Non-fiction
THE STRANGE DEATH OF EUROPE: IMMIGRATION, ISLAM AND IDENTITY
by Douglas Murray (Bloomsbury, $32) A disturbing book on many levels. Douglas Murray spells out in scary detail the impact that the arrival of millions of migrants — often with views on gays, women and free speech sharply at odds with local attitudes — is having on Europe’s culture. The size of the influx, he notes, is opposed by substantial majorities in every country, yet largely endorsed by ruling elites and is now probably unstoppable. The book is an unashamed polemic but with enough substance to be worth reading even — maybe especially — by those who passionately disagree with his conclusions. (JE)
THE GROWTH DELUSION
by David Pilling (Bloomsbury, $33)
If economic growth is the goal, Gross Domestic Product is what tells us if we’re on track. And what a distorted measurement it is, leaving out a lot that matters (clean air? sorry, that doesn’t count) while diligently measuring spending on negatives such as weapons and prisons. This idea isn’t new: Simon Kuznets, the economist who developed GDP, was fully aware of its limitations. With more flair and humour than you might expect, given the topic, Pilling describes GDP’s use and misuse, suggests alternatives and warns us of the dangers of slavish devotion to this one measure. (MF)
FRANCE: A HISTORY FROM GAUL TO DE GAULLE
by John Julius Norwich (John Murray, $60)
Popular historian and Francophile Lord
Norwich thinks English-speaking people are ignorant of the glorious sweep of French history so he wants to set that right. Is this book the answer? It is certainly easy to read, colourful, fast-paced and highly entertaining. The first few centuries are a bit of a blur but the second half makes wonderful sense out of the confusion of the French Revolution and subsequent rise and fall of the various republics and monarchies, culminating in the emergence of Charles de Gaulle and his vision of a new France. Good fun and hugely informative. (JE)
CATCHING THUNDER
by Eskil Engdal and Kjetil Saeter (Scribe, $37) Billed as “the longest chase in maritime history” — if not the fastest — this is the story of how conservation group Sea Shepherd found the pirate fishing boat Thunder in Antarctic waters, then doggedly pursued it for 111 days, until it was finally scuttled off West Africa. New Zealand even plays a role (not a very glorious one, in Sea Shepherd’s view). Besides following the chase, the authors pursue the people behind the illegal fishing business. Written like an action novel, this leaves no doubt who the bad guys and the heroes are. (MF)
RAILWAYS AND THE RAJ: HOW THE AGE OF STEAM TRANSFORMED INDIA
by Christian Wolmar (Atlantic Books, $55)
The most common image of Indian railways is of trains overflowing with thousands of passengers. Of course, that is far from the whole story but it’s not a bad symbol of the significant role rail has played in India. As railway historian Christian Wolmar outlines in delightful detail, the rail system was created by the Raj to facilitate its control, making it easier to distribute British goods and transport troops to trouble spots. But its greatest success came post-independence, when the colonial network was extended and did much to hold things together. A great read and not just for rail enthusiasts. (JE)