‘Ramblinactivist’ Paul Mobbs’ book review blog, examining a significant, ‘old’, or often overlooked book; but one that provides an insightful analysis of current political or ecological debates.
I’ve been actively researching ecological issues, and their associated political and scientific framework, for almost forty years; at first for personal interest, but that soon developed into a long career as an author, researcher, and consultant.
Over this time I have read many books and scientific reports. As I see issues discussed today, I find that a large amount of valuable insight from past writing and research is being ignored or overlooked because people today are not aware of this historic body of work.
Recent review posts
The four most recent reviews – see the Reviews Archive a complete list of previous reviews:
The problem with the label, ‘anarchist’, is that the moment it is defined, it contradicts the principles it claims to represent. It was this contradiction that Murray Bookchin sought to explore in his 1995 book, in the wake of the complex political transformation that occurred after the 1960s.
The 1970s surge in ecological awareness saw many books published on our relationship with the natural world. ‘Food for Free’, by Richard Mabey, was published fifty years ago in 1972.
An historically significant book, its hypothesis proven right, its message undimmed by the passing of six decades – and yet it is so seldom discussed today.
In this review of ‘Rules for Radicals’ I’m not going to list those ‘rules’. Nor the oft-neglected list of ‘means and ends’. That’s because, if you read the book, that’s not the point of these lists. Alinsky’s philosophy is broader than that.
This is the last in a series of three ‘techno-critical’ reviews, examining the excuse that underpins the whole project of industrialisation: ‘Progress’ – examining Ronald Wright’s 2004 book that, 18 years later, still provides well-observed (if bleak) view of the future.
‘A Book in Five Minutes’, no.15, 15th July 2022:
‘A Book in Five Minutes’, no.14, 16th June 2022:
‘A Book in Five Minutes’, no.13, 24th May 2022:
‘A Book in Five Minutes’, no.12, 6th May 2022:
‘A Book in Five Minutes’, no.11, 13th April 2022: