This seminal work is a collection of essays that explores the history and condition of African Americans at the turn of the 20th century. It delves into the issues of race, class, and the socio-economic realities faced by black people post-emancipation. The author employs a combination of history, sociology, and personal narrative to present a powerful critique of American society, highlighting the struggle for civil rights, the importance of black spirituals, and the concept of "double consciousness" - the idea of viewing oneself through the lens of a society that sees you as inferior.

This book is a semi-autobiographical account of the author's experiences as a steamboat pilot on the Mississippi River before the American Civil War. It provides a detailed and humorous depiction of life and society along the river, including the author's own journey from an eager young apprentice to a seasoned riverboat pilot. The book also includes a travelogue of a journey down the Mississippi River much later in life, offering a look at the dramatic changes brought about by industrialization and the Civil War.

"Twenty Years at Hull-House" is a memoir that recounts the author's experiences co-founding and running a settlement house in a poverty-stricken, immigrant neighborhood in Chicago. The book details the struggles and triumphs of the community as they navigate social, economic, and cultural challenges, while also offering insight into the author's own evolution as a social reformer. Throughout, the author emphasizes the importance of empathy, understanding, and community engagement in addressing social inequality.

"The House on Henry Street" is a memoir by a prominent social worker and public health advocate, detailing her experiences and work in the Lower East Side of New York City in the early 20th century. The book chronicles her establishment of a settlement house in the area, which provided a range of services including healthcare, education, and employment assistance to the community. The narrative offers a poignant insight into the struggles and resilience of the immigrant population during this period, and the author's pioneering role in public health nursing and social reform.

The book is a non-fiction account of a Syrian-American contractor named Zeitoun who decides to stay in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina. Despite the chaos, he paddles around the city in a canoe, helping those he can. However, he is arrested and accused of looting, leading to a harrowing experience in prison. The narrative explores themes of family, survival, and the breakdown of civil liberties in times of crisis.

The book is a gripping true story of high finance, murder, and one man's fight for justice. It chronicles the author's journey from being a foreign investor in Russia to becoming an ardent critic of the Kremlin after his lawyer's death in a Moscow prison. The narrative exposes corruption in the Russian government and details the author's campaign to expose the officials he holds responsible for the lawyer's death, leading to the creation of a law that imposes visa bans and asset freezes on Russian human rights abusers. The book is a blend of financial adventure, geopolitical struggle, and personal crusade, offering an inside look at the world of high-stakes finance and political intrigue in post-Soviet Russia.