Reviews and Comments

I liked Prisoners of Geography, and Barriers, and Shadowlands, so expect this to be good too

I think this will relate to The Future - Feudal or Federal and similar thoughts about this issue.

'Introduction: What's it all about' describes the Owen Patterson investigation by the Commons Select Committee on Standards (chaired by Bryant) which recommended he be suspended, and how a number of MPs manoeuvred to prevent this. He puts this into a context of a need to restore the reputation of parliament , pointing out that the majority of MPs of all parties aspire to do a good job, and are tainted by the actions of a few.

The need for public scrutiny of the politicians we entrust with running our country - Chris talks specifically about Britain, but the concepts apply to all democracies - has never been greater.

Interesting view of the American Revolution as, at least partly, a civil war. Families divided on the issue, for example Benjamin Franklin's son, William, was a staunch Loyalist.

I have enjoyed his books set in England at the time of the Restoration and Great Fire of London, looking forward to learning from this one something of New York in 1778, when the Loyalists are battling with the Rebels.

More stories from James Herriot's Yorkshire veterinary practice, and a trip with sheep on a boat to Klaipeda which was then very much a part of the USSR.

I enjoyed the many twists and the feisty pensioners living life to the full

Enjoyed The Thursday Murder Club, and looking forward to this one

This book draws interesting distinctions between setting objectives and the little steps needed to get there, looks as if it may prove an interesting read

Five - Design Your Own Citizen

Describes the imposition by the state of traditional values on women, for example the need to have permission from a husband or father before having an abortion, what is suitable dress, or behaviour, or occupation. Mentions that these values are often championed by other women, and describes encounters with female Erdogan and Trump supporters, but does not have an explanation for why they support such misogynistic leaders.

Three - Remove the Shame: Immorality is 'Hot' in the Post-Truth World

Beginning with the 2017 publication on the AKP website of an argument that the world was flat, and that contrary theories of it being spherical were the product of a conspiracy from evil powers, such as the Vatican, Zionists and Freemasons. Opposition to the flat-earth theory by scientists is proof that they are undemocratic and think that their theories should be more important than those of other people. In 1991 many people watched the Iraq War, on live TV, detached from the reality of death and injury, as if it was video game. This was followed by a wave of TV shows in which the viewers were entertained by the participants being humiliated, or like The Simple Life feel superior to the 'dumb blonde' stars. All this distorted the public sense of empathy.

Two - Disrupt Rationale/Terrorise Language

Discusses the way that populist leaders seek to rewrite history to suit their narrative, for example Hugo Chávez being described by the Venezuelan ambassador to Turkey as having started the revolution with a few friends under a fig tree, ignoring the pre-existence of grass roots movements. In 2014 President Erdogan claimed that Muslim scholars had reached America in 1178, and that Columbus' memoirs mention a mosque on a hill on the coast of Cuba. Political discourse being simplified, for example focus on Jeremy Corbyn making his own jam, rather than on policies helps the populists, for example Ronald Reagan's 1980 slogan "Let's make America great again" Also describes the difficulties mainstream journalism has dealing with populist leaders.

One - Create a Movement

Populist leaders identify or create grievances of real people whose views and problems are not being respected by the elite. Movements differ from political parties in the that they are outside of above the corrupt system, A driving factor is often fear of others - immigrants, the undeserving poor, the international elite, and real people need a strong leader to deal with these fears. Any criticism of the leader is taken as an act of oppression by the establishment, even if Donald Trump, Nigel Farage, Boris Johnston and other populist leaders are, rationally, from the ranks of the establishment, rather than real people