January 2025
Caught in the Middle: America's Heartland in the Age of Globalism (Richard C. Longworth)
This book details how globalization and neoliberal economic policies have weakened the Midwest, both economically and even culturally. With farm and factory being outsourced or hollowed out, while noting the chilling effect it has on nearby towns. It also brings up the subject of immigration in a nuanced manner by pointing out that many of these communities are more or left only kept alive by immigration.
February 2025
Stomping the Blues (Albert Murray)
This book is by an American music critic detailing the link between Jazz and Blues music. It is filled to the brim with old pictures of various artists and even records. It goes into the socioeconomic factors that contributed to the two genres, and even touches on folklore and the idea of music as folk art. It also details the dance history of blues.
March 2025
Walking the Choctaw Road: Stories from the Red People (Tim Tingle)
This book encompasses traditional Choctaw lore and stories from various eras, from Pre-Columbian contact to the Trail of Tears to even modern era. It spans Mississippi to Oklahoma, and even covers the Antebellum Choctaw life in the South.
April 2025
Old Man River: The Mississippi River in North American History (Paul Schneider)
An Anthrogeographical account of the Mississippi RIver; from prehistory to the modern era. It details the crucial role the River has played in the formation of American Civilizational identity, from Native American history to Jazz and Blues to it's literary significance, and even military conflicts during the Civil War. It also goes into it's unfortunate degradation due to pollution.
May 2025
The Lost Region: Toward a Revival of Midwestern History (Jon K. Lauck)
This book details the underdiscussed history of the Midwest. Including it's crucial agricultural role, as well as it's moderating voice in American discourse, it's crucial role in the Civil War, it's role in the development of Populism and it's overall role in the American story.
June 2025
This book details Father Damien's work in the Kalaupapa Leper Colony on the Hawaiian Island of Moloka'i and it's conditions, as well as the desperate attempts of the ancient Kingdom of Hawai'i to contain the disease. It also details Father Damien's early life as well as his sacrifice to provide comfort and dignity to the victims of leprosy.
July 2025
This book discusses the history of the eastern Rocky Mountain States, and their early frontier days. From the setting up of the state governments, to mining history to railroad expansion. It also has pictures of old mining towns.
August 2025
This book discusses the culture, history and folk traditions of Southern Appalachia. From moonshine distilleries, to the layout of cabins, to the ethnogenesis of the various peoples inhabiting the region and even discussing folk remedies. It is full of images, diagrams and even has recipes to create Appalachian food.
September 2025
The African Americans: Many Rivers to Cross (Henry Louis Gates Jr)
This book is based off a PBS documentary, to serve as a companion piece. It details the ethnogenesis of african americans, and why they are a distinct ethno-cultural group. It includes pictures, and covers a timeline from Juan Garrido in the 1500s to Barrack Obama in the 2000s.
October 2025
November 2025
December 2025