ODY New Books Collection

The Rise and Fall of the Artificial State

"Much in history is headlong but few grand transformations have been more precipitate or more heedless than the rise of ... the Artificial State,' writes Jill Lepore in this passionate account of how rule by machine has ravaged the world. Inspired by Hannah Arendt's The Origins of Totalitarianism, which argued in 1951 that the machinery of modern life was reshaping the very fundamentals of human existence, Lepore, profoundly disturbed by the technology revolution and by the soulless inundation of artificial intelligence, unfurls a new history for our own twenty-first century. Building on an essay in The New Yorker in 2024, Lepore's clarion call traces our increasing dependence on and strangulation by data. Political campaigns, awash in an avalanche of fake bots, have been reduced to attention-mining algorithms, while multinational media corporations dictate public discourse, and the era of the liberal nation-state seems to be coming to a rapid end, replaced by billionaire technocrats reliant on autocracy and the tools of AI. With Orwellian overtones, The Rise and Fall of the Artificial State demonstrates how technology has corroded global democracy, leading to the destruction of both human community and capacity for self-government, creating a new form of AI government, a digital citizen's assembly, where AI will recommend the course of action to humans in place of human-run legislatures. Especially sobering with this proliferation of 'dizzying, ever-changing schemes, prophesies, and predictions' is that the Artificial State has come at the expense of the natural world, leading to catastrophic loss of wildlife habitat and biodiversity. Deliberately alarming, The Rise and Fall of the Artificial State, despite its abundance of dire facts, is not a funeral dirge; rather, it's an inspiring wake-up call, written in Lepore's typically elegiac prose, which demonstrates that nothing about the Artificial State was inevitable, for it is a 'government without consent, even government without humans.' It can, Lepore asserts, be dismantled. Other heinous systems, like feudalism, fascism, and slavery, have also been dismantled, but disassembly requires identifying the parts, tracing the sources. It requires telling a new history. This is the purpose of The Rise and Fall of the Artificial State." -- From dust jacket

All That Is Left of Life

"The Ansaldo family's contented life is built on routine, with days spent running their beloved delicatessen and summers at their modest house by the sea. But when sixteen-year-old Betta sets off for a beach party and never returns, they are left only with grief - and questions. The town whispers, the police are lost, and as the family fractures under the weight of their loss, no one suspects the burden Miriam carries. She has answers, but vows to tell no one, even those who loved Betta most. Seeking to bury her heavy secret, Miriam drifts into the orbit of Leo, a young drug dealer, and gains an unlikely set of friends. But when Leo starts to pull loose the threads of Betta's fate, will his search for the truth offer Miriam a way forward or risk unravelling everything?" -- Provided by publisher

Separation of Powers

"In this essential and immensely timely book, Separation of Powers, Cass Sunstein explains why the separation of powers is necessary for both freedom and self-government. He shows that freedom from fear is a central goal of the separation of powers. He also explains why the executive branch is the most dangerous branch, why the idea of presidential immunity is a terrible one, and why an independent judiciary is crucial. Drawing on this extensive experience in the White House, the Department of Justice, and the Department of Homeland Security, the author also argues that the separation of powers is, in fact, six separations of powers : 1. The legislature may not exercise the executive power -- 2. The legislature may not exercise the judicial power -- 3. The executive may not exercise the legislative power -- 4. The executive may not exercise the judicial power -- 5. The judiciary may not exercise the legislative power -- 6. The judiciary may not exercise the executive power. Each of these is essential to liberty under law" -- from the publisher

The Winding Trail to Newton's
Principia Mathematica

"An intellectual biography of the seventeenth-century masterwork that set down the laws of motion and universal gravitation and ushered in modern physics Long regarded as one of the most important works in the history of science, Isaac Newtons Principia laid the mathematical foundations of classical mechanics, planetary motion, and the laws of gravity. Jed Buchwald and Mordechai Feingold trace the long, wandering path by which these groundbreaking ideas took shapebeginning with the brilliant insights of a newly minted Cambridge BA and culminating in the publication of Newtons magnum opus in 1687. Drawing on fresh perspectives from Newtons manuscripts and related documents, Buchwald and Feingold situate him firmly within the vibrant scientific milieu of mid-seventeenth-century Cambridge. They explore the interactions with mentors and other contemporaries, emphasizing Newtons distinctive approach to linking motion with the emerging, new mathematics of the era. What develops is a portrait of a restless young scholar, prone to diving deep into a subject only to lose interest, until a letter, a conversation, or a visit would rekindle his interest. For nearly two decades prior to Edmond Halleys pivotal visit in 1684, Newton engaged only sporadically with celestial mechanics. In a narrative of fits and starts, Buchwald and Feingold show how, inspired or assisted by figures such as Isaac Barrow, Robert Hooke, John Flamsteed, and Halley, Newton gradually refined his ideas into what would become one of the most revolutionary books ever written." -- Book jacket

