Rabble by Geoffrey Fox is a short historical novel set during the Paris Commune of 1871 — the brief, radical workers’ government that took power in Paris after France’s defeat in the Franco-Prussian War.

Rather than focusing on famous leaders, Fox tells the story from the perspective of ordinary Parisians swept up in the uprising: street vendors, seamstresses, bricklayers, petty criminals, and soldiers, all struggling to survive and make sense of revolutionary ideals as the city descends into chaos.

Through multiple voices, the book explores the hopes, conflicts, and betrayals among the “rabble” — the people history usually overlooks — in the last desperate days before the French Army brutally crushes the Commune.

Alex Vernon talks about his new book. He is the M.E. & Ima Graves Peace Distinguished Professor of English at Hendrix College in Arkansas.

Ross Halperin talks about his new book. A high-octane true-crime story, Bear Witness follows two Christians who refuse to let fear or conventional wisdom stand in the way of their altruistic mission.

Will Potter talks about his new book. He is an award-winning investigative journalist and TED Senior Fellow who exposes political repression and the erosion of civil liberties.

His reporting and commentary have appeared in The Washington Post, Foreign Policy, and Rolling Stone, and has helped overturn prosecutions and challenge censorship laws. He has been invited to testify before the U.S. Congress, the Australian Parliament, and the Council of Europe, advocating for protest rights and press freedom. 

Journalist Kevin Sack talks about his new book

Denzel Washington tells some truths about the Big Beautiful Bill

Denzel Washington

University of Texas at Austin Professor Peniel Joseph talks about his new book.

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Yale Professor Greg Grandin talks about his new book.