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199 reviews by:
samdalefox
adventurous
challenging
funny
informative
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
A beautifully bizarre little book. It's a mixture of mathematics, philosophy, and commentary on social society (classism and sexism) all whilst telling quite an engaging story about inter-dimensional travel through the 'eye' of Mr. A. Square. I found it hopeful and heartwarming as well as academically interesting. Its key message was to encourage people to imagine things beyond their immediate experience of the world.
Don't let the mathsy nature put you off. Abbott writes very clearly and describes complex geomtry by putting you in the position of the protagonist (the Square). It's genuinely interesting seeing things from his point of view. The progression of his story can nicely lead the reader to apply the same logic to their own experience living in three dimensions, and question the potential limitations of their experience.
My favourite chapter was the one on the history of colour in Flatland. How it was used for practical and personal reasons, how it led to political and societal turmoil and rebellion and ultimately suppression. I think it is truly one of the best pieces of writing I've ever read, completely deserving of the term genius.
Don't let the mathsy nature put you off. Abbott writes very clearly and describes complex geomtry by putting you in the position of the protagonist (the Square). It's genuinely interesting seeing things from his point of view. The progression of his story can nicely lead the reader to apply the same logic to their own experience living in three dimensions, and question the potential limitations of their experience.
My favourite chapter was the one on the history of colour in Flatland. How it was used for practical and personal reasons, how it led to political and societal turmoil and rebellion and ultimately suppression. I think it is truly one of the best pieces of writing I've ever read, completely deserving of the term genius.
challenging
dark
informative
medium-paced
This is a hugely important book for anyone interested in 1) protest, 2) police reform or abolition, and 3) UK politics. It deserves to be much more widely read. The book is written by Matt Foot (an experienced criminal defence solicitor) and Morag Livingstone (an experienced investigative journalist). The book covers the topic of policing protest in the UK from the 1980s through to 2019. It focuses on a different protest in each chapter, working in chronology from the 80s to the modern day, highlighting changing attitude within the law, the policing manual, the public, and the media to protest. It covers controversial topics such as the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act, The Territorial Support Group (TSG), Special Patrol Group (SPG), and police tactics such as spy cops and Kettling.
What makes the book particuarly powerful is not only the experienced analysis of the writers, but the way they meticulously reference from credible sources, even stating in shocking cases where certain documents cannot be referenced or analysd because they have not yet been made public i.e., The police's The Public Order Manual, which has never been ratified by Parliament. Many of the examples (again, all evidenced properly) highlight that we have a corrupt policeforce, government, and judiciary system that supports the capitalist class (land owners, press barons, and the interests of rich people) and actively suppresses protest.
There are plenty of examples of 'old boys' classist and racist behaviour. There are no examples where the police, judges, or government officials experience consequences for their actions. However, there are plenty of protester who have experienced life long injustices, injuries, and in some cases, death from the disproportionately violent action/inaction of these people in positions of power. We must remember these examples as the tactics of protest develops. We must continue to ask what role the police should play, if any, in civil society. Who are they protecting and from what? Who controls them and for whose benefit.
A summary of chapters/protests covered:
Part I - Thatcher
What makes the book particuarly powerful is not only the experienced analysis of the writers, but the way they meticulously reference from credible sources, even stating in shocking cases where certain documents cannot be referenced or analysd because they have not yet been made public i.e., The police's The Public Order Manual, which has never been ratified by Parliament. Many of the examples (again, all evidenced properly) highlight that we have a corrupt policeforce, government, and judiciary system that supports the capitalist class (land owners, press barons, and the interests of rich people) and actively suppresses protest.
There are plenty of examples of 'old boys' classist and racist behaviour. There are no examples where the police, judges, or government officials experience consequences for their actions. However, there are plenty of protester who have experienced life long injustices, injuries, and in some cases, death from the disproportionately violent action/inaction of these people in positions of power. We must remember these examples as the tactics of protest develops. We must continue to ask what role the police should play, if any, in civil society. Who are they protecting and from what? Who controls them and for whose benefit.
A summary of chapters/protests covered:
Part I - Thatcher
- Warrington 1983
- Orgreave 1984
- Stonehenge 1985
- Wapping 1987
- Anti-Poll tax protest 1990
Part II - Major
- Welling 1993
- Park Lane 1994
Part III - New Labour (Blair and Brown)
- May Day protest 2001
- G8 Gelneagles 2005
- G20 protest 2009
Part IV - Austerity (Coalition onwards)
- Student fees protest 2010
- State of play (more current events)
Some favourite quotes
"If you believe in a police force operating in a democracy, they must operate within the law, otherwise you do not have policing by consent; you have a different form of policing" - DCC Readhead
"The police can call on the army to support them in peacetime under a process known as MACP, Military Aid to the Civil Power. They had done so overtly in ‘no less than 36 industrial disputes since 1945".