The Time Tax

Annie Lowrey's The Time Tax examines the burdensome paperwork, bureaucracy, and administrative hurdles Americans face when accessing government benefits and everyday services. It traces the historical roots of administrative burdens, including their use as tools of discrimination, and shows how they perpetuate poverty and erode trust in government. Lowrey argues that these burdens are unnecessary and advocates simplifying public administration to give citizens back their time.

Skin Contact

"A newly open marriage brings discovery, excitement, and upheaval to a young couple, and to the friends and lovers in their orbit. Thirty years old and reeling from her mother's recent death, Frances feels as if she's lost her sense of purpose, her joy; her husband, Ben, will do anything to help her. So when she suggests that they open their marriage, he's willing -- and maybe even a little intrigued. They invite a young woman into their bedroom, create a joint dating profile, and go on dates with other exploring couples, with mixed but often exciting results. Over the next five years, they explore their sexualities, navigating through jealousy, betrayal, desire, and obsession -- and the friends and lovers in their circle find themselves asking new questions about their own lives and relationships. When Ben finds himself falling in love with another woman, just as Frances realizes she's ready to settle down and have a baby, they're forced to confront the consequences of their experiment." -- Provided by publisher

The Shampoo Effect

"An ambitious young woman insinuates herself into a tight-knit social set, shaking up friendships and marriages in a small seaside town. A frothy novel of love, money, sex, and friendship, from the New York Times bestselling author of Pineapple Street ("Laugh-out-loud-good." -Harper's Bazaar) When Caroline Lash arrives in Greenhead, Massachusetts, she falls head-over-heels for Van Whittaker, a fleece-wearing, litter-collecting, kayak enthusiast with long, floppy hair and the personality of a Border Collie. Born and raised in this picturesque coastal village, Van runs with the same crowd he did as a kid: His ex-girlfriend, Bailey, a beautiful girl who attracts men like moths to a flame; Augusta, old money, horsey, and snobbish; and Fran, surrounded by brothers and sons, too fed up with boys to ever consider marrying one. Together, the group runs wild through the marshes, beaches, and bars of Greenhead, drinking on houseboats, spending long afternoons sunbathing with their children, and playing games the way they always have. But when Bailey discovers that she is pregnant with Van's baby, the delicate balance of the group's friendship is thrown off. Soon Caroline is cast out of the circle and what she does next-in a potent mix of fury and heartbreak-exposes long-held secrets and works the entire town of Greenhead into a lather. Dazzlingly funny, sexy, and as juicy as it is astute, The Shampoo Effect is a story of late-night parties, early mornings with small children, the dawn of midlife, and a group of old friends finally growing up despite all their best efforts to the contrary." -- Provided by publisher

Killer Vibes

Peter Key, a private investigator in Austin, Texas, inherits a deteriorating house from an uncle he barely knew. While dealing with the financial obligations associated with the property, he discovers a bag of cash and begins to question the circumstances surrounding his uncle's death. His investigation leads him into a criminal case involving deception and danger. Set in Austin, the novel combines mystery, suspense, and humor while introducing Peter Key as the central recurring investigator.

The Jackal

A black-bereted, gun-slinging avatar of one of the most turbulent eras in global politics, Carlos the Jackal burst onto the world stage in 1975 as the first true celebrity terrorist and the TV-ready face of a violent Palestinian resistance movement that was then just beginning to gain traction. In a bloody career that would ultimately span three decades, Carlos innovated a new kind of spectacular terrorism, one that embraced hijackings, hostage crises, airport bombings, and international assassinations. And he personally masterminded one of the era's most shocking crimes: the kidnapping for ransom of an entire conference of world oil ministers in Vienna. The polar opposite of most modern terrorists, Carlos prized large paychecks over ideology and styled himself as a swashbuckling lady's man who, despite his charm, murdered his victims with callous disregard, often with his own hand. Today, even from behind bars, Carlos can see his influence continue to reverberate. Through newly declassified archives, secret police files, long-repressed eyewitness accounts, and a rare interview with the Jackal himself, acclaimed journalist Joby Warrick reveals Carlos' far-reaching legacy as a pioneer of borderless terrorist attacks designed for television.

