Greg Grandin’s Fordlandia is reported to describe the rise and fall of Henry Ford’s Brazilian rubber plantation. In reality, Fordlandia is another striking example of the destruction and exploitation brought by capitalism.
reviews
Reviewing The Last Trial
Scott Turow’s The Last Trial is billed as the final courtroom battle of 85-year-old defense lawyer Alejandro (Sandy) Stern. As a fan of Turow’s novels and Stern, who has appeared in all of them, I was conflicted as I began the book. While I recognize characters, like real people, must retire and even die, I kept thinking of how Sandy would go out and what would be next for the franchise.
Reviewing Insomnia
I usually like Stephen King’s books. As a person waging a lifelong battle with insomnia, a book involving the insomnia of the main character interested me.
Reviewing Critical
Critical is the seventh book in Robin Cook’s Jack Stapleton & Laurie Montgomery series. I have now read the first seven books in the series. Like the first six, I found Critical both entertaining and somewhat educational.
Reviewing The People No
Thomas Frank’s The People No: A Brief History of Anti-Populism was an easy, entertaining read.
Reviewing the Price of Peace
The Price of Peace is Zachary Carter’s look at the life and ideas of economist John Maynard Keynes. While economics can often be a boring subject, I found The Price of Peace to be an important, educational read.
Reviewing the end of the Myth
Greg Grandin’s The end of the Myth: the frontier to the border wall in the mind of /America is the best look at the rise of so-called Trumpism I have read. Still, I think the book overcomplicates what is sadly too simple a reality.
Human nature is fundamentally selfish. Sure, there are people who don’t fall into the trap of selfishness, but most people are fundamentally selfish. The policies of nations, fueled by the rich and powerful, exploit the selfish, weak tendencies of most people to create societies based on division. As is hopefully obvious to most, by far the most common, brutal divisions stoked are race-based divisions. Throughout American history, The powerful have constantly stoke racial divisions, because a united people would reject the failed societies that give much to the few while forcing the rest to struggle.
Reviewing The Case for a Job Guarantee
Given my life experience as a blind person who tried finding work for years with no success, I’m predisposed to supporting a job guarantee. Still Pavlina Tcherneva’s The Case for a Job Guarantee was a great read.
Reviewing the Deficit Myth
Stephanie Kelton’s The Deficit Myth is one of the most thought-provoking books I have read in years. Setting aside the fact that this reality indicates I’m a nerd, The Deficit Myth is an important contribution to our understanding of the economy and government’s involvement in the economy.
Reviewing The Bird: The Life and Legacy of Mark Fydrich
Growing up in Massachusetts, I heard a little bit about Mark “the Bird” Fidrych I vaguely remember people talking about him talking to the ball. I remember people talking about his patting the dirt in front of the mound. Most of all, I remember people talking about the joy watching him pitch brought them.