Podcast appearances and mentions of Tamim Ansary

Since 9/11 there has been a cultural and political blossoming among those of the Afghan diaspora, especially in the United States, revealing a vibrant, active, and intellectual Afghan American community. And the success of Khaled Hosseni's The Kite Runner, the first work of fiction written by an Afghan American to become a bestseller, has created interest in the works of other Afghan American writers. One Story, Thirty Stories: An Anthology of Contemporary Afghan American Literature (University of Arkansas Press, 2010) (or "Afsanah, Seesaneh," the Afghan equivalent of "once upon a time") collects poetry, fiction, essays, and selections from two blogs from thirty-three men and women--poets, fiction writers, journalists, filmmakers and video artists, photographers, community leaders and organizers, and diplomats. Some are veteran writers, such as Tamim Ansary and Donia Gobar, but others are novices and still learning how to craft their own "story," their unique Afghan American voice. The fifty pieces in this rich anthology reveal journeys in a new land and culture. They show people trying to come to grips with a life in exile, or they trace the migration maps of parents. They navigate the jagged landscape of the Soviet invasion, the civil war of the 1990s and the rise of the Taliban, and the ongoing American occupation  Cholpon Ramizova is a London-based creator and researcher. She holds a Master's in Migration, Mobility and Development from SOAS, University of London. Her thematic interests are in migration, displacement, identity, gender, and nationalism - and more specifically on how and which ways these intersect within the Central Asia context Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

Since 9/11 there has been a cultural and political blossoming among those of the Afghan diaspora, especially in the United States, revealing a vibrant, active, and intellectual Afghan American community. And the success of Khaled Hosseni's The Kite Runner, the first work of fiction written by an Afghan American to become a bestseller, has created interest in the works of other Afghan American writers. One Story, Thirty Stories: An Anthology of Contemporary Afghan American Literature (University of Arkansas Press, 2010) (or "Afsanah, Seesaneh," the Afghan equivalent of "once upon a time") collects poetry, fiction, essays, and selections from two blogs from thirty-three men and women--poets, fiction writers, journalists, filmmakers and video artists, photographers, community leaders and organizers, and diplomats. Some are veteran writers, such as Tamim Ansary and Donia Gobar, but others are novices and still learning how to craft their own "story," their unique Afghan American voice. The fifty pieces in this rich anthology reveal journeys in a new land and culture. They show people trying to come to grips with a life in exile, or they trace the migration maps of parents. They navigate the jagged landscape of the Soviet invasion, the civil war of the 1990s and the rise of the Taliban, and the ongoing American occupation  Cholpon Ramizova is a London-based creator and researcher. She holds a Master's in Migration, Mobility and Development from SOAS, University of London. Her thematic interests are in migration, displacement, identity, gender, and nationalism - and more specifically on how and which ways these intersect within the Central Asia context Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/middle-eastern-studies

Since 9/11 there has been a cultural and political blossoming among those of the Afghan diaspora, especially in the United States, revealing a vibrant, active, and intellectual Afghan American community. And the success of Khaled Hosseni's The Kite Runner, the first work of fiction written by an Afghan American to become a bestseller, has created interest in the works of other Afghan American writers. One Story, Thirty Stories: An Anthology of Contemporary Afghan American Literature (University of Arkansas Press, 2010) (or "Afsanah, Seesaneh," the Afghan equivalent of "once upon a time") collects poetry, fiction, essays, and selections from two blogs from thirty-three men and women--poets, fiction writers, journalists, filmmakers and video artists, photographers, community leaders and organizers, and diplomats. Some are veteran writers, such as Tamim Ansary and Donia Gobar, but others are novices and still learning how to craft their own "story," their unique Afghan American voice. The fifty pieces in this rich anthology reveal journeys in a new land and culture. They show people trying to come to grips with a life in exile, or they trace the migration maps of parents. They navigate the jagged landscape of the Soviet invasion, the civil war of the 1990s and the rise of the Taliban, and the ongoing American occupation  Cholpon Ramizova is a London-based creator and researcher. She holds a Master's in Migration, Mobility and Development from SOAS, University of London. Her thematic interests are in migration, displacement, identity, gender, and nationalism - and more specifically on how and which ways these intersect within the Central Asia context Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/literature

