WITH little else to do in lockdown but populate your bookcase this year has been a big one for political page-turners.
The Redaction Politics team reviewed some of the best political titles published in 2020, including providing essential background commentary and exclusive interviews with authors.
Here is a look at some of our favourites.
‘Fake Law: The Truth About Justice in an Age of Lies’ by The Secret Barrister
Kit Roberts spoke exclusively to the Secret Barrister about this essential work on how the law is frequently misrepresented and used against the public it is supposed to protect.
Prophetically, shortly after publication British Prime Minister Boris Johnson would openly declare the government’s intent to break international law over Brexit. Talk about timing.
Kit explains in his piece: ‘The Secret Barrister outlines in rigorous but accessible terms the challenges facing law in the twenty-first century.’
‘Bigger Than Bernie: How We Go from the Sanders Campaign to Democratic Socialism’ by Meagan Day and Micah Uetricht
A detailed look at how Bernie Sanders became the talisman who rallied the left in the United States, with insight into the background of the man so many hoped would make progressive politics mainstream in America.
Our Co-Editor James Moules concludes the book: ‘offers a stirring look at what could come next.’
‘Not for King or Country: Edward Cecil-Smith, the Communist Party of Canada, and the Spanish Civil War’ by Tyler Wentzell
A homage to the incredible yet largely unknown life of Edward Cecil-Smith, one of Canada’s first anti-fascists who joined the International Brigades in the Spanish Civil War in 1937.
A meticulously researched and skillfully written title according to Scott Costen, who writes: “today’s generation of anti-fascists would do well to read it.”
Delve deeper by reading Scott’s report on the 100 year anniversary of the Communist Party of Canada.
‘Yesterday’s Man: The Case Against Joe Biden’ by Branko Marcetic
Who exactly is Joe Biden and what sort of President would he be? These are the questions driving Branko Marcetic’s book exploring the identity (or lack of) of the veteran Democrat.
It was released way before the US election in November which Joe Biden handily won, making this work integral reading for anyone keeping an eye on US affairs.
Redaction Politics Editor Tim McNulty sums up in his review: “In black and white, Biden’s lack of any truly transformative vision for his country is laid out as are the uninspiring centrist political instincts which have guided the 77-year-old’s career.”
‘Ace: What Asexuality Reveals About Desire, Society, and the Meaning of Sex’ by Angela Chen
An exploration of asexuality in a western world obsessed with physical desire. This thoughtful work highlights how sex nudges into every aspect of daily life, with personal accounts from people across the spectrums of sexual and romantic orientation.
Mason Quah explains: “The crux of the book is how sex and desire infiltrate every aspect of everyday life, and the only people who are able to fully perceive this are people who aren’t able to see it in the same way.”
Featured Image: Abhi Sharma from India@Wikimedia Commons
Subscribe to stay updated, or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
Redaction cannot survive without your help. Support us for as little as $1 a month on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/RedactionPolitics.
Redaction Report 
.jpg){kind=link}