Editorial: Amila Jay
Around the World in Eighty Days is an adventure novel by the French writer Jules Verne, first published in French in 1872. In the story, Phileas Fogg of London and his newly employed French valet Passepartout attempt to circumnavigate the world in 80 days on a wager of £20,000 set by his friends at the Reform Club. It is one of Verne's most acclaimed works.
What does self-care look like when struggling to make ends meet, living with a disability, or navigating intersectional marginalization? How can you prioritize well-being while divesting from systems built to destroy you? The answer: Hood Wellness, a groundbreaking exploration that challenges the oppressive systems deeply rooted in health and wellness industries in the United States. In a world where self-care is critical to survival, Gordon offers a revolutionary perspective that celebrates individuals' unique privileges, challenges, and desires. By defying the norms of multi-billion-dollar industries, Hood Wellness illuminates the possibilities... Joshua Dixon's essay, "A Beauty Worth Admiring," is a deeply personal narrative recounting his journey of survival, resilience, and self-discovery following a traumatic pit bull attack that left him with severe injuries at the age of eight. He describes the intense physical and emotional pain he endured during his recovery, including multiple surgeries and the challenges of navigating a world that often treated him with cruelty due to his appearance. Despite these hardships, Joshua finds solace and strength in his family, especially his mother, who supported him unwaveringly. He shares how his passion for art and photography became a therapeutic outlet, allowing him to express the pain he couldn’t articulate with words and ultimately helping him reclaim his identity and confidence. Joshua also reflects on the racism and ableism he encountered throughout his life, particularly during his time in school. He describes how these experiences, along with the ongoing struggle with body dysmorphia and mental health challenges, have shaped his commitment to promoting wellness and kindness through his platform, Admire Wear. The essay highlights his growth from a victim to a survivor who uses his story and art to inspire and uplift others.Ver libro
A trenchant reclamation of the Chinese American movie star, whose battles against cinematic exploitation and endemic racism are set against the currents of twentieth-century history. Born into the steam and starch of a Chinese laundry, Anna May Wong (1905–1961) emerged from turn-of-the-century Los Angeles to become Old Hollywood's most famous Chinese American actress, a screen siren who captivated global audiences and signed her publicity photos—with a touch of defiance—"Orientally yours." Now, more than a century after her birth, Yunte Huang narrates Wong's tragic life story, retracing her journey from Chinatown to silent-era Hollywood, and from Weimar Berlin to decadent, prewar Shanghai, and capturing American television in its infancy. As Huang shows, Wong's rendezvous with history features a remarkable parade of characters, including a smitten Walter Benjamin and (an equally smitten) Marlene Dietrich. Challenging the parodically racist perceptions of Wong as a "Dragon Lady," "Madame Butterfly," or "China Doll," Huang's biography becomes a truly resonant work of history that reflects the raging anti-Chinese xenophobia, unabashed sexism, and ageism toward women that defined both Hollywood and America in Wong's all-too-brief fifty-six years on earth.Ver libro
Throughout history, science has been a beacon of progress, propelling humanity toward a future once thought impossible. However, as much as scientific achievement has illuminated the path forward, it has also cast a shadow—one where the pursuit of knowledge and power has led to some of the most disturbing and infamous endeavors. The "mad scientist" archetype has captivated popular imagination for centuries, blending genius with madness in a way that explores the fine line between brilliance and obsession. While these figures may seem extreme, the complexities of their lives and work reflect deeper questions about the nature of discovery, ethics, and human ambition. The concept of the mad scientist is not merely the product of fictional tales; it stems from the real stories of individuals whose obsessions with pushing scientific boundaries led them down dark, often dangerous paths. These figures were driven by an unyielding desire to unravel the mysteries of nature, sometimes at the cost of human life, moral integrity, and societal norms. They exemplify how the quest for knowledge, unmoored from ethical considerations, can easily slip