Review: Behemoth: The Structure & Practice of National Socialism, 1933-1944

Behemoth: The Structure & Practice of National Socialism, 1933-1944 by Franz Leopold Neumann
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Behemoth is one of these books on History that gives you a fresh perspective on the modern events. Neumann made a scrupulous vivisection of the Nazi regime, analyzing it not only as a political scientist but also as a legal scholar. Thousands and thousands of III Reich normative acts, from the edicts of Führer himself to the circulars of local councils (not mentioning the vast and deep analysis of the practice of Nazi judicial system), were weighted in the ruthless academic manner.

The light that was shed on the various techniques of the mass manipulation used by Nazis could definitely be used nowadays to find a path from the abyss of populism in the modern politics.

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Review: Нова Європа

Нова Європа by Альона Гетьманчук
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Цікава колекція думок про Україну в Європі та Європу в Україні. Можна погоджуватися чи ні з опініями авторів, але, у будь якому разі, з ними варто ознайомитися.

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Review: Conclave

Conclave by Robert Harris
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A powerful book about spiritual quest during elections of the new Pope of Rome, when a higher purpose overcomes all political intrigues.

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Review: The Little Drummer Girl

The Little Drummer Girl by John le Carré
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

As always, brilliant story from the Master. A skillful presentation of a spy story in the scenery of a hopeless Middle East conflict.

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Review: Holocaust F

Holocaust F by Cezary Zbierzchowski
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It was a pleasure to discover this modern Polish SF writer. An interesting prospect of the posthumanistic society.

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Review: Notes on Nationalism

Notes on Nationalism by George Orwell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It was interesting to re-read this book in the original. Once again, I saw how remarkable his penmanship is. But even more important feature of his works, in my opinion, that is an intellectual honesty. A ruthless one. I have no doubt that his work is not to the liking of both the right and the left. With systematic fastidiousness, he examines the irrational fanaticism of both Сommunism and Nazism. Also, he would undoubtedly provoke the anger of the modern 'liberals' (if they had given themselves the trouble of reading his books, of course), those who have perverted and spoiled this beautiful term, originated from the word 'liberty,' as he mocks their 'holy cows,' the concept of 'white guilt' among them (he calls it a 'Colour Feeling'). A small, but wise book. One of my favourite kind.

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Autumn

The burning rowanberries, like the embers,

warm my heart.