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Aaron Bastani

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Aaron John Bastani is a British political commentator, writer, broadcaster and activist. He is a Contributing Editor and Digital Officer of Novara Media, which he co-founded.
29 books on the list
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Working Backwards book cover
Working Backwards
Insights, Stories, and Secrets from Inside Amazon
Colin Bryar - 2021-02-09
Goodreads Rating
"Working Backwards" is a guidebook written by two former Amazon executives that reveals insider secrets to the company's culture, leadership, and best practices. With extensive experience at Amazon, the authors share how the company's principles and practices are applied at all levels and how they have led to scalability and adaptability. This practical guidebook also provides ground-level practices that ensure success, with real-life anecdotes of the authors' personal and professional experiences. Discover the secrets behind Amazon's global success in "Working Backwards."
Aaron Bastani
2023-02-09T16:29:42.000Z
Two invaluable books for socialists, particularly those building organisations. I’m being serious!      source
Good Strategy Bad Strategy book cover
Good Strategy Bad Strategy
The Difference and Why It Matters
Richard Rumelt - 2011-07-19
Goodreads Rating
Good Strategy Bad Strategy debunks the muddled thinking that underlies too many strategies and provides a clear way to create and implement a powerful action-oriented strategy for the real world. Richard Rumelt shows that a good strategy is a specific and coherent response to obstacles to progress, and can be cultivated with a wide variety of tools for guiding your own thinking. Featuring fascinating examples from business, nonprofit, and military affairs, Good Strategy Bad Strategy offers original and pragmatic ideas to leaders in any field.
Aaron Bastani
2023-02-09T16:29:42.000Z
Two invaluable books for socialists, particularly those building organisations. I’m being serious!      source
Recommended by
Peep Laja
The Politics of Jesus book cover
The Politics of Jesus
Rediscovering the True Revolutionary Nature of Jesus' Teachings and How They Have Been Corrupted
Obery M. Hendricks Jr. - 2006-08-29
Goodreads Rating
Explore the political side of Jesus and his teachings with this thought-provoking book. Biblical scholar, activist, and minister Obery Hendricks asks the tough questions about how Jesus, a revolutionary leader, became a symbol for the status quo. With a scathing critique of politicians who claim to follow the teachings of Jesus, The Politics of Jesus is a must-read for those interested in the intersection of faith and politics.
Aaron Bastani
2022-12-23T12:30:09.000Z
Honestly two of the best books I’ve read in recent years. The first is on the demographic rise of Christianity in the Roman Empire. The second is about the politics, and political context, of Jesus of Galilee.      source
The Rise of Christianity book cover
The Rise of Christianity
How the Obscure, Marginal Jesus Movement Became the Dominant Religious Force in the Western World in a Few Centuries
Rodney Stark - 1997-05-09 (first published in 1996)
Goodreads Rating
Discover how Christianity rose to dominate the Western world in this provocative and persuasive account. The author challenges conventional wisdom and offers startling conclusions about Christianity's appeal to privileged individuals, women, and marginalized Jews during the Roman Empire. This "compelling reading" is sure to generate spirited argument and offers insights into contemporary religion's lasting appeal.
Aaron Bastani
2022-12-23T12:30:09.000Z
Honestly two of the best books I’ve read in recent years. The first is on the demographic rise of Christianity in the Roman Empire. The second is about the politics, and political context, of Jesus of Galilee.      source
Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom book cover
Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom
A Novel
Cory Doctorow - 2003-12-05
Goodreads Rating
In this transhuman future, Jules has fulfilled his childhood dream of living in Disney World – the greatest artistic achievement of the 20th century. When a group threatens the artistic purity of the classic attractions, Jules goes to war to protect them. The lines between reality and illusion blur, and Jules must fight for what he believes in, even if it means dying for it.
Aaron Bastani
2022-11-01T18:00:15.000Z
It's a reasonable point though, why should finding an audience of millions be....free? Facebook and Instagram make it work through ads. Twitter can't. So.... Great book by the way.      source
Amusing Ourselves to Death book cover
Amusing Ourselves to Death
Public Discourse in the Age of Show Business
Neil Postman - 2005-12-27 (first published in 1985)
Goodreads Rating
This thought-provoking book explores the role of television in shaping our society and its impact on critical thinking and public discourse. The author highlights how our obsession with visually stimulating content is hampering our ability to engage in meaningful conversations about important issues. With compelling insights and solutions, the book urges readers to take control of their media consumption and strive towards a more reasoned and informed society.
