Archive · 10 Oct 2026
October’s Global Nonfiction Explores History, Identity and Creativity
These books explore history, people, and ideas in different ways.
William A. Pettigrew writes about people in Britain who invested in the slave trade and how their money affected the country.
Gloria Steinem looks back on the experiences that shaped her life and work.
Riley Black imagines what Tyrannosaurus rex did when it was not hunting.
Franny Choi asks why stories about robots so often show Asian women.
Eleanor Johnson studies how stories have portrayed powerful women as frightening.
Harlan Coben shares memories and advice about writing stories.
Together, the books look at the past and at how people tell stories about the world.
William A. Pettigrew’s book examines how 13,000 British investors in the slave trade influenced the country’s economy, politics, institutions and public life.
Gloria Steinem’s memoir recounts formative experiences from her childhood through pivotal moments in her feminist activism.
Riley Black imagines the daily lives of Tyrannosaurus rex, including courtship, nesting and raising offspring.
Franny Choi considers how cyborgs and robots portrayed as East Asian women reflect race, gender and anxieties about automation.
Eleanor Johnson traces depictions of feared women across Western culture, while Harlan Coben shares memoir and advice about writing.
- Who
- The featured authors are William A. Pettigrew, Gloria Steinem, Riley Black, Franny Choi, Eleanor Johnson and Harlan Coben.
- What
- A selection of nonfiction books covering British slavery, memoir, dinosaurs, cyborgs, portrayals of women and writing.
- When
- The books are presented as October global nonfiction; no year is specified.
- Where
- The books discuss settings and histories including Britain, Toledo, Ohio, and Western culture.
- Why
- The books aim to examine historical influence, personal experience, cultural representations and creative practice.
- Featured titles
- Six nonfiction books are described.
- Britain’s Slave Traders
- William A. Pettigrew’s project identified 13,000 individual investors in the slave trade.
- An Unexpected Life
- Gloria Steinem’s memoir recounts experiences including her childhood in Toledo, Ohio, and the 1970 Women’s March.
- Tyrant Lizard Queen
- Riley Black’s book describes the lives of Tyrannosaurus rex more than 66 million years ago.
- We Radiant Things
- Franny Choi’s essay collection examines cyborg and robot portrayals, particularly those of East Asian women.
- Monstrous Bitch
- Eleanor Johnson traces depictions of terrifying women across four thousand years of Western culture.
- Plot Twist
- Harlan Coben’s book combines memoir and guidance on storytelling and the writing process.