International Theory

First published in Germany in 1980, British historian Ian Kershaw's The "Hitler Myth" is recognized as one of the most important books ever written about Adolf Hitler and the Nazi State. Kershaw wanted to focus on what he called the "history of everyday life", and so investigated the attitude of the German public to Hitler at the time, rather than looking at the dictator from the perspective of those in positions of power. He was intrigued to find out how someone like Hitler could have become such a powerful figure.

British-born American political activist Thomas Paine wrote Rights of Man in 1791 in response to Reflections on the Revolution in France, Edmund Burke's attack on the French Revolution. Burke was wary of tearing down old institutions of government. But Paine argued that revolution is acceptable - in fact, necessary - when government ignores the rights of its people. Not surprisingly, Rights of Man proved very popular in the newly liberated United States, selling over 100,000 copies.

Though written around 1513, more than 500 years ago, Italian diplomat Niccolò Machiavelli's The Prince is still both widely listened to and very influential. Listeners turn to it for its direct advice on the question of how to attain - and retain - power. Machiavelli's answer, in brief: Use any means necessary to make sure the state survives.

What really happened when the world's two greatest superpowers went head to head during the Cold War? We Now Know is a major reappraisal of the struggle for political and ideological supremacy between the United States and the Soviet Union from 1945 to the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962.

AI offers an exciting extension of many human capabilities such as observation, processing, and decision-making. The output and outcomes of AI systems are nearly instantaneous, offering humans powerful efficiencies that did not exist just a few years ago. The computing power and systems used for AI technologies far exceed human cognitive capabilities, allow for constant “machine learning” without human supervision, and include consideration of patterns that are typically impossible for humans to discern.

aBundance: The Wealth of Networks reveals how better incentives can reshape our democracies, our money, and progress itself. Humanity’s greatest advances have been marred by unsustainable debt and extreme wealth disparity—problems solvable when openness, accountability, and sustainability form the backbone of our systems. This is essential listening for anyone who senses something is deeply wrong—and is ready to act.