The Blue Flame

"The neon 'Strange Investigations' sign may be flickering in disrepair outside his office, and the stride in his step may be a bit slower than it used to be, but private investigator Derek Strange is still accepting new cases. When a flashy drug lawyer hires him to prove an alibi for an accused murderer, Strange swallows his distaste for the client and focuses on the young man in jail whose story isn't adding up. In his hunt for answers, he stands his ground against some of Washington, DC's most dangerous criminals, and a police department that doesn't entirely welcome his involvement. As violence escalates and claims another victim, the raised stakes force Strange to question his own moves. Are the instincts he's relied on all his life still good enough to keep him alive? The Blue Flame is signature Pelecanos: tough, smart, rich with details of a time and place--and at its core, exposing the good and bad that exist side by side in so-called heroes and villains alike."-- Dust jacket flap

Harlan Ellison

"From the psychedelic, witty mind of Harlan Ellison comes some of the most outrageous short stories and novellas found in the realm of science fiction, fantasy, and speculative fiction. This omnibus edition features some of Ellison's best-known works, including 'I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream,' with its unhinged artificial intelligence bent on torturing the remainder of humanity, and 'Jeffty Is Five,' featuring a young boy with mysterious, time-bending powers. This deluxe collector's edition also contains Harlan Ellison's original introductions, photographs, and new artwork by Joe Quesada, Chris Weston, Jesus Saiz, and Colleen Doran. This career-spanning compilation is a must-have for Ellison fans, and readers discovering this zany, polyphonic writer for the first time." -- endpapers

Platform Decay

"Everyone's favorite lethal SecUnit is back in the next installment of Martha Wells' bestselling and award-winning Murderbot Diaries series. Having someone else support your bad decision feels kind of good. After volunteering to run a rescue mission, Murderbot realizes that it will have to spend significant time with a bunch of humans it doesn't know. Including human children. Ugh. This may well call for... eye contact! (Emotion check: Oh, for f-)." -- Provided by publisher

Supremacy

"Does the U.S. Constitution force us to live under the rule of nine robed lawyers? Many Americans assume that it does. It is commonly said that the Supreme Court has always had the power to decide what the Constitution means and to strike down any act of Congress that violates the justices' dictates. Even as the Court has used this power to upend democracy--erasing federal laws that once prevented presidential autocracy and protected the right to vote--we are told there is nothing everyday Americans can do, as if our ability to govern ourselves requires the Court to answer our most fundamental questions for us. But what if that isn't accurate? What if the Court was not given the power it now wields, but rather seized it? That is the revelation of Nikolas Bowie and Daphna Renan's masterful new account of the Supreme Court. In a sweeping narrative of over 200 years of American history, they demonstrate that 'judicial supremacy' was not written into the Constitution and has always been challenged as fundamentally at odds with it. Far from being an eternal principle, the power the Court claims to override Congress's interpretation of the Constitution took hold in reaction to abolition and Reconstruction--not to protect democracy, but to weaken it. Supremacy charts how the Court has repeatedly sabotaged the efforts of Congress to broaden democracy by enabling presidents, corporations, and the wealthy to ignore enacted law. It also challenges how even liberals understand the Court's most celebrated rulings--including Brown v. Board of Education and Roe v. Wade--showing how the left has unwittingly subscribed to the very ideology that now threatens it. At every step, Bowie and Renan recover a lost constitutional tradition, one forged by abolitionists, labor leaders, suffragists, and civil rights pioneers. These individuals presented another way forward, in which power is returned to where the Constitution put it--Congress--and everyday Americans have more of a say in the law that shapes our lives." -- Front jacket flap