This week on Sinica, I chat with David Zweig, a veteran China scholar who is Professor Emeritus from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. We discuss Davis'd latest book, The War for Chinese Talent in America, which looks at Chinese efforts to harness the intellectual firepower of Chinese scientists and engineers who studied abroad, especially in the United States, and bring them — or at least their knowledge —back to China. David's book takes a balanced look at both the very real problems generated by Chinese policies as well as the overreaction by the U.S. Department of Justice in the form of the infamous China Initiative. 3:40 – Why got David interested on this particular topic 7:07 – The diaspora option12:09 – The Thousand Talents Program/Plan18:28 – How the talent programs operate23:48 – Motivations for Chinese to participate in the talent programs, how geopolitics now impacts these decisions, and what the effect of the China Initiative has been on collaboration 36:29 – The China Initiative's climate of fear and the concern for racial profiling 49:40 – The extent of the validity of U.S. security concerns57:24 – David's suggestions for balancing national security interests and open scientific exchange Paying It Forward: Dan Lynch and his book, China's Futures: PRC Elites Debate Economics, Politics, and Foreign PolicyRecommendations:David: It's a Wonderful World — The Louis Armstrong Musical in New YorkKaiser: The Invention of Yesterday: A 50,000-Year History of Human Culture, Conflict, and Connection by Tamim Ansary, especially the audiobook read by the authorSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

THIS WEEK! We continue our mini series on our history Of Afghanistan. From the inter war years, to the second World War, and the modernization programe of Afghanistan, until today. All this, and Much, Much More on "Well That Aged Well". With "Erlend Hedegart". Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/well-that-aged-well. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

THIS WEEK! We take a look at the history of Afghanistan, in Two parts. In Part 1 we begin with the Rise of The Afghan Empire founded by Ahmad Shah Durrani , to the entry of the British, and the Russians. From the Anglo Afghan War, and the reign of Habibullah Khan. All this, And More on "Well That Aged Well". With "Erlend Hedegart". Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/well-that-aged-well. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chapter 1 What's Games Without Rules Book by Tamim AnsaryGames Without Rules: The Often-Interrupted History of Afghanistan is a book written by Tamim Ansary. It explores the complex and tumultuous history of Afghanistan, focusing on the country's political, cultural, and social dynamics. The book delves into the various powers and influences that have shaped Afghanistan over the years, and examines how these factors have contributed to the ongoing instability and conflict in the region. Ansary provides insights into the diverse perspectives and narratives that have played out in Afghanistan, shedding light on the country's complex and often misunderstood history.Chapter 2 Is Games Without Rules Book A Good BookIt ultimately depends on personal preference. Some readers may find "Games Without Rules" to be a well-written and insightful book that provides a unique perspective on Afghanistan's history and culture. Others may not find it engaging or informative enough. It is recommended to read reviews or a sample of the book before deciding if it is worth purchasing.Chapter 3 Games Without Rules Book by Tamim Ansary Summary"Games Without Rules" by Tamim Ansary is a comprehensive look at the history and complexities of Afghan politics, culture, and society. Ansary, who was born in Afghanistan and raised in the United States, provides a deep understanding of the country's tumultuous past and uncertain future.The book explores the various power struggles, invasions, and conflicts that have shaped Afghanistan over the centuries, including the Soviet occupation, the rise of the Taliban, and the U.S. invasion after 9/11. Ansary also delves into the cultural and social dynamics that influence Afghan life, such as the role of tribal loyalties, Islam, and the concept of honor.Throughout the book, Ansary highlights the interconnected nature of Afghan society and the lack of clear rules or guidelines that define political behavior. He explains how this ambiguity has led to a state of constant conflict and instability, where power is constantly shifting and alliances are constantly changing.Overall, "Games Without Rules" provides a nuanced and insightful analysis of Afghanistan's complex history and the challenges it faces in the modern world. Ansary's personal connection to the country adds a unique perspective to the narrative, making this book a must-read for anyone seeking to understand Afghanistan and its people. Chapter 4 Games Without Rules Book AuthorTamim Ansary is an Afghan-American author born in Kabul, Afghanistan. He is best known for his book "Games Without Rules: The Often-Interrupted History of Afghanistan," which was published in 2012. The book provides a comprehensive history of Afghanistan, focusing on the country's political and cultural development over the centuries.In addition to "Games Without Rules," Ansary has written several other books, including "Destiny Disrupted: A History of the World Through Islamic Eyes" and "West of Kabul, East of New York: An Afghan American Story." "Destiny Disrupted" is considered one of his best works, and it has been widely praised for its insightful analysis of Islamic history and its impact on the world.Overall, Tamim Ansary's books have received critical acclaim for their engaging writing style, thorough research, and unique perspective on history and culture. "Games Without Rules" remains one of his most popular and widely read works, making it a must-read for anyone interested in the history of Afghanistan.Chapter 5 Games Without Rules Book Meaning &...

