[Free eBook] The Political Origins of Inequality: Why a More Equal World Is Better for Us All by Simon Reid-Henry [Political Science History & Current Affairs]

The Political Origins of Inequality: Why a More Equal World Is Better for Us All by Simon Reid-Henry, a lecturer in geography (both historical and political) at the University of London, is his accessibly-written political history and analysis, free for a limited time courtesy of the University of Chicago Press.

This is their featured Free Book of the Month for June.

This book covers the historical roots leading to present-day global issues with development and various forms of inequality—economic, social, authoritative, and otherwise—between various groups, and also contains an exhortation to greater individual political awareness and action.

Offered worldwide through June, available directly from the university’s website.

[Free eBook] Hamsuns sultekunstner by Peer E. Sørenson [Norwegian Literature Study & Artistic Influence]

Hamsuns sultekunstner (Hamsun’s hunger artist) by Peer E. Sørenson, a professor emeritus from the Nordic Institute as well as Aarhus University, is his Danish-language book about Norwegian literature studies and international art history, free for a limited time courtesy of Aarhus University Press in Denmark.

This is their featured Danish-language Free Book of the Month selection for June. This lavishly-illustrated Danish-language book focuses on the late Norwegian Nobel Prize-winning author Knut Hamsun‘s famous novel Sult (Hunger) and its enduring artistic influence, which was international in scope and hailed as a precursor to certain 20th century modern literary styles.

Apparently this is specifically not an analysis of the actual novel, but instead concentrates on its reception and effect, which includes contributions to modernism & surrealism, and trickle-down influence on assorted later authors from around the world. It’s also illustrated with quite a lot of pictures of what are either artworks directly inspired by the novel and its themes, or the works of artists somehow influenced by it, in the author’s view.

Offered DRM-free worldwide through June, available directly from the university’s website.

[Free eBook] Mobile Bodies, Mobile Souls: Family, Religion and Migration in a Global World [Academic Anthropology & Culture Essays]

Mobile Bodies, Mobile Souls: Family, Religion and Migration in a Global World edited by Mikkel Rytter, a faculty member in the Department of Anthropology at Aarhus University, & Karen Fog Olwig, a professor in the Anthropology Institute at the University of Copenhagen is the is the 7th title in the in the Proceedings of the Danish Institute in Damascus series of mixed historical archaelogical and current cultural anthropology studies, free for a limited time courtesy of Aarhus University Press in Denmark.

This is their featured English-language Free Book of the Month selection for June. This volume contains ethnographic essays focusing on modern culture and the how the intermingling subtitular factors affect each other and shape the domestic and social lives of migrating persons.

The essays cover not only the experiences of immigrants from the Middle East to the Nordic countries, as one might expect, but also people in areas like the Caribbean and Peru, and focused subgroups such as women and the families of “guest workers” imported for labour who later became middle-class in ensuing generations.

Offered DRM-free worldwide through June, available directly from the university’s website.

[Free eBook] Limits by Larry Niven [Science Fiction & Fantasy & Essay Collection]

Limits by Larry Niven, a recent SFWA Grand Master Award recipient, is his vintage collection of mixed science fiction and fantasy tales and essays, free for a limited time courtesy of publisher Phoenix Pick Press.

This is their featured Free Book of the Month selection for June. This was originally published in 1985 by Ballantine’s Del Rey imprint and and placed 3rd in the 1986 Locus Award listings for Best Collection.

This collection includes several collaborations with other authors such as Jerry Pournelle and Steven Barnes and stories in his popular The Magic Goes Away shared universe setting.

Offered worldwide through June, available DRM-free directly from the publisher.

[Free Audiobooks] 2 free titles from AudioSYNC Summer of Reading [Young Adult, History, Fantasy, Comedy]

AudioFile’s SYNC Summer of Listening 2017 promotion for young adults continues, which offers 2 free audiobooks per week—1 classic or non-fiction, 1 modern—as free MP3 downloads, usually available worldwide (some titles are subject to geo-restrictions, and you can see the planned release schedule here).