into unethical practices. The line between innovation and madness is often blurred when the desire for progress supersedes compassion, respect, and accountability. This book examines five of the most notorious individuals whose scientific endeavors left indelible marks on history, not for their contributions to the betterment of mankind, but for their reckless or ethically questionable experiments. These men, although different in time, place, and method, shared an obsession with achieving greatness—regardless of the personal or moral cost. Their stories reveal the dual-edged sword of scientific curiosity, showing that what is hailed as genius in one moment can be viewed as madness in another.Ver libro
A Financial Times Music Book of the Year 2023'Key to understanding black British history' - Sunday Times'Sharp and still relevant' - Zadie SmithRecognized as one of the great poets of modern times, and as a deeply respected and influential political and cultural activist and social critic, Linton Kwesi Johnson is also a prolific writer of non-fiction. In Time Come, he selects some of his most powerful prose – book and record reviews published in newspapers and magazines, lectures, obituaries and speeches – for the first time. Written over many decades, it is a body of work that draws creatively and critically on Johnson’s own Jamaican roots and on Caribbean history to explore the politics of race that continue to inform the Black British experience.Ranging from reflections on the place of music in Caribbean and Black British culture as a creative, defiant response to oppression, to his penetrating appraisals of music and literature, and including warm tributes paid to the activists and artists who inspired him to find his own voice as a poet and compelled him to contribute to the struggle for racial equality and social justice, Time Come is a panorama of an exceptional life. A collection that ventures into memoir, it underscores Johnson’s enduring importance in Britain’s cultural history and reminds us of his brilliant, unparalleled legacy.With an introduction by Paul Gilroy, author of There Ain't No Black in the Union Jack'A mosaic of wise, urgent and moving pieces' - Kit de Waal'As necessary as ever' - The Observer'A book to be savoured and re-read' - Derek Owusu'An outstanding collection' - Caryl Phillips'A necessary book from a writer who continues to inspire' - Yomi Sode'Incisive, engaging, fearless' - Gary YoungeVer libro
A broken promise. A bitter conflict. And a woman’s elusive chance to love or die. 1458. Young Frenchwoman Estelle de Montavon sails to Cyprus imagining a bright future as tutor to a princess. Instead, she is betrayed by those she loves most—and forced into a dangerous new world of scheming courtiers, vicious power struggles, and the terrifying threat of war. Determined to flee, Estelle enlists the help of an attractive and mysterious falconer. But on the eve of her escape, fortune’s wheel turns again. She gains entry to Queen Charlotta’s inner circle as a trusted scribe and interpreter, fighting her way to dizzying heights of influence. Enemies old and new rise from the shadows as Estelle navigates a royal game of cat and mouse between the queen and her powerful half-brother, who wants the throne for himself. When war comes to the island, Estelle faces a brutal reckoning for her loyalty to the queen. Will the impossible choice looming ahead be her doom—or her salvation? With this richly-told story of courage, loyalty, and the sustaining power of love, Amy Maroney brings a mesmerizing and forgotten world to vivid life. The Queen’s Scribe is a stand-alone novel in the Sea and Stone Chronicles collection. Praise for the Sea and Stone Chronicles: "The Queen's Scribe is a fantastic read." —Reader's Favorite 5-Star Review “Island of Gold is a nimbly told story with impeccable pacing.” —Historical Novel Society, Editor’s Choice Review “Sea of Shadows is stunning. A compelling tale of love, honor, and conviction.” —Reader’s Favorite 5-Star ReviewVer libro
Infertility is a battle that women have been fighting for centuries, but the seemingly taboo subject is rarely discussed openly. In "Having a Baby and Other Things I'm Bad At," Bailey Henry describes her journey with infertility, including four miscarriages, marriage, grief, love, and the chance she was never properly potty-trained. With raw honesty, heartbreak, and a bit of potty humor, Bailey discusses the trials of being pregnant, but never having a baby. She masterfully brings women's issues to the foreground―where they belong. If you've known the devastating loss of a child, or if your life simply hasn't turned out the way you thought it would, this one is for you.Ver libro
