Non-fiction Archives - Magazine https://magazine.1000libraries.com/book_genre/non-fiction/ Fri, 18 Oct 2024 05:51:50 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.6.1 https://magazine.1000libraries.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/favicon-100x100.png Non-fiction Archives - Magazine https://magazine.1000libraries.com/book_genre/non-fiction/ 32 32 Trick or Treat: A History of Halloween https://magazine.1000libraries.com/books/trick-or-treat-a-history-of-halloween/ Sun, 27 Oct 2024 13:00:00 +0000 https://magazine.1000libraries.com/?post_type=books&p=41666 The popularity of Halloween has spread around the globe to places as diverse as Russia, China, and Japan, but its association with death and the supernatural and its inevitable commercialization has made it one of our most misunderstood holidays. How did it become what it is today?

In Trick or Treat, Halloween aficionado Lisa Morton provides a thorough history of this spooky day. She begins by looking at how holidays like the Celtic Samhain, a Gaelic harvest festival, have blended with the British Guy Fawkes Day and the Catholic All Souls’ Day to produce the modern Halloween, and she explains how the holiday was reborn in America, where costumes and trick-or-treat rituals have become new customs.

Considering the holiday in the context of its worldwide popularity for the first time, this book will be a treat for any Halloween lover.

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"Informative and entertaining."

— Fortean Times

Review by 1000 Libraries

Lisa Morton’s Trick or Treat: A History of Halloween is an insightful deep dive into the origins and evolution of Halloween, tracing its journey from ancient European traditions to its modern-day celebration around the world. Morton’s engaging writing style draws readers in, making the book as enjoyable as it is informative. With well-researched historical accounts, readers discover how Halloween has grown from its Celtic roots to a global holiday, shaped by different cultures over time. The book is enhanced with vivid illustrations that further bring the history of this beloved holiday to life.

Morton’s research challenges common misconceptions about Halloween, revealing surprising facts about its more recent traditions and forgotten customs. From the earliest practices in the British Isles to its transformation in North America, Trick or Treat offers a fresh perspective on the holiday. Many readers were particularly struck by how much of what we consider essential Halloween traditions, such as trick-or-treating, are relatively new. Morton presents the history in a way that feels relevant and reflective, making it a captivating read for anyone interested in the cultural significance of the holiday.

Whether you’re a Halloween enthusiast or simply curious about its history, this book provides a comprehensive and entertaining overview of the holiday’s transformation. Readers praised Morton’s ability to keep the narrative engaging while offering a detailed look into Halloween’s past. Trick or Treat is a must-read for anyone who loves Halloween or enjoys learning about the origins of cultural traditions.

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"Numerous black and white illustrations, references, bibliography, and an index supplement Morton's engaging and solidly researched text. Trick or Treat documents lots of historical tricks and is a wonderful treat for anyone looking beyond the commercial surface of Halloween."

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“If you want to know anything at all about the subject, you ought to find it in Trick or Treat. . . . Morton’s interesting account of Halloween is at its best when it comes up to date and there are many entertaining illustrations.”

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“With Trick or Treat Lisa Morton gives us a charming, creepy, insightful and thoroughly fascinating history of Halloween. It’s a delicious blend of cultural history and pop-culture savvy that is a true delight to read!”

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]]> Seven Kinds of People You Find in Bookshops https://magazine.1000libraries.com/books/seven-kinds-of-people-you-find-in-bookshops/ Sun, 20 Oct 2024 13:00:00 +0000 https://magazine.1000libraries.com/?post_type=books&p=39435 Characterised by Shaun Bythell’s signature wit and humour, Seven Kinds of People You Find in Bookshops is an insightful exploration of humans as they indulge in browsing the shelves for their next read. As a bookseller, Bythell finds himself in the unique position to keenly observe fellow lovers of books which has resulted in a thorough yet hilariously quirky record of the various categories of readers. Further cementing his status as an insightful observer, Seven People You Find in Bookshops is tremendously relatable as readers recognise familiar types of people from their own experiences.

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"Crisp."​

— The Guardian

Review by 1000 Libraries

Through witty anecdotes and keen observations, Seven Kinds of People You Find in Bookshops offers a deep dive into the diverse clientele at Bythell’s bookshop. From the experts to the newbies, and everyone in between, the book provides a humorous and heartwarming behind-the-scenes peek into the life of a bookseller. Bythell’s unique writing style makes the book a delightful read for everyone including the people who love books as well as those who are interested in the literary world.