Games Without Rules is an arresting account that delves deep into the tumultuous history of Afghanistan. Drawing on extensive research and interviews with key players, author Tamim Ansary skillfully narrates the game of power and influence that has governed the nation for centuries. From the country's initial disintegration in the 19th century to the Soviet invasion and the arrival of the Taliban, each chapter unpacks a transformative era with meticulous detail and gripping storytelling. Ansary's comprehensive analysis reveals how Afghanistan's internal dynamics often transcended external interference, shaping its fate and leaving it trapped in a web of contradictions. Games Without Rules is an enlightening exploration of the Afghan puzzle, unearthing complex narratives that have shaped the nation, making it an indispensable read for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of Afghanistan's past and present.

Podcast: Throughline (LS 77 · TOP 0.01% what is this?)Episode: A Story Of Us?Pub date: 2022-02-03We've been seeing a lot of debate recently about how history should be taught. For example, some believe that the Civil War was about state rights while some argue that slavery played a large role in it. But what if we could all agree on one shared history? The past, as we know it, is a collection of billions of smaller stories that coalesce into the stories of families, communities, nations, and entire cultures. According to Tamim Ansary, narrative is the way we invent the past and the key to understanding history is understanding the stories we tell ourselves about three key areas: technology, environment, and language. With a world seemingly more connected than ever and still volatile with a constant sense of fracturing identities, Tamim contends that our shared history is a story we must invent. And the future of our species depends on our ability to develop a story we can all see ourselves in.The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from NPR, which is the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Listen Notes, Inc.

We've been seeing a lot of debate recently about how history should be taught. For example, some believe that the Civil War was about state rights while some argue that slavery played a large role in it. But what if we could all agree on one shared history? The past, as we know it, is a collection of billions of smaller stories that coalesce into the stories of families, communities, nations, and entire cultures. According to Tamim Ansary, narrative is the way we invent the past and the key to understanding history is understanding the stories we tell ourselves about three key areas: technology, environment, and language. With a world seemingly more connected than ever and still volatile with a constant sense of fracturing identities, Tamim contends that our shared history is a story we must invent. And the future of our species depends on our ability to develop a story we can all see ourselves in.

The withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan and the return of the Taliban to government in August closed the chapter on the 20 year war sparked by the 9/11 terrorist attacks. What lessons can be gained from the US' failed nation-building mission in Afghanistan, and how has the war affected Western-Muslim engagement? We discuss these themes with Afghan-American writer and author Tamim Ansary. Tamim was a speaker at the Khazanah Megatrends Forum 2021 this month. Image Credit: Trent Inness / Shutterstock.com

Tamim Ansary is an Afghan-American author and public speaker. He is the author of the excellent books Destiny Disrupted: A History of the World Through Islamic Eyes and Games Without Rules: The Often Interrupted History of Afghanistan. We chat about the Muslim view of history and how that informs our understanding of the US pull out from Afghanistan. https://patreon.com/rhyslindmark https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13394802-destiny-disrupted https://www.roote.co/

Ikuti temu bual eksklusif bersama Tamim Ansary, penulis tersohor berasal dari Kabul berketurunan Afghan-Amerika. Antara nukilan beliau yang terkenal adalah sebuah memoir berjudul West of Kabul, East of New York: An Afghan American Story mengenai peristiwa 9/11.  Tamim Ansary berkesempatan berkongsi mengenai sejarah, salah faham naratif dan cabaran masa hadapan Afghanistan dalam AWANI Global, Sabtu 2 Oktober 2021 jam 9.00 pagi di saluran 501 Awani dan www.astroawani.com.

James and Ashley interview Lyn Yeowart, author of the rural-noir thriller, 'The Silent Listener.' In it, they discuss how Lyn's own childhood shaped the events in the book, the fascinating world of synesthesia, and why it's never too late to start writing.  Learn more about Lyn on her website, and buy a copy of 'The Silent Listener' from your local bookshop, Booktopia or wherever else books are sold. Books and authors discussed in this episode: The Spiral by Iain Ryan;   Humankind, a Hopeful History by Rutger Bregman; Utopia for Realists by Rutger Bregman; How Fiction Works by James Woods; The Important Things by Audrey Molloy; The Looming Tower by Lawrence Wright; Destiny Disrupted: A History of the World Through Islamic Eyes by Tamim Ansary; One Hundred Years of Dirt by Rick Morton Get in touch! Ashley's Website: ashleykalagianblunt.com Ashley's Twitter: @AKalagianBlunt Ashley's Instagram: @akalagianblunt James' Website: jamesmckenziewatson.com James' Twitter: @JamesMcWatson James' Instagram: @jamesmcwatson  

On the next Story Told, “The Twenty-Sixth of August” will be when this program takes place, and it will also be the title of the first piece on this program, written by Leanora Murray. Additionally, “The Equal Rights Amendment,” from Michael McCusker, and from Tamim Ansary “History shows us that outsiders can never bring peace to Afghanistan.”    

On the next Story Told, “The Twenty-Sixth of August” will be when this program takes place, and it will also be the title of the first piece on this program, written by Leanora Murray. Additionally, “The Equal Rights Amendment,” from Michael McCusker, and from Tamim Ansary “History shows us that outsiders can never bring peace to Afghanistan.”    

Tamim Ansary is an author and historian, whose works include, "Destiny Disrupted: A History of the World Through Islamic Eyes," and most recently, "The Invention of Yesterday: A 50,000-Year History of Human Culture, Conflict, and Connection."

Join us virtually for a conversation with Tamim Ansary about his latest book, The Invention of Yesterday. Ansary boldly looks for patterns in the last 50,000 years of human history. He argues that, since humans are basically narcissistic, for most of recorded history each successful civilization has seen the other civilizations on this planet as merely peripheral players. He also argues that the four major rivers along which large-scale human civilizations began—the Nile, the Tigris–Euphrates, the Indus and the Huang He—each had characteristic traits that contributed to the underlying cultural assumptions our ancestors made about the nature of reality, and so gave rise to the main points of cultural divergence. Ansary's conclusion is clear: we cannot continue to consider other cultures as peripheral if we are going to have any hope of managing those worldwide concerns that require a consensus to solve, like climate change, nuclear weapons and the spread of deadly viruses. As historians often understand, but too many politicians conveniently overlook, each human civilization has many points of similarity with every other civilization in our pursuit of happiness. The points of cultural divergence are the ones that are truly peripheral. MLF ORGANIZER George Hammond NOTES MLF: Humanities Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

SPEAKERS Tamim Ansary Author, The Invention of Yesterday: A 50,000-Year History of Human Culture, Conflict, and Connection In Conversation With George Hammond Author, Conversations With Socrates In response to the Coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak, this program took place and was recorded live via video conference, for an online audience only, and was live-streamed by The Commonwealth Club of California from San Francisco on September 14th, 2020.

