right now, it's all about: 'politics of the middle east - cultures and conflicts' : michael g. roskin & james j. coyle 'al qaeda' : jason burke 'port of saints' : william s burroughs 'atheism - a very short introduction' : julian baggini oprah.in.flames +
 

The Alienist by Caleb Carr It centers on the alienist Dr. Laszlo Kreizler, of mixed Hungarian-German origin, and his companions who attempt to solve a case of serial murder of young boy prostitutes in 1896 New York City, using fingerprinting, pathology and a sort of pre-profiling - all advanced methods for that time. This novel is told in the first person by a fictional journalist for the New York Times named John Moore. One of the major ongoing themes throughout the book is a discussion on the nature of evil, as well as what is, and isn't, insanity. Interestingly, the argument put forth by the titular alienist, Doctor Kreizler, is that the serial killer being hunted is not, in fact, insane. Rather that he's responding in a very sane way to impulses he is unable to control. Other themes include the differences between rich and poor (especially the extremes between J. P. Morgan and the recently arrived immigrants in New York City), the efforts of Roosevelt to modernize the NYPD, the distrust of psychology, and a sort of 19th century culture war, being fought by those who feel the killer must be stopped, and those who feel that, since his targets are young boy prostitutes, he should be allowed to do as he pleases, as a warning to others not to get involved in the lifestyle.

 

arundati roy "an ordinary persons guide to empire"
http://www.gradesaver.com/author/arundhati-roy/

 

vandana shiva "water wars: privatization, pollution and profit", "earth democracy: justice, sustainability and peace"

 

The Third Policeman %Flann O'Brien%