The Meaning of Hitler/ Anmerkungen zu Hitler – Sebastian Haffner (1978)

This little gem was first published in 1978 and dissects the Führer’s life in 7 thematic chapters, with simple titles as Life, Successes, Treason etc. Simple maybe, but it's quite a special approach To start with, Sebastian Haffner (pseudonym for Raimund Pretzel) only needs 300 pages to describe the complex person of Hitler – whichContinue reading "The Meaning of Hitler/ Anmerkungen zu Hitler – Sebastian Haffner (1978)"

The Islamist Phoenix – Loretta Napoleoni (2014)

Tells the stunning success story of IS in Iraq and Syria and explains the drivers behind the creation of a  Caliphate that, under the leadership of Al-Baghdadi, invites all Sunni Muslims to join the new Holy Land. IS has made maximum use of the total chaos in the region, the fitna (civil war) within the Islamic community between Sunni's and Shi'ites and hasContinue reading "The Islamist Phoenix – Loretta Napoleoni (2014)"

HhhH – Laurent Binet (2009)

Sublime historical thriller about the murder of 'the blonde Nazi Beast' Reinhard Heydrich,  or, as Hitler liked to call him, 'The man with the Iron Heart'. Remembered me of Slaugtherhouse 5, with a zest of the painful humor of La Vita e Bella, that I couldn't put down (really!). The structure of ultra short chapters,Continue reading "HhhH – Laurent Binet (2009)"

En nu laat ik mijn baard staan – Leen Zevenbergen (2007)

I had expected more insights and surprising lessons from the Dutch management book of the year 2007. The book stresses the importance of creativity, inspiration and how to have more fun in your job as manager and leader, by breaking through the barriers set by big corporates, the with-coming expectations and the limitations of workingContinue reading "En nu laat ik mijn baard staan – Leen Zevenbergen (2007)"

Whoops! – John Lanchester (2010)

With great wit Lanchester describes what went wrong during the prelude to the financial crisis and who is to blame (answer: the risk takers, i.e.bankers, but also you and me). In plain language CDO's, securitization and the difference between debt and deficit are explained, helping to better grasp the painful reality: Why everyone owes everyoneContinue reading "Whoops! – John Lanchester (2010)"

Good to Great – Jim Collins (2001)

With millions of copies sold this management classic has taught managers all over the world how to run their business and how to go from a good to a great company. There are some really valuable concepts in it (as the hedgehog principle and type-5 leaders), but reading it a decade and a half after publicationContinue reading "Good to Great – Jim Collins (2001)"

The Churchill Factor – Boris Johnson (2014)

On every page the pleasure Boris Johnson must have had writing about his hero is palpable. I already knew Johnson as a smart and skilled politician, but judging by this book, those skills are at least matched by his writing qualities. The book combines erudition with humour and was a great joy to read. Churchill's life and accomplishments are almost too colourful toContinue reading "The Churchill Factor – Boris Johnson (2014)"

Phyllis Goldstein – A Convenient Hatred: the History of Antisemitism (2011)

I turned to this book on the advice of a real non-fiction book worm, wanting to give more depth and context to my attempts to better understand the revived antisemitism in the world. And it did. It is a shocking history of persecution, discrimination and organized slaughter. One that started long before the Holocaust, longContinue reading "Phyllis Goldstein – A Convenient Hatred: the History of Antisemitism (2011)"

Films of 2014

***** amazing  **** loved it *** nice  ** disappointing * waste of time Under the Skin - Jonathan Glazer ***** The Wolf of Wall Street - Martin Scorsese *** The Grand Budapest Hotel - Wes Anderson ***** The Master - Paul Thomas Anderson **** The Secret Life of Walter Mitty - Ben Stiller  ** ZeroContinue reading "Films of 2014"

De Prijs van een Slecht Geweten – Arend Jan Boekestijn (2010)

Boekestijn, a historian and former liberal MP, is on a mission. He is specifically interested in the (potential) damage aid does to poor countries and he formulates a detailed list of policy recommendation, making this book a great attempt to really influence the debate and policy on a practical level. Which to a certain extentContinue reading "De Prijs van een Slecht Geweten – Arend Jan Boekestijn (2010)"

The Years of Lyndon Johnson, the Passage of Power – Robert Caro (2012)

Hands down the best political biography I’ve read. The book gives great insights in the man and the President Lyndon Baines Johnson was, telling the story of a turbulent era in US history through a new lens – ranging from the Cuba Crisis to the Civil Rights Act. In essence it's a lesson on howContinue reading "The Years of Lyndon Johnson, the Passage of Power – Robert Caro (2012)"

De Kracht van het Paradijs – Jonathan Holslag (2014)

The latest book by the Belgian prodigy (32 year-old professor of  International Relations in Brussels). His analyses are stronger than his solutions and the book as a whole is somewhat chaotic - large parts of the book deserve better editing - but as an overview of Europa as an idea it’s a tour de forceContinue reading "De Kracht van het Paradijs – Jonathan Holslag (2014)"