Traduttore, traditore: An act of translation is always an act of betrayal.

Babel is a profound exploration of the complexities of language, power, and colonialism, set against the backdrop of the British Empire's expansion.

When orphan Robin Swift is brought from Canton to London by Professor Lovell, he embarks on an intense education in languages and translation, aiming for a bright future at Oxford University's Royal Institute of Translation, known as Babel. This institution stands at the heart of the Empire's superiority, harnessing the mystical power of silver working to manifest the elusive meanings lost in translation.

As Robin becomes entrenched in the scholastic utopia of Babel, his ties to his heritage pull him into an inner conflict. When an aggressive war threatens China over silver and opium, Robin is torn between the comfort of academia and the call for justice. He must confront a crucial question: Can change come from within, or is violence an inevitable part of revolution?

The Quiet Before: On the Unexpected Origins of Radical Ideas is an exploration of the formation of social movements through history and the role of technology in shaping them. Gal Beckerman, an editor at The New York Times Book Review, presents a narrative that spans from the 1600s to the present, examining how the quiet conception of revolutionary ideas in small, private groups has led to significant social changes, from the scientific revolution to the suffrage movement, and from feminism to modern-day epidemiology.

This book delves into the correspondence that ignited the scientific revolution, the petitions that won voting rights in 1830s Britain, the zines that expressed women's rage in the early 1990s, and the messaging apps utilized by epidemiologists during a pandemic. Beckerman highlights the importance of secluded spaces where radical ideas can incubate before reaching a wider audience and cautions that the prevalence of social media may be undermining these productive environments. By examining the successes and failures of movements like the Arab Spring, Occupy Wall Street, and Black Lives Matter, The Quiet Before offers insights into what current social media platforms lack and proposes ways to foster the growth of radical ideas in the future.

The Authority Gap provides an incisive, intersectional look at a significant gender bias: the resistance to women's authority and power. Despite advancements toward equality, there is still a pervasive failure to take women as seriously as men. Journalist Mary Ann Sieghart offers a compelling perspective on this issue as it manifests in various aspects of life, including pop culture, media, education, and politics.

Through a wealth of data from psychology, sociology, political science, and business, and interviews with influential women such as Booker Prize winner Bernardine Evaristo, classicist Mary Beard, U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen, and Hillary Clinton, Sieghart explores the intersection of gender bias with racial and class biases. The book examines the unconscious biases that affect our behavior towards women and outlines measures for individual and societal change. The Authority Gap is an eye-opening and motivating work that addresses how we can work together to narrow the gender gap and counteract systemic sexism for the benefit of everyone.