I spend a lot of time with books. I have written a few of them. More importantly, I read a lot of them. Usually two non-fiction books a week.
A few years ago, a friend took a look at the list of books on my iPad/Kindle and asked why I didn’t share my thoughts about what I was reading. She was right in suggesting that I should. However, I didn’t have a way of doing so other than posting reviews on Amazon and, now, Goodreads.
With the launch of this website, I now have a way of writing short reviews of books in comparative politics and peacebuilding, especially those that are written from a systems or complexity approach and/or that focus on wicked problems. As with Amazon, I will only review books I really liked and recommend reading. Only giving five star reviews hurts my rating on Amazon, but that’s not an issue here. I will add titles as I read them and, when time permits, add others from my “backlist.”
As with everything else on this site, I’d welcome suggestion(s), especially if they come with reasons why your choice(s) should be at the top of my very large virtual stack of books to read.
To read these short summaries and reviews, just hover over the book’s image below and click.
Identity Theft
A remarkable book on recovering from a stroke. Of interest to peacebuilders, too.
Rocking the Boat
Debra Meyerson's book on tempered radicals opened my eyes to new ways of thinking about social movements and activism. In fact, hers is the kind of activist I've become myself.
Introduction to Conflict Resolution
This is an important addition to the books those of us who teach peace and conflict studies have to choose from.
The Death of Politics
A very thoughtful book by a never-Trump Republican

How Change Happens
A very important and challenging new book on social movements and their success.
The Capital
It's rare that I recommend a novel. This one if worth it, especially if you love (?) the EU and/or bureaucratic politics.