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huerca_armada's reviews
73 reviews
A People's History of the French Revolution by Eric Hazan
5.0
An intimate look at France in the years leading up to, during, and the immediate post-aftermath the Revolution, terminating with Thermidor and the ascent of Napoleon, Hazan has managed to craft a work that is a deep look at all the constituent causes for the events of 1789 and after. While splitting focus between the intrigues of the nascent legislative Assemblies that made up the core of the early revolutionary government, and that of the Committee of Public Safety, Hazan makes good on the title's promise and openly recounts the often ignored mass action in reshaping France. From the storming of the Bastille, the burning of the chateaux, the crisis between country and church, the war in the Vendee, and other points, an effective narrative is presented that is easy to follow and digest even if one has only a brief passing with French history. Highly recommended.
Debt: The First 5,000 Years by David Graeber
5.0
"But they'd borrowed the money! Surely one has to pay back their debts?"
Tracing the lineage of money, currency, financial instruments, and the titular point of the book in front of you is no small feat. But it is with these words that the late David Graeber uses to open up the multitude of questions will become the nexus of his book. What is money? How have institutions of slavery, conquest, organized religion, and state power created and encouraged the development of money, markets, and debt? And what even is debt anyways? What is it really?
Graeber deftly weaves a narrative that stretches from ancient Sumer up and through the conquests of Rome, the Medieval dark ages, the Spanish (and later, others') invasion of the Americas, the Victorian and post-World War eras, and culminating in the 2008 financial crisis. Touching upon disparate elements and cultural touchpoints from every continent, Graeber demythologizes "the markets" in every form and assumption that they have taken on through the centuries. Though the daunting concepts of virtual credit, financial instruments, debasement of currency, and others may make many curl their toes at the thought of it, Graeber never once barrages the reader with overly complicated terminology.
Almost a decade on from its first publication, it remains pointedly poignant, all the more necessary with each passing year. A must-read for anyone hoping to understand the threads of history history which have defined (and continue to define) our lives.
Tracing the lineage of money, currency, financial instruments, and the titular point of the book in front of you is no small feat. But it is with these words that the late David Graeber uses to open up the multitude of questions will become the nexus of his book. What is money? How have institutions of slavery, conquest, organized religion, and state power created and encouraged the development of money, markets, and debt? And what even is debt anyways? What is it really?
Graeber deftly weaves a narrative that stretches from ancient Sumer up and through the conquests of Rome, the Medieval dark ages, the Spanish (and later, others') invasion of the Americas, the Victorian and post-World War eras, and culminating in the 2008 financial crisis. Touching upon disparate elements and cultural touchpoints from every continent, Graeber demythologizes "the markets" in every form and assumption that they have taken on through the centuries. Though the daunting concepts of virtual credit, financial instruments, debasement of currency, and others may make many curl their toes at the thought of it, Graeber never once barrages the reader with overly complicated terminology.
Almost a decade on from its first publication, it remains pointedly poignant, all the more necessary with each passing year. A must-read for anyone hoping to understand the threads of history history which have defined (and continue to define) our lives.
The Monster at Our Door: The Global Threat of Avian Flu by Mike Davis
3.0
An interesting look into the world of avian influenzas and the other branches of the influenza families. While quite pertinent for the modern age, some of the examples are a little dated and written with a sharp flair for the dramatic... perhaps too much so, to the point where it feels like I'm reading a Tom Clancy novel at points.
I will say that the points that I enjoyed the most about this were the case studies of SARS-1 in 2003, the failures of administrations not just in America but in other places to consider or respond to the threats of pandemic influenzas until they were already spreading rapidly. In particular, the points regarding the disaster capitalism methods of not only Thai-based large poultry companies, but also US ones as well, to seize upon the aftermath of outbreaks to further centralize their control over a production market was fascinating. Its well worth it particularly for the latter half of the book's details going into the nascent failures of the modern healthcare industry (and its reshuffling into more business rather than a public service) and what this might mean for us moving forward.
I will say that the points that I enjoyed the most about this were the case studies of SARS-1 in 2003, the failures of administrations not just in America but in other places to consider or respond to the threats of pandemic influenzas until they were already spreading rapidly. In particular, the points regarding the disaster capitalism methods of not only Thai-based large poultry companies, but also US ones as well, to seize upon the aftermath of outbreaks to further centralize their control over a production market was fascinating. Its well worth it particularly for the latter half of the book's details going into the nascent failures of the modern healthcare industry (and its reshuffling into more business rather than a public service) and what this might mean for us moving forward.
The Search For Modern China by Jonathan D. Spence
4.0
A sprawling, expansive retelling of China's history from the late Ming to the verge of the new millenium, Spence has created THE text on China. It is an essential reading for anyone wishing to trace the path that China has taken, from enormous social upheavals, clashes with domestic and foreign powers, and the struggle to modernize a country so long kept under the thumb of imperialism.
Spence's efforts include frequent interspersing of anecdotes, popular accounts, and reflections not just from the Qing bureaucracy, Guomindang leaders, or Maoist cadres, but from the vast base of those outside of that framework that demonstrate the tensions inherent to state power and the people. Though covering a broad swathe of Chinese history, it is only rarely a struggle to continue reading due to the dryness of the economic situations or immense tabulatory charts and figures. Spence's deft hand manages to make even these interesting, however, in detailing the missteps and the successes of all those involved.
For those with a baseline understanding of modern Chinese history, Spence's text will be invaluable to expanding that field of knowledge and cannot be recommended enough.
Spence's efforts include frequent interspersing of anecdotes, popular accounts, and reflections not just from the Qing bureaucracy, Guomindang leaders, or Maoist cadres, but from the vast base of those outside of that framework that demonstrate the tensions inherent to state power and the people. Though covering a broad swathe of Chinese history, it is only rarely a struggle to continue reading due to the dryness of the economic situations or immense tabulatory charts and figures. Spence's deft hand manages to make even these interesting, however, in detailing the missteps and the successes of all those involved.
For those with a baseline understanding of modern Chinese history, Spence's text will be invaluable to expanding that field of knowledge and cannot be recommended enough.
The Jakarta Method: Washington's Anticommunist Crusade and the Mass Murder Program That Shaped Our World by Vincent Bevins
5.0
A gripping look into the covert efforts of the CIA and the far-reaching implications of a world crusade against communism that dominated the Cold War. Bevins does an excellent job in tying connections between the far-flung locales of Jakarta, Brasilia, Sao Paolo, Santiago, and (of course) Washington. While light on the personal accounts of horror and brutality experienced by many during the course of events outlined, Bevins gives an unflinching look into the thoughts and minds of policy-makers in the West as brutal anticommunist purges are being carried out.
The Assassination Complex: Inside the Government's Secret Drone Warfare Program by Jeremy Scahill
3.0
On Guerrilla Warfare by Samuel B. Griffith, Mao Zedong
3.0
While those looking for a field manual on the titular subject will be sorely disappointed in the actual content (much of which is unique to the time in which it was written), there's still a lot to glean from the text. Make no mistake; Mao's writing is blunt and to the point, eschewing eloquence for an organizational program that is easily digestible for masses of readers. While of limited use to anyone who is not currently involved in a Chinese United Front struggling against Japanese occupation, On Guerrilla Warfare is a window into the mindset of Mao and others like him, both from a revolutionary and nationalist perspective. It traces organizational strategies that the Chinese Red Army successfully utilized from their infancy in the Jiangxi Soviet, through their most tenuous circumstances of the Long March to Yan'an, through the Sino-Japanese War and which you can see the outlines of their successes against the Guomindang/Nationalist forces in the Civil War.
A good supplement to other materials on Mao and China from this period overall, but should not be taken in isolation given that it is very much a particular text written for a particular time. Recommended for those with a more focused interest in Mao from this period; otherwise, most of what is written here is incorporated in broader texts that will give you the highlights in fewer words.
A good supplement to other materials on Mao and China from this period overall, but should not be taken in isolation given that it is very much a particular text written for a particular time. Recommended for those with a more focused interest in Mao from this period; otherwise, most of what is written here is incorporated in broader texts that will give you the highlights in fewer words.