sonicdonutflour's reviews
88 reviews

Intimate Direct Democracy: Fort Mose, the Great Dismal Swamp, and the Human Quest for Freedom by Modibo Kadalie

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challenging hopeful informative inspiring reflective fast-paced

5.0

An incredibly refreshing approach to writing history. Understanding how much of the ‘history’ we take in uses hierarchy as its lens: focusing on governments, charismatic leaders, and systems of power. It is easy to overlook the millions who were able to live on their own terms.
Firsting and Lasting: Writing Indians out of Existence in New England by Jean M. O'Brien

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challenging informative reflective medium-paced

4.25

This book was a thorough explanation of the propaganda education I was fed as a white kid growing up in New England. Embarrassed that so much of this lodged itself in my young brain. 
God's Bits of Wood by Ousmane Sembène

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challenging emotional inspiring reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

A novel about learning your inner strength and power, I experienced just about every imaginable emotion while reading. The book is set during the rail worker’s strike in the 50s in Senegal. I cannot possibly recommend this book enough. A near perfect novel. 
Everybody Talks About the Weather . . . We Don't: The Writings of Ulrike Meinhof by Ulrike Marie Meinhof

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reflective sad medium-paced

3.5

It’s deflating how many of her cultural criticisms are still relevant. I wish this included her communiques from the underground once the RAF started.
Possibilities: Essays on Hierarchy, Rebellion, and Desire by David Graeber

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hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.25

Started incredibly slow by really picked up steam as it went along; the essay “there never was a west” I wish everyone could read.
Terra Nullius: A Journey Through No One's Land by Sven Lindqvist

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challenging dark emotional reflective sad fast-paced

4.0

Very intense, unsparing look at colonial crimes in what is known as ‘Australia’ as well as some decent thinking on justice/repayment for crimes of the past.
American Indian Thought: Philosophical Essays by

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challenging informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.5

Some of this was dry but the good stuff makes it well worth it. The Anne Waters, VF Cordova, and Thurman Lee Hester Jr sections were especially illuminating.
Blood on the Stone: Greed, Corruption and War in the Global Diamond Trade by Ian Smillie

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dark informative medium-paced

3.25

News from Nowhere by William Morris

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hopeful lighthearted reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

Anarchist utopian novel from 1890 that does not feel nearly as dated as I was expecting. 
Columbus and Other Cannibals: The Wetiko Disease of Exploitation, Imperialism, and Terrorism by Jack D. Forbes

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challenging dark reflective fast-paced

4.5

Jack Forbes was primarily a history writer but switches to philosophy with this gloves-off assault on western culture and their cannibal disease that is engulfing the planet.