As ‘Thatcher’s Britain’ becomes more unpleasant, more violent and more brutal, there are those in authority who see increased use of the police as the remedy to social problems and industrial disputes. They want to transform the nature of the police service and to escalate its use of force … Instead of the neighbourhood bobby or the citizen in uniform, we are to have a paramilitary force to suppress the symptoms of social stress caused by Government policy. - Ron Leighton MP
"To some extent it is arguable that following the student tuition fees demonstration of 2010 the state achieved its aim. Over the next decade there was no mass protest on the same scale that involved confrontation with the police. However, more recently, mass movements have grown around wider social issues challenging the devastation of the environment, racism and sexism. The response of the police and the state to these movements has been no less significant in suppressing dissent."...
"Over the years police and government have often justified robust policing on the basis they were dealing with a violent minority – but by 2019, peaceful protests had become the subject of large-scale police operations"...
"This state creep was followed by a move towards totalitarianism with the introduction in 2021 of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, including sweeping provisions that can outlaw any assemblies and processions deemed ‘noisy’ or which might cause ‘serious unease, alarm or distress."
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Glorious comic book. If you like the TV series, you'll like the comic books. The first two volumes follow Rick & Morty from dimension C-132, then from volume three onwards they follow R&M from dimension C-137 (the TV series characters). It has the same snappiness and sarcasticness of jokes and the same genre of storylines. It has in-jokes referencing characters from the TV series. And it even has mini comic strip shorts at the end like they do after the credits on the show! I laughed out loud several times whilst reading.
I bought the entire Rick and Morty comic book series to read during their Series 6 mid-season break in 2022. I've found that R&M is one of the only lighthearted stupid thing (media wise) that helps my depression. It's definitely still got that delicous streak of darkness in it, but somehow that makes me feel better not worse. Like it's recognising the horrible meaningless of life instead of brushing over it.
I won't rate all of the comic book individualy because from the first three volumes they're all just as spectacular as the TV series and I don't want to skew my stats because of the volume of high rating for R&M. In short, glorious, I love them, wish they continued publishing them but understand why they didn't; to keep the cannon as tidy as possible for a concept like this.
I bought the entire Rick and Morty comic book series to read during their Series 6 mid-season break in 2022. I've found that R&M is one of the only lighthearted stupid thing (media wise) that helps my depression. It's definitely still got that delicous streak of darkness in it, but somehow that makes me feel better not worse. Like it's recognising the horrible meaningless of life instead of brushing over it.
I won't rate all of the comic book individualy because from the first three volumes they're all just as spectacular as the TV series and I don't want to skew my stats because of the volume of high rating for R&M. In short, glorious, I love them, wish they continued publishing them but understand why they didn't; to keep the cannon as tidy as possible for a concept like this.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Usually when I read raved about books that I'm late to the party for, I'm underwhelmed. BUT THIS BOOK DELIVERED. I'm happy to have read this as part of my first buddy read too!
It's the first time in ages that I've stayed up all night because I can't put a book down. I read it in two sittings. The first half is pretty steady but then the second half just delivers twist after twist and I didn't guess the ending at all. It reminded me of the joy I had experienced as a kid/teenager when reading a suspensful story that I was fully invested in. I rarely find that these days, so I'm delighted at this 50p charity shop find.
The book is a wonderful character study of male entitlement, ego, and the uses and misuses of psychotherapy and the easy abuse of power in healthcare hierachial and patriarchal structures. I am wary of dramatised sterotypes of mental illness and mental illness treatment, since they're often unrepresentative and harmful, however this is the first instance I found reading fiction centered on these themes truly enjoyable.
It's the first time in ages that I've stayed up all night because I can't put a book down. I read it in two sittings. The first half is pretty steady but then the second half just delivers twist after twist and I didn't guess the ending at all. It reminded me of the joy I had experienced as a kid/teenager when reading a suspensful story that I was fully invested in. I rarely find that these days, so I'm delighted at this 50p charity shop find.
