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 hasContinueContinue reading “The Islamist Phoenix – Loretta Napoleoni (2014)”
Category Archives: Politics
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,ContinueContinue reading “HhhH – Laurent Binet (2009)”
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 everyoneContinueContinue reading “Whoops! – John Lanchester (2010)”
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 toContinueContinue 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, longContinueContinue reading “Phyllis Goldstein – A Convenient Hatred: the History of Antisemitism (2011)”
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 extentContinueContinue 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 howContinueContinue 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 forceContinueContinue reading “De Kracht van het Paradijs – Jonathan Holslag (2014)”
Herman van Rompuy – Europa in de storm (2014)
Insider’s account of Europe during the crisis, with Luuk van Middelaar probably as Van Rompuy’s ghost writer. Only for the political gourmets.
Next Europe – Joop Hazenberg (2014)
Fine overview of the EU, with a dash of investigated journalism. It stands out for its optimism about the European project and the author’s strong belief in the possibility of top-down change.
Het kleine koude front – Michel Krielaars (2014)
Taught me some valuable lessons on the trouble Russia is in, Putin’s role and the Russian character. Terribly difficult country.
G-Zero – Ian Bremmer (2013)
Ian Bremmer is the new star of international relations, his book is clever, easy to read and has a clear concept. We live in a wold where no G-20, G-3, G-8 has the power to push through decisions. We are all on our own and should prepare for wheeling and dealing with our neighbours on a permanent basis.
The Officer – Robert Harris (2013)
Stunning, delightful book. Loved every page of it. It’s exciting to read and the sheer injustice inflicted upon Dreyfuss made me mad – 120 years after the whole episode started!
Why Nations Fail – James A. Robinson & Daron Acemoğlu (2012)
It’s subtitle reads The Origins of Power, Prosperity an Poverty. And that’s exactly what I took from the book. Help is needless if a society doesn’t have working institutions, rule of law and respect for private ownership. I read the book while in Mali, a country which proves the book’s thesis to be right.
Henk Wesseling – De man die nee zee (2013)
Dutch biography on Charles de Gaulle. Probably not the best, but served its goal: to better understand the greatness of the man and the way he inspired France (by saying no).
Thinking Fast and Slow – Daniel Kahneman (2011)
Brilliant. If I had to choose one book to take with me to a deserted island, this is the one. It’s insightful, erudite, innovative (at least to me). It took me a while to read, because every single page is interesting and makes one think. For example; we all suffer from focusing illusion: nothing inContinueContinue reading “Thinking Fast and Slow – Daniel Kahneman (2011)”
PEPIJN VAN DIJK 