King of Kings: The Triumph and Tragedy of Haile Selassie I

by Asfa-Wossen  

Haile Selassie I, the last emperor of Ethiopia, was as brilliant as he was formidable. An early proponent of African unity and independence who claimed to be a descendant of King Solomon, he fought with the Allies against the Axis powers during World War II and was a messianic figure for the Jamaican Rastafarians. But the final years of his empire saw turmoil and revolution, and he was ultimately overthrown and assassinated in a communist coup.

Written by Asfa-Wossen Asserate, Haile Selassie’s grandnephew, this is the first major biography of this final “king of kings.” Asserate, who spent his childhood and adolescence in Ethiopia before fleeing the revolution of 1974, knew Selassie personally and gained intimate insights into life at the imperial court. Introducing him as a reformer and an autocrat whose personal history—with all of its upheavals, promises, and horrors—reflects in many ways the history of the twentieth century itself, Asserate uses his own experiences and painstaking research in family and public archives to achieve a colourful and evenhanded portrait of the emperor. 

Two Beats Ahead: What Great Musical Minds Teach Us About Creativity and Innovation Paperback

by Panos A. Panay 

In Two Beats Ahead, Michael Hendrix and Panos Panay demystify the artistic process of some of the greatest creative minds of our time and reveal what they can teach us about creativity.

Drawing from first-person interviews, you'll learn the secrets of collaboration from Beyoncé and Pharrell Williams, grasp the value of experimentation with Radiohead and Imogen Heap, learn how to prototype with Jimmy Iovine, hear why Justin Timberlake thinks you should 'dare to suck', understand the power of reinvention from Gloria Estefan, and the art of producing from T Bone Burnett and Hank Shocklee, co-founder of Public Enemy.

A musical mindset is a revolutionary framework for creating and innovating in a dynamic world. Two Beats Ahead shows you how

Black Food: Stories, Art, and More than 75 Recipes from Across the African Diaspora (A Cookbook)

by Terry Bryant 

A beautiful, rich, and groundbreaking book exploring Black foodways within America and around the world, curated by food activist and author of Vegetable Kingdom Bryant Terry. In this stunning and deeply heartfelt tribute to Black culinary ingenuity, Bryant Terry captures the broad and divergent voices of the African Diaspora through the prism of food. With contributions from more than 100 Black cultural luminaries from around the globe, the book moves through chapters exploring parts of the Black experience, from Homeland to Migration, Spirituality to Black Future, offering delicious recipes, moving essays, and arresting artwork. As much a joyful celebration of Black culture as a cookbook, Black Food explores the interweaving of food, experience, and community through original poetry and essays, including Jollofing with Toni Morrison by Sarah Ladipo Manyika, Queer Intelligence by Zoe Adjonyoh, The Spiritual Ecology of Black Food by Leah Penniman, and Foodsteps in Motion by Michael W. Twitty. The recipes are similarly expansive and generous, including sentimental favourites and fresh takes such as Crispy Cassava Skillet Cakes from Yewande Komolafe, Okra & Shrimp Purloo from BJ Dennis, Jerk Chicken Ramen from Suzanne Barr, Avocado and Mango Salad with Spicy Pickled Carrot and Rof Dressing from Pierre Thiam, and Sweet Potato Pie from Jenné Claiborne. Visually stunning artwork from such notables as Black Panther Party creative director Emory Douglas and artist Sarina Mantle are woven throughout, and the book includes a signature musical playlist curated by Bryant. With arresting artwork and innovative design, Black Food is a visual and spiritual feast that will satisfy any soul.

Bikila: Ethiopia's Barefoot Olympian Paperback 

by Tim Judah 

On 10 September 1960 Abebe Bikila, an Ethiopian, won the Rome Olympic marathon running barefoot. He was the first black African to win a gold medal at the Olympics. Overnight he became a sporting hero, an African hero and for many the first black African they had ever heard of. Bikila was a man of his times - a symbol of hope in the new Africa.

Now, for the first time, his true story is told. Central to that tale is the extraordinary life of another man - a Swede - Onni Niskanen, Bikila's trainer, a soldier and an adventurer. Together they took the sporting world by storm. Bikila was the athlete and the champion but Niskanen was the architect of his success. Theirs was a most unlikely of friendships, yet their achievement dazzled the world.

Tim Judah's research took him to Ethiopia, Rome, Sweden and Switzerland, where he interviewed those who knew Bikila and Niskanen. Much of their story has never been revealed until now.

One Thousand Things: 1 (Learn with Little Mouse) 

by Anna Koveces 

What do one thousand things really look like? Let Little Mouse show you this stunning collection of first words to see and say. Search-and-find Little Mouse on every page and discover new words with every turn of the page. Stylishly laid out, this visual encyclopedia covers everything from space to the human body, to the world around us, and is full of things to spot and learn along the way! Learning with Little Mouse is fun!

Hope you’ve enjoyed our selection of books this month. If you are reading something you wanna share with us leave it in the comments.

Willber Willberforce