The book is a wonderful character study of male entitlement, ego, and the uses and misuses of psychotherapy and the easy abuse of power in healthcare hierachial and patriarchal structures. I am wary of dramatised sterotypes of mental illness and mental illness treatment, since they're often unrepresentative and harmful, however this is the first instance I found reading fiction centered on these themes truly enjoyable.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Xenophobia, Stalking, Abandonment
Minor: Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is not my usual genre, but I picked it up in a charity shop for some diversity and as a light read. I would say it's thoroughly average. Average plot; predictable but with some minor twists that were mildly interesting. Average character; a little bit more fleshed out than a sterotype. Average character development; even though Susan the protagonist learns a lot, it seemed subconscious and passive rather than active and acknowledged. I didn't particuarly like the inference that Susan's development was for the better when it was clearly evidenced that she was happy as herself before too.
dark
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I almost did not finish (DNF) this book. Of the genre, 'post-apocolyptic societal collapse' this one feels more relevant reading in 2022 since the cause of the collapse in the book is due to a pandemic. I suppose it's also one of the more hopeful post-societal collapse books since the ending focuses on human's curiosity and capactity to invent e.g. they rediscovered how to generate electricity and a key theme of the book is the motto of the travelling symphony: "Because survival is insufficient" (nicked from Star Trek).
I've bullet pointed the key themes below, if any of these sound interesting to you, you may enjoy this book. The reason I've rated it so low is because I simply didn't enjoy it. I didn't find the story novel or interesting. I didn't find the device of linking all of the named characters back to Arthur Leander interesting or additive. I didn't find Arthur Leander likable or interesting. I only continued reading is because I wanted to add it to my reading goal for this year, which I'm currently a little behind on. Station Eleven itself refers to a comic book which was relatively more interesting. The author should have focused on writing that instead.
Key themes:
I've bullet pointed the key themes below, if any of these sound interesting to you, you may enjoy this book. The reason I've rated it so low is because I simply didn't enjoy it. I didn't find the story novel or interesting. I didn't find the device of linking
Key themes:
- The role of the arts and how to thrive rather than just survive. Trying to cultivate curiosity in education, learning, medicine, music, and other trades and skills that are not directly related to survival but enrich the human life and require dedicated time to improve.
- The impact of lost knowledge (practical and theortical)
- "Adulthood is full of ghosts." The disappointment of the capitalist trap. People don't realise that they're unhappy and have a deep want to do anything else. The book explicitly describes people in the 'before' world as "sleepwalkers" who are "minimally present in the world". Happiness/contentness = distraction in this system. People think work is meant to feel this way i.e. exhausting and unfufilling.
- People imagine saviours. People can't imagine self (group) sufficiency and mutal aid.
- Relevance to the climate crisis - the characters in the book are still scavenging 20 years 'after', they are still dependant upon the old unsustainable society, no new stable and sustainable one has been built. This highlights the importance of an early transition and cooperation. It highlights the dangers of hierachial power structure like religion through
Tyler's development into The Prophet . It also details some more practical consequences from societal collapse with a huge loss in population that should scare people e.g., the fall of the pharmaceutical industry, meaning that there is no access to or new production of medications. - Disability theory, Frank and his wheelchair how would he cope in the new world vs the old world.
- Highlights how lucky we are to live with advanced communications and transport technology. We should not take these for granted.
- People's need for meaning, purpose, and structure, misplacing that in 'god' and religion as exemplified through
Elizabeth - The essentialness of human contact, we are social animals
- The role of knowing history. "Does knowing these things make them more or less happy"? History has importance beyond making us happy or not.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I adored every single story. I adore Tiptree's insight and writing style. She was truly a trailblazer in fusing “hard” science fiction (physics, technology, biology) with the sociological and psychological ideas of “soft” science fiction. Tiptree was also a master in exploring the vantage point of the other, the female, and the alien. Her work is insightful and prophetic and we can continue to learn from her.
Tiptree’s science fiction stories tend to be dark and pessimistic, often exploring the inexorable force of biological determinism and the futility of existence as self-aware individuals. Her tales force me to wonder: Are we as human beings ultimately slaves to our biology? Despite our intelligence, are we doomed to behave like other creatures, to overwhelm the carrying capacity of our surroundings until we experience precipitous plunges in population as a species? Her stories carry consistent themes exploring climate crisis, human exceptionalism, and feminism and is intersectional in surprising ways for the time period Tiptree was writing in.
Each short story is completely unique, and I can see direct influences upon more recently written science fiction stories. No matter their length, I always feel like I've been dropped right into the middle of a complete and vivid world, and I'm just trying to catch up and understand what I'm witnessing. Many stories I was shocked at, a few I cried, all were impactful and will stay with me in some way. They are certainly not easy reads, each have several points that prompt thought and discussion.
I won't bore everyone with my extensive notes list on each short story, I'll merely post a list of the titles included in this collection. I can't specify my favourites because they truly all are spectacular. If you love science fiction and/or feminism, I beg you to read this collection.
