It is the "best of <year>" time again. I found this list disappointing. Is this really the best of the best for 2010? Maybe this list is evidence that not only do people no longer read much, but significant thinkers don't write much any more. Depressing, IMHO.
I've read none of them. I read the teaser summaries or capsule reviews and could not get excited. I do read a lot of books, but for these particular books to be the best of the best puts our literature in a sorry state. Most of the books chosen by the economist look to be formula books that will last a few weeks and then be forgotten. "Business books" almost always seem flimsy and without much more content than a single good idea or two drowning in a sea of case studies.
As for what "significant thinkers" ought to be writing books -- well, that's another problem. When I try to think of really significant thinkers who have something meaningful to say, it's a pretty short list, whether they write or not.
Interesting list of books. Is it just me or we are seeing a large number of books (not just here and not just books) dealing with the failures of communism, soviet russia and china?
I'm wondering, are we fearing the comeback of these ideologies or what's the reason behind this surge in popularity?
I don't know about Soviet Russia and Soviet Communism, but I think the latest China-bashing is the inevitable backlash against the "China ascendant" and "Chinese Century" hype of a few years ago.
I'm sure you'll love it - I sure do. They also have an audio edition you get for free with your subscription, where they read every word of the issue. It fills my week of commuting better than anything else.
Anyone read this? Opinions? Sounds interesting.