Poor Richard’s Books picks titles on politics and personal discovery

Each week as part of SunLit — The Sun’s literature section — we feature staff recommendations from book stores across Colorado. This week, the staff from Poor Richard’s Books in Colorado Springs recommends a primer on 20th century tyranny, a tale of finding oneself and a Grand Canyon adventure.

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From the publisher: Timothy Snyder’s��New York Times��bestseller��uses the darkest moments in 20th-century history, from Nazism to communism, to teach 20 lessons on resisting modern-day authoritarianism. Among the 20 include a warning to be aware of how symbols used today could affect tomorrow, an urgent reminder to research everything for yourself and to the fullest extent, a point to use personalized and individualized speech rather than clichéd phrases for the sake of mass appeal and more.

In this graphic edition, Nora Krug draws from her highly inventive art style in�� “Belonging”—at once a graphic memoir, collage-style scrapbook, historical narrative, and trove of memories—to breathe new life, color, and power into Snyder’s riveting historical references.

From Jeffery Payne, assistant retail manager: It seems that every new day I just keep shaking my head in disbelief. Politics, or lack thereof, is running amuck. It feels like common sense and good are dwindling at a rapid pace. And it’s only beginning…Timothy Snyder’s “On Tyranny Graphic Edition” brings imaginative and whimsical drawings by Nora Krug to his 2017 perennial bestseller, “On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century.” In this lively edition we are given thought provoking lessons or steps (some easy – some requiring strength of character and fortitude) on fighting authoritarianism. The illustrations amplify Snyder’s ominous words about our current political situation that he wrote about eight years ago. Eight!

It’s a compelling and essential handbook for today that carries a passionate notice of the importance of civil discussions and civic engagement in preserving constitutional rights and freedoms. Given that my livelihood is word-centric and knowing the power of the written form, I am partial to lessons 9 and 17 – Be Kind to Our Language  & Listen for Dangerous Words. All lessons presented should be heeded though.

Despite fear and consequences, we sometimes need to take action.

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From the publisher: Danny is spending his 16th summer in Rome. As his mother spends the day at work in a mysterious museum, he wanders the ancient sites and streets. Soon after his arrival, he encounters a shadow… who becomes a voice… who becomes a boy his age. Angelo.

Soon Danny and Angelo are spending as much time as they can together, piecing together stories of the city while only gradually letting their own histories be shared. Attraction leads to affection, and affection leads to both an intimate closeness and a profound fear of what happens next.

From Jeffery Payne, assistant retail manager: Do not casually flip through the illustrations in the first part of Brian Selznick’s latest treasure. Take your time, look closely at the incredible penciled drawings, don’t hurry, you will miss parts of the story, and make sure you go back to the illustrations while reading…things fall into place.��

This is a tale about two young lads who find themselves finding themselves. A story about leaning in, trusting without knowing, tossing aside what the grownups will say or do. It’s about discovering a secret, within a secret, and keeping it secret. It’s about wonder, imagination and love. The writing is tender and playful with angst and joy leaping out of the pages. The two have the summer together in Rome, during the ’80s, and it’s passing by too quickly. Each chapter begins with how many days are left for them both and it’s brutal and brilliant at the same time. By the time you get to the chapter with three days left…your heart is beating a little quicker than usual. 

Given today’s climate regarding meaningful and beautifully written books being taboo, I can already see this stunning book jumping to the top of those banned book lists…and that in itself will make it an even more tremendous and necessary novel to read.

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From the publisher: Two friends, zero preparation, one dream.��A few years after quitting his job to follow an ill-advised dream of becoming a guide on the Colorado River, Kevin Fedarko was approached by his best friend,��National Geographic��photographer Pete McBride, with a vision as bold as it was harebrained. Together, they would embark on an end-to-end traverse of the Grand Canyon, a journey that, McBride promised, would be “a walk in the park.” Against his better judgment, Fedarko agreed, unaware that the small cluster of experts who had completed the crossing billed it as “the toughest hike in the world.”

The ensuing ordeal, which lasted more than a year, revealed a place that was deeper, richer, and far more complex than anything the two men had imagined—and came within a hair’s breadth of killing them both.

From Jeffery Payne, assistant retail manager: Several years ago, I lived somewhat near the Grand Canyon. Any visitors would use the house as a jumping off spot to see the massive spectacle. I have been there more times than I can remember. I have had the privilege to experience it on a cool spring morning before the rush of tourists invade the quiet. Witnessed a summer monsoon storm tiptoe its way from the North Rim across the immense divide toward the South Rim. Shivered during a snow squall while sitting just outside the entrance of the El Tovar Hotel.��

I have also noticed an amazing amount of stupidity when the great crowds of sightseers ignore signs and climb over the rails to get a closer look at the edge. Watched flatlanders, in flip-flops and with no water, think they would be able to “make a quick trip” to the bottom and back. It’s no wonder that an average of 12 people a year die in this park. 

That being said, Fedarko’s “A Walk in the Park,” shares an experience that few have had, or had the wherewithal to do — or maybe had the smarts not to do. With exuberance ,Fedarko and friend set off on what begins as a misguided adventure to hike the colossal canyon. With a bit of wry humor, personal narrative and cultural perspectives, we learn the complicated histories of those who have dwelled within the land for centuries and of those who have tried to tame it unsuccessfully. We feel the grit of the gravel underfoot, the heat bouncing off the tall rock walls and the respect building with each footstep.��

Smartly written and long listed for the 2025 Reading the West Book Awards, “A Walk in the Park” highlights the great need to preserve the vast complex landscape for eons to come. 

Type of Story: Review

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