Unforgettable Books
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The Unaccountability Machine: Why Big Systems Make Terrible Decisions--And How the World Lost Its Mind
Longlisted for the 2024 Financial Times Book of the Year. How life and the economy became a black box--a collection of systems no one understands, producing outcomes no one likes. Passengers get bumped from flights. Phone menus disconnect. Automated financial trades produce market collapse. Of all the challenges in modern life, some of the most vexing come from our relationships with automation: a large system does us wrong, and there's nothing we can do about it. The problem, economist Dan Davies shows, is accountability sinks: systems in which decisions are delegated to a complex rule book or set of standard procedures, making it impossible to identify the source of mistakes when they happen. In our increasingly unhuman world--lives dominated by algorithms, artificial intelligence, and large organizations--these accountability sinks produce more than just aggravation. They make life and economy unknowable--a black box for no reason. In The Unaccountability Machine, Davies lays bare how markets, institutions, and even governments systematically generate outcomes that no one--not even those involved in making them--seems to want. Since the earliest days of the computer age, theorists have foreseen the dangers of complex systems without personal accountability. In response, British business scholar Stafford Beer developed an accountability-first approach to management called "cybernetics," which might have taken off had his biggest client (the Chilean government) not fallen to a bloody coup in 1973. With his signature blend of economic and journalistic rigor, Davies examines what's gone wrong since Beer, including what might have been had the world embraced cybernetics when it had the chance. The Unaccountability Machine is a revelatory and resonant account of how modern life became predisposed to dysfunction.
$20.00
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Careless People: A Cautionary Tale of Power, Greed, and Lost Idealism
#1 New York Times Bestseller A NEW YORK TIMES NOTABLE BOOK. NAMED A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR BY TIME, THE NEW YORKER, NPR, AP, THE ECONOMIST, SLATE, THE GLOBE AND MAIL, SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN, AND MORE!"Careless People is darkly funny and genuinely shocking...Not only does [Sarah Wynn-Williams] have the storytelling chops to unspool a gripping narrative; she also delivers the goods." -Jennifer Szalai, The New York Times "When one of the world's most powerful media companies tries to snuff out a book -- amid other alarming attacks on free speech in America like this -- it's time to pull out all the stops." -Ron Charles, The Washington Post An explosive memoir charting one woman's career at the heart of one of the most influential companies on the planet, Careless People gives you a front-row seat to Facebook, the decisions that have shaped world events in recent decades, and the people who made them. From trips on private jets and encounters with world leaders to shocking accounts of misogyny and double standards behind the scenes, this searing memoir exposes both the personal and the political fallout when unfettered power and a rotten company culture take hold. In a gripping and often absurd narrative where a few people carelessly hold the world in their hands, this eye-opening memoir reveals what really goes on among the global elite. Sarah Wynn-Williams tells the wrenching but fun story of Facebook, mapping its rise from stumbling encounters with juntas to Mark Zuckerberg's reaction when he learned of Facebook's role in Trump's election. She experiences the challenges and humiliations of working motherhood within a pressure cooker of a workplace, all while Sheryl Sandberg urges her and others to "lean in." Careless People is a deeply personal account of why and how things have gone so horribly wrong in the past decade--told in a sharp, candid, and utterly disarming voice. A deep, unflinching look at the role that social media has assumed in our lives, Careless People reveals the truth about the leaders of Facebook: how the more power they grasp, the less responsible they become and the consequences this has for all of us.