This week’s two selected titles—which have a theme of witchcraft, both comedic and serious—, available until 7am Eastern Time on June 29th, are as follows:

• The Witches: Salem, 1692 by Stacey Schiff, is her meticulously-researched history, giving a dramatized recounting of the background and details of the Salem witch trials, and the factors and personalities involved as a group of adolescent girls sparked events with accusations, and the community’s panicked response; from Hachette Audio, read by Eliza Foss
• The Witch’s Vacuum Cleaner and Other Stories by Terry Pratchett is a posthumous collection of tween/YA-level short stories by the late grandmaster of humorously poignant fantasy, many written early in his career; from HarperAudio, read by actor Julian Rhind-Tutt

Offered as DRM-free MP3s through 7am Eastern Time on June 29th, available in selected countries worldwide (requires installing Overdrive Media console software on your PC, Mac, Android, or iDevice, and you need to finish downloading before the time limit).

[Free Audiobook] The Beach House by Jane Green [Contemporary Literary Novel]

The Beach House by English author Jane Green is her standalone contemporary/literary fiction novel, free for a limited time courtesy of publisher Penguin Random House Audio.

This is a heartwarming journey of self-discovery staycation novel with a touch of dramatic suspense, starring an older woman who has decided to open up her beach front home for summer rentals, to supplement her retirement income, and finds herself having unexpected experiences and potentially upsetting encounters with past acquaintances, as a result.

Offered worldwide until 12 PM Eastern Time on June 30th, available as a DRM-free MP4 download directly from the publisher and in their app.

[Free eBook] Swords Against Darkness [Sword & Sorcery Fantasy Anthology]

Swords Against Darkness credited to the late Robert E. Howard and edited by the late Andrew J. Offutt is the 1st volume in the Swords Against Darkness vintage anthology series of sword and sorcery fantasy, free for a limited time courtesy of publisher Endeavour Press’ Venture imprint.

This was originally published in 1977 by Kensington’s Zebra imprint, credited to editor Andrew J. Offutt only (the publication frontmatter for this volume appears to be slightly inaccurate, claiming a print date of 1974 from British publisher Robert Hale).

This anthology contains original sword & sorcery stories written in the vein of Robert E. Howard’s classic pulp fantasies, including a tale by Howard himself. Each story is prefaced by a special introduction, and contributors include notable authors such as SFWA Grand Master Poul Anderson, frequent British Fantasy Award horror awardee Ramsey Campbell, popular MilSF author David Drake, and more.

Offered worldwide, available at Amazon.

[Free eBook] Star Quest by Fenton Brockley [Science Fiction]

Star Quest by Fenton Brockley, a pseudonym for British author Donald S. Rowland, is his vintage science fiction space adventure with investigative mystery elements, free for a limited time courtesy of publisher Endeavour Press’ Venture imprint.

This was originally published in 1974 by Robert Hale.

The story involves a space mission to rescue an exploring starship gone unexpectedly incommunicado and disappeared, and a Lieutenant looking for his vanished crewmember brother, trying to find answers to a mystery which may be rooted in sabotage and misdeeds.

Offered worldwide, available at Amazon.

[Free eBook] London: A Concise History by Geoffrey Trease [History]

London: A Concise History: From the Romans to the Twentieth Century by the late British author Geoffrey Trease, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature who was known for his meticulous historical research and contributions to children’s literature, is his vintage place history, free for a limited time courtesy of publisher Endeavour Press.

This was originally published in 1975 by Thames and Hudson.

This history covers the founding and development of England’s capital city, from its earliest days as a Roman town, onward through to modern times (as of shortly after WWII), dwelling upon its assorted attractions and colourful inhabitants over the centuries.

Offered worldwide, available at Amazon.

[Free eBook] Three Great Impresarios: Emperors of Song by Freddie Stockdale [Opera Company Founders Biography]

Three Great Impresarios: Emperors of Song by British author Freddie Stockdale, the founder of a small opera touring company as well as a pseudonymous crime novelist, is his historical musical arts figure biography cum business history, free for a limited time courtesy of publisher Endeavour Press.

This was originally published in 1998 by John Murray.

This book presents a joint biography of three colourful musical history figures, Colonel James Mapleson, Oscar Hammerstein I, and John Christie, who were impresarios—private businessmen who established opera companies and employed the great stars of the day—during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, as they experienced both spectacular success and spectacular disaster with their assorted ambitious ventures.

Offered worldwide, available at Amazon.