Tuesday, February 21, 2006
Books read 2005: Colussus by Niall Ferguson & Better or Worse? by Polly Toynbee and Peter Walker
19.Colussus by Niall Ferguson (2005)
Ferguson argues that America isn't really an empire, in a true sense. For example the US has never usually been arsed to stick around after its wars, to nation build, though this administration has shown signs of that in Iraq. He thinks America should be more imperialistic, not less, empire is good for us and the world. Interesting at times, dry and Jacob cracker like at others.
20.Better or Worse? by Polly Toynbee and Peter Walker (2005)
Labour has delivered in its second term according to these two, who use statistics to show that largely Labour has improved the lot of society in many ways. Many will find it hard to concur with this belief, Lies, damned lies, and statistics and all of that, but if you don’t believe these statistics are indicative of improvement, what do you measure improvement by? Anecdote, personal experience?
If you want an audit of Labours second term in power this is a good book to browse through. Though not ideal for reading in one go, too dry, no real narrative, politics are more interesting than policy. It’s not Alan Clark or anything, but it would be fun if he had written this book.
Ferguson argues that America isn't really an empire, in a true sense. For example the US has never usually been arsed to stick around after its wars, to nation build, though this administration has shown signs of that in Iraq. He thinks America should be more imperialistic, not less, empire is good for us and the world. Interesting at times, dry and Jacob cracker like at others.
20.Better or Worse? by Polly Toynbee and Peter Walker (2005)
Labour has delivered in its second term according to these two, who use statistics to show that largely Labour has improved the lot of society in many ways. Many will find it hard to concur with this belief, Lies, damned lies, and statistics and all of that, but if you don’t believe these statistics are indicative of improvement, what do you measure improvement by? Anecdote, personal experience?
If you want an audit of Labours second term in power this is a good book to browse through. Though not ideal for reading in one go, too dry, no real narrative, politics are more interesting than policy. It’s not Alan Clark or anything, but it would be fun if he had written this book.
