Inventing Africa is the title of a fascinating book by Robin Derricourt. It traces several themes of how outsiders have told the history of Africa in order to bolster their own worldview. There are terrific examples of archaeologists who have either contrived to present evidence to suit their own agendas or challenged the prevailing views… Continue reading Telling Africa’s story
Tag: Books
Book Review – It’s the Economy, Stupid!
Bad decisions cast a long shadow. But the benefits of good decisions can last a surprisingly long time.
Book Review – How to Draw a Map (sort of…)
This is an attractively produced book which desperately needed an editor.
Book Review – Neurodivergence, a view from within
Explaining Humans: What Science Can Teach Us about Life, Love and Relationships By Dr Camilla Pang Viking/Penguin Books, 2020 (239 pages) [This review was originally written for the BAE Systems (Maritime Services) Mental Health First Aiders newsletter] Camilla Pang has a PhD in biochemistry and works as a postdoctoral researcher in bioinformatics. She is very… Continue reading Book Review – Neurodivergence, a view from within
Book Review – First Class: A History of Britain in 36 Postage Stamps
“What a country chooses to display on its postage stamps can be revealing in itself, and often what is not shown is most telling.”
Star of wonder, star of light
This is a short book – you could read it in an evening – and doesn’t need any hard science to understand. There are no equations or even pictures, but he explains some tremendous concepts in astrophysics, cosmology, plate tectonics and particle physics with infectious enthusiasm.
Book Review – Index, A History of the
“The humble back-of-book index is one of those inventions that are so successful, so integrated into our daily practices, that they can often become invisible.”
Book Review – The Sleeping Beauties: And Other Stories of Mystery Illness
“… the roots of the problems are not so much in the individuals’ bodies or brains, but in the society in which they live.”