Her Smoke Rose up Forever collection includes the following short stories:
Tiptree’s science fiction stories tend to be dark and pessimistic, often exploring the inexorable force of biological determinism and the futility of existence as self-aware individuals. Her tales force me to wonder: Are we as human beings ultimately slaves to our biology? Despite our intelligence, are we doomed to behave like other creatures, to overwhelm the carrying capacity of our surroundings until we experience precipitous plunges in population as a species? Her stories carry consistent themes exploring climate crisis, human exceptionalism, and feminism and is intersectional in surprising ways for the time period Tiptree was writing in.
Each short story is completely unique, and I can see direct influences upon more recently written science fiction stories. No matter their length, I always feel like I've been dropped right into the middle of a complete and vivid world, and I'm just trying to catch up and understand what I'm witnessing. Many stories I was shocked at, a few I cried, all were impactful and will stay with me in some way. They are certainly not easy reads, each have several points that prompt thought and discussion.
I won't bore everyone with my extensive notes list on each short story, I'll merely post a list of the titles included in this collection. I can't specify my favourites because they truly all are spectacular. If you love science fiction and/or feminism, I beg you to read this collection.
Her Smoke Rose up Forever collection includes the following short stories:
- The last flight of Doctor Ain
- The screwfly solution
- And I awoke and found me here on the cold hill's side
- The girl who was plugged in
- The man who walked home
- And I have come upon this place by lost ways
- The women men don't see
- Your faces, O my sisters! Your faces filled with light!
- Houston, Houston, do you read?
- With delicate mad hands
- A momentary taste of being
- We who stole the dream
- Her smoke rose up forever
- Love is the plan, the plan is death
- On the last afternoon
- She waits for all men born
- Slow music
- And so on, and so on
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Torture, Murder, Sexual harassment, Classism
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hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
A strong criticism and request of leftist literature has emerged for me: please give specifics. I have read 70 books this year, many of them in the wider socialist intersectional sphere, and exactly none of them give specific advice on how to put theory into practice. I understand why; they argue that the specifics should be created by the individuals partipating, they don't want to be limiting. I maintain that we will attract/convince more people to participate if we have a rough structure to begin working from, then adapt. Even myself, a dedicated socialist, am really struggling to participate in praxis.
'Mutal Aid' by Dean Spade gets really close. It dedicates a large portion of the book describing common pitfalls and problems arising in mutal aid groups and how you can try to avoid them, but honestly, even the tables he provided for these chapters were not specific enough for me. What we need on the left is a resource tool kit for actually running mutal aid groups. Examples and templates that people can print off, or replicate and adapt as they see fit.
That irritation aside, this book is a great explanation of what mutual aid is and does. It's a wonderful introduction for people who know nothing about mutal aid, and contains enough examples (USA-centric) for veteran-socialists to build upon their knowledge. I certainly recommend this book. I'll post the chapter structure below so you get an overview of the content.
PART I - What is Mutal Aid
1. Three key elements of mutal aid (explains the full definition and justification for mutal aid)
2. Solidarity not charity (explains the difference between mutal aid and charity)
3. We get more when we demand more (gives historical explanation behind this statement)
'Mutal Aid' by Dean Spade gets really close. It dedicates a large portion of the book describing common pitfalls and problems arising in mutal aid groups and how you can try to avoid them, but honestly, even the tables he provided for these chapters were not specific enough for me. What we need on the left is a resource tool kit for actually running mutal aid groups. Examples and templates that people can print off, or replicate and adapt as they see fit.
That irritation aside, this book is a great explanation of what mutual aid is and does. It's a wonderful introduction for people who know nothing about mutal aid, and contains enough examples (USA-centric) for veteran-socialists to build upon their knowledge. I certainly recommend this book. I'll post the chapter structure below so you get an overview of the content.
PART I - What is Mutal Aid
1. Three key elements of mutal aid (explains the full definition and justification for mutal aid)
2. Solidarity not charity (explains the difference between mutal aid and charity)
3. We get more when we demand more (gives historical explanation behind this statement)
PART II - Working together on purpose
4. Some dangers and pitfalls of mutal aid (self explanatory)
5. No masters, no flakes (how to work effectively in a group)
5. No masters, no flakes (how to work effectively in a group)
informative
reflective
fast-paced
Short and fast paced. Although written as a summary of military tactics, I understand the wide appeal of this collection. The strategies and reflections Sun Tzu writes about can be applied mindfully to many situations beyond the battle field. Some chapters are more applicable than others. All in all, a nice way to prompt thought, but not as deep and fleshed out as I was expecting. I suspect people find this easier to digest because of its concision. It's easier to apply an aphorism to your life than a full blown theory or framework.