$32.99
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1929: Inside the Greatest Crash in Wall Street History--And How It Shattered a Nation
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER "It is one of the best narrative histories I've read."--The Wall Street Journal A New York Times Notable Book of 2025 - One of Barack Obama's Favorite Books of 2025 - Named a BEST BOOK OF 2025 by The Washington Post, TIME, The Economist, Air Mail, Bloomberg, Fast Company, Katie Couric Media, and History From the bestselling author of Too Big to Fail, "the definitive history of the 2008 banking crisis," (The Atlantic) comes a riveting narrative of the most infamous stock market crash in history--one with ripple effects that still shape our society today. In 1929, the world watched in shock as the unstoppable Wall Street bull market went into a freefall, wiping out fortunes and igniting a depression that would reshape a generation. But behind the flashing ticker tapes and panicked traders, another drama unfolded--one of visionaries and fraudsters, titans and dreamers, euphoria and ruin. With unparalleled access to historical records and newly uncovered documents, New York Times bestselling author Andrew Ross Sorkin takes readers inside the chaos of the crash, behind the scenes of a raging battle between Wall Street and Washington and the larger-than-life characters whose ambition and naïveté in an endless boom led to disaster. The dizzying highs and brutal lows of this era eerily mirror today's world--where markets soar, political tensions mount, and the fight over financial influence plays out once again. This is not just a story about money. 1929 is a tale of power, psychology, and the seductive illusion that this time is different. It's about disregarded alarm bells, financiers who fell from grace, and skeptics who saw the crash coming--only to be dismissed until it was too late. Hailed as a landmark book, Too Big to Fail reimagined how financial crises are told. Now, with 1929, Sorkin delivers an immersive, electrifying account of the most pivotal market collapse of all time--with lessons that remain as urgent as ever. More than just a history, 1929 is a crucial blueprint for understanding the cycles of speculation, the forces that drive financial upheaval, and the warning signs we ignore at our peril.
$35.00
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The Traveler's Atlas of the World
The ultimate traveler's reference, this gorgeous coffee table book features bucket list-worthy travel recommendations for every country in the world. Featuring beautiful National Geographic photography and 250 illustrated maps, this big and bold volume offers expert advice for must-see sights and hundreds of must-do experiences. Pack your bags for the ultimate world odyssey! Curated by the world-savvy travel writers and editors of National Geographic, this breathtaking volume features the ultimate experiences in every country of the world, coupled with iconic photography, more than 50 point-of-interest National Geographic maps, and destination overviews highlighting both tried-and-true sights and lesser-known experiences. Plus, top 10 lists, highlights of cultural treasures, fascinating histories, and recommended itineraries will inspire you to plan your next adventure. Spin the globe and find: The ultimate flavors of India's spice hub--and the markets where you can taste them all; Natural beauty worth hiking for, including the Skradinski Buk waterfall in Croatia and El Yunque National Forest in Puerto Rico; Safaris big (the Great Migration in Tanzania) and small (lions on Calauit Island in the Philippines); Tasting tours of the world's best wine regions from South Africa and France to Germany and Napa Valley; Historical relics, from the Colosseum in Rome to the Maya treasures in Mexico; And so much more! Covering all seven continents and every country in the world, The Traveler's Atlas of the World delivers essential information, fun road trips (Germany's great castles, a journey down the Nile, a road trip through the United States' national parks), and infinite inspiration through more than 300 spectacular photographs with signature storytelling and invaluable traveler's secrets.
$65.00
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Sprachliche Asymmetrien Von Diskursmetaphern Der Dunkelheit Im Literarischen Kontext: Eine Kontrastive Studie Anhand Daniel Kehlmanns Ich Und Kaminski: Eine Kontrastive Studie Anhand Daniel Kehlmanns Ich Und Kaminski Und Seiner Ungarischen Übersetzung
Die Asymmetrie als sprachliches und nicht-sprachliches Phänomen beschäftigt den Menschen bereits seit der Antike. In der Sprachwissenschaft ist sie ein gern und oft verwendeter Begriff zur Beschreibung ungleicher sprachlicher Phänomene in der kontrastiven Linguistik, Gesprächsforschung, Semiotik, Grammatik, Übersetzungswissenschaft etc. Diese Studie widmet sich ebenfalls dem Phänomen "Asymmetrie", aber aus der Perspektive kognitiver Diskursmetaphern des Diskurskonzeptes Dunkelheit in einem Korpus aus der deutschen Gegenwartsliteratur. Sie führt eine interdisziplinäre Untersuchung im Gebiet der kognitiven Linguistik, Diskurslinguistik, Übersetzungswissenschaft, kontrastiven Linguistik und Literaturwissenschaft durch. Die herausgearbeiteten Asymmetrien beschreiben semantische/lexikalische und grammatische Ungleichheiten zwischen kognitiver Diskursmetaphern des Konzeptes Dunkelheit in Bezug auf die Diskurssprachen Deutsch und Ungarisch. Die Arbeit versucht mit der Durchführung der Untersuchung gleichzeitig eine Brücke zwischen den oben genannten Disziplinen zu erschaffen.