“A bookshop is a haven where different worlds collide, and you never know who you’ll meet.”

While Bythell expresses his gratitude for the patrons of his bookshop through his playful mocking of certain customers, Seven Kinds of People You Find in Bookshops is ultimately a celebration of book lovers and the literary havens they frequent.

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“The more he [Bythell] parades his contemptus mundi, the more the world loves him.”

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"Shaun Bythell’s unique observational eye and dry wit make this perfect for anyone who loves bookshops―including all the kinds of the people you meet inside. It is a delightful, engaging and fascinating book, which all bibliophiles should thoroughly enjoy."

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“His [Bythell’s] observations on the customers are well observed and you can only feel sympathy for him in what he has to put up with. One for anyone who loves a bookshop, and the people who populate them.”

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]]> The Bad Ass Librarians of Timbuktu https://magazine.1000libraries.com/books/the-shiver-trilogy/ Mon, 09 Sep 2024 16:40:35 +0000 https://magazine.1000libraries.com/?post_type=books&p=36919 In the 1980s, a young adventurer and collector for a government library, Abdel Kader Haidara, journeyed across the Sahara Desert and along the Niger River, tracking down and salvaging tens of thousands of ancient Islamic and secular manuscripts that had fallen into obscurity. The Bad-Ass Librarians of Timbuktu tells the incredible story of how Haidara, a mild-mannered archivist and historian from the legendary city of Timbuktu, later became one of the world’s greatest and most brazen smugglers.

In 2012, thousands of Al Qaeda militants from northwest Africa seized control of most of Mali, including Timbuktu. They imposed Sharia law, chopped off the hands of accused thieves, stoned to death unmarried couples, and threatened to destroy the great manuscripts. As the militants tightened their control over Timbuktu, Haidara organized a dangerous operation to sneak all 350,000 volumes out of the city to the safety of southern Mali.

Over the past twenty years, journalist Joshua Hammer visited Timbuktu numerous times and is uniquely qualified to tell the story of Haidara’s heroic and ultimately successful effort to outwit Al Qaeda and preserve Mali’s—and the world’s—literary patrimony. Hammer explores the city’s manuscript heritage and offers never-before-reported details about the militants’ march into northwest Africa. But above all, The Bad-Ass Librarians of Timbuktu is an inspiring account of the victory of art and literature over extremism.

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“Illuminating reading.”

— Booklist

Review by 1000 Libraries

The Bad-Ass Librarians of Timbuktu by Joshua Hammer is a thrilling blend of history, adventure, and heroism that captures the resilience of people determined to preserve cultural treasures. The book tells the story of a group of brave individuals in Mali who, in the face of jihadist forces, risk their lives to save hundreds of thousands of ancient manuscripts. Hammer’s narrative is fast-paced and gripping, bringing to life the stakes involved in preserving the rich intellectual and cultural history of Timbuktu. It’s a true story that reads like a novel, filled with moments of tension and triumph.

What sets this book apart is how it blends history with modern-day conflict, providing a deep dive into the significance of the manuscripts and the threat they faced. Hammer gives the reader a detailed look at how these texts, filled with knowledge on topics ranging from medicine to astronomy, are a testament to the advanced scholarship of medieval Africa. The bravery of Abdel Kader Haidara, the protagonist, and his team in moving the manuscripts across dangerous terrain shows their dedication to safeguarding these irreplaceable artifacts. Hammer’s ability to contextualize this within the larger political turmoil of the region makes the story even more powerful.

This book is not only a tribute to the bravery of the librarians but also a call to recognize the importance of cultural preservation. It highlights how knowledge, history, and art are often the first casualties in war and conflict, but also how they inspire individuals to take action even in the face of grave danger. The Bad-Ass Librarians of Timbuktu is a must-read for anyone who enjoys adventure stories grounded in real-world events, and for those who value the role that culture and history play in shaping our world.

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“Part history, part scholarly adventure story and part journalist survey of the volatile religious politics of the Maghreb region. . . . Hammer writes with verve and expertise.”

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“A powerful narrative. . . . Hammer’s clearly written and engaging chronicle of the achievements of Timbuktu, the risks presented to this area, and portraits of several brave and dedicated individuals brings to light an important and unfamiliar story.”

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“This book is a particularly adventurous and impressive example of the fact that, even with time, water, fire, mold, and termites, humanity remains the greatest threat to books and our literary, historical, and creative heritage.”

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