R.I.P. Naguib Mahfouz August 30, 2006
Posted by Delilah in : General, Books, World , add a comment
A most wonderful writer and spirit. His voice will be sorely missed.
More hysteria at the Washington Post February 28, 2006
Posted by Delilah in : US, Books, Washington Consensus , add a commentAnyone with any true experience of international development ie gained from working within the beasts that make it up and on the ground - rather than looking at it from some desk in Europe or North America - knows why John Perkins’ book “Confessions of an Economic Hit Man” has been such a tremendous best seller. It ruthlessly unpacks the dark underbelly of international development practices that those of us with experience in the field suffered for many years and continue to suffer although, clearly, not to the extent that its victims (ie “beneficiaries” in the lingo) have.
There is no way to verify all the detailed machinations that Perkins describes in the experiences he relates in the book, but we, the development practitioners and the victims of development, know the consequences because we’ve lived them.
Now, Washington Post columnist Sebastian Mallaby may just be envious of Perkins’ success. (more…)
Life out of Context February 27, 2006
Posted by Delilah in : US, Books , add a comment
Yesterday, on s-span2, Walter discussed his latest book with Harry Belafonte. It was fascinating. Harry was in rare form but Walter delivered my favorite quote of the evening: “Fuck those Democrats” - which brought loud cheers from the Cooper Union (NY) audience and me. I just bought the book and look forward to reading it but I’ve heard him speak of his idea of a Black Voting Black akin to the NRA in terms of influence. Absolutely. That is what we need. Count me in, for real.
From Mosley’s site:
Life Out of Context begins as a brooding examination of Mosley’s own sense of cultural dislocation as an African-American writer. Then a series of serendipitous events ensues–the screening of a documentary on Africa, an inspiring encounter with Harry Belafonte and Hugh Masekela–prompting Mosley to turn his focus to broader issues: What can we do to fight injustice, poverty, exploitation, and racism? What is globalization doing to us?
Through these meditations Mosley attempts to transcend his earlier feelings of living a “life out of context” and instead seeks a political context. He ends with a call to arms, urging African-Americans to break their historic ties with the Democratic Party and form a party of their own. Mosley writes, “Economic globalism has pressed many lives out of context. It’s about time we push back.”
Published by Nation Books
