 Seeing Like a State: How Certain Schemes to Improve the Human Condition have Failed
By James Scott Published in 1999 460 Pages Thibault’s Score: 5/5 This is one of the best books I have read since I have started reviewing books. It is one of the few books that is a must read for everybody. James Scott explains how the perceptions states have, which are often based off statistical ideation, often fail to align with reality. The result is that well intentioned policies often turn into disastrous affairs which ruin the lives of real people. The book, despite having been written 20 years ago, is still completely relevant. He goes over numerous examples of state policies throughout history, and explains how they failed because the states which sought to implement them did not perceive the realities on the ground. Scott’s examples are clear, interesting, and wide ranging through time and space. Whether discussing forestry in Prussia, agriculture in the Soviet Union, or urbanization in Brazil, James Scott always impresses. His examples are so interesting and clearly written, that the reader always immediately understands what he wants to say. This is the single best book I’ve ever read, with perhaps one or two exceptions, that explains why government policies fail.
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 Reconquest and Crusade in Medieval Spain
By Joseph F. O'Callaghan Published in September 2013 344 Pages Thibault’s Score: 4/5 After reading two very biased histories about Spain in the Middle Ages, this book was a refreshing clear headed and impartial analysis of the period. The Ornament of the World was biased towards the idea that Islamic reign was peaceful and tolerant. The Myth of the Andalusian Paradise was specifically written to refute the arguments laid out in The Ornament of the World. Reconquest and Crusade in Medieval Spain acknowledges the achievements and horrors of both Islamic and Christian reigns. It was not written as an attempt to alter or rewrite the nature of history, or promote a political agenda. The book focuses especially on the reconquest period, although it does briefly discuss the initial Arab occupation of Iberia. One key argument made by the author is that the Christian reconquest of Spain can be classified as a proper crusade, and fell well within the tradition of Middle Eastern crusades. I recommend this book as a good starting place for people who want to learn more about the wars between Christians and Muslims in Spain throughout the Middle Ages, and does not want to be bombarded with a modern political opinion. |
Thibault SerletMost of my articles are book reviews, but I also write about many other topics. Archives
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