Reviews and Comments

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Ika Makimaki

pezmico@bookwyrm.social

Joined 2 years, 7 months ago

342.53 ppm Tāmaki-makau-rau, Aotearoa. Ngāti Te Ata land.

This is the place for the books I read, I half-read and even I don't read but think about.

You've been warned.

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reviewed Doughnut Economics by Kate Raworth

Kate Raworth: Doughnut Economics (2017, Random House Business Books)

Doughnut Economics: Seven Ways to Think Like a 21st-Century Economist is a 2017 non-fiction book …

Review of 'Doughnut Economics' on 'Goodreads'

This book was truly mind blowing. It is one I will return to and I hope spreads around.
Raworth is a marvelous communicator, and makes it easy to understand what is fundamentally wrong with the way our society approaches economics. She highlights the problems with this approach that threatens to kill us, while also making us sick and unhappy and keeping resources scarce and unevenly distributed.
She sets out to re write the rules of economics, starting out by the way we illustrate them and reassessing the goals of our economic models.
She suggests abandoning our obsessions with GDP, growth and ever increasing profits, and seeking a growth-agnostic economics, that centers on sustainability and well being. She encourages system-based thinking and urges us to consider the health of our environment as well as our own, and designing a new set of rules to adapt our economies and hopefully thrive into …

reviewed The Room Where It Happened by John R. Bolton

John R. Bolton: The Room Where It Happened (Hardcover, 2020, Simon & Schuster)

As President Trump’s National Security Advisor, John Bolton spent many of his 453 days in …

Review of 'The Room Where It Happened' on 'Goodreads'

John Bolton is not a great writer. He narrates the issues and situations he saw happening, he proves (yet again) the type of person Trump is and the depths of his incompetence, lack of curiosity, self obsession and just sheer stupidity.
But the book slogs along, it is not a fun read. It is not interesting for anything other than the outrageous facts it narrates. Were it not for its value as a historical document, it would have been a total waste.
Read only if you are really obsessed with Trump and his debacle, or if you are researching. Otherwise it really isn't worth your time.

reviewed Antifa by Mark Bray

Mark Bray: Antifa (2017)

"In the wake of tragic events in Charlottesville, VA, and Donald Trump's initial refusal to …

Review of 'Antifa' on 'Goodreads'

Immensely educational. Starts out with lots of history and then speaks clearly and concisely about tactics, strategy and ideas around anti-fascist activity and politics.
It is information dense, but still easy to read and a great approximation to a controversial idea that gets really bad PR on mainstream channels.
Highly recommended.

reviewed The Ultimate Guide to Green Parenting by Zion Lights

Zion Lights: The Ultimate Guide to Green Parenting

Review of 'The Ultimate Guide to Green Parenting' on 'Goodreads'

It's good, but it reads like a report more than a regular book. This is not too bad, but it could be a more enjoyable reading.
Nevertheless, it has plenty of interesting science backed data and facts to green the parenting experience a little bit. Even if it is a bit UK-centric, the advice is useful and clear all around.

reviewed The Attachment Parenting Book: by William Sears

William Sears, Martha Sears: The Attachment Parenting Book: (Paperback, 2001, Little, Brown and Company)

Review of 'The Attachment Parenting Book:' on 'Goodreads'

I feel like my personal inclinations are close to the ideas in this book. It is simple, well organised and pretty clear on the approach and philosophy of raising babies and kids to be close and prioritising the communication with parents.
As a total newbie father, I found it enlightening and full of practical advice, although at some times a bit preachy.

I would recommend it regardless and will definitely take it into account in my personal fatherhood journey.

reviewed How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi

Ibram X. Kendi: How to Be an Antiracist (Hardcover, 2019, One World)

Ibram X. Kendi's concept of antiracism reenergizes and reshapes the conversation about racial justice in …

Review of 'How to Be an Antiracist' on 'Goodreads'

The ideas in this book are relevant and timely. It opened my perspective about the way to think about racism, the way it is part of our every day lives and how do we act to counter it.
It is a very worthwhile read, as it will undoubtedly challenge what you think about race, class and gender and the influence they have in our reality.
Some of the points that stuck with me pretty strongly were about the emphasis on policy, and how changing policy is much more important than changing individuals. Also a highlight the distinction between segregationists (racists), assimilationists (not-racists) and anti-racists. It makes it very clear how being "not-racist" is often not possible and even not real, we should all strive to be anti-racist. And how this is always a fluctuating and changing state, sometimes we are racist, sometimes we are anti-racist, and we are responsible for …

reviewed The birth partner by Penny Simkin

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Penny Simkin: The birth partner (2001, Harvard Common Press)

Review of 'The birth partner' on 'Goodreads'

Wow.
This is honestly a must read to anyone who wants to be helpful when a partner, friend or family member gives birth.
Its easy to understand, has really good and clear action driven advice. It gives you all the tools without overwhelming you or being scary.
My midwife was stoked how knowledgeable I became and our birth was awesome. It was good to actually know what was good to do and not just panic and be overwhelmed by the intensity of the moment.