Top 15 in Hardcover Nonfiction
Week of August 3, 2026

by Steve Foxe
Meet Mario and his friends in the first-ever Super Mario(TM) Little Golden Book! It's game on for even the youngest gamers who love Super Mario when they meet Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, and all their friends from the Mushroom Kingdom! Featuring stunning illustrations and beloved characters, this Little Golden Book is perfect for Nintendo, Super Mario--and Little Golden Book--fans of all ages. Mario first appeared in 1981 in the classic arcade video game Donkey Kong, and has since gone on to star in many adventures, allowing him to evolve into the beloved icon he is today. He is a video-game sensation, appearing across all genres--from action-platformers to sports to kart-racing and beyond.
by Ehud Barak
"One of Israel's most influential and enduring figures, Ehud Barak was born on a kibbutz six years before the establishment of the state. During a long career in the military, he led the country's elite special-forces unit and rose to become armed forces chief of staff before going on to serve as Israel's defense minister and prime minister. This is his story--in his own words, for the very first time. In [this book], Ehud Barak draws on his experience as a military and political leader, son, and father to offer an up-close-and-personal look at both the history and future of Israel. In writing this groundbreaking memoir, he found himself "\'retracing not just my own life but Israel's, step by step, since our shared infancy.' From the country's creation and founding vision to its seven wars, two intifadas, and everyday conflicts between its Jewish and Palestinian populations, Barak examines the reasons his beloved ancestral homeland is at a crossroads today. Israel may be facing a crisis 'more profound than any in my lifetime,' he writes. Still, he feels 'fundamentally optimistic about our ability to come out stronger and more vigorous on the other side.' Offering candid assessments of his fellow politicians, the American administrations with which he worked, and his own trials and tribulations while in office, Barak argues that the country's current drift toward a 'one-state' solution to the conflict with the Palestinians--with permanent control over the West Bank--will inevi
by Cheryl Koenig
This epic book, spanning two continents, recounts the story of three generations of two families whose lives unexpectedly intersect in their adopted country. Beautifully capturing the loss faced when war dislocates families, it also tells of the struggles and challenges of starting anew and adapting to a different way of life. With Just One Suitcase serves as a tribute to the courage and resilience of two men who bear the scars of war and face adversity without surrendering their optimism for the future. “Cheryl Koenig is to be congratulated. She has written a masterpiece. With great skill Cheryl has written an immensely readable, gripping biog documenting daily life in a crazed world. The story begins with a thumbnail sketch of life in semi rural Romania at the outbreak of the second world war and moves on to relate the experiences, in that country, of her then youthful father & father-in-law. Many years later, in Sydney, Australia, they chance to be reunited when Cheryl nervously introduces her father to the father of her future husband. The writing is powerful, in the first person, giving the reader a fly-on-the-wall feeling of being there. Having thoroughly researched the period Cheryl is able to construe the hitherto unknown Romanian perspective with great credibility, and, as if they hadn’t already suffered enough, she goes on to relate how these amazing young men had the courage and strength to take flight and start a new life in this far flung land. That they survived
by Rough Guides
Discover this spectacular destination with the most incisive and entertaining guidebook on the market. Whether you plan to sample fine wines in Hawke's Bay, canoe along the Whanganui River or hike across the Franz Josef glacier, The Rough Guide to New Zealand will show you the ideal places to sleep, eat, drink, shop and visit along the way. Independent, trusted reviews written with Rough Guides' trademark blend of humour, honesty and insight, to help you get the most out of your visit, with options to suit every budget. Full-colour maps throughout - navigate New Zealand's towns and cities or its scenic coastal roads without needing to get online. Stunning images - a rich collection of inspiring colour photography. Things not to miss - Rough Guides' rundown of New Zealand's best sights and experiences. Itineraries - carefully planned routes to help you organize your trip. Detailed regional coverage - whether off the beaten track or in more mainstream tourist destinations, this travel guide has in-depth practical advice for every step of the way. Areas covered include: Auckland, Northland, Western NorthIsland, Central North Island, The Coromandel, Bay of Plenty and the East Cape, Poverty Bay, Hawke's Bay and the Waiarapa, Wellington, Marlborough, Nelson and Kaikoura, Christchurch, Central South Island, Dunedin, Stewart Island, the West Coast, Queenstown, Wanaka and Central Otago, Fiordland . Attractions include: Milford Sound, Farewell Spit, Kaikoura Peninsula, White Island, Ni
by Akbar Ahmed
An unprecedented, richly, detailed, and clear-eyed exploration of Islam in European history and civilization Tensions over Islam were escalating in Europe even before 9/11. Since then, repeated episodes of terrorism together with the refugee crisis have dramatically increased the divide between the majority population and Muslim communities, pushing the debate well beyond concerns over language and female dress. Meanwhile, the parallel rise of right-wing, nationalist political parties throughout the continent, often espousing anti-Muslim rhetoric, has shaken the foundation of the European Union to its very core. Many Europeans see Islam as an alien, even barbaric force that threatens to overwhelm them and their societies. Muslims, by contrast, struggle to find a place in Europe in the face of increasing intolerance. In tandem, anti-Semitism and other forms of discrimination cause many on the continent to feel unwelcome in their European homes. Akbar Ahmed, an internationally renowned Islamic scholar, traveled across Europe over the course of four years with his team of researchers and interviewed Muslims and non-Muslims from all walks of life to investigate questions of Islam, immigration, and identity. They spoke with some of Europe's most prominent figures, including presidents and prime ministers, archbishops, chief rabbis, grand muftis, heads of right-wing parties, and everyday Europeans from a variety of backgrounds. Their findings reveal a story of the place of Islam in
by Iain Stewart
Lonely Planet's Vietnam is your passport to the most relevant, up-to-date advice on what to see and skip, and what hidden discoveries await you. Experience Hanois labyrinth-like Old Quarter, kayak in Halong Bay, and wander through historic Hoi An; all with your trusted travel companion. Get to the heart of Vietnam and begin your journey now! Inside Lonely Planet's Vietnam Travel Guide: Up-to-date information - all businesses were rechecked before publication to ensure they are still open after 2020s COVID-19 outbreak NEW pull-out, passport-size 'Just Landed' card with wi-fi, ATM and transport info - all you need for a smooth journey from airport to hotel What's New feature taps into cultural trends and helps you find fresh ideas and cool new areas our writers have uncovered Colour maps and images throughout Highlights and itineraries help you tailor your trip to your personal needs and interests Insider tips to save time and money and get around like a local, avoiding crowds and trouble spots Essential info at your fingertips - hours of operation, phone numbers, websites, transit tips, prices Honest reviews for all budgets - eating, sleeping, sightseeing, going out, shopping, hidden gems that most guidebooks miss Cultural insights give you a richer, more rewarding travel experience - history, people, music, landscapes, wildlife, cuisine, politics Over 80 maps Covers Hanoi, Northern Vietnam, Central Vietnam, Southeast Coast, Southwest Highlands, Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong Delt

