books@cc.

Conjugal Loveby Alberto Moravia

During (and a few decades after) the wars Moravia was probably the most widely-known Italian novelist in English-speaking countries. The Conformist and Contempt have been made into films by Bertolucci and Godard. Then there’s also the friendship with Pasolini. Yet these days one (at least in English-speaking world) hardly heard of him, jostled by popular favourites such as Eco and Calvino.

by Damian McNicholl (2004) Backcover said, ‘Evoking a sense of time and place as compelling as Angela’s Ashes and At Swim, Two Boys, and the courageous spirit of Billy Elliot . . .’ Should’ve known better: After all, praises for At Swim, Two Boys has already made me wonder if reviewers know any other Irish [...]

by Richard P. Bentall

Central to this book argument is Bentall’s proposal to “abandon psychiatric diagnoses altogether and instead try to explain and understand the actual experiences and behaviours of psychotic people”, that this approach will provide a richer account of aetiology than using Kraepelinian paradigm. Madness is a matter of opinion, and psychiatric problems must be approached from multiple perspectives.

History of a Genocide
by Gérard Prunier (1995)

Meticulously researched, elaborating history and politics of pre-colonial Rwanda, written in a “scientifically” detached tone.

by Philip Gourevitch

This is probably the most popular and accessible book written on Rwandan genocide, a ’smaller canvas’ book that would be a good introduction. Includes personal accounts by some (sometimes key) personnels (including Paul Rusesabagina of Hotel Rwanda, Paul Kagame, and just random people).

How Societies Choose to Fail or Survive
by Jared Diamond (2005).

Whereas Guns, Germs and Steel explains why history unfolded differently on different continents with varying successes, Collapse gives the other side of the coin: how societies crumble.