Category: Books

Christofi writes “Even though [Dostoevsky] never wrote his memoirs, those who knew him could unearth them” [in his novels.] This is what Cristofi tries to do. He had previously written two novels. You are left asking, “Is this a biography or a novel?” “Many of Dostoevsky’s ideas remain disconcertingly relevant, [including] that a society without … Continue reading Review: Dostoevsky in Love – An Intimate Life by Alex Christofi (2021)Assessment 7 out of 10

This is the work of a professional historian relying on detailed reading of documents to reach long researched but quickly written (or at least quickly read) conclusions. To begin with I thought just the introduction would be like that. It all was. It was breathless. The story is illustrated both on the pages and in … Continue reading Review: The Origins of Sex by Faramerz Dabhoiwala (2012) Assessment 8 out of 10

A Moral Economy is the web of shared values within an economy which is based on justice, contrasted with untrammeled markets. Faith describes the shift from an unfeudal Anglo-Saxon (AS) to a feudalised Anglo-Norman countryside, as change away from the moral economy. The AS position was complex. On inland the primary aim was to supply … Continue reading Review: The Moral Economy of the Countryside; Anglo-Saxon to Anglo-Norman England by Rosamond Faith (2020) Assessment 8 out 10

This is a great book, although I don’t say it is an easy read. It seems unbelievable that Sack is not included amongst the 52 “Key  Thinkers on Space and Place” listed by Hubbard, Kitchin & Valentine (2004) or the book included in their 26 “Key Texts in Human Geography”(2008).That he and it aren’t included … Continue reading Review; Human Territoriality: Its Theory and History by Robert D Sack (1986) Assessment 9 out of 10

I scored it as highly as I did because I was genuinely impressed by the thesis that the health of women and men is different and that women are stronger at both the beginning and end of life. Moalem ascribes this to women having 2 XXs and men the XY chromosome. The X chromosome contains … Continue reading Review: The Better Half; on the Genetic Superiority of Women by Sharon Moalem (2020) Assessment 4 out of 10

Robert Sack is an Emeritus Professor of Geography at the University of Wisconsin. My favourite Geographer who is also a writer, Yi Fu Tuan, also taught there, so this was clearly a power house. Like Tuan, Sack is a philosopher as much as he is a Geographer. I read the Book once and wasn’t sure … Continue reading Review; Place, Modernity and the Consumer’s World by Robert D Sack (1992) Assessment 8 out of 10

This is a short book. It is perhaps the most learned I have read on Channel Island history, local history seen against European comparators. The work was based on Le Patourel’s Doctorate at Jesus College, Oxford. He went on to a wider stage writing about medieval England, France and Normandy.  After reading “The Channel Islands … Continue reading Review; The Medieval Administration of the Channel Islands 1199-1399 by John Le Patourel (1937) Assessment 9 out of 10

It was a real pleasure to acquire this long out of print book. It is a hardback of 194 pages, with some fine black and white plates. The copy I acquired for £10 was in good condition. It was Ex Libris the University College of Wales Aberystwyth and presumably hadn’t been read there for some … Continue reading Review;The Channel Islands under Tudor Government 1485-1642; a Study of Administrative History by AJ Eagleston(1949) Assessment 9 out of 10

Current interpretations of Classical Athens are criticised, in particular their tendency to view non-modern Athenian demokratia as if it is a proto-modern democracy.  Rather, a more real view is advocated that Ancient Athens and Attica should be understood on their own terms. Harold Butterfield‘s “The Whig Interpretation of History”, written in 1931, made a similar … Continue reading Review: The Realness of Things Past; Ancient Greece and Ontological History by Greg Anderson Assessment 10 out of 10

Why review a book published over 50 years ago? It was on my bookshelf dating back to my undergraduate days. I reread it as part of a study of Jersey Parishes, which I suggest are places without being central places, so I felt I should know what a central place is.  It remains a very … Continue reading Review: Geography of Market Centers and Retail Distribution by Brian Berry (1967) Assessment 8 out of 10