Tag: Summer reading list

My Summer 2025 political reading list (the 9th one?)

by dsmooney, posted in Politics, reading list, Writing
Introduction:

If my maths is correct… and that is a major “if”… this is my ninth annual summer political reading list.

As the name suggests, the books on the list have a political theme or connection. The books in this year’s selection are all non-fiction and are a reflection of my prejudices and opinions. I have tried, as in previous years, to include books that help challenge my own views… so some books on this year’s list will accord with my personal political perspective… some don’t. 

There are far fewer biographies and histories this year, compared with previous years (just one of each), and more polemics on international and global issues. By their nature political books are not “light reads”, but I have tried to avoid overly academic tomes. The one criteria I have tried to stick with is finding books that are well-written and accessible. With one clear exception… most have been written and published over the past 6 – 12 months, which means they are mostly hard backs.

There is A #MooneyOnPolitics #podcast to accompany this list: On Spotify

Enjoy. Feel free to leave your thoughts and feedback below. Continue reading “My Summer 2025 political reading list (the 9th one?)” →

My Summer 2024 Political Reading List

by dsmooney, posted in EU, Politics, reading list, UK politics, US politics

This is my 7th annual Summer political reading list. As with the ones that have gone before, the list is extremely personal. Most of the books on this year’s list have been published within the past 12-18 months. All cover broadly political topics and should (IMHO) interest to those who follow politics, be it Irish, European, American or global. The choices are mine. I have read some, not all, but these appeal to me. Some reflect my own political viewpoints, others challenge them. Feel free to add your own suggestions in the comments below. There is a Podcast to accompany this list 

But What Can I Do?:  Why Politics Has Gone Socampbell Wrong, and How You Can Help Fix It

by Alastair Campbell

As the late great Seamus Mallon often remarked, decisions are made by the people who show up. This dictum could well have served as an alternative title for Campbell’s latest book. He describes the book as part call to arms, part practical handbook… and it is. Continue reading “My Summer 2024 Political Reading List” →

My Summer 2023 Political Reading List

by dsmooney, posted in reading list

THE MURDERER AND THE TAOISEACH

by Harry McGee

While folks may know that “Gubu” has its origins in the words used by Taoiseach Charles Haughey to describe the capture of the killer of two young people in the home of the Attorney General, Patrick Connolly: grotesque, unbelievable, bizarre and unprecedented, many will not know the full story of the… well… eh… bizarre… events that led to that extraordinary Haughey press conference.

As the book’s blurb states Harry McGee expertly tells the story of the aristocratic Malcolm Macarthur and retraces the events of the hot summer of 1982, from Macarthur’s senseless cold-blooded murder of Bridie Gargan and Dónal Dunne, through the cat-and-mouse Garda manhunt to Macarthur’s eventual capture in the most unlikely of locations. Continue reading “My Summer 2023 Political Reading List” →

My 2021 Summer Political reading list

by dsmooney, posted in Government, Micheal Martin, Politics, reading list, UK politics, US politics

This list first appeared on Broadsheet on July 26th and is my 5th annual Summer Political Reading list. 

Welcome to my fifth annual summer political reading list. As the name suggests, the books on the list have a political theme or connection. All the books in this year’s selection are non-fiction and reflect my own tastes and prejudices.

I have included a few biographies, histories, and polemics on issues of domestic and wider interest. While none of the books could be said to be a light read, they are not heavy going either. They are all well-written and accessible. Most have been published over the past 6 – 12 months, which means they are mostly hard backs.

From Whence I Came, Editors Brian Murphy & Donnacha Ó Beacháin

This is a collection of original essays on the Kennedy legacy and the special political ties between Ireland and the United States. Contributors include the editors, both key figures behind the annual Kennedy Summer School, plus a stellar cast of informed and interesting writers, such as Cody Kennan, President Obama’s former speechwriter, Kerry Kennedy, President of the RFK Human Rights organisation and Tad Devine a former senior adviser to Bernie Sanders, Al Gore and John Kerry election campaigns. In addition to being a cracking good read, all editor royalties are being donated to the New Ross Community Hospital in memory of the late Noel Whelan.

Continue reading “My 2021 Summer Political reading list” →

My Summer 2018 @broadsheet_ie political reading list

by dsmooney, posted in Brexit, Fake News, Good Friday Agreement, Politics, US politics, Writing

This is my Broadsheet.ie 2018 Summer Political Reading List

books1

If you are thinking of taking a few political books away with you as you wind down in August, then the list below may be of help.

As with last year’s list, the books here appear in no particular order. These are the books that caught my attention over the past few months, including some from the second half of 2017 and one that I wanted to like, but couldn’t.

As this list broadly reflects my personal biases, feel free to offer your own suggestions in the comments section below. Enjoy the Summer and see you back here towards the end of August.

Beyond The Border, The Good Friday Agreement And Irish Unity After Brexit by Richard Humphreys

A timely read, this book by High Court judge and former Irish Labour Party Sp/Ad, Richard Humphreys examines how the structures and principles that underpin the 1998 Good Friday Agreement could work in a post Brexit, United Ireland.

Continue reading “My Summer 2018 @broadsheet_ie political reading list” →

Better late than never – a repost of my @broadsheet_ie political summer reading list #2017

by dsmooney, posted in Culture, Politics, presidency

Just realised that I neglected to post last years Summer political reading list here to my own website. So… almost six months late… here it is. 

With the Summer break in mind I decided to put together a summer reading list of titles to take away with you on holidays. Some of these I have already read, some I am planning to read. It includes recommendations from friends and suggestions made on Facebook and Twitter.

The list is in no particular order. If you disagree with any of my choices, then feel free to offer your suggestions in the comments section below:

Here goes:

1Ruadhán MacCormaic’s The Supreme Court (Penguin Ireland) is a fascinating history and account of our top court. It is, in the words of Vincent Browne, “…not just for people interested in law; it tells you a lot about Ireland.” It is no mere dry chronology of landmark ruling, but rather it tells the story of the court through its people, both on and before the bench, and the influence it has had on our society. A definite must read for anyone seriously interested in public policy.

Continue reading “Better late than never – a repost of my @broadsheet_ie political summer reading list #2017” →