Left Bank Books

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Watchmen by Alan Moore, reviewed by PM

"Forget the film--the comic book was the ultimate medium for this story. Moore masterfully weaves multiple character developments through disparate texts, shattering the stale superhero genre with deep explorations of empire, nihilism, and utilitarianism. Gibbons mimics the pulp comic style flawlessly. Comic artists and writers are still scrambling to catch up."

We Who Are About To... by Joanna Russ, reviewed by Josh

"[This book] will infect your thoughts like a virus and shake up your assumptions about civilization and social life. Lying somewhere between a fucked up Gilligan's Island episode and a Nabakovian literary masterpiece, this brutal, nihilistic novel can't be ignored any longer. Check it out!"

The Western Illusion of Human Nature by Marshall Sahlins, reviewed by Josh

"In this concise little essay Sahlins traces the Hobbesian view of bestial human nature (and modern genetic determinists as well) back to Thucydides, proceeds to poke many a hole in the concept; shows us other groups who thrive with important kinship relations. Questions the modern state and opens the door to an anarchistic conceptualization of human relations. Yahoo!"

What Can I do When Everything's on Fire?
by Antonio Lobo Antunes, reviewed by Ak

"..a dizzying parade of drag queens, drug addicts, and hallucinatory visions, 'luminously' translated by Gregory Rabassa. It will transport you to a dream world where things change in a moment and dark visions abound."

Whipping Girl by Julia Serrano, reviewed by Fin

"This is a powerful book for anyone interested in arming their critique of the patriarchy and burning up the loosely woven threads of misogyny ever present in societies representations of transexuality and femininity. Serano illuminates the ways that the demonization of femininity shapes our attitudes towards gender and sexuality as a whole. Julia Serano writes with personal experience and razor sharp knowledge. We need this book!"

The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga, reviewed by LS

"Having never been to India I cannot speak to the veracity of this dark, dark satire. More generally, this story is a thoughtful and funny rumination on the moral frailty of humans and capitalist democracy. Kind of an Indian Vonnegut.

The Witch of Portobello by Paulo Coelho, reviewed by Cndr

"Truly an uplifting read! Coehlo has a knack for opening doors into parts of people that are often tossed aside or forgotten."

Wobblies and Zapatistas: Conversations on Anarchism, Marxism, and Radical History by Staughton Lynd and Andrej Grubacic, reviewed by Cndr

"Takes you on a winding journey through radical history revealing direct democracy and consensus based decision making around every corner. Lynd is a wealth of knowledge...Grubacic is an anarchist historian...together, they remind us that we are but seeds beneath the snow."

Woman on the Edge of Time by Marge Piercy, reviewed by Stephanie

"Phenomenal! Gripping fiction about Connie Ramos who's institutionalized and can slip into an anarchic future (gender-neutral pronouns!) and has to fight to keep it alive."

Women of Color and Feminism: Seal Studies by Maythee Rojas, reviewed by ER

"The intro of this book clearly explains why this book is for everybody, not just women of color. She lays out a comprehensive history in an easy-to-read way. She talks about how feminist movements of color connected with movements around class and homophobia and immigration and international politics."


Work by Crimethinc, reviewed by FG

"While not as poetic or dark as 'Expect Resistance,' 'Work' bluntly translates all of the ways capitalism colonizes life. A good intro to capitalism--more seasoned readers might have fun reading this in conjunction with 'Society of the Spectacle' by Guy Debord.

The World Without Us by Alan Weisman, reviewed by PM

"Weisman lays out the result of his exhaustive research on the thought experiment: What would happen to the world (flora, fauna, ecosystems, infrastructure and buildings) in humans disappeared? Around this centerpiece, Weisman reports on ancient underground cities, the horrifying fate of plastics, little-known prehistories, and more. In the end, this book is as much the story of humankind's disastrous rise and the impact of our present presence as it is a hypothesis about the world without us."


The Wrong Blood by Manuel de Lope, reviewed by AK

"Set largely during the Spanish Civil War, this novel brings human experience during wartime to light with beautiful detail, infused with sadness and mystery. This is a story of strangers helping each other through tragedies and lost love. Excellent read!"