In deze aflevering van de Gave Wijven Podcast vertelt Ineke Lenssen, ondernemer, organisatie-ontwikkelaar en duo-voorzitter van de BV Leiden, over haar carrière, activiteiten, nevenactiviteiten, voorkeuren, adviezen en handtas. Ze vertelt over hoe ze uit Utrecht kwam om in de verpleging te gaan, hoe ze zich sindsdien heeft ontwikkeld tot ondernemer, waarom ze nooit met pensioen zal gaan en over haar basishouding als 'verbaasde kabouter'. Als tips heeft Ineke voor ons: 'Mythos' en 'Heroes' van Stephen Fry, 'Een geschiedenis van de wereld door Moslimse ogen' van Tamim Ansary, op televisie de serie 'Tokidoki' en als muziek het oeuvre van Bach. Je kan Ineke op Facebook vinden en op LinkedIn. Haar bedrijf, Joe Wie Ai, heeft natuurlijk een website: www.joewieai.nl.

In this episode, Erik Rostad discusses book 15 of 52 from his 2020 Reading List – Destiny Disrupted by Tamim Ansary, a History of the World through Islamic Eyes. Show Notes Author: Tamim Ansary My Thoughts About Destiny Disrupted Purchase the Book Get Book Ideas Books of Titans Website The post Destiny Disrupted by Tamim Ansary appeared first on Books of Titans.

"There's no way you can avoid this part of the world... when turmoil and instability are created there, it doesn't stay there." Talking the Middle East from a historical perspective... this is 'Part I - Iran.' Join US on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/GeneralZinniAPW/

SPEAKERS Tamim Ansary Author, The Invention of Yesterday: A 50,000-Year History of Human Culture, Conflict, and Connection and Destiny Disrupted: A History of the World Through Islamic Eyes In Conversation With George Hammond Author, Conversations With Socrates In response to the Coronavirus Covid-19 outbreak, this program was recorded live from an empty auditorium, for an online audience only, broadcasted from The Commonwealth Club of California in San Francisco on April 2nd, 2020.

Join us virtually for a conversation with Tamim Ansary about the patterns he sees in ancient civilizations and in current cultures derived from those historical developments. The four major rivers along which large-scale human civilizations began—the Nile, the Tigris–Euphrates, the Indus and the Huang He—each had characteristic traits that contributed to the underlying cultural assumptions our ancestors made about the nature of reality. Being who we are, mainly concerned with the world as seen through our own culture's eyes, for most of recorded history each major civilization has seen the other civilizations as peripheral players on this planet. Ansary shows how we have always been interconnected but that the speed at which that takes place in the 21st century has made many issues worldwide concerns requiring consensus on solutions, including climate change and the spread of deadly viruses. Ansary wants us to understand, in time, that each human civilization we have created mostly has points of similarity with every other civilization in our pursuit of happiness and that it is the points of cultural divergence that are truly peripheral. MLF Organizer: George Hammond MLF: Humanities Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tamim Ansary brings 1500 years of history to life in Destiny Disrupted: A History of the World Through Islamic Eyes. Destiny Disrupted gives readers a broad overview of history of the middle world, beginning with the time of Mohammed and the birth of Islam through almost the present day. Host Aubrey Hicks is joined by Olivia Olson, David Sloane, and Ehsan Zaffar on this episode! For links and more, visit our showpage.

