Michael Kandel started out in his career translating the science fiction books of Stanislaw Lem into English. Having read both authors, Kandel's absurdist sense of humor must have helped him bring Lem's works into English. In Captain Jack Zodiac, Kandel creates a hilarious dystopian future world similar to ours in which an everyman sets out to fi...
[read more]
This past June, Jimmy de Guzman joined Mechanics’ Institute as our Communications Manager. He hopes to lend his experience and expertise towards helping redefine the Institute’s role as a locus and focus of knowledge building and skill development in San Francisco, the Bay Area, and beyond.
We asked Jimmy a few questions to help introduce him to the Mechanics' Institute community:...
[read more]
The number of movies I consider perfect I can count on one hand. I am amazed that 1984 ever reached the theaters. In an age when studios insisted upon "happy endings" and most movies would not show "evil to triumph," to see a film stay so true to such a tragic book came as a bit of a shock to me at the time. The Great British actor, John Hurt, l...
[read more]
E-AUDIOBOOKS
Carter W Lewis Golf with Alan Shepard
Patrick Link Headstrong
John Lawton Moscow exile
James Hadley Chase No orchids for Miss Blandish
Christina Calvit...
FICTION
Richard Ford Be mine Fic Ford
Louise Lewis The eternal return of Clara Hart Fic Finch
Paul Rudnick Farrell Covington and the limits of style : a novel Fic Rudnick
Roslyn Bernstein The girl who counted numbers : a novel...
PRINT BOOKS
NON-FICTION
Arts, Architecture & Crafts
Making their mark : art by women in the Shah Garg collection 704.042 M235
Biography & Genealogy
Olga Lengyel Five chimneys : a woman survivor's true story of Auschwitz 940.5318 L566
Jane Ferguson...
Heinrich von Kleist Michael Kohlhaas
Gustave Flaubert Three tales
Domenico Starnone Ties
Olufemi Taiwo Against decolonisation : taking African agency seriously
Alistair MacLean Alist...
Chess rivals of the 19th century: with 300 annotated games / Tony Cullen. 794.15 C967
Many historical chess books focus on individual 19th-century masters and tournaments, yet little is written covering the full scope of competitive chess through the era. This volume provides a comprehensive overview, with 300 annotated games a...
[read more]
Many, many books have been written about Titanic, but Voyagers of the Titanic is a real standout in the field for its memorable and engaging tone. The book is comprehensive, beginning with an overview of the shipbuilders and financiers who made her, then the various people who...
[read more]
