909. Books on World History

Further Reading:

Akbar Ahmed The Thistle and the Drone: How America’s War on Terror Became a Global War on Tribal Islam, 2013.

In this third volume of America’s impact on the Muslim world, Ahmed Akbar examines the tribal Islamic societies and how they are disproportionately targeted in the war on terrorism. The victims, in many cases, are civilians simply trying to go about the business of daily living.

Jonathan Curiel Al’ America: Travels through America’s Arab and Islamic Roots, 2008.

In the midst of a backlash against Islamic culture, journalist Jonathan Curiel seeks to show the Muslim influences on American history and culture that are there but hidden. He gives examples like the Alamo in San Antonio to the music of Jim Morrison and The Doors.

Jack E. Davis The Gulf: The Making of an American Sea, 2017.

From the Pleistocene Age to today, Jack Davis takes you on a tour of the Gulf of Mexico. You’ll see the plants, animals, and ecosystems within it and discover the impacts they have had on the human cultures that surround it. He also shares stories of colorful characters throughout history who have lived on its resources.

Yuval Noah Harari 21 Lessons for the 21st Century, 2018.

One of today’s most acclaimed thinkers brings his attention to our present. By looking at the most pressing issues we face today, he determines where our focus should be. He provides clarity in the midst of uncertainty.

“In a world deluged by irrelevant information, clarity is power.” –Yuval Noah Harari 21 Lessons for the 21st Century.

David E. Hoffman The Dead Hand: The Untold Story of the Cold War Arms Race and Its Dangerous Legacy, 2009.

At the end of the Cold War, stockpiles of nuclear and biological weapons left the planet in a vulnerable position. Using archival materials, original research, and interviews David E. Hoffman looks at the legacy of the Reagan and Gorbachev years.

For more books on world history, see Part 2.

For more information on the Further Reading series, see Further Reading: Start Here.