Show #261 | Guest: Steve Inskeep | Show Summary: With an election year upon us, we are reminded that we have been through this before. The United States in the mid-1840s, for example, was a country in the middle of a major transformation, pushing its boundaries to extend from coast to coast to claim what many in that era asserted was America's Manifest Destiny. A new book by NPR's Morning Edition host Steve Inskeep tells us this story through the tale of a political power couple who personified the ambition of that era. His book, Imperfect Union: How Jessie and John Fremont Mapped the West, Invented Celebrity and Helped Cause the Civil War, finds some similarities with today's political situation in the United States. Tamim Ansary and Angie Coiro discuss the price and the prospect of this singularly connected moment in human history.

Show #259 | Guest: Tamim Ansary | Show Summary: Thought leader Tamim Ansary returns for a discussion of his sweeping new nonfiction work, The Invention of Yesterday: A 50,000 Year History of Human Culture, Conflict and Connection. Tamim Ansary sprang into prominence with Destiny Disrupted: A History of the World Through Islamic Eyes. Now he turns that scrutiny to the histories of smaller groups of people into today's globally connected, fully-interwoven human populace, and discovers something prescient: even before disparate human cultures ever met, their innovations always influenced one another… and now that influence is only speeding up. The world's major cultural movements— Confuscianism, Islam, Judeo-Christianity and Nomadism—have, he says, reached a new interrelationship inevitable in the march of human history. We are in a new time of revolutionary reinvention, as differing cultures overlap and transform rapidly due to global connectedness. What does this new proximity portend? Tamim Ansary and Angie Coiro discuss the price and the prospect of this singularly connected moment in human history.

Today is the birthday of poet C. K. Williams (1936), and of Tamim Ansary, who wrote the memoir “West of Kabul, East of New York.”

En librairie le 18 octobre 2019 et sur https://www.lesbelleslettres.com/livre/4071-l-histoire-du-monde-vue-par-la-tradition-musulmane. Dans ce récit, Tamim Ansary raconte, « comme si nous passions un moment ensemble dans un café », l’histoire du monde telle que la conçoit la tradition musulmane.

Today on XRAY In The Morning: (1)Interview with Rep. Dan Rayfield (2)News With My Dad with Jefferson and Joe Smith (3)Interview with Tamim Ansary (4)XRAY On The City with Alex Zielisnki

Tom and Don talk to @RedMaistre about the relationship between revolution and religion, leading to a wider conversation about religion and the state. The guys discuss integralism, the Nation of Islam and a variety of books. Mentioned: After Virtue by Alasdair MacIntyre. Carl Schmitt. Catholicism and Democracy by Emile Perreau-Saussine. Garden of Truth by Seyyed Hossein Nasr. Abandonment To Divine Providence by Jean-Pierre De Caussade. Destiny Disrupted by Tamim Ansary. Study Quran. Class Notes: Posing as Politics and Other Thoughts on the American Scene by Adolph Reed Jr, "The Rise of Louis Farrakhan". Intro music from auntie004, who is at https://soundcloud.com/auntie004 Outro music: Philip Glass - Akhnaten - Act II Scene 4 Hymn.

"All the ways that you don't fit in? That's who you are." Author, speaker, teacher Tamim Ansary shares how road trips, national crisis, community dreams, and story created this American.

In this bonus episode, author Tamim Ansary shares how travels and road trips across North America and the Islamic World showed him the miracle and longing for community. "The echoing for it, the longing for it is still resonating."