Aaron Bastani
2022-10-08T19:15:10.000Z
I recommend this book *so much* whether your politics are left, right or centre. We’ve had a 40 year experiment in the U.K. (longer in the US) where TV broadcast journalism has led the wider political debate. Its increasingly obvious that has been an utter social disaster.      source
Let My People Go Surfing book cover
Let My People Go Surfing
The Education of a Reluctant Businessman--Including 10 More Years of Business Unusual
Yvon Chouinard - 2006-09-05
Goodreads Rating
Entrepreneur and environmentalist Yvon Chouinard shares the inspiring story of how he built one of the most respected and environmentally responsible companies on earth. Let My People Go Surfing follows his journey from a young boy in a French Canadian blacksmith family to a celebrated climber and founder of Patagonia, Inc. Discover how Chouinard blended his passion for adventure with his dedication to doing good, and how his approach can impact entrepreneurs and outdoor enthusiasts alike.
Aaron Bastani
2022-09-14T20:47:41.000Z
Patagonia founder gives company away to a nonprofit organization - as he believes going public would only undermine its values. Chouinard’s “Let my people go surfing” is a really great business book.      source
Regenesis book cover
Regenesis
Feeding the World Without Devouring the Planet
George Monbiot - 2022-08-02
Goodreads Rating
Regenesis unveils a revolutionary approach to transform our food system and reshape how we relate to the environment. George Monbiot's work tackles the issue of the biggest cause of environmental destruction worldwide – farming – and highlights how current food production practices are unsustainable. This book introduces readers to a completely new way of growing food with less farming, unlocking the greatest potential of soil ecology. Meet the people who are paving the way towards a new sustainable future by restoring our planet's ecosystems and reversing the age of extinction.
Aaron Bastani
2022-09-03T12:03:26.000Z
@JKSteinberger @GeorgeMonbiot Great book!      source
Recommended by
Alastair Humphreys
The Starmer Project book cover
The Starmer Project
A Journey to the Right
Oliver Eagleton - 2022-04-26
Goodreads Rating
Discover the real Keir Starmer and his impact on the new politics of Labour in The Starmer Project. Oliver Eagleton provides insight into Starmer's record as a human-rights champion and his bid for the Party leadership, tracing his political alliances and roots. This careful reading of Starmer's actions reveals his true character beyond the interpretations of others. Find out how he is revitalizing Corbynism with lawyerly competence in this eye-opening book.
Aaron Bastani
2022-04-26T11:38:46.000Z
Happy publication day @EagletonOliver! ‘The Starmer Project’ is a captivating read, the facts and details in it will set your head spinning and have you commenting out loud (a lot). I’ll be speaking to Oliver about the book on @novaramedia next week.      source
Technopoly book cover
Technopoly
The Surrender of Culture to Technology
Neil Postman - 1993-01-01 (first published in 1992)
Goodreads Rating
Discover a thought-provoking cultural critique that explores how technology has transformed society into a Technopoly. Written by the author of Amusing Ourselves to Death, this book delves into the radical consequences of our relationship with technology, shaping everything from politics to education. A must-read for those interested in the intersection of technology and society.
Aaron Bastani
2022-01-15T13:33:34.000Z
Such an extraordinary book, & so lucidly written. I’d forgotten how conservative the implicit conclusions of it were. In the 21st C Postman would be sympathetic to those polities not enamoured by each new innovation that doesn’t serve human flourishing (they aren’t in the West).      source
Blockchain Chicken Farm by Xiaowei Wang
Corona, Climate, Chronic Emergency by Andreas Malm
The Jakarta Method by Vincent Bevins
Going Dark by Julia Ebner
The Hundred Years' War on Palestine by Rashid Khalidi
The Socialist Manifesto by Bhaskar Sunkara
The People's Republic of Walmart by Leigh Phillips
The Rise and Fall of the British Nation by David Edgerton
The Divide by Jason Hickel
The BBC by Tom Mills
The History Thieves by Ian Cobain
Inventing the Future by Nick Srnicek
Aurora by Kim Stanley Robinson
Cruel Britannia by Ian Cobain
Behind the Beautiful Forevers by Katherine Boo
The Lost World of British Communism by Raphael Samuel
Late Victorian Holocausts by Mike Davis
1940 by Clive Ponting
The Romance of American Communism by Vivian Gornick