Been on a geopolitics buzz recently:
On China - Henry Kissinger: An interesting portrait of the dynamic between China and America, focusing on Mao's rule right through to the present day. My main takeaway from the book was how China has been the most dominant civilisation for the majority of the past 2,000 years, so it's more recent flourishing shouldn't come as any surprise. Also that a lot of its downfall in the past 300 years is down to Europeans (more specifically the British). I've been informed since reading the Kissinger is a war criminal and his work should be taken with a grain of salt but for me there are very few westerners as close to the significant world transitions during that time so it's an important document.
Behold, America - Sarah Churchwell - I bought this from an actual bookshop a few weeks ago, amazing right? This focuses on the use in American politics of 2 phrases: the American Dream and America First. It analyses how the meaning of these phrases have changed over time. With America First having more sinister connotations. I was not aware how prominent the KKK were in the 1900's, right up to sympathisers in the highest office. That goes for Trump too, his and his family history is sleazy when it comes to examples of racism, I'm now convinced he's a white supremacist.
After the Fall - Ben Rhodes. This may be the best of the bunch. Starts off in Hungary and Russia and then focuses on China and Hong Kong. It explains how the failed democratic governments of the 90's (Hungary and Russia) have morphed into authoritarian regimes. Shows how it could happen around the world and has made me think twice about how fragile political systems are and how easily people can be convinced to give their rights away. I'm not finished it yet but highly recommended.
