In looking for research that explores the challenges of ethnic federalism and language in Ethiopia, I came across the book “Education, Politics and Social Change in Ethiopia” (2010), edited by Paulos Milkias (Concordia University) and Messay Kebede (University of Dayton). All of the contributing authors are based outside of Ethiopia, which is not necessarily negative, […]
Tags: #Education #Ethiopia #Language #Politics #Social change
Kofi Annan (1938-2018) was the Secretary-General of the United Nations from 1997 to 2006, a turbulent time to say the least. He penned “Interventions: A Life in War and Peace” (2012) with Nader Mousavizadeh to provide some of the high, lows, challenges and successes of his time leading the UN. The book is a recounting […]
Tags: #Colonialism #Kofi Annan #Leadership #Security Council #United Nations
Vandava Shiva was one of the earliest challengers to corporate control of food and the food system. In her most recent book, “Who Really Feeds the World: The Failures of Agribusiness and the Promise of Agroecology” (2016), Shiva continues the activism. While I am generally in agreement with the positions advocated in the book, it […]
Tags: #Agribusiness #Agroecology #Food system #Vandana Shiva #Who Really Feeds the World?
Richard Pankhurst made significant contributions to the study of history in Ethiopia (see a listing of some of his works here). In this book, “The History of Famine and Epidemics in Ethiopia Prior to the Twentieth Century” (1985), published by the Relief and Rehabilitation Commission, Richard Pankhurst brings together a series of others works: The […]
Tags: #Epidemics #Ethiopia #Famine #Food Security #Pankhurst
Anand Gopal was a Pulitzer finalist and won the Ridenhour Prize for “No Good Men Among the Living: America, the Taliban, and the War through Afghan Eyes” (2014). For those interested in Afghanistan, I’ve covered books by Ahmed Rashid, William Dalrymple and Stephen Saideman elsewhere. Gopal’s book is an excellent read and presents the counter-narrative […]
Tags: #Afghanistan #Anand Gopal #No Good Men Among the Living #Taliban #War on Terror
“Empire” (2000) by Hardt and Negri lines many shelves and sits on many recommended reading lists on the Left. I have written up a summary of their 2004 book, for anyone interested – that book is also easier reading for those not interested or well versed in Marxist literature / terminology. Empire presents a detailed […]