In Poor Numbers: How We Are Misled by African Statistics and What to Do about it?

Having reliable statistical information is crucial for policy analysis and decision-making of government and international organisations. Yet, the sources of these statistical data are rarely questioned. In Poor Numbers: How We Are Misled by African Statistics and What to Do about it? Morten Jerven, an economic historian, argues that economic statistics and national income data of … Read more

The story of Martin Guerre, as interpreted by Natalie Davis and Robert Finlay

The Davis Debate The historical debate centering on the story of Martin Guerre, as interpreted by Natalie Davis and Robert Finlay, is a controversial battle since both their arguments present different motivations and implications of the events that took place in 16th century Artigat. In Davis’ book, she argues three interpretations that she bases off cultural … Read more

Reunion – John Cheever

Short story: Reunion Reunion is a short story written by John Cheever. The short story was published in The New Yorker in 1962, and than later included in a collection of stories called “The stories of John Cheever” . Most of his short stories are situated in the Upper East Side of Manhattan, the suburbs … Read more

River of Dark Dreams – Walter Johnson

Whilst Soul by Soul examined the life within New Orleans slave pens, Walter Johnson’s River of Dark Dreams focuses on the global reach and expansion of the Cotton Kingdom in the Mississippi Valley. Despite several issues with the book, Johnson’s focus on slavery, capitalism and imperialism, coupled with his thought-provoking arguments, makes this book entertaining, … Read more

Beyond Abraham

Reinforced by increasing church attendance among postwar Americans, this burgeoning religious zeal appeared to converge directly with cold war politics and the United States ever-growing geopolitical influence. In foreign affairs, might continued to make right, a condition legitimated domestically in efforts to essentially nationalize Christianity. A period of intense religious ferment, postwar America experienced both … Read more

Anton Chekhov – The Cherry Orchard

Anton Chekhov is a Russian play writer who wrote the cherry orchard as his last play. He describes his play as a comedy since it employs a significant number of farce elements though others treat the play as a tragedy. The play is regarded as a classic of the 20th century because it has been … Read more

Analysis of Survival of the Sickest by Dr. Sharon Moalem

Survival of the Sickest, a book written by Dr. Sharon Moalem with Jonathan Prince, is an analysis on evolution that questions the reasonings behind survival and creation. It explains how many genes are passed down through generations and proves why they increase a species’ chance of surviving and reproducing. In the introduction, the author confirms … Read more

What novels have taught me about life

Of the many different genres of books, the one I love most are fictional stories, with made-up characters inhabiting made-up worlds, authors taking license to create powerful action. For me, reading a novel suspends time and allows me to experience the inner workings of another human. It is a radically subjective experience. For the empiricists … Read more

Edward Abbey – Desert Solitaire

Thesis (tentative): Thoreau uses personal anecdotes, manipulation of tone and mood, and personification to highlight the importance of nature and decry the evils of corporate, selfish America. Introduction: “We need the tonic of wildness…we require that all things be mysterious and unexplorable, that land and sea be indefinitely wild, unsurveyed and unfathomed by us because … Read more

‘Kindred’ and ‘Zoo City’ (Butler/Beukes)

In the novels, Kindred and Zoo City Butler and Beukes use SF as a medium to challenge cultural constructs of gender. Butler’s Kindred is one the earliest neo-slave narratives; uniquely approaching slavery from a black female perspective. Zoo City is rare in its varied use of multiple genres – cyberpunk, magic realism, noir, and allegory … Read more