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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

Won’t You Be My Neighbor?

The iconic song “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” from Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood is transformed into a board book for a new generation of kids. 

For the first time ever, Mister Rogers’s beloved opening theme song is in board book form to share with the youngest readers. Follow Mister Rogers through the neighborhood as he welcomes readers into his world, meeting familiar faces and new friends alike with kindness and respect. Featuring bright, upbeat illustrations by Luke Flowers and sweet lyrics that fans will know by heart, this edition is a perfect introduction to the joy of Mister Rogers and a giftable companion to the New York Times best-selling treasury A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood.

Posted by impart

It’s You I Like

The heartwarming song “It’s You I Like” from Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood is transformed into a board book for a new generation of kids. 

For the first time ever, Mister Rogers’s heartwarming song “It’s You I Like” is in board book form to share with the youngest readers. Featuring a diverse array of families and friendships, the affirming lyrics and illustrations convey Mister Rogers’s singular warmth and belief that every child is special and loved. This edition is a perfect introduction to the joy of Mister Rogers and a giftable companion to the New York Times treasury A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood.

Posted by impart