The battle for mineral resources [print version]
A global competition is under way to secure access to minerals such as lithium and cobalt, crucial to technological development…
Book Reviews
Book Reviews
The battle for mineral resources
24 June 2025
A global competition is under way to secure access to minerals such as lithium and cobalt, crucial to technological development…
The real special relationship
Britain has been the preferred hunting ground for US multinationals buying up businesses abroad, leading to a serious loss of independence.
Sex, gender and women’s rights
When women’s rights in Scotland were sacrificed in the name of “progress”, Scottish women decided to fight back. A new book tells their story…
Electricity and net zero
Decarbonising electricity generation may be a good idea, but it’s not happening – and workers are paying the price of massive government subsidies…
Financial systems as weapons
As communications systems have become ever more centralised and monopolised, so too has state control of them. They are now weapons of war…
Net zero: an irrational target
Looking for someone to explain precisely what’s wrong with the government’s net zero targets? A new book could help…
Materials matter
We live in a material world in more senses than one. In fact, our modern world depends as much on sand and rock as it does on technology…
The English seventeenth century revolution: power from the people
17 November 2023
A book about England in the 17th century puts the people of the country as the power that shaped events – just as true today.
Can workers control Britain?
To raise the question of taking control runs counter to the world of politicians’ competing claims to act on our behalf…
How finance capital holds its rule
An analysis of finance capital forensically analyses its failings – but then fails to see that there is no turning back to a golden age. Finance capital must go…
Inside today's Treasury
The Treasury is a key part of the capitalist state, and a new book provides a fine critique of its operations – despite its reformist conclusions…
Meet the new capitalists
This book describes how modern, transnational capitalism operates against the interests of workers everywhere, out of reach of national governments…
Economics and food – lessons in capitalism
27 February 2023
This informative, amusing book uses the history of the food we eat to illustrate the growth of global capital and the damage it does.
How the vaccines were delivered
Britain’s coronavirus vaccine taskforce was successful, but government has thwarted its aim for future resilience…
Behind the science headlines
Issues around science are often high up in the news agendas, but many players can be involved in bringing a story to the public…
Taxes, taxes, everywhere
Now in paperback, an account of taxation and government spending over the past three centuries casts an interesting light on the nation’s development…
A country made for kleptocrats
A new book reveals just how corrupt Britain has become when it comes to international money laundering…
Vaccines – lessons from the front
Two of the Oxford scientists responsible for the AstraZeneca vaccine have documented how it was developed – and sound a warning about the future…
Death in – and of – a chemical plant
Part detective story, part hymn to the power of chemistry, this novel from Fiona Erskine also describes how an industrial powerhouse declined and fell…
The positive power of real facts
In a world where doom and gloom seem to be all-pervasive, it pays to look at the facts. As Hans Rosling’s landmark book shows, progress is far from dead…
Capability Britain
24 November 2021
For a background of what's important in the current political discourse it would be difficult to surpass this new book by Will Podmore.
Profit and the housing shortage
A book published in paperback this year reveals a sorry tale of 60 years of legislation fuelling speculation in land, paving the way for the housing crisis…
Planning for a better future
After the postwar boom in planning which was so important in rebuilding the country, Britain has been sliding back, with dire consequences…
The Democrats’ permanent war
Happy that Joe Biden is US president? Just remember, he was Obama’s vice-president for the full eight years. And look what happened then…
Western power play in the Pacific
This extraordinary book gives a much-needed perspective on the Asia-Pacific region, where the USA and its Western allies are aligned against China…
For a united Britain
16 April 2021
This book makes the case for continued and renewed union as better both for Scots and for their fellow British citizens.
Wales – integral to Britain
There’s a reason why the people of Wales have not succumbed to separatism. As a recent book shows, they are committed to the union…
Ireland and the EU: a bad marriage
9 February 2021
The former Irish Ambassador to Canada describes his country's entanglement with the European Union and makes the case for Irish independence.
The ‘left’: fear and loathing of workers
16 January 2021
This useful book analyses and criticises the anti-working class attitudes of all too many in the labour movement.