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Holiday Gift Guide 2022: Books for News Junkies and History Buffs
Looking for a gift for your favorite history buff? We have you covered. Try one of these reads!
Posted by Quirk E. Newsletter
3 Common Thanksgiving Tough Talking Points and How to Handle the Conversation, from the author of How to Win the War on Truth
It’s that time of year again, where sensible people across the country arm themselves for an ideological battle. No, it’s not a War on Christmas (which doesn’t exist, by the way), but a War on Truth—a battle between fact and fiction, truth and myth, and on display over Thanksgiving tables across the country.
This year I offer a survival guide to help steer loved ones (bless their hearts!) away from the propaganda minefields of social media, cable news, and talk radio.
Posted by Samuel C. Spitale
How to Win the War on Banned Books: Author Samuel C. Spitale on Censorship and the Questions Readers Should Be Asking
When I was in junior high, I wanted to read Carrie Fisher’s first novel, Postcards from the Edge. So for Christmas, I asked my mom for the book.
My mom, however, didn’t think that was an appropriate gift for a 13-year old. She’d heard that the book was an unflinching look at Fisher’s drug addiction. Concerned about such undue influence, she did not want me to read it.
That decision did not sit well with me, so I checked out the book from the local library and read it in secret.
Posted by Samuel C. Spitale
How to Win the War on Truth
Made to Stick by Chip and Dan Heath meets Thing Explainer by Randall Munroe in this illustrated guide to navigating today’s post-truth landscape, filled with examples of modern-day propaganda campaigns.
We’re bombarded with information like never before. Some of it’s true, some of it’s spin, and some of it’s flat-out fake news. And that’s by design. Propaganda helps governments and corporations sell us products, lifestyles, and ideas. Sometimes the agenda is harmless, but other times it’s destructive, and it’s not always easy to spot the difference.
Whether you want to be informed on the issues or debunk misinformation wherever you encounter it, How to Win the War on Truth is here to help. You’ll learn:
- The history of propaganda, from Edward Bernays to Fox News
- Why simple messages are so powerful
- Who profits from propaganda
- How propaganda is manufactured and delivered directly to you
- How to find the truth for yourself
Filled with cleverly illustrated real-world examples of propaganda in all its forms, How to Win the War on Truth will help you see the world with clear eyes for the first time. Because when it comes to preserving democracy and fighting for our rights, it’s essential that we do.
Posted by Christina Schillaci
A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood
The New York Times Best Seller
For the first time ever, 75 beloved songs from Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood and The Children’s Corner are collected in this charmingly illustrated treasury, sure to be cherished by generations of children as well as the millions of adults who grew up with Mister Rogers.
It’s you I like.
It’s not the things you wear,
It’s not the way you do your hair—
But it’s you I like.
From funny to sweet, silly to sincere, the lyrics of Mister Rogers explore such universal topics as feelings, new siblings, everyday life, imagination, and more. Through these songs—as well as endearing puppets and honest conversations—Mister Rogers instilled in his young viewers the values of kindness, self-awareness, and self-esteem. But most of all, he taught children that they are loved, just as they are. Perfect for bedtime, sing-along, or quiet time alone, this beautiful book of meaningful poetry is for every child—including the child inside of every one of us.
Buy the audiobook: Apple | Penguin Random House
Posted by impart
Pop Sonnets
The Bard meets the Backstreet Boys in Pop Sonnets, a collection of 100 classic pop songs reimagined as Shakespearean sonnets.
All your favorite songs are here, including hits by Jay-Z, Johnny Cash, Katy Perry, Michael Jackson, Talking Heads, and many others. With stirring sentiments on everything from love and despair to wanton women, Pop Sonnets offers inspirational verse for every occasion.
Posted by impart