by Anthony Tommasini
In The Indispensable Composers, Tommasini offers his own personal guide to the canon - and what greatness really means in classical music. What does it mean to be canonical now? Who gets to say? And do we have enough perspective on the 20th century to even begin assessing it? Tommasini shares impressions from performances he has heard or given, or moments when his own biography proves revealing. As he argues for his particular pantheon of indispensable composers, Anthony Tommasini provides a masterclass in what to listen for and how to understand what music does to us.

by Jamie Glowacki
"Toilet-training expert Jamie Glowacki's self-published OH CRAP! POTTY TRAINING has sold more than 40,000 copies and has been the "dirty little secret" of moms on message boards and in parenting groups for years. Now, this proven, 6-step plan (called "the WHAT TO EXPECT of potty training books" for its comprehensive, no-nonsense voice) is available to the general trade audience for the first time"--

by Sunzi
This classic work on planning and conducting war is available in an elegant illustrated edition, featuring 75 color and black-and-white images. It offers the definitive translation of Sun Tzu's text, by former U.S.

by Chris J. Anderson
The definitive practical guide to public speaking, by Chris Anderson, the heralded curator of TED Talks, offering pragmatic tips and advice to anyone who wants to develop, polish, and refine their ability to deliver a powerful presentation. The work is based upon the author s longtime association with the world s most popular TED speakers, and features inside stories and anecdotes."

by Kai-Fu Lee
AI Superpowers is Kai-Fu Lee's New York Times and USA Today bestseller about the American-Chinese competition over the future of artificial intelligence.

by Dennis Greenberger
Discover simple yet powerful steps you can take to overcome emotional distress--and feel happier, calmer, and more confident. This life-changing book has already helped more than 1,300,000 readers use cognitive-behavioral therapy--one of today's most effective forms of psychotherapy--to conquer depression, anxiety, panic attacks, anger, guilt, shame, low self-esteem, eating disorders, substance abuse, and relationship problems. Revised and expanded to reflect significant scientific developments of the past 20 years, the second edition contains numerous new features: expanded content on anxiety; chapters on setting personal goals and maintaining progress; happiness rating scales; gratitude journals; innovative exercises focused on mindfulness, acceptance, and forgiveness; 25 new worksheets; and much more. Mind Over Mood will help you: *Learn proven, powerful, practical strategies to transform your life. *Follow step-by-step plans to overcome depression, anxiety, anger, guilt, and shame. *Set doable personal goals and track your progress (you can photocopy the worksheets from the book or download and print additional copies). *Practice your new skills until they become second nature. Cited as “The Most Influential Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Publication” by the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies and included in the UK National Health Service Bibliotherapy Program. Winner (Second Place)--American Journal of Nursing Book of the Year Award, Consumer

by James Herriot
An English veterinarian reminisces about his life, career, and animal patients in a small village.
by Jonathan Silvertown
What do eggs, flour, and milk have in common? They form the basis of crepes of course, but they also each have an evolutionary purpose. Eggs, seeds (from which flour is derived by grinding) and milk are each designed by evolution to nourish offspring. Everything we eat has an evolutionary history. Grocery shelves and restaurant menus are bounteous evidence of evolution at work, though the label on the poultry will not remind us of this with a Jurassic sell-by date, nor will the signs in the produce aisle betray the fact that corn has a 5,000 year history of artificial selection by pre-Colombian Americans. Any shopping list, each recipe, every menu and all ingredients can be used to create culinary and gastronomic magic, but can also each tell a story about natural selection, and its influence on our plates--and palates. Join in for multiple courses, for a tour of evolutionary gastronomy that helps us understand the shape of our diets, and the trajectories of the foods that have been central to them over centuries--from spirits to spices. This literary repast also looks at the science of our interaction with foods and cooking--the sights, the smells, the tastes. The menu has its eclectic components, just as any chef is entitled. But while it is not a comprehensive work which might risk gluttony, this is more than an amuse bouche, and will leave every reader hungry for more.

by Michael R. Beschloss
An intimate look at a procession of American leaders as they took the nation into conflict and mobilized their country for victory. From James Madison and the War of 1812 to Lyndon Johnson and Vietnam, we see these leaders struggling with Congress, the courts, the press, their own advisers, and antiwar protesters