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 Political/History Books, What are you reading? |
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  10th June 2020, 12:43 PM
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#1
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 Shakin Stevens
Joined: 29 December 2007
Posts: 46,150 User: 5,138 
  
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I did a MA in Politics and International Studies many moons ago and mainly read books about history and politics as opposed to fiction titles.
What do people on here read with regards to this? I'm currently reading 'Citizen Clem' a biography of one of my political heroes Clement Atlee. Written by John Bew and winner of the Orwell award in 2017 it's a fantastic read and would recommend to anyone! https://www.amazon.co.uk/Citizen-Clem-Biogr...ag=hydrukspg-21 This post has been edited by Steve201: 10th June 2020, 12:46 PM |
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10th June 2020, 01:01 PM
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 #38BBE0 otherwise known as 'sky blue'
Joined: 27 October 2008
Posts: 16,170 User: 7,561
  
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I recently read ‘Why We Get The Wrong Politicians’ by Isabel Hardman which was a really interesting read, and 'Another Day In The Death of America' by Gary Younge which is a really tough read and focusses primarily on gun violence looking at 10 young lives lost to it on one day (23 November 2013).
I will check that book out though Steve because I am a big fan of Atlee and what his governments of 1945-51 achieved, but have never really read into him that much. |
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10th June 2020, 05:39 PM
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#3
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Shakin Stevens
Joined: 29 December 2007
Posts: 46,150 User: 5,138
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QUOTE(Doctor Blind @ Jun 10 2020, 02:01 PM)  I recently read ‘Why We Get The Wrong Politicians’ by Isabel Hardman which was a really interesting read, and 'Another Day In The Death of America' by Gary Younge which is a really tough read and focusses primarily on gun violence looking at 10 young lives lost to it on one day (23 November 2013). I will check that book out though Steve because I am a big fan of Atlee and what his governments of 1945-51 achieved, but have never really read into him that much. Anything by Gary Younge is always pretty well written, always enjoy his Guardian articles especially on the US race issue. Yeh the Clem book is first class and so easy to read, I'm currently on the relationship with Churchill during the war hence my prolonged analysis in the other thread about Churchills European tendencies 😂 |
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10th June 2020, 07:55 PM
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#4
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Howdy, disco citizens
Joined: 16 January 2010
Posts: 12,775 User: 10,455
  
