2021 has been a turbulent year – but there’s still never been a better time to crack open a book and learn more about the world.
Here are some of our favourites reviewed on Redaction Report this year.
‘The Assault on Truth’ by Peter Oborne
Dawn Butler was ejected from the House of Commons in July for calling Boris Johnson a liar – causing controversy around parliamentary language.
But in this book, Peter Oborne takes a forensic look at the British Prime Minister’s casual relationship with the truth.
Our editor James Moules wrote that it “is a brief book, but in spite of this, it stills presents a thorough account and analysis of the state of political deceit in the United Kingdom.”
Read the review here: An examination of political lying – ‘The Assault on Truth’ by Peter Oborne
‘The Deficit Myth’ by Stephanie Kelton
The Covid pandemic has raised big questions about conservative fiscal orthodoxy in the UK, with the once tight-pursed Tory Party hiking government spending to mitigate economic catastrophe.
In her book, Stephanie Kelton introduces Modern Monetary Theory (MMT) as an alternate view on government finance.
Read the review here: Modern Monetary Theory in a pandemic: Stephanie Kelton’s ‘The Deficit Myth’ has added significance in the Covid-19 era
‘The Transgender Issue’ by Shon Faye
Awareness for transgender rights has grown in recent years, but so too has a vicious reactionary backlash against one of the world’s most marginalised minorities.
Shon Faye uses her new book to take a look at the various issues facing transgender people in British society – and Redaction Report writer Kit Roberts says: “Anyone who wishes to learn and understand more about the challenges trans and non-binary people face should read this book.”
Read the review here: Shon Faye’s ‘The Transgender Issue’ is a cry for justice and a voice of reason
‘In Order to Live’ by Yeonmi Park
North Korea is a nation that finds itself in headline news frequently – either for a glimpse at the lives of the ruling Kim family or the routine threats of nuclear weaponry.
But our editor James Moules says that defector Yeonmi Park’s account of her escape provides: “a side we hear considerably less often – that of the desolation and dejection of the average citizen living under the world’s most repressive regime.”
Read the review here: Escape from North Korea – ‘In Order to Live’ by Yeonmi Park
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