Amanda and Jenn discuss non-Eurocentric world history, diverse read-alikes for Vonnegut and Hemingway, and beginners romance in this week’s episode of Get Booked. This episode is sponsored by Libro.fm, Reign of the Kingfisher by T.J. Martinson, and The Lady from the Black Lagoon by Mallory O’Meara. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Stitcher.   Questions 1. Hey ladies! I’m looking for some books as a present for my mum. She did her degree in English literature but as a mother of five she really hasn’t had much time to read over the last fifteen years or so! She recently read Destiny Disrupted by Tamim Ansary on holiday and that sort of kick-started her return to reading, so I’m looking for something maybe in a similar-ish vein – Middle Eastern/Islamic history, or world history through a non-Euro-centric lens? I’ve already bought her ‘This Orient Isle’ and ‘A History of the World in Twelve Maps’, both by Jerry Brotton. Nothing too long, please, as she still doesn’t have a massive amount of time to dedicate to reading, and if you can find anything written by not-a-white-man that would be extra great! Thank you so much for the show (I don’t think my TBR will ever recover, but it’s fine!), and can’t wait to see what you come up with! -Hana   2. Jenn and Amanda, I recently devoured The Alienist after being intrigued by the premise of the TNT show and I’m looking for books with a similar vibe. I loved the way the book pulled in the Criminal Mind’s-esque intellectual sleuthing and the rich atmospheric setting of a literary novel, and the pacing was fantastic. Can you recommend some similar books that combine a mystery/thriller plot with a setting-as-character feel? -Kaitlyn   3.Hey Jenn and Amanda, My friends and I were talking the other day and we realized that we don’t know of any recent books that are written from the perspective of the best friend of “The Chosen One.” We figured that Sherlock Holmes, parts of the Percy Jackson series and The Great Gatsby would kind of fall into that category but nothing else came to mind. We would love to read something from the perspective of a Ron Weasley or Sam Gamgee type character who’s always seeing their best friend get into trouble and getting dragged into it themselves. We’re open to any genre but we especially love fantasy. Thanks for the help! -Allyson, Stef and TJ   4. Hi Jenn and Amanda, I just finished Bonfire by Kristen Ritter and with the adaptation of Sharp Objects coming up I am looking for more books like these. In particular I’m looking for small town mystery/psychological thrillers where a woman with some sort of dark past comes back and tries to reconcile the past. The best ones are the sort where a current mystery drags up some awful stuff from the past. I’ve read all the Tana French and Gillian Flynn books but otherwise I’m pretty new to the genre so anything like this would be great. The darker the better, so bring it on. P.S. I also read and loved luckiest girl alive if that helps -Amy   5. Hello ladies, I come to your podcast for your love of diversity. I was wondering if you could come up with some diverse readalikes for some of my favorite dead white guys: Hemingway, Camus, Bukowski, Vonnegut. Any recommendations that are not white or male are welcome. -Brian   6. I am a huge fan of your podcast (and in major awe of how many books you ladies get through in short periods of time…can you say #GOALS??) I recently read a book by Katy Regnery called The Vixen and the Vet which is a modern fairy tale retelling of Beauty and the Beast that features a wounded warrior as the love interest. This book hit many of my sweet spots and I find myself craving more wounded warrior romances as well as more modern day fairy tale retelling romances. I would like to stay away from any romance books that feature insta-love (a literary pet peeve of mine) or extremely graphic violence on the page. What suggestions do you have for me? P.S. My name is pronounced Maa-reh-lees. -Marelis   7. I am in a book club with a fantastic group of women. We tend to read mostly literary fiction, but have also enjoyed memoirs and the occasional thriller. One of our members is a romance lover and she gamely reads everything the rest of us suggest without complaint, yet we have never tackled her favorite kind of book. I’d like to propose a romance as our next selection. Can you recommend a romance that would be good for those of us who aren’t necessarily fans of this genre as well as good for a group discussion? thanks so much – love the podcast! -Dana   Books Discussed Mahimata by Rati Mehrotra State Tectonics by Malka Older Insurrecto by Gina Apostol The Faithful Scribe by Shahan Mufti Fingersmith by Sarah Waters The Gods of Gotham by Lyndsay Faye (tw: so much harm to children) The Rest of Us Just Live Here by Patrick Ness (rec’d by Rincey) Slayer by Kiersten White Into the Water by Paula Hawkins After the Eclipse by Sarah Perry (rec’d by Jamie Rochelle) Severance by Ling Ma (Vonnegut) The Occasional Virgin by Hanan al-Shaykh (tw: family violence) The Escape by Mary Balogh All Beautiful Things by Nicki Salcedo The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory An Extraordinary Union by Alyssa Cole

