Cultural Studies

1. Globish: How English Became the World's Language

   Robert McCrum

   “A fascinating study not only of the roots and growth of our own language but of its future.”—Bloomsbury ReviewMore

2. Swimming in the Steno Pool: A Retro Guide to Making It in the Office

   Lynn Peril

   Feed your boss’s ego. Dress for success. And don’t let your heels trip you up on the corporate ladder.More

3. The History of White People

   Nell Irvin Painter

   A New York Times bestseller: “This terrific new book . . . [explores] the ‘notion of whiteness,’ an idea as dangerous as it is seductive.”—Boston GlobeMore

4. About a Mountain

   John D'Agata

   "Unquestionably art, a breathtaking piece of writing."—Charles Bock, The New York Times Book ReviewMore

5. Madre: Perilous Journeys with a Spanish Noun

   Liza Bakewell

   Why is the word madre, "mother," so complicated in Spanish—especially in Mexico?More

6. Intelligence and How to Get It: Why Schools and Cultures Count

   Richard E. Nisbett

   “[Nisbett] weighs in forcefully and articulately . . . [using] a thoroughly appealing style to engage . . . throughout.”—Publishers WeeklyMore

7. Hands in Harmony: Traditional Crafts and Music in Appalachia

   Tim Barnwell, Jan Davidson

   A celebration of Appalachian artistic traditions from Nashville to Raleigh, with an accompanying CD of music.More

8. Reinventing Knowledge: From Alexandria to the Internet

   Ian F. McNeely, Lisa Wolverton

   “It has the power to wrench familiar aspects of history into new and surprising shapes.”—Laura Miller, Salon
   More

9. The Anglo Files: A Field Guide to the British

   Sarah Lyall

   “Should be handed out . . . in the immigration line at Heathrow.” —Malcolm GladwellMore

10. How the Other Half Lives

    Jacob Riis, Hasia R. Diner

    How the Other Half Lives occupies a premier place on a small list of American books—along with Uncle Tom’s Cabin, The Jungle, Silent Spring, The Feminine Mystique, and Unsafe at Any Speed—that changed public opinion, influenced public policy, and left an indelible mark on history.More

11. Everybody Says Freedom: A History of the Civil Rights Movement in Songs and Pictures

    Pete Seeger, Bob Reiser, Jesse Jackson

    “Filled with beautiful music, glorious lyrics, and the soul of one of the most important historical and social revolutions of our history.” —Judy CollinsMore

12. Fugitive Denim: A Moving Story of People and Pants in the Borderless World of Global Trade

    Rachel Louise Snyder

    “A fascinating chronicle of the $55-billion-a-year global denim industry.” —David Futrelle, Los Angeles TimesMore

13. Korea: As Seen by Magnum Photographers

    Magnum, Bruce Cumings

    More than 230 full-color images by some of the world's most-renowned photographers.More

14. The Vale of Kashmir

    John Isaac, Art Davidson

    A world-renowned photographer's spectacular tribute to the land and people of this remote region.More

15. The Lost Ravioli Recipes of Hoboken: A Search for Food and Family

    Laura Schenone

    A Newsday Best Cookbook of 2007: can a recipe change your life? A quest for an authentic dish reveals a mythic love story and age-old culinary secrets.More