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Good Books about Politics

droodzilla

droodzilla

pfm Member
I've been reading more books about politics recently. In the whirlwind of political rumour, gossip and speculation, I find that this is a way of keeping my bearings, deepening my understanding of the underlying issues, and reminding myself what's really at stake. If you feel overwhelmed by the daily Brexit show, I thoroughly recommend taking some time out with a good book. Maybe one of these:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1788732200/?tag=pinkfishmedia-21
A lucid argument for an NES and what it might look like. Even centrists might like this one.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1526127288/?tag=pinkfishmedia-21
Mythbusting about today's elites (they don't take risks, they're not innovative etc...).

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1781688133/?tag=pinkfishmedia-21
On the choices we now face.

Any recommendations?
 
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"Post War" Tony Judt. Gives 900 pages of historical background, for all of Europe, to what is happening today. Also very well written and entertaining reading.
 
collection of political essays by thomas frank:

Rendezvous with Oblivion: Reports from a Sinking Society

insightful and entertaining/humorous. he's a smart guy and excellent writer.

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https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077XL89ZM/?tag=pinkfishmedia-20
 
Noam Chomsky - Manufacturing Consent.

Essential reading IMHO. Largely about how the media shapes public opinion in the interests of the corporations that own them and how people are manipulated into supporting policies against their own interests. There’s also an excellent film with the same title.
 
There has to be some connection in the public penchant for political drama in book form and the ubiquity of TV crime shows, I just haven't figured it out.

Maybe it was the influence of my parents, but the whole Chomsky genre always seemed like a packaging of the obvious. The real mystery for me is how anyone immerses themselves in any political system and needs a book to tell them it's all a con.
 
As non sequiturs go, that thread title is up there. Catch 22 started all for me, but recently I thought Crick's 'defence of politics' was useful and Peter Hennessy's 'Whitehall' was a serious confirmation of what 'Yes Minsiter had been jokingly telling us for a decade.
 
Belated thanks for all the replies so far. Things got a little weird for me after I started the thread so I couldn't reply immediately. My main interest is in books that are somewhat analytical (as opposed to merely descriptive), and which shed light on the current state of politics in the UK. Having said that, I recently finished Owen Hatherley's Ministry of Nostalgia (about the use and abuse of appeals to "austerity nostalgia" by both the Left and the Right) and that's made me curious to read up on the British Empire and the shadow it casts over current politics (anyone for Brexit?!). Anyway, to reply to some of the suggestions...

PaulMB said:
"Post War" Tony Judt. Gives 900 pages of historical background, for all of Europe, to what is happening today. Also very well written and entertaining reading.
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I wasn't really looking for a history book, but this looks good and useful, so I've added it to my list.

Jim Audiomisc said:
Paul Mason
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His book Post-Capitalism is already on my pile.

vuk said:
collection of political essays by thomas frank:

Rendezvous with Oblivion: Reports from a Sinking Society

insightful and entertaining/humorous. he's a smart guy and excellent writer.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077XL89ZM/?tag=pinkfishmedia-20
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Looks good; maybe I'll start with his Listen Liberal. I'd also like to read some Chris Hedges at some point.

rbrown said:
Noam Chomsky - Manufacturing Consent.

Essential reading IMHO. Largely about how the media shapes public opinion in the interests of the corporations that own them and how people are manipulated into supporting policies against their own interests. There’s also an excellent film with the same title.
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Never read it, but I know I ought to...

gavreid said:
A classic in every way
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Another classic that I know I ought to read. It's just a matter of finding the time.

Seanm said:
Very good account of the obstacles a Corbyn government is likely to face:

https://www.orbooks.com/catalog/people-get-ready/

People Get Ready! by Christine Berry and Joe Guinan.
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It's become increasingly clear that getting a progressive Labour PM is when the real challenge begins, so this looks like essential reading.

Thanks again for the suggestions. Hopefully there will be a few more now the thread's back on the front page of the forum.
 
This site contains affiliate links for which pink fish media may be compensated.
Get some Orwell in...
- 1984 is double plus good.
- Animal Farm, because some animals are more equal than others.
Both fiction, but undoubtedly political.

I've also recently enjoyed:
- Long Walk to Freedom, Mandela's inspirational autobiography <-- This is what a true political legend looks like.
- The Adults in the Room, Yanis Varoufakis' revealing insider tale of his time as Greek Finance Minister.

Kind regards

- Garry
 
Last week I watched the film. The original one, from the 1950s. It isn't as good as the John Hurt adaptation or, of course, the book, but I still found it fascinating.

Apparently, the film was partly funded, in secret, by the CIA. (This isn't just one of those weird Internet conspiracy theories. It is backed up by a number of sources. In those days, the CIA was in full 'reds under the beds' mode, and believed the film would help educate people to the dangers of socialism.) Although they authoritarian movement headed by Big Brother was called the English Socialist Party, or IngSoc in Newspeak, Orwell was actually a keen supporter of the British Labour party. He made a clear distinction between democratic socialism and Soviet-style communism, which he considered a perversion.

Also, hate week reminded me of a few PFM off topic threads.

Kind regards

- Garry
 
Joe Hutch said:
'Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail' by Hunter S Thompson for an understanding of how US primaries work, and how evil usually triumphs over good in the end.
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All’s well that ends well, then.

Sounds in a similar vein to Primary Colors by Anonymous, loosely based upon Bill Clinton’s first presidential campaign.
 
rbrown said:
Noam Chomsky - Manufacturing Consent.

Essential reading IMHO. Largely about how the media shapes public opinion in the interests of the corporations that own them and how people are manipulated into supporting policies against their own interests. There’s also an excellent film with the same title.
Click to expand...

The film's on Youtube-

 
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