Collection: Shop All

As recommended on The Ezra Klein Show

From Pulitzer Prize finalist John Fabian Witt comes the "engrossing" (The New York Times) secret history of an epic experiment to remake American democracy. Before the dark money of the Koch Brothers, before the billions of the Ford Foundation, there was the Garland Fund.

In 1922, a young idealist named Charles Garland rejected a million-dollar inheritance. In a world of shocking wealth disparities, shameless racism, and political repression, Garland opted instead to invest in a future where radical ideas--like working-class power, free speech, and equality--might flourish. Over the next two decades, the Garland Fund would nurture a new generation of wildly ambitious progressive projects.

The men and women of the Fund were rich and poor, white and Black. They cooperated and bickered; they formed rivalries, fell in and out of love, and made mistakes. Yet shared beliefs linked them throughout. They believed that American capitalism was broken. They believed that American democracy (if it had ever existed) stole from those who had the least. And they believed that American institutions needed to be radically remade for the modern age.

By the time they spent the last of the Fund's resources, their outsider ideas had become mass movements battling to transform a nation.

A "fascinating" testament to how "radical philanthropy can foster important and necessary changes in American life" (The Wall Street Journal), The Radical Fund is a hopeful book for our anxious, angry age--and an empowering roadmap for how people with heretical ideas can bring about audacious change.

From a New York Times bestselling author and an expert on Middle Eastern conflict comes a riveting biography of Meir Dagan, the legendary Mossad director who transformed Israel's intelligence service into a global powerhouse of espionage and counterterrorism--"required reading for those wishing to understand the landscape of the modern Middle East" (Jack Carr, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Cry Havoc).

Meir Dagan: a visionary covert warfare veteran who revolutionized the art of special operations and espionage. Born in the shadows of the Holocaust, Dagan led a life that personified the modern history of the Jewish people and the State of Israel. His tenure as the head of the Mossad marked a transformative era in Israel's history, reshaping the agency into a formidable global force.

Dagan spent thirty-two years in uniform, and under his eight-year leadership, Mossad orchestrated a series of high-stakes missions, including targeted assassinations, clandestine attempts to stop Iran from becoming a nuclear power, and the veiled expansion of Israel's collaborations with members of the global intelligence fraternity, notably the CIA. Drawing on unprecedented access to Dagan's closest confidants, comrades, and contemporaries, Samuel Katz brings to life the portrait of a spymaster whose influence bolstered Israel's security but also altered the geopolitical dynamics of the Middle East.

An essential read for anyone captivated by espionage thrillers, historical biographies, or profiles of battlefield courage, The Architect of Espionage provides an insightful glimpse into the mind of one of the most influential spymasters of our era.

Rory the Racoon is very lucky indeed. He has four wonderful friends who each have their own special skill. But what is Rory's special skill?

"Thank You for Being My Friend" is a heartwarming padded board book that follows Rory the Raccoon, a curious and kind-hearted little creature, on an adventure through the forest to discover his special friendship skill. Along the way, Rory visits his four best friends--each with their own unique qualities--and asks them to help him understand what makes him a great friend. Through this sweet and colorful story, children will learn about the importance of kindness, teamwork, and the diverse ways we all contribute to friendship. Perfect for toddlers and preschoolers, this delightful book is a beautiful way to celebrate the joys of friendship and the power of appreciation. With sturdy pages ideal for little hands and vibrant illustrations that captivate young imaginations, Thank You for Being My Friend will quickly become a cherished read in any child's library.

Key Features:

• Heartwarming Friendship Theme: A gentle, engaging story that teaches young children about the values of friendship, kindness, and appreciation through the adventures of Rory the Raccoon and his forest friends.
• Interactive Learning: With charming characters and vibrant illustrations, this padded board book is designed to captivate toddlers and preschoolers, encouraging them to think about their own special friendship qualities.
• Durable and Perfect for Little Hands: This high-quality, padded board book is built to withstand the rough and tumble of young readers, making it an ideal gift for children ages 1-4. The sturdy pages ensure a long-lasting reading experience for parents and children alike.

Words to Love a Planet is a beautifully illustrated and culturally diverse dictionary of words from a wide variety of languages offering new ways to consider our lives, our landscapes, and our ways of loving both people and planet.

New York Times-bestselling author Ella Frances Sanders--motivated by care for language and landscape--presents Words to Love a Planet, a collection celebrating the complexities of language, living, and the natural world.

Across seven themes there are over 200 words detailing feelings, concepts, physical facts of landscape, weather, or time, and ways of thinking that leave readers with a greater sense of connection to, and care for, the planet. Recognizing that which so many of us have long neglected, and the essential part translation plays in understanding both experience and environment, the words--from over 80 different languages--allow readers to better comprehend the present moment and envision futures in which our planet is properly loved. Each word is accompanied by a translation, a pronunciation, and a short description with either etymological detail or notes on the language or landscape of origin.

Equally an approachable entry point for those on the margins of environmentalism, as well as those who know we often lack the language to describe the struggles and nuances of the present time, Words to Love a Planet provides for both, a soft, thoughtful place to land amid the chaos.

The bestselling author of The Pursuit of Happiness shows how the opposing constitutional visions of Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton have defined our country for 250 years, influenced presidents from Washington to Trump, and continue to drive the debate over the power of government today.

