Special Summer Issue: Books, Music, Films
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(Swans - July 30, 2012) Like most people, my favourite books, music, and films change all the time. Nevertheless, here are some that still take my fancy at the moment.
Books
• Web of Deceit: Britain's Real Role in the World (2003), by Mark Curtis (Vintage Books)
Why Britain is of course not so different from the United States.
• Re-enchanting Humanity: A Defense of the Human Spirit Against Anti-humanism, Misanthropy, Mysticism and Primitivism (1995), by Murray Bookchin (Cassell)
Need I say more.
• Taking the Risk out of Democracy: Propaganda in the US and Australia (1995), by Alex Carey (University of New South Wales Press)
A thorough reading of the use of corporate propaganda against humanity.
• Foundations and Public Policy: The Mask of Pluralism (2003), by Joan Roelofs (State University of New York Press)
A comprehensive story of the rise and rise of liberal philanthropy.
• Travesty in Haiti: A True Account of Christian Missions, Orphanages, Food Aid, Fraud and Drug Trafficking (2010), by Timothy Schwartz (Self-published)
Waging aid! Philanthropy in action.
• The Making of Black Revolutionaries (1985 [1972]), by James Forman (Open Hand Publishing)
A timeless autobiography from a leading civil rights activist.
Music
• Depth Of Sound (2010), music by Dubmarine
Music to dance your socks off to: sweaty times and happy times.
• Mark My Words (2012), music by Grace Petrie
Beautiful folk, raging against the machine.
• Beads On A String (2005), music by Kooii.
Calming lullabies and grooving melodies.
• Party Music (2001), music by The Coup
Hip-hopping against imperialism.
• Soundtrack To The Struggle (2011), music by Lowkey
Rapping for the future.
• Constellations (2010), music by the Grassroots Street Orchestra
Jamming tunes and incendiary lyrics.
Films
• The Big Flame (1969), by Ken Loach
A tale of resistance and occupation.
• The Day Today (1994), by Armando Iannucci and Chris Morris
Hilarious spoof of the British current affairs programming.
• The Wind That Shakes The Barley (2006), by Ken Loach
A heartfelt tale from the Irish struggle against imperialism.
• The Big Blue (1988), by Luc Besson
Of love and the sea.
• Psywar: The Real Battlefield Is The Mind (2010), by Scott Noble
Easily the best documentary on the history of modern-day propaganda.
• The Power Principle: Corporate Empire and the Rise of the National Security State (2012), by Scott Noble
Mind-blowing exposition on power.
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About the Author
Michael Barker is an independent researcher who currently resides in the UK. In addition to his work for Swans, which can be found in the 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012 archives, his other articles can be accessed at michaeljamesbarker.wordpress.com. Please help fund his work. (back)