23 Things They Don't Tell You About Capitalism

Title: 23 Things They Don't Tell You About Capitalism

Author: Ha-Joon Chang

Publisher: Penguin

Publish date: 2011

ISBN10: 0141047976

Exactly what it says on the packet. Chang examines the free market economy and finds it lacking; mainly in regulation. I enjoyed this book, it was a fun read. (Yes, it is on economics. Don’t stare.) The author has a fun way with anecdotes and examples, a convincing battery of statistics, an unorthodox perspective, and a disarmingly simple, clear style. Perhaps it comes from years of being a professor. Or perhaps years of being a professor comes from these attributes. In any case it’s probably the clearest thing I’ve read since the sign on the glass cabinet for the fire axe that says ‘Break In Case Of Emergency’.

Personally I’d take issue with a few points (yeah that’s right, I’m sure I know better than the author, why not?) but light has been shed for me on some murky question-marks in global economy and for that, one is grateful. Like all the best books, it’s also left a trail of further question-marks, and that counts as A Good Thing.

Sally forth and read. Four hoofs up out of five.

We Do Things Differently - Mark Stevenson

Title: We Do Things Differently  - The Outsiders Rebooting Our World

Author: Mark Stevenson

Publisher: Profile Books

Publish date:  2017

ISBN: 13579108642

The book is a collection of descriptions of innovative system ideas and implementations. I’ve been wondering why we don’t have an online searchable resource of systems that work well across the globe, and actually learn from them methodically – you know, rather than piecemeal posts shared on social media with snippets about Iceland’s education system or hydroponic farms. This is kind of what the book is aiming towards, so in principle, I found it interesting.

In practice it left me feeling I needed to put the book down and go and research the subjects covered. More concrete information and stats, fewer transcripts of exchanges between the author and the interviewees, would have had a much more calming effect on my nerves. The 10^th time I read how someone’s eyes sparkled with excitement/charisma/pent up energy I rather felt the urge to reach for the Mylanta. I am aware this sort of thing appeals to some people. Not me. The style and grammar isn’t top notch either, and the writing has a bit of a rough cotton-polyester feel to it. I do like a bit of style. More style and stats, less flam.

However, that’s the worst of it. The best is that the topics are genuinely thought-provoking, and the intention behind the book is obviously positive. These two can be said about very few publications.

The subjects covered range from online database exchange of information on medical conditions, to crowdsourcing pharmaceutical development, to agricultural systems that move away from the tenets of the Green Revolution, and compressed air engines and coolers for renewable energy sources. These are not hypothetical solutions but ones that have been put into place, so it’s certainly not an accumulation of pie-in-the-sky theories. Every one of the cases is pretty convincing, at least going on the amount of information provided.

In summary, I’d recommend this. Considering most of the subjects are technical, it’s a pretty frothy read, which may be a good thing if that’s what you fancy. Four hoofs up out of five.