The Need

"The Need is a rare genetic disorder. Those who have it must consume human flesh, or die. For some The Need is power. For others it is a curse. Talia's been on the run with her two teenagers since the kids were babies, changing names and identities every time someone gets close to discovering her family's tragic secret. Sam is her son, tormented by The Need, unable to stop giving in to his darkest desires, much to his mother's chagrin. While Rosie, his twin sister, who's escaped her mom and brother's genetic curse, is desperate for a life of normalcy- like a Tik Tok account, Homecoming or a kiss with her mysterious new friend Naomi. But her brother keeps eating people and frankly, it's ruining her life. Vera, a former supermodel and member of New York City's elite Armstrong family, lives a life of luxury, haute couture and eating people. Yes, unlike Talia, the Armstrongs secretly pride themselves on their genetic abnormality. But beneath Vera's opulent lifestyle is a woman who's ruthlessly haunted by a mistake from her past. It's corrupted her standing with the Armstrongs, ruined her relationship with her kids and is slowly unraveling her sanity. Vera will do whatever it takes to correct it. On the surface, these two families have nothing in common. But Talia is harboring a secret from the twins-one that will bring them crashing into the Armstrongs. And when the truth comes out, no one will ever be the same"-- Provided by publisher

American Sophistication

The fascinating story of sophistication in the United States, from the founding to the present Is there such a thing as "American sophistication"--or is it a contradiction in terms? Those questions have been up for grabs since America's founding. The idea of sophistication has always left Americans uneasy. Devoted to a self-image of sincerity and plain-dealing, Americans are suspicious of sophistication's playfulness and ease, which look like symptoms of European elitism, snobbery, and decadence. In this entertaining and enlightening account of American sophistication from the eighteenth century to today, Ross Posnock tells the story of how Americans' anxiety about style and elegance led them to develop their own casual and cool style of sophistication. From the start, American sophistication has been distinctive because it is mixed, improvised, and shape-shifting: guilty and smooth, game and nervous, vulgar and poised.

The Maltese Version

"A charged, delightfully offbeat novel of four women forging their way across time, place, and language in search of desire, power, and connection."-- Provided by publisher

The Everest Mystery

"The unsolved mysteries of George Mallory, Sandy Irvine, and their legendary 1924 Everest expedition. There is no mystery more compelling in the history of mountaineering than the disappearance of George Mallory and Sandy Irvine close to the summit of Mount Everest on June 8, 1924. Over 100 years after they were last seen 'going strong for the top,' the question of exactly what happened to them on that fateful day has not been answered. George Mallory's frozen remains were discovered in 1999. But in September 2024, a climber found an old boot lying out in the open on the Central Rongbuk Glacier on Mount Everest, several miles from where Mallory lay. The boot contained a foot, and a sock bearing a nametape spelled out in red: A.C. IRVINE. Did Mallory and Irvine reach the summit-becoming the first to do so-or did they perish while ascending? What happened to the camera that Irvine may have carried, which would have documented their climb? Written by Julie Summers, Sandy Irvine's great-niece, and Jochen Hemmleb, the world's leading authority on the Mallory and Irvine Everest expedition, The Everest Mystery explores the life of Sandy Irvine, his relationship with George Mallory, and the many theories about what happened to them so close to the summit of Mount Everest. Above all, it restores Sandy Irvine to his place in the great mystery of Everest 1924." -- Provided by publisher

You Won't
Get Free of It

"A collection of reported stories that explore the relationship between mothers and daughters by the award-winning author of Strangers to Ourselves." -- Provided by publisher

We Want to Believe

For most of the twentieth century, reports of unidentified flying objects were treated as cultural error: cranks, hoaxes, late-night radio. Then, abruptly, the posture changed. The Pentagon released videos it could not explain. Navy pilots testified under oath about encounters that defied known technology. Intelligence agencies acknowledged that something unfamiliar appears to move through the skies. In We Want to Believe, Adam Kirsch, one of our most searching literary critics, traces the intellectual history behind this reversal to see UAPs not as fantasies or threats, but as a mystery closer to home. Moving from Cold War skeptics such as physicists Edward Condon and Carl Sagan--who helped define the boundaries of legitimate inquiry--to figures like Air Force officer Edward Ruppelt and astronomer J. Allen Hynek, who encountered anomalies from within official institutions, Kirsch follows how UAPs migrated from dismissed error to unresolved problem. Tracing how figures such as Pentagon official Luis Elizondo and astrophysicist Avi Loeb have reopened the question under radically different conditions, Kirsch draws on declassified documents, military encounters, and a wide literature of belief and skepticism to examine why some questions endure and what it means for modern societies when certainty fails and curiosity persists.

Under the Falls

"A spellbinding page-turner about a crime in a small town that exposes long-held secrets and betrayals among a group of lifelong friends."-- Provided by publisher