Robert Darnton: The Revolutionary Temper
The Revolutionary Temper: Paris, 1748-1789 by Robert Darnton is an excellent book which examines the cultural and informational landscape that preceded the French Revolution.
Clive Oppenheimer: Mountains of Fire
"Mountains of Fire. The Secret Lives of Volcanoes" by Clive Oppenheimer is a captivating blend of memoir, scientific exploration, and historical narrative that delves into the power, mystery and human connection to volcanoes.
Annie Jacobsen: Nuclear War. A Scenario
"Nuclear War: A Scenario" by Annie Jacobsen ranks among the most terrifying and unsettling books I've ever read.
The Year in Review: 2024
A list of my favourite books, films, albums and exhibitions of the year.
John Vaillant: Fire Weather. A True Story From a Hotter World
In "Fire Weather. A True Story From a Hotter World" John Vaillant tells the harrowing story of the 2016 wildfire that devastated Fort McMurray, Alberta. It is a sobering read that serves as both a compelling disaster story and an urgent warning about our climate future.
Lorraine Daston: Rules. A Short History of What We Live By
"Rules: A Short History of What We Live By" by Lorraine Daston is a fascinating, dense and highly readable book, which explores the concept of rules and their role in shaping human behavior.
The Year in Review: 2023
The best books that I read, the best films that I watched, the best albums that I listened to and the best exhibitions that I visited in 2023.
Ray Monk: Ludwig Wittgenstein. The Duty of Genius
Ray Monk’s excellent Wittgenstein biography "Ludwig Wittgenstein. The Duty of Genius" is a joy to read and also serves as a good introduction to his work.
Paul Griffiths: Modern Music and After
Paul Griffiths' “Modern Music and After” provides a magnificent introduction to avant-garde music, covering key composers and major works with clarity and depth.
Hans Belting: Face and Mask. A Double History
In "Face and Mask. A Double History" Hans Belting provides a detailed exploration of the historical and cultural significance of faces and masks. Through an analysis of the relationship between these two concepts, Belting presents a novel conceptual framework for rethinking the history of art.
The Best Books of 2022
The best fiction, best general non-fiction, best biography, philosophy and history books, best graphic novels, the best art and photography books and the most disappointing books that I read this past year.
Steven Naifeh and Gregory White Smith: Van Gogh. The Life
I thought I knew everything I needed to know to appreciate Vincent van Gogh's work. As it turns out there is a lot that I didn’t know and after reading "Van Gogh. The Life" I appreciate his work even more.