We start by discussing some teaching things now that school's back in session (and because we are the nations #1 teaching podcast). Larry gets on a rant about "business-y speak." He's old. Then Larry asks Jake what the newest thought technology on learning is. We then veer into a probably ill-advised discussion on mental illness. Don't @ me.Jake went and saw some youtuber live in concert: https://www.youtube.com/user/comedianeddiebWe discuss last week’s homework assignment. Jake didn't read a book but Larry read Destiny Disrupted by Tamim Ansary. It's great.Then we have a light-on-the-spoilers discussion of "A Quiet Place." Though there are probably spoilers. So watch it first!Next week: Watch the 45 minute (!!!) gameplay footage (!!!) advertisement (!!!) for Steamfunk 1977. Or maybe that way Cyberpunk 2077. Either way, that's way too long to watch somebody else play a video game.Also find something weird on Netflix.Email us at: someactionrequired@gmail.com

While working on a history textbook for US students, Tamim Ansary found that he and his team of American advisors had a very different sense of the world. The Americans saw history as a long march towards democracy and free-market capitalism in which Islam had no particularly major role to play. On the other hand, Mr. Ansary having been born in Kabul and spent his earliest years learning a Muslim view of history felt a little differently about things. How could a religion with 1.6 billion followers be regarded as a mere footnote? This was just before 9/11. The day after that event Mr. Ansary sent an e-mail to a few friends trying to interpret the Islamic world for people steeped in a Western sense of history and a Western world and that’s what he’s been doing ever since. Although Mr. Ansary is a fan of democratic society—he lives in the US after all—in his books he sets his personal opinions aside to allow us to really understand the world as Muslims do. Today we talk about two of his books. In the first, Destiny Disrupted: A History of the World Through Islamic Eyes, Mr. Ansary lays out an entire vision of history as seen and felt by Muslims around the world. In the second, Games Without Rules: The Often-Interrupted History of Afghanistan, he lays out for us a history of Afghanistan that helps us make sense of why countless great empires have failed to conquer much less understand his home country. You can visit Mr. Ansary on the web at http://mirtamimansary.com and follow him on twitter @mirtamimansary. Mr. Ansary is the author of many books. Today, we focused on just two of them Destiny Disrupted: A History of the World Through Islamic Eyes and Games Without Rules: The Often-Interrupted History of Afghanistan. Both available from here to Kabul.

From the outside the conflict in Afghanistan has been painted as a war between pro-democracy forces and Islamist fanaticism. It is, however only one small part of the larger and much older conflict—between Kabul and rural Afghanistan, between the attraction of the modern world on the one hand and traditional Afghanistan on the other. Drawing on his Afghan and Muslim roots, Tamim Ansary reveals a centuries-old internal Afghan struggle the world has never fully understood. Ansary sheds light on a country desperately trying to find its identity, while undermined by its own demons, plagued by a 40-60 year cycle of invasion by outside forces and constantly at the center of an ill-informed international political debate. This event is in partnership with the Asia Society and Mechanics' Institute.

People in the West generally share a common narrative of world history that runs from the Nile Valley and Mesopotamia, through Greece and Rome, to the rise of the secular state and the triumph of democracy. However, this story largely omits an entire civilization; one that until recently saw itself at the center of world history and whose citizens have shared an entirely different narrative of world history for a thousand years. Rich in science, poetry, politics, and religion, what can we learn from this parallel historic perspective which begins in Mesopotamia and the Persian highlands, moves through the Prophet Mohammed’s life and the struggles among his immediate successors, a succession of great Muslim empires, and into modern age dominated by Western powers and cultures? Tamim Ansary joins the Council to discuss why two great civilizations grew up almost totally oblivious to each other, and how the Islamic world was affected by its slow recognition that Europe had somehow rewritten history.

The 92nd annual Reed College commencement ceremony took place on Monday, May 15, 2006.