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‘A Book in Five Minutes’

‘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:


Title frame for ‘A Book in Five Minutes’, no.28: ‘The Collapse of Complex Societies’ (1988) ‘A Book in Five Minutes’, no.28, Strawberry Moon 2023:

‘The Collapse of Complex Societies’ (1988)

Some books get a ‘reputation’ as a result of what people believe they say rather than on a detailed reading of the text. Just a word in the title – for example, ‘collapse’ – can be enough to invalidate their content without any appreciation of what they actually say.

Go to the YouTube video for this post.

An audio podcast of this blog post is available on the page.

Title frame for ‘A Book in Five Minutes’, no.26: ‘Farewell to Growth’ (2007) ‘A Book in Five Minutes’, no.26, Full Pink Moon 2023:

‘Farewell to Growth’ (2007)

Politicians and the media obsess about ‘economic growth’; but what if that ‘glorious thirty years’ of economic expansion from the 1960s has ended? This landmark text of the degrowth movement explores why growth’s ‘end is nigh’, and why this should be welcomed.

Go to the YouTube video for this post.

An audio podcast of this blog post is available on the page.

Title frame for ‘A Book in Five Minutes’, no.25: ‘What Is Property?’ (1840) ‘A Book in Five Minutes’, no.25, 16th February 2023:

‘What Is Property?’ (1840)

Proudhon, Property, and the Political Panic over ‘The Great Resignation’ – how this classic text prefigures the contemporary debate over work and well-being.

Go to the YouTube video for this post.

An audio podcast of this blog post is available on the page.

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