$114.99
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20-Minute Low-Cal Kitchen Bangers: 100 Super Speedy and Slimming Recipes: 100 Super Speedy and Slimming Recipes
Hit your calorie deficit goals with these delicious, low-calorie meals ready in just 20 minutes! It can feel like there's never enough time to eat well, let alone cook for yourself. But it is possible! Alex Hughes, returns with 100 brand-new recipes that are all under 600 calories and can be made in under half an hour. Perfect for anyone looking to lose weight but short on time, these are quick and easy recipes you'll keep coming back to. Discover your new favorite recipe in these real-life friendly chapters: - Speedy lunches - Eat on the go - Prep & batch - All-in-one wonders - Weeknight heroes
$38.99
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Kit Kemp: Design Stories: Design Stories
Known for her distinctive design style that effortlessly combines vibrant colours and eclectic patterns, Kemp has become a global icon in the world of interior design. With her unapologetic use of color, exquisite layering of pattern, and an eye for the unexpected, Kemp has revolutionized contemporary interior design. In her first Rizzoli book, she invites readers into her imaginative world, revealing how she transforms interiors into richly woven stories of texture, craft, and individuality. Kemp's spaces are more than just rooms--they are experiences, each one a vibrant tapestry of art, antiques, and bespoke details that surprise and delight. Her signature aesthetic is a masterful blend of craft and sophistication, where embroidered headboards meet hand-painted wallpapers, where ikat-covered cushions blend with twentieth-century art, and where every corner holds a moment of magic. Brimming with stunning photography and boundless inspiration, this essential volume is more than a design book--it is an invitation to break free from the ordinary and create interiors that reflect personality, passion, and a true sense of place. Whether drawn to playful pattern, soulful craftsmanship, or the art of storytelling through interiors, this book will inspire readers to make every space as individual as those who inhabit them.
$60.00
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A Mood, a Thought, a Feeling: Interiors: Interiors
The first book from AD100 and Elle Decor A-List designer Huh is filled with her elegant, colorful work, while inspiring readers to create different moods at home. Acclaimed designer Huh's warm and welcoming interiors resonate with harmony, elegance, and dynamism, each room animated by sophisticated surface treatments, a singular play of pattern and color, and a touch of wanderlust. Her first book, composed of three distinct sections, is perfect for readers searching for sophisticated inspiration. Part one, A Mood, looks at decoration through the lens of mood: convivial, peaceful, joyful, cozy, verve, romantic, meaningful. For example, convivial spaces are ones that feel buzzy, excited, and alive, like an artist's salon; they use lighting to draw people together and seating arrangements to connect. Peaceful interiors are refuges made for reading with a cup of tea on a rainy day, surrounded by warm, natural textures and quiet colors. The second part of the book, A Thought, features three full houses recently completed by Huh, including a chic forever home, an old house full of whimsy, and an airy Park Avenue penthouse. The final section of the book, A Feeling, is about Young's own recently completed historic country house in upstate New York, from the pattern-filled rooms to the gardens and grounds, with images of life through the seasons. Together, these three sections make for a uniquely personal and beautiful book.
$55.00
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Cottage Gardens: Creating Year-Round Beauty with Flowers, Herbs, Fruits, Edibles, and More: Creating Year-Round Beauty with Flowers, Herbs, Fruits, Edibles, and More
Cottage gardens never go out of style, and the rise of homesteading and "cottagecore" is leading to a resurgence of this charming and practical style. Beloved for their informality, cottage gardens champion organic and unstructured spaces overflowing with textures and colors while welcoming self-sown plants and bulbs popping up and spreading on their own. Appearing casual, everything is done with great intent. From humble origins in medieval England and Colonial America, this style arose as a practical approach--ornamentals and edibles intermingling and supporting each other--before being elevated by great garden designers Gertrude Jekyll, William Robinson, Vita Sackville-West, Margery Fish, and Rosemary Verey. Today, concerns about food traceability, reducing waste and chemical use, and supporting pollinators and wildlife have rekindled interest in cottage gardening. Taking a 360-degree view, this book covers plant combinations, paths and walls, water features and extending the season, as well as promoting traditional, organic practices such as composting, rain harvesting, and succession planting.
$50.00
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Ikebana: The Art and Beauty of Flower Arranging: The Art and Beauty of Flower Arranging
This beautifully illustrated volume celebrates the Japanese art of arranging flowers with reproductions of classical seventeenth-century artworks from the New York Public Library's Spencer Collection. Meticulous reproductions of sublime paintings showcase rikka, the oldest and most traditional form of flower arranging, which is linked to the Ikenobō school, Japan's first and largest school of ikebana. The images presented here perfectly illustrate the main principles of ikebana--harmonious juxtaposition of flowers, balance between foliage (leaves, fronds, reeds, etc.) and branches, and naturalistic compositions for display. Several schools and styles of ikebana have evolved over the centuries. The rikka style is characterized by the use of erect branches and flowers to display a marked verticality in order to express the beauty of a natural landscape in a single vase. The floral arrangements in this collection date back to the Ikenobō Grand Master of Kyoto's Rokkakudō Temple and his disciples from the Ashikaga Shogunate (1336-1573). These flower arrangements were officially documented by Igai Sansaemon in 1673 in artworks printed xylographically and then hand-colored using the gansai watercolor technique. The reproductions are accompanied by authoritative text by one of the world's leading authorities on Japanese art. Today, ikebana remains one of Japan's most popular art forms, and it is increasingly embraced by flower arrangers around the world. It is a wonderfully meditative and contemplative form of creative and personal expression, allowing practitioners to flee their daily cares into a world of balance, order, serenity, and beauty.
$65.00
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Redouté. the Book of Flowers
French flower painter Pierre-Joseph Redouté (1759-1840) devoted himself exclusively to capturing the diversity of flowering plants in watercolor paintings which were then published as copper engravings, with careful botanical descriptions. The darling of wealthy Parisian patrons including Napoleon's wife Josephine, he was dubbed "the Raphael of flowers," and is regarded to this day as a master of botanical illustration. This elegant catalogue brings together all engravings from Redouté's illustrations of Roses and Choix des plus belles fleurs (Selection of the Most Beautiful Flowers) and the most astounding images from The Lilies. Offering a vibrant overview of Redouté's admixture of accuracy and beauty, it is also a privileged glimpse into the magnificent gardens and greenhouses of a bygone Paris.
$80.00
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Redouté. the Book of Flowers. 45th Ed.
Flower painter Pierre-Joseph Redouté (1759-1840) devoted himself exclusively to capturing the diversity of flowering plants in watercolor paintings which were then published as copper engravings, with careful botanical descriptions. The darling of wealthy Parisian patrons including Napoleon's wife Josephine, he was dubbed "the Raphael of flowers," and is regarded to this day as a master of botanical illustration. This collection brings our best-selling XL-sized edition to a smaller, more convenient format, still gathering some of the finest color engravings from Redouté's illustrations of Roses, Lilies, and Choix des plus belles fleurs et quelques branches des plus beaux fruits (Selection of the Most Beautiful Blooms and Branches with the Finest Fruits). Offering a vibrant overview of Redouté's admixture of accuracy and beauty, it is also a privileged glimpse into the magnificent gardens and greenhouses of a bygone Paris.
$30.00
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