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rhosynmd's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
5.0
It’s all very well to know that “the pen is mightier than the sword” and “knowledge is power” aren’t really true, but understanding why you were led to believe these things in the first place is essential to really unlearning them. That’s what this book does.
rhythmvick's review against another edition
informative
medium-paced
3.5
An interesting book but, for me, not marked higher because I would have loved a deeper dive into any of the chapters. But a great entry to learn more about the lies that white cultures tell themselves about civilisation, and to challenge these dominant myths.
ecolh's review
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
Amazing book, I learnt so much and it did challenge me to thinkmore critically about my own views. The ONLY reason it's a 4.5 for me is because in the chapter about art, there's a view I don't agree with.
teatimewithliam's review against another edition
dark
informative
reflective
slow-paced
5.0
A fabulous read - Subhadra Das pulls double duty as both author and narrator to great effect. The Book effectively takes 10 ideas that are fundamental to Western ideology and peels them back without the pro-imperialism filter with which we were taught about these things in school.
Das is not afraid to fluster white readers (in fact, I'd say it's an intentional aim) who have strolled around the British Museum without giving due thought to the question 'I wonder if the people to whom these artefacts belong want their stuff back?' If you don't come away from this read enlightened, and more than a bit uncomfortable about the systemic injustices STILL embedded in the West...you should check yourself.
Das is not afraid to fluster white readers (in fact, I'd say it's an intentional aim) who have strolled around the British Museum without giving due thought to the question 'I wonder if the people to whom these artefacts belong want their stuff back?' If you don't come away from this read enlightened, and more than a bit uncomfortable about the systemic injustices STILL embedded in the West...you should check yourself.
nening's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
This was a really interesting and thought provoking listen, wonderfully read by it's authour Subhadra Das. I'm glad I have also bought the hardback edition as it enable me to go back and re-read sections for further consideration. The book covers a wide range of ideas which have served as an introduction to, or expanded a little on, many areas worthy of further consideration and investigation. I found this a perfect primer for who may not have previously considered just how much of our received ideas about western culture and society have been influenced by colonialism and capitalism, and a good insight into the work currently being done attempting to de-colonise our collections, and hopefully, eventually, our way of thinking in many areas of our lives. I look forward to more from this authour and highly recommend this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation, Racism, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Medical trauma, Cultural appropriation, Death, Medical content, and Slavery
Minor: Grief and Death of parent
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