In The Pursuit of Liberty, bestselling author and former president of the National Constitution Center Jeffrey Rosen explores the clashing visions of Hamilton and Jefferson about how to balance liberty and power in a debate that continues to define--and divide--our country: Jefferson championed states' rights and individual liberties, while Hamilton pushed for a strong Federal government and a powerful executive. This ongoing tug-of-war has shaped all the pivotal moments in American history, including Abraham Lincoln's fight against slavery and southern secession, the expansion of federal power under Franklin Roosevelt's New Deal, and Ronald Reagan's and Donald Trump's conservative push to shrink the size of the federal government. Rosen also shows how Hamilton and Jefferson's disagreement over how to read the Constitution has shaped landmark debates in Congress and the Supreme Court about executive power, from John Marshall's early battles with Andrew Jackson to the current divisions among the justices on issues from presidential immunity to control over the administrative state. More than ever, the clash between Hamiltonian and Jeffersonian ideals resonates today in our most urgent national debates over the question of whether modern presidents are consolidating power and subverting the Constitution--the very threat to American democracy that both Hamilton and Jefferson were determined to avoid. The Pursuit of Liberty is a compelling history of the opposing forces that have shaped our country since its founding, and the ongoing struggle to define the balance between liberty and power.

"An astounding achievement." --Megha Majumdar (bestselling author of A Burning) * "Her best book yet." --Paul Yoon (award-winning author of Run Me to Earth)

Set in midcentury America, At Last explores a rich family saga centered on two fierce and competitive matriarchs whose intertwined lives reflect the complexities of family, tradition, and personal ambition. "Whole lives course down the decades, and every minute is conveyed with Silver's signature combination of toughness and grace" (Laird Hunt, bestselling author of Zorrie).

Helene Simonauer and Evelyn Turner are two formidable women whose paths cross when their children marry. Both women are sharp, cunning, and unwavering in their conflicting beliefs about marriage, responsibility, and family and, most pressingly, their efforts to vie for the love of their shared granddaughter.

At Last paints a vivid portrait of the American Midwest, capturing the essence of a time and place where societal norms and personal aspirations often clashed. Marisa Silver's narrative weaves together the lives of Helene and Evelyn, from their vastly different childhoods through the pivotal events that define them. Both intimate and expansive, and capturing the complexities of ambition and love with humor and insight, At Last is a testament to what happens when an unintended, even unwanted relationship turns out to be a central one that defines a life.

Unexpected--and decidedly peculiar--events interrupt Pippo's familiar routine in this thrilling and reassuring story about finding the inner resources to weather uncertainty and meet unanticipated challenges in topsy-turvy times.

Tick-tick, gurgle-glug, clickety-clack. Pippo treasures the regular noises of his cozy lifestyle. Until one morning--splosh-splash, drizzle-drip, clink, clank, CREAK!--strange new sounds disrupt his comfortable, well-ordered life. Soon the unwilling Pippo is on an unpredictable journey that may alter the rhythm of his days forever!

Pippo's enthralling adventure will delight young audiences. Readers contending with their own changes, big and small, will cheer as Pippo finds his own way to thrive in even the most peculiar of circumstances.

A story about finding your passion--and jumping aboard!

Do you know that feeling when you discover something amazing? Gus has that feeling. When Gus and his family go on an outing and take the city bus to get there, Gus realizes he LOVES the bus. And from that moment on, Gus learns everything he can about buses and tries to turn every outing into a bus outing. Finally Gus gets the chance to ride a bus in The Big City--and gets the chance to show off what he knows.

Can a family tree be found? A girl stresses over her heritage-mapping school assignment, until she realizes family is all around--her neighbors and friends.

All week, Emmylou's classmates get up and present their family trees. These trees are thick with branches, and there are stories to go with each face and name. Emmylou's tree is almost bare. There's her, Mama, and the names Mama won't say--the stories she doesn't tell.

By the end of the week, Emmylou wants the project to be over. She doesn't want to think about her family tree at all. After all, she only has one family recipe, the one she trades with Mrs. Patel for her mango chutney. She has no aunts or cousins--only Rosa next door to watch Emmylou after school. No siblings--only Rosa's baby twins for Emmylou to play peek-a-boo with. No zayde like Eli's to teach her to ride a bike--only Mr. Li, who doesn't complain when she runs over his foot.

Finally Emmylou knows what to tell her class. Her family isn't so small--she just had to look for it.

Bea Birdsong tells a tender story of found family and the bonds we choose, with art by Jasu Hu, illustrator of Howard Schwartz's All You Need and Janet Fox's Wintergarden.

A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection

A lively, enlightening look at the role the air plays in our lives and our world

It's easy to take the air for granted. Although it's always around us, we don't often give it much thought. We can't see, smell, or hear it, but we can certainly feel it move--and that breeze you feel on a windy day is part of a larger air current circling our planet and bringing us all kinds of weather. Our air gives us life, and it makes up the atmosphere that protects us. And because everyone here on Earth shares it, it's important to take care of our air.

With striking art and an expressive text, G. Brian Karas brings our air into focus and will give readers a new appreciation for this precious substance.

The beloved classic Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree gets a sequel!

Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree has been a holiday favorite since 1963. Now, its generations of fans can read a new Mr. Willowby story, thanks to the discovery of a long lost manuscript and sketches by the creator Robert Barry, lovingly brought to life in a thrilling new picture book.

On Christmas Eve, Mr. Willowby finds himself in a predicament when his Christmas tree delivery gets stuck in a snowdrift. But hope arrives in the form of Barnaby Bear and his woodland friends, who embark on a thrilling mountainside adventure to bring the perfect tree to Mr. Willowby's parlor. Their journey is filled with laughter, surprises, and the true magic of Christmas, making this story a perfect addition to any holiday collection.

An afterword to the book by Robert Barry's son illuminates his father's acclaimed career and provides details about the exciting discovery of this forgotten work.

Also available: Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree