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alekz's reviews
66 reviews
The End of Policing by Alex S. Vitale
Really factual, straightforward, easy to understand. It covers a variety of topics, provides ample evidence & statistics and specific instances for each claim. I think it’s a very solid entry level reading for understanding the ways police reforms have been attempted and why they have failed and will continue to fail.
I think the author was a little too liberal with their conclusion, as they spent the entire book explaining why police reforms will always fail because of the inherent corruption of policing, but then ended by saying reform is possible if the circumstances are right (when they go on to explain they will never be right). It felt like an appeal to liberal readers rather than the author standing firm in a more leftist stance. I think overall the book is very valuable, especially as an entry level book for liberals who are pro police reform, as it does a very clear job of illustrating past reform attempts. I do wish the author ended on a more firm note.
Hand your local liberal the first chapter at minimum tho and I think they’ll understand things considerably more.
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
Really factual, straightforward, easy to understand. It covers a variety of topics, provides ample evidence & statistics and specific instances for each claim. I think it’s a very solid entry level reading for understanding the ways police reforms have been attempted and why they have failed and will continue to fail.
I think the author was a little too liberal with their conclusion, as they spent the entire book explaining why police reforms will always fail because of the inherent corruption of policing, but then ended by saying reform is possible if the circumstances are right (when they go on to explain they will never be right). It felt like an appeal to liberal readers rather than the author standing firm in a more leftist stance. I think overall the book is very valuable, especially as an entry level book for liberals who are pro police reform, as it does a very clear job of illustrating past reform attempts. I do wish the author ended on a more firm note.
Hand your local liberal the first chapter at minimum tho and I think they’ll understand things considerably more.
Mask Off: Masculinity Redefined by J.J. Bola
hopeful
informative
reflective
fast-paced
4.75
Great introductory read on masculinity, the negative impact of patriarchy on men, feminism and its positive impact on men, and the intersectionality of all of the above. Written by a young Congolese man living in the UK. It’s approachable, accessible, short (4 hour listen), clear and concise, but not so much so that it feels dumbed down. It’s smart, thoughtful, empathetic, and enjoyable. He closes out with 10 action items men can do to facilitate better relationships to masculinities, other men, and the world.
The Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
The Art of Losing: Poems of Grief and Healing by Kevin Young
dark
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
On Palestine by Ilan Pappé, Noam Chomsky
informative
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
Really clear, little to no jargon, answers most FAQs very succinctly and factually and eloquently.
If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Pretty good but randomly had a few jarring moments of racism that didn’t seem like character choices but just the author using the g-slur, saying the teacher was looking them over like that were slaves on the auction block?? I was listening to the audiobook so I can’t go back and reference but I think there was another instance too. ?!
The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Dracula by Bram Stoker
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5