Books published by publisher Lightning Guides

Empire, Revolution, and the New TsarIs Russia in the hands of a lunatic?Ever since Vladimir Putin’s presidential incarnation, pundits and political analysts have asked this question with increasing frequency. Known for his aggressive politics abroad, and irresponsible despotism domestically, the leader of the world’s largest nation holds seemingly limitless control over his people. But Putin is only the latest face of Russian political power: understanding his rule means understanding Russia.In Russia: Putin’s Playground, Anastasia Edel explores the tumultuous relationship between the Russian state and its people, and traces Russia’s history from its inception through Putin's controversial rule. In a series of short and punchy articles, Putin’s Playground examines every facet of Russian life and culture―from literature to oligarchs including Peter the Great to punk protesters Pussy Riot.

Cuba: The Mob, Castro, and the End of the Embargo, explores Cuba's complicated history and emergence from an era of economic isolation from the US. Exploring America's relationship with Cuba, the many political forces that have shaped the country's identity including communism, Batista, and The United Fruit Company; the conflicted legacy of Che Guevara; and the current relationship between Fidel and Raul Castro and President Obama, Cuba contextualizes what the future holds for the Pearl of the Antilles.

Empire, Revolution, and the New TsarIs Russia in the hands of a lunatic?Ever since Vladimir Putin’s presidential incarnation, pundits and political analysts have asked this question with increasing frequency. Known for his aggressive politics abroad, and irresponsible despotism domestically, the leader of the world’s largest nation holds seemingly limitless control over his people. But Putin is only the latest face of Russian political power: understanding his rule means understanding Russia.In Russia: Putin’s Playground, Anastasia Edel explores the tumultuous relationship between the Russian state and its people, and traces Russia’s history from its inception through Putin's controversial rule. In a series of short and punchy articles, Putin’s Playground examines every facet of Russian life and culture―from literature to oligarchs including Peter the Great to punk protesters Pussy Riot.

Cuba: The Mob, Castro, and the End of the Embargo, explores Cuba's complicated history and emergence from an era of economic isolation from the US. Exploring America's relationship with Cuba, the many political forces that have shaped the country's identity including communism, Batista, and The United Fruit Company; the conflicted legacy of Che Guevara; and the current relationship between Fidel and Raul Castro and President Obama, Cuba contextualizes what the future holds for the Pearl of the Antilles.

Mars: Science Fiction to Colonization, explores how science fiction has emerged into scientific fact as the prospect of colonizing Mars grows ever more tangible. From modern technology borne straight from the pages of classic novels to the Space Race, the first orbiter missions to the hypothesized underground hot houses that might provide fresh vegetables to the first colonizers, Mars illuminates the possibility of establishing an extraterrestrial human settlement. Mars covers rovers, orbiters, Mars, NASA and other space agencies, Curiosity, fossils, HG Wells, Ray Bradbury, Sputnik, Space Race, ExoMars, and Mars One, engineering, psychology, and culture.

North Korea: Unmasking Three Generations of Mad Men explores the mysterious legacy of the Kim family. From the annexation of Korea by Japan to the painful separation of North and South Korea following WWII, to the cult of personality created by Kim Il-Sung, North Korea will examine the context that created one of the most mysterious, fascinating, and frightening dictatorships in modern history. Kim Jong-Il's total control over the state-run media, the militarization of North Korean society, the surveillance and biodiversity of the DMZ, and the human rights record of Kim Jong-Un will contrast the vibrancy of South Korea and the tales of defectors who have been able to flee.

North Korea: Unmasking Three Generations of Mad Men explores the mysterious legacy of the Kim family. From the annexation of Korea by Japan to the painful separation of North and South Korea following WWII, to the cult of personality created by Kim Il-Sung, North Korea will examine the context that created one of the most mysterious, fascinating, and frightening dictatorships in modern history. Kim Jong-Il's total control over the state-run media, the militarization of North Korean society, the surveillance and biodiversity of the DMZ, and the human rights record of Kim Jong-Un will contrast the vibrancy of South Korea and the tales of defectors who have been able to flee.

The Artist, The Genius, The LegendLeonardo da Vinci’s legacy is everywhere: from bridges to helicopters, fashion to fiction, flying machines, human anatomy, not to mention some of the most compelling artworks ever created by man. Leonardo da Vinci was centuries ahead of his time, a visionary and innovator turned international icon. Fueled by his limitless desire for knowledge, Leonardo made groundbreaking advancements that still influence and inform our world today. InLeonardo: Insatiable Curiosity, historian and philosopher Justin Smith traces the artistic drives of the quintessential Renaissance thinker, captures a glimpse into the man behind the genius, and pays tribute to a life without which the word curiosity would have never found its real-life representative.

Voices of Black America: Martin Luther King Jr. to Jay Z, explores African-American resistance and revolutionary practice from the Civil Rights Movement to #BlackLivesMatter. Exploring a diversity of issues from the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to the Nation of Islam, African liberation struggles to Black Feminism, Rodney King to Ferguson, Voices explores and illuminates some of America’s most talented and provocative black voices.

Voices of Black America: Martin Luther King Jr. to Jay Z, explores African-American resistance and revolutionary practice from the Civil Rights Movement to #BlackLivesMatter. Exploring a diversity of issues from the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to the Nation of Islam, African liberation struggles to Black Feminism, Rodney King to Ferguson, Voices explores and illuminates some of America’s most talented and provocative black voices.

The Artist, The Genius, The LegendLeonardo da Vinci’s legacy is everywhere: from bridges to helicopters, fashion to fiction, flying machines, human anatomy, not to mention some of the most compelling artworks ever created by man. Leonardo da Vinci was centuries ahead of his time, a visionary and innovator turned international icon. Fueled by his limitless desire for knowledge, Leonardo made groundbreaking advancements that still influence and inform our world today. InLeonardo: Insatiable Curiosity, historian and philosopher Justin Smith traces the artistic drives of the quintessential Renaissance thinker, captures a glimpse into the man behind the genius, and pays tribute to a life without which the word curiosity would have never found its real-life representative.