Anna Clark Libri

When the people of Flint, Michigan, turned on their faucets in April 2014, the water pouring out was poisoned with lead and other toxins. Through a series of disastrous decisions, the state government had switched the city’s water supply to a source that corroded Flint’s aging lead pipes. Complaints about the foul-smelling water were dismissed: the residents of Flint, mostly poor and African American, were not seen as credible, even in matters of their own lives. It took eighteen months of activism by city residents and a band of dogged outsiders to force the state to admit that the water was poisonous. By that time, twelve people had died and Flint’s children had suffered irreparable harm. The long battle for accountability and a humane response to this man-made disaster has only just begun. In the first full account of this American tragedy, Anna Clark's The Poisoned City recounts the gripping story of Flint’s poisoned water through the people who caused it, suffered from it, and exposed it. It is a chronicle of one town, but could also be about any American city, all made precarious by the neglect of infrastructure and the erosion of democratic decision making. Places like Flint are set up to fail—and for the people who live and work in them, the consequences can be fatal.

Exploring the evolution of sexual desire in Europe, this book examines two contrasting views: one that sees desire as a dangerous and disorderly force, and another that views it as a source of creativity and revolution. Through significant historical milestones, it reveals how societal attitudes towards sexuality have shifted from ancient Greek times to the present, providing a comprehensive survey of the complexities surrounding desire throughout European history.

Using Australian history as a case study, this collection explores the ways national identities still resonate in historical scholarship and reexamines key moments in Australian history through a transnational lens, raising important questions about the unique context of Australia’s national narrative. The book examines the tension between national and transnational perspectives, attempting to internationalize the often parochial nation-based narratives that characterize national history. Moving from the local and personal to the global, encompassing comparative and international research and drawing on the experiences of researchers working across nations and communities, this collection brings together diverging national and transnational approaches and asks several critical research questions: What is transnational history? How do new transnational readings of the past challenge conventional national narratives and approaches? What are implications of transnational and international approaches on Australian history? What possibilities do they bring to the discipline? What are their limitations? And finally, how do we understand the nation in this transnational moment?

Exploring the literary heritage of Michigan, this book highlights the influence of the "Third Coast" on renowned authors from Ernest Hemingway to Joyce Carol Oates. It delves into the life of Pulitzer Prize winner Theodore Roethke and examines the shared traits of Detroit crime writers Elmore Leonard and Donald Goines. Additionally, it discusses Dudley Randall's transformative impact on American poetry. Author Anna Clark weaves together history, literary criticism, and original reporting to showcase the state's vibrant literary culture.

The intense public debate surrounding Australia's history has led to significant polarization among its citizens, with key topics including the concept of the 'fair go', Indigenous dispossession, the Anzac legend, and the strategic alliance with the United States. In their exploration, Stuart Macintyre and Anna Clark highlight how historians have become embroiled in this ideological conflict. This edition features a new afterword by Macintyre, reflecting on the controversies that arose after the book's initial release and the implications for understanding Australian history.

Exploring the intersection of personal and public history, Anna Clark delves into how individual experiences shape our understanding of broader historical narratives. Through interviews with Australians from diverse communities, she reveals the significance of local stories in shaping collective memory and highlights the ongoing political debates surrounding history. The book examines the role of history in everyday life, emphasizing the importance of personal connections to the past amid the backdrop of contemporary discussions on heritage and memory.

Set against the backdrop of an eternal war, the story follows Oren Raevin, an outcast grappling with loss, and Syris Ulzary, a celebrated figure whose heart is tainted by darkness. Their fates intertwine when Ral, a talking bear, intervenes and takes them on a journey that promises to change their lives. As they navigate their contrasting worlds, themes of friendship, courage, and the struggle between good and evil emerge, leading them toward an uncertain destiny.

The exploration of sex scandals in British history reveals their potential to engage the public in political discourse. By examining six significant scandals from 1763 to 1820, the author illustrates how personal dramas, particularly involving George IV and Queen Caroline, sparked reform movements and challenged state censorship. Through compelling narratives and character sketches, the book argues that these scandals not only captivated the public's imagination but also served as a catalyst for democratic engagement, intertwining personal narratives with broader constitutional debates.