August 2011 Book Picks

This month’s book picks have got all your interests covered. Want to learn your history? That’s covered. Itching to read a selection from a classic literary/sci-fi author? Covered. Getting ready for the upcoming tenth anniversary of 9/11? Also covered, not to mention the most essential travel guide you’ll ever need.

1493: Uncovering the New World Columbus Created by Charles Mann

This follow up to Mann’s bestseller 1491 focuses not only on the environmental changes that Columbus brought to the Americas but the economic unification of the world brought about by a Spaniard named Legazpi, who succeeded where Columbus failed by establishing trade with China.

A Pleasure to Burn: Fahrenheit 451 Stories by Ray Bradbury

This collection of interrelated short works gave birth to Bradbury’s dystopian classic Fahrenheit 451.

LIFE One Nation: America Remembers September 11, 2001, 10 Years Later by Life Magazine

LIFE is remembering the events of September 11, 2001 with this expanded 10th anniversary edition of their photo book, which honors those lost on that day and celebrates the heroes who came out of it. It includes a new foreword by Tom Brokaw, reflections on how the nation has changed since, updates on people who were there and new, exclusive photographs.

Rude Hand Gestures of the World: A Guide to Offending without Words by Romana Lefevre

Looking to travel the world and offend people in every country? You can’t go wrong with this guide to the most effective form of expression. You’ll learn how to ask for sex in the middle east, call someone crazy in Italy and much much more.