From political theory and European history to hidden stories of resistance and science, the month of June brings a rich and diverse lineup of thought-provoking new books. Here’s a selection of 17 standout titles to explore:
Tom Arnold-Forster – Walter Lippmann: An Intellectual Biography (Princeton University Press)
One of the most influential political thinkers of modern America, Walter Lippmann reshaped ideas on liberalism, democracy, public opinion, and the role of media. Tom Arnold-Forster offers a fresh intellectual portrait of Lippmann, tracing his unique career that bridged journalism and political theory.
Alessandra Celati – Women Who Create Disorder. The Story of Caterina and Other Heretics in the Sixteenth Century (Einaudi)
A gripping historical account of women branded as heretics during the Inquisition. Celati brings their voices back to life, challenging conventional narratives of religious dissent and gender roles in Renaissance Europe.
Luis Gonzalo Díez – The Vagabonds of Politics. From 19th Century Intellectual Heterodoxy to 20th Century Ideological Orthodoxy (Galaxia Gutenberg)
Díez explores the evolution of political thought across centuries, examining how intellectual dissent shaped—and was later absorbed into—mainstream ideologies.
Richard Breitman – A Calculated Restraint: What Allied Leaders Said About the Holocaust (Harvard University Press)
Historian Richard Breitman examines the moral and political calculations of Allied leaders during the Holocaust, revealing what they knew, when they knew it, and how they chose to respond.
Alessandro Lo Bartolo – The Florentine Tyrant. The Life and Dark Legend of Alessandro de’ Medici (Laterza)
This biography dives into the dramatic life of Alessandro de’ Medici, a complex figure of power, betrayal, and myth in Renaissance Florence.
Frank Close – Destroyer of Worlds: The Deep History of the Nuclear Age, 1895–1965 (Allen Lane)
Physicist and historian Frank Close traces the hidden history behind nuclear science, from early discoveries to the dawn of atomic warfare.
Kathryn C. Lavelle – Reluctant Conquest: American Wealth, Power, and Science in the Arctic (Yale University Press)
Lavelle investigates how American ambition quietly extended into the Arctic, uncovering a blend of scientific curiosity and geopolitical strategy.
Jacob Daniels – The Jews of Edirne: The End of Ottoman Europe and the Arrival of Borders (Stanford University Press)
This historical study details the shifting fortunes of the Jewish community in Edirne, as empires collapsed and modern borders redefined identities.
Hervé Pierre – General Beaufre: Father of French Strategic Thought (Perrin)
A biography of General André Beaufre, who played a critical role in shaping France’s post-WWII military doctrine.
Anna Colin Lebedev – Ukraine: The Strength of the Weak (Seuil)
Lebedev presents Ukraine not as a passive victim of larger powers but as a country whose resilience lies in decentralized strength and civic tenacity.
Christoph Möllers – Democracy and the Division of Power: Studies in Constitutional Theory (Suhrkamp)
Legal scholar Möllers examines the fundamental principles of modern democracy, focusing on constitutional design and the separation of powers.
Silvana Borutti – Doing Philosophy with Wittgenstein: Five Lessons (Einaudi)
This philosophical work distills key ideas from Ludwig Wittgenstein’s writings, inviting readers into his method of inquiry and thought.
Miranda Frances Spieler – Slaves in Paris: Hidden Lives and Fugitive Histories (Harvard University Press)
Spieler uncovers the largely forgotten histories of enslaved individuals in Paris, illuminating their struggles, resistance, and legacy in the heart of the French capital.
Lorenzo Benadusi – The World to Come: Italians and the Future, 1851–1945 (Laterza)
A sweeping historical analysis of how Italians imagined their future—from the optimism of unification to the shadows of fascism and war.
Bruno J. Strasser and Thomas Schlich – The Mask: A History of Breathing Bad Air (Yale University Press)
This interdisciplinary history traces the evolution of masks, from medical necessity to cultural symbol, across centuries of public health and pollution.
Andrew Lambert – No More Napoleons: How Britain Managed Europe from Waterloo to World War One (Yale University Press)
Lambert revisits the post-Napoleonic order, showing how Britain played a pivotal role in maintaining peace—and its own interests—across 19th-century Europe.
Derek R. Peterson – A Popular History of Idi Amin’s Uganda (Yale University Press)
Peterson delivers a compelling, accessible account of Idi Amin’s brutal regime, using popular memory and lived experience to unpack a dark chapter of African history.
These titles offer a deep dive into the human experience across cultures, centuries, and disciplines. Whether you’re drawn to political theory, hidden histories, or scientific frontiers, June’s literary offerings are rich with insight and discovery.