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A lot of the books I've read in the past few years have been those of a historical/political bent. I've mentioned a few of them before in the other thread (including that Isabel Hardman book - did you read it on my recommendation?). A few other books I've read recently on these topics are:
Small Men on the Wrong Side of History by Ed West - if I were to recommend one conservative writer that people of a liberal persuasion should read (which in Buzzjack terms, is basically everyone on this site bar me), then it would be Ed West. It's an interesting book where he looks at the history and development of conservative thought, why he believes he is one, and where he thinks its future lies (spoiler - he doesn't think it has much of a future, baring a massive plague). It's a fairly funny and humane book, and quite touching when he discusses his family and nearly losing his daughter. The Road To Wigan Pier by George Orwell - I'd always meant to get around to reading George Orwell's non-fiction, and when I heard James Bloodworth's wonderful "Hired" being compared favourably to this book, I picked it up. The first half of the book is an eye opening look at the life of the working classes in northern England in the 1930s, depicting the squalor of working class life in a world pre-welfare state & NHS, as well as the absolutely appalling working conditions that miners faced at the time (I got claustrophobia just reading the description of the workers' travels to the coalface. The 2nd half of the book is a series of musings on why Orwell, despite being a socialist, thinks that those working class people he thinks would benefit from it continually reject socialism. These chapters absolutely riled socialists at the time, and you can see why, and I do feel that if any would-be socialists wanted to convert people to their cause, they would be advised to read the book first to understand just why they will struggle to get them on side. Dominion by Tom Holland - a book that traces the history of Christianity from its roots right through to the present day, showing just how important Christianity was to the development of the Western world, and how every advancement has its antecedent in Christian roots. There's quite a lot of stories presented in the book that are quite prescient to today's world - one chapter mentions that a plague in 1348 was followed by the removal of statues from a long-begone time that offended their sensibilities. Plus ça change... I'd also say that the most important political book I've read in the past 10 years is The Righteous Mind by Jonathan Haidt, which is a primer in why "liberals" and "conservatives" disagree and how they can communicate and/or persuade the other better - basically because each set has a different set of moral foundations, any attempts at persuasion will need to be presented in a way that matches their moral framework ie arguments to a liberal should be framed in a way that highlights fairness and caring, whilst arguments meant to persuade a conservative should be framed in language emphasising order and loyalty. It's a book that should be handed out on the first day to anyone who is trying to become a persuader. |
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10th June 2020, 08:41 PM
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#5
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Shakin Stevens
Joined: 29 December 2007
Posts: 46,150 User: 5,138
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I must have a read at a few of these Brett, 'Dominion' especially looks an interesting read. I've read most of Orwells books except 'The Road to Wigan Pier' must find time for it. 'Down And Out In Paris' was a great read and 'Animal Farm' is one of my favourite fictions ever.
Anyone ever read 'Fame Is the Spur'? I purchased it on the back of its mention in 'Citizen Clem' is a fiction book about an ambitious socialist politician and said to be about Ramsay Mcadonald, Il let you know my thoughts when I read it. |
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21st June 2020, 08:35 AM
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#6
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BuzzJack Climber
Joined: 4 August 2012
Posts: 126 User: 17,441
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Hi mate, i have a degree in politics and international relations. I read lots of non fiction, history, political biographries etc. I am always intetested to know what others are reading.
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17th August 2020, 06:39 PM
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#7
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Shakin Stevens
Joined: 29 December 2007
Posts: 46,150 User: 5,138
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Not a book but just watched 'The Plot Against America' on Sky Atlantic based on the book of the same name and it was pretty good.
An alternate history about Lindenburgh becoming president ahead of FDR in 1940 and the consequences for the Jews after this. |
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8th September 2020, 02:28 PM
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#8
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#38BBE0 otherwise known as 'sky blue'
Joined: 27 October 2008
Posts: 16,170 User: 7,561
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Currently reading (from my Scotland retreat!) This Thing of Darkness which isn't political, it's historical - about the life of Robert Fitzroy who was famously the captain of HMS Beagle during Charles Darwin's famous voyage and founded the Met Office in 1854.
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8th September 2020, 09:11 PM
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Shakin Stevens
Joined: 29 December 2007
Posts: 46,150 User: 5,138
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Sounds like an interesting read DB!
I’m actually not reading a politics or history book I’m reading a book about ‘Irelands Frozen 47’ about the freezing winter of 1947! I’m also re reading my Masters Thesis 14 years after it was written lol - it’s about John Hume and his death made me want to read up on him again. |
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12th April 2021, 12:34 PM
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Shakin Stevens
Joined: 29 December 2007
Posts: 46,150 User: 5,138
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Started reading the new Owen Jojes book ‘Our Land’ and it’s excellent!
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29th May 2021, 09:12 AM
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#11
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Shakin Stevens
Joined: 29 December 2007
Posts: 46,150 User: 5,138
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QUOTE(Steve201 @ Jun 10 2020, 09:41 PM) I must have a read at a few of these Brett, 'Dominion' especially looks an interesting read. I've read most of Orwells books except 'The Road to Wigan Pier' must find time for it. 'Down And Out In Paris' was a great read and 'Animal Farm' is one of my favourite fictions ever. Anyone ever read 'Fame Is the Spur'? I purchased it on the back of its mention in 'Citizen Clem' is a fiction book about an ambitious socialist politician and said to be about Ramsay Mcadonald, Il let you know my thoughts when I read it. Just starting this now - ‘Fame Is The Spur’ by Howard Spring |
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26th August 2021, 06:22 AM
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 I'm a paragon so don't perceive me
Joined: 3 February 2011
Posts: 37,417 User: 12,929             
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I've been reading "Men Who Hate Women" by Laura Bates in the wake of the recent Plymouth attack.
Very interesting delve into the 'online manosphere' of women hatred that I know is out there but just can't fathom, and she does a great job of presenting why they do what they do and attempting to understand them while still of course horrified by their actions. |
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11th September 2021, 08:20 AM
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#13
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Shakin Stevens
Joined: 29 December 2007
Posts: 46,150 User: 5,138
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Anyone else get the Tribune magazine?
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22nd November 2021, 11:02 PM
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#14
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Shakin Stevens
Joined: 29 December 2007
Posts: 46,150 User: 5,138
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Now reading NYE the political biography of Nye Bevan written by the current shadow Home Secretary Nick Symonds!
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22nd November 2021, 11:03 PM
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Shakin Stevens
Joined: 29 December 2007
Posts: 46,150 User: 5,138
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Now reading NYE the political biography of Nye Bevan written by the current shadow Home Secretary Nick Symonds!
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30th December 2021, 09:35 PM
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#16
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Shakin Stevens
Joined: 29 December 2007
Posts: 46,150 User: 5,138
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Currently reading James O’Briens ‘How to be right in a world gone wrong’
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31st December 2021, 03:55 PM
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BuzzJack Platinum Member
Joined: 26 January 2021
Posts: 7,054 User: 122,344
 
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I read it a while ago now but Chasing The Scream by Johann Hari is a fascinating study on the history and failure of the War On Drugs!
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31st December 2021, 09:49 PM
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#18
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BuzzJack Legend
Joined: 7 March 2006
Posts: 22,001 User: 53
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Friedrick Hayek's The Road To Serfdom. Very interesting read.
Not really a political book but George Orwell's 1984 is good. We did the basics of it at 13 at school. This post has been edited by cider man: 1st January 2022, 12:24 PM |
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20th September 2023, 10:35 PM
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#19
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Shakin Stevens
Joined: 29 December 2007
Posts: 46,150 User: 5,138
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Currently reading Andrew Marrs ‘Making of Modern Britain’ it’s a great read so far and he makes history come to life with the stories he uses to tell the bigger picture history of the Era.
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25th September 2023, 05:42 PM
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 BuzzJack Legend
Joined: 13 April 2007
Posts: 36,668 User: 3,272
   
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I'm reading The Men Of 1924 by Peter Clark. It's about the first Labour government in the UK which took office in 1924, published to mark the centenary. It isn't actually published until next week but I have an advance copy as the author is my uncle. It's not at all heavy, so anyone interested in political history should enjoy not.
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