Delve into the complexities of the modern world with our ‘world today’ book guide. From geopolitical tensions to climate change, explore the pressing issues shaping our future.
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In the fast-paced modern era, global issues evolve rapidly each day. But which issues should we be focusing more on? And which have we simply not even thought of? Here, we present our ‘World Today’ book guide, detailing the best geography books discussing important topics across all strata of the global stage, recommended – and in some cases, written – by our regular book reviewers here at Geographical.
1. Seven Children by Danny Dorling
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Recommended by our reviewer Jules Stewart
In Seven Children, Danny Dorling posits seven fictional children, each representing a differing statistical construct but a genuine socioeconomic reality. These fictional children were all born in 2018. Dorling assigns a day of the week to each, providing a varied insight into the many faces of poverty and inequality within British society. This is an emotional and deeply alarming narrative, with the aim of encouraging people to really, actually care for these children.
Read more of Jules’ recommended books here:
2. Where Children Sleep by James Mollison
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In Where Children Sleep Vol 2, British photographer James Mollison documents the diverse spots in which children spend the night
3. Where are you from? No, where are you really from? by Audrey Osler
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Audrey Osler explores identity and belonging in modern Britain through her own family history and the British Empire’s colonial legacy in India. Reflecting on the question, ‘