Readerbloke

The economics you won't be told about by politicians, 1 April 2011

Not much to say other than buy this book with all urgency, read it, and ponder why nobody has explained economics in this way to you before. The answer, in my view, is that it suits politicians, the State and bankers not to look at the world this way. Our economy is built on sand, and we need to go back to first principles, rebuild our nonsense 'alchemical' banking system to halt the booms and busts caused by inflation, central bank meddling, and politicians using our own money to bribe us. Otherwise we just keep kicking the can down the road and it will be our children that reap the bitter harvest that results.

Then give it to every one you know. It's that good, that easy to… Read more

Lyrical, soulful songs from a bright new talent, 16 July 2008

This album is from a breaking-through singer songwriter on the London acoustic circuit. It's really enjoyable guitar based folk-rock, and most important the songs have that 'listen to again' quality that I think will keep me coming back to it in years to come. There's real depth in the lyrics, and anyone who likes David Gray, Bob Dylan, Nick Drake etc should find this is just their taste.

Reasonable 'journalistic' overview, but how many typos!?!, 9 July 2008

This is an enjoyable, easy-to-read overview of postwar Britain but Marr does seem to get away with some shockingly wooly points that would have caused my history teacher's red pen to run out of ink!

The first chapters, about Britain's politics immediately after WW2 up to the 60s I thought were excellent, but as soon as he gets into economics, pop music etc it does become pretty sloppy tabloid generalisation. As a typical upper-middle class BBC journo and well-known chum of Gordon Brown he's also painfully PC, especially jarring in a history book, re. the unqualified good of multiculturalism, the NHS and welfare state, the liberal reforms of the 60s onwards etc. There's also a… Read more