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amonum's reviews
76 reviews
Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse
4.0
I never thought I would vibe like this with such a spiritual text but I loved it nonetheless. Wisdom can never be communicated but only earned through the journey
Dead Aid: Why Aid Is Not Working and How There Is a Better Way for Africa by Dambisa Moyo
4.0
7/10
Dead Aid is a provocative and controversial book that challenges the conventional wisdom on foreign aid and development in Africa. The Zambian-born author is an economist who worked at the World Bank and Goldman Sachs. She argues that aid has not only failed to reduce poverty and promote growth in Africa, but has actually made the continent worse off by creating dependency, corruption, and inefficiency.
Moyo presents a compelling case against aid, drawing on historical examples, empirical evidence, and logical arguments. She shows how aid has distorted the incentives of both donors and recipients, undermined the accountability of governments and institutions, and crowded out other sources of financing and investment. She also exposes the flaws and biases of the aid industry, which she claims is driven by self-interest, ideology, and ignorance.
Moyo does not deny that Africa faces serious challenges and needs assistance, but she proposes a different way of financing development that does not rely on aid or aid-related assistance. She suggests that Africa should tap into other sources of capital, such as trade, foreign direct investment, remittances, microfinance, and capital markets. She also advocates for reforms in governance, institutions, and policies that would enable Africa to attract and retain these alternative sources of funding.
Moyo's book is not without its limitations and criticisms. Some of her arguments are oversimplified, exaggerated, or inconsistent. For example, she blames aid for Africa's poor performance, but ignores other factors such as geography, history, culture, and external shocks. She also praises countries like China and India for their economic success without aid, but overlooks their social and environmental problems. Moreover, some of her proposals are unrealistic, impractical, or risky. For instance, she suggests that Africa should cut off all aid within five years, but does not address the potential consequences or challenges of such a drastic move.
This is a bold and provocative book that challenges us to rethink our assumptions and attitudes about aid and development not only in Africa but also in other places. It offers a fresh perspective and a new vision for how Africa can achieve economic growth and poverty reduction without reliance on foreign aid. It is a good-read for anyone interested in or concerned about Africa's future.
Dead Aid is a provocative and controversial book that challenges the conventional wisdom on foreign aid and development in Africa. The Zambian-born author is an economist who worked at the World Bank and Goldman Sachs. She argues that aid has not only failed to reduce poverty and promote growth in Africa, but has actually made the continent worse off by creating dependency, corruption, and inefficiency.
Moyo presents a compelling case against aid, drawing on historical examples, empirical evidence, and logical arguments. She shows how aid has distorted the incentives of both donors and recipients, undermined the accountability of governments and institutions, and crowded out other sources of financing and investment. She also exposes the flaws and biases of the aid industry, which she claims is driven by self-interest, ideology, and ignorance.
Moyo does not deny that Africa faces serious challenges and needs assistance, but she proposes a different way of financing development that does not rely on aid or aid-related assistance. She suggests that Africa should tap into other sources of capital, such as trade, foreign direct investment, remittances, microfinance, and capital markets. She also advocates for reforms in governance, institutions, and policies that would enable Africa to attract and retain these alternative sources of funding.
Moyo's book is not without its limitations and criticisms. Some of her arguments are oversimplified, exaggerated, or inconsistent. For example, she blames aid for Africa's poor performance, but ignores other factors such as geography, history, culture, and external shocks. She also praises countries like China and India for their economic success without aid, but overlooks their social and environmental problems. Moreover, some of her proposals are unrealistic, impractical, or risky. For instance, she suggests that Africa should cut off all aid within five years, but does not address the potential consequences or challenges of such a drastic move.
This is a bold and provocative book that challenges us to rethink our assumptions and attitudes about aid and development not only in Africa but also in other places. It offers a fresh perspective and a new vision for how Africa can achieve economic growth and poverty reduction without reliance on foreign aid. It is a good-read for anyone interested in or concerned about Africa's future.
Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
4.0
3.5/5
Even though the already existing society of these African tribes weren't perfect but they were forced to change it completely by European Colonisers. Things would have been way better if indigenous people reformed themselves by founding their own ways rather than getting forced upon by Foreigners
Even though the already existing society of these African tribes weren't perfect but they were forced to change it completely by European Colonisers. Things would have been way better if indigenous people reformed themselves by founding their own ways rather than getting forced upon by Foreigners
The Story of Philosophy: The Lives and Opinions of the Greater Philosophers by Will Durant
3.0
Good beginner if you are new to philosophy but it has obviously many flaws and wrong interpretations with bias of author apparent in many cases. E.g His dislike for Hegel
The Murder of History: A Critique of History Textbooks Used in Pakistan by K.K. Aziz
4.0
A good read on history of fabrication of history of Pakistan. I would advise all the readers to skim through chapter 1 because it mainly tells us about mistakes and lies in text books making it too much repetitive but in other chapters not all author corrects them he also mentions what should be taught while explaining why such blunders were purposefully done
The Grand Inquisitor: with related chapters from The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky, Charles B. Guignon
5.0
Masterpiece within a masterpiece
The Overcoat by Nikolai Gogol
4.0
Sometimes all you need is an overcoat to have a meaning of your life but if it's taken away nothing can fill it
India Wins Freedom: The Complete Version by Abul Kalam Azad
4.0
Being born in Pakistan means that you only read your side of history and especially being born a Muslim you get indoctrinated with the point of view that Pakistan was the truth for all the Muslims of India and those he rejected it got proven wrong. Abul Kalam Azad is the symbol of Muslims that remained on the other side of the boarder & he gets the most criticism whenever any tragedy happens to Muslims of India.
But this book challenges all such ideas and not only it gives the Congress perspective it also gives comprehensive viewpoint of Azad. Going through his ideas and predictions one can clearly see how history has vindicated him. 8.5/10
But this book challenges all such ideas and not only it gives the Congress perspective it also gives comprehensive viewpoint of Azad. Going through his ideas and predictions one can clearly see how history has vindicated him. 8.5/10
Free Will by Sam Harris
4.0
A series of events that starts from YouTube recommending me videos of Cosmic Skeptic ended up with me reading this book and writing this review shows that I would have never read this book if circumstances where different even slightly thus proving that Free Will is an illusion. The only thing this book is missing that Sam should have explained some points more otherwise it's a good precise read