of one's career, and working productively into your later decades in this revealing . . . memoir"--Provided by publisher.

A collection of articles that examines the lives and influence of America's billionaires and how they used their wealth to sway American politics and advance personal causes, charitable and otherwise.