Retired scientist, I read a lot, fiction and non-fiction, on a wide range of subjects, though science, politics, philosophy, law, science fiction and historical detective stories are favourites.
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The book provides many examples of how most people are naturally well intentioned. It is interesting to read in the context of Game Theory, specifically the iterated prisoners dilemma, where co-operation is overall the most successful strategy, and Corruptible - which discusses how those who are not co-operative can yield excessive power.
When I see Mark Zuckerburg, with his T-shirts and jeans and trainers, I always think of Umberto Eco saying fascism doesn't always show up in uniform. Now we know it can also show up in casual wear.
— How to Lose a Country by Ece Temelkuran (65%)
Ece Temelkuran, April 2018, giving a keynote speech at Republica in Berlin
Content warning The final part reminds me of Transactional Analysis, as per [I',m OK, You're OK](https://books.paladyn.org/book/2795/s/im-ok-youre-ok)
Does not fall into neat categories, and the concept of an external soul is fascinating and unexpected.
The true 'Cinderella' tale of how the daughter of a Thames waterman married the son …
Real life Cinderella story showing a case of unexpected social mobility in the Georgian era. I discovered interesting things about many local Oxfordshire places.
A Christmas present, filled with mysteries written, and hence set, in an earlier era, the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Interesting to reflect on how many of these stories could not happen now for various reasons, but they give a window into their times - which range from the 1890s to the 1950s
On Christmas Day in the Morning by Margery Allingham
In past times the Postman would deliver cards on Christmas morning!
Give me a ring by Anthony Gilbert
Doing a favour for a stranger leads to Christmas eve peril.
Father Christmas comes to Orbins by Julian Symons
A jewel thief thinks he has the perfect disguise.
The Turn Again Bell by Barry Perowne
Does a drunk driver's loss of control have fatal consequences for his daughter's future father-in-law?
A Surprise for Christmas by Cyril Hare
Memories and reminders of the past unearthed at Christmas
Dick Whittington's Cat by Victor Canning.
A jewel thief picks the wrong person to blame for a robbery
The Christmas Eve Ghost by Ernest Dudley
A murderer gives themselves away and a ghost is not what it might seem.
The true 'Cinderella' tale of how the daughter of a Thames waterman married the son …
The author gave a talk, telling the story, and I bought the book, looking forward to reading it.
Justice seems to be one of the big unsolved (possibly unsolvable) problems and here is another perspective.
