Book of the Week

‘The 48 Laws of Power’ by Robert Greene reviewed by our wonderful young practicum student, Aksel

‘The 48 Laws of Power’ by Robert Greene is a thought-provoking and informative book that delves into the psychological tactics used by those in positions of power. Greene explores the methods used by historical figures such as Machiavelli, Sun Tzu, and Henry Kissinger to gain and maintain power, and presents these lessons in the form of 48 laws. The book is well-researched and provides insightful commentary on each law, making it a valuable resource for anyone interested in the subject of power dynamics.

Greene's writing style is engaging and easy to follow, and the book is organized in a way that makes it easy to refer back to specific laws. Each law is presented in a clear and concise manner, along with real-world examples and historical anecdotes that illustrate the effectiveness of the law in action. The 48 Laws of Power is a practical guide that can be applied to various situations, whether in the workplace, in politics, or personal relationships.

One of the strengths of the book is its emphasis on the importance of understanding and adapting to power dynamics in all aspects of life. Greene argues that those who understand the laws of power and use them effectively will have an advantage over those who do not. However, he also stresses the importance of using power ethically and with caution, as those who abuse power often suffer consequences in the long run.

Overall, The 48 Laws of Power is a highly recommended read for anyone interested in the subject of power dynamics and the psychological tactics used by those in positions of power. It is a valuable resource for those seeking to gain a deeper understanding of how power is exercised and maintained, and provides practical lessons that can be applied in various real-world situations.’

Happy Reading!

RESERVE YOUR COPY OF THE 48 LAWS OF POWER

Book of the Week

The Escape Artist by Jonathan Freedland.

When Rudolf Vrba, a gifted young man who had been sent to Auschwitz was 18 years old and working on the ramp where most new arrivals were sent directly to their deaths, he realized that what made the mass murder so relatively simple for the SS was that the prisoners had no idea what awaited them.

That was when he decided to escape to tell the world what was going on.

This is the incredible and little known story of a man whose heroic and unbelievable feat ultimately saved the lives of 200.000 members of the Jewish community in Budapest - and potentially could have saved even more.

RESERVE YOUR COPY OF THE ESCAPE ARTIST

Book of the Week ‘Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow’ by Gabrielle Zevin

Reviewed by our own Catalina

‘I picked this up for its beautiful cover and the story did not disappoint!

The blurb says’ This is not a romance, but it is about love’ and about love it truly is. I really enjoyed reading a book that did not attempt to set the characters through all kinds of challenges and struggles, only to reunite them in a romance story.

Videogames are a big part of this book, but that did not alienate me from the story. We follow Sadie and Sam, two gaming nerds that are crafting exciting virtual worlds and growing their game design company. Their professional ascend is paralleled by troublesome personal circumstances that are constantly testing their friendship and love for each other.

My politically obsessed mind could not help but notice Zevin’s subtle hints to wider issues around gun control, gender, and racial structural injustices that even in a seemingly ‘neutral’ industry make themselves visible.

Through Sadie’s story, she reflects on what it means to be a woman in a sphere dominated by men: ‘she often had to put herself into a male point of view to even understand a game at all’.

Through Sam’s story, she hints at the occasional identity crises of families with an immigrant background: ‘as any mixed-race person will tell you - to be half of two things is to be whole of nothing.’

Overall, I loved loved this book and quite enjoyed being immersed in Sadie’s and Sam’s virtual world development. I also adored how Zevin managed to capture the characters’ personal growth as they navigate their twenties and learn to become more patient, empathetic, and kind to each other.’

Thanks for a great review!

RESERVE YOUR COPY OF Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow

‘Nightcrawling’ by Leila Mottley
Wonderfully reviewed by our own Catalina

‘Leila Mottley asserts herself as an incredible writer with this debut novel covering the harsh realities of what it means to be a poor black woman in America.

Mottley's prose is as beautiful as it is enraging. Inspired by a true story, Mottley sets out to shed light on what happens when black poverty meets white power.

Kiara and her brother are barely making ends meet in East Oakland with no family nor a safety net to fall back on. But while her brother Marcus is chasing his dream to become a rapper, Kiara must stay grounded to pay the piling bills and the increasing rent. On top of that, she feels responsible for the 9-year-old boy next door who has been abandoned by his mother. Desperate and vulnerable, she turns to sex work to avoid starvation and soon falls prey to cruel police brutality and sexual violence.

Mottley's storytelling has kept me engaged and enraged the whole way, mainly because the events described are far from fiction - racism, chauvinism, and abuse are chronic to institutional power. If police brutality against black men has made the headlines, black women's stories of encountering sexual exploitation by law enforcers remain untold.

Mottley sheds an important light on these stories - and on the subject of adultification of black girls.’

A highly recommended read!

RESERVE YOUR COPY OF NIGHTCRAWLING