Reviews and Comments

Luke

lukemartell@bookwyrm.social

Joined 1 year, 4 months ago

Political sociology tutor. I mainly read biography, fiction, and political academic stuff about alternatives. On Mastodon: @lukemartell@social.coop. New book on Alternative Societies: bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/alternative-societies

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Luke reviewed The Quiet American by Graham Greene

The Quiet American (Paperback, 2004, Penguin Books)

One of Graham Greene's best works. The story is set at the time of the …

Review of the Quiet American

5 stars

I read this quite soon after reading his 'End of the Affair'. Quite a lot of common themes, Catholicism and faith (and ambivalence about this), intense love and betrayal, both books are set against the background of war, plus also here there is colonialism, age and cynicism. Anticipates the American involvement in Vietnam. A bit of a thriller too and a great read.

Luke reviewed Privacy is Power by Carissa Véliz

Privacy is Power (2020, Bantam Press)

As the data economy grows in power, Carissa Véliz exposes how our privacy is eroded …

Review of Privacy is Power

4 stars

If you're already 'in the know' about this topic you may not learn too much from this book. But as an introduction to the area it is very good, very readable and not too long. It not only outlines the topic but has two chapters on what individuals and societies can do about it. It's great to have a way forward and not just a critique. Its main limitation is that it stays within a liberal framework so at political level is mostly about change within existing structures - bans, regulations etc. It would be nice to know more about what she thinks of collective ownership of tech and the data commons. For this Tarnoff's Internet for the People is good where he puts the problem down to private ownership for profit and the solution as public ownership for the public good. Véliz has also written some great accessible articles …

If you're already 'in the know' about this topic you may not learn too much from this book. But as an introduction to the area it is very good, very readable and not too long. It not only outlines the topic but has two chapters on what individuals and societies can do about it. It's great to have a way forward and not just a critique. Its main limitation is that it stays within a liberal framework so at political level is mostly about change within existing structures - bans, regulations etc. It would be nice to know more about what she thinks of collective ownership of tech and the data commons. For this Tarnoff's Internet for the People is good where he puts the problem down to private ownership for profit and the solution as public ownership for the public good. Véliz has also written some great accessible articles on the topic which you can find with an internet search.

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