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
I read this as an audio-book, which was the wrong move. If I had access to this as a physical book I would have concentrated on certain chapters more than others, I may revisit this is print form in the future. It's important to note that this is a collection of essays and talks, I personally don't think it flows well, and although I definitely gained lots from the book, I don't think this is an easy, or compelling, introduction to Anarchism for people who aren't already well-read in the sub-ideaologies within Socialism. If you are new to anarchism, I would recommend reading chapter 2 first and seeing what you think. If you are interested, then read chapters 1 and 4.
Structure overview:
Chapter 1 - Introduction and blurb about anarchism
Chapter 2 - Q and A with Noam Chomsky about anarchism
Chapter 3 - Interpretation of the social revolution in 1930's Spain
Chapter 4 - Interview with Harry Chrysler, Chomsky's personal relationship to anarchism
Chapter 5 - Chomsky on the relationship between language and freedom
Main pro: Chomsky used quite accessible language, he gives clear examples and illustrations of the types of situations and power structures he is referring to. I think his arguments for why anarchism is desirable are well reasoned and easy to follow.
Main con: Chomsky focuses on the European origins of Anarchism and contemporary American examples. While it's always interesting to hear the work of Mikhail Bakunin and George Orwell, Chomsky gives no examples of anarchism from other countries or cultures, or even, sadly, women (I was very surprised not to hear him mention Emma Goldman).
Main criticism: I think Chomsky's deliberate vaguity can be offputting. Anarchism is not just about dismantling illegitmate power structures, but creating new ways of living together. He regularly sidesteps giving specific examples of steps we could take now to create this new society. He justifies this by (correctly, in my opinion) saying that we need a multitude of approaches from lots of people, our plan and progession must be flexible, and we must be chiefly guided by our collective principles. Whilst that makes logical sense and may be true, he himself admits that people like to have a roadmap. Maybe he could contribute some ideas as a starting point, or as a straw man? Short term goals as well as long term goals? Some uncontroversial ones are advocating for local Mutal Aid groups, tips on how to organise, and how to politically educate people. Come on Chomsky, pull your massive influential weight and contribute some suggestions so people are motivated to act. [For more on this, read other StoryGraph member andipants's review]
Favourite quotes
Structure overview:
Chapter 1 - Introduction and blurb about anarchism
Chapter 2 - Q and A with Noam Chomsky about anarchism
Chapter 3 - Interpretation of the social revolution in 1930's Spain
Chapter 4 - Interview with Harry Chrysler, Chomsky's personal relationship to anarchism
Chapter 5 - Chomsky on the relationship between language and freedom
Main pro: Chomsky used quite accessible language, he gives clear examples and illustrations of the types of situations and power structures he is referring to. I think his arguments for why anarchism is desirable are well reasoned and easy to follow.
Main con: Chomsky focuses on the European origins of Anarchism and contemporary American examples. While it's always interesting to hear the work of Mikhail Bakunin and George Orwell, Chomsky gives no examples of anarchism from other countries or cultures, or even, sadly, women (I was very surprised not to hear him mention Emma Goldman).
Main criticism: I think Chomsky's deliberate vaguity can be offputting. Anarchism is not just about dismantling illegitmate power structures, but creating new ways of living together. He regularly sidesteps giving specific examples of steps we could take now to create this new society. He justifies this by (correctly, in my opinion) saying that we need a multitude of approaches from lots of people, our plan and progession must be flexible, and we must be chiefly guided by our collective principles. Whilst that makes logical sense and may be true, he himself admits that people like to have a roadmap. Maybe he could contribute some ideas as a starting point, or as a straw man? Short term goals as well as long term goals? Some uncontroversial ones are advocating for local Mutal Aid groups, tips on how to organise, and how to politically educate people. Come on Chomsky, pull your massive influential weight and contribute some suggestions so people are motivated to act. [For more on this, read other StoryGraph member andipants's review]
Favourite quotes
Power is always illegitimate unless it proves itself to be legitimate.
The person that claims the legitimacy of the authority always bears the burden of justifying it. If it can't be justified it must be dismantled.
The only justification for repressive institutions is material and cultural deficit. But such institutions at certain stages of history, perpetuate and produce such a deficit and even threaten human survival.
It is completely realistic and rational to work within structures to which you are opposed because by doing so you can then help to move to a situation where you can then challenge those structures.
Social action must be animated by a vision of future society and by explicit judgements of value concerning the character of this future society. These concepts must be derived from the nature of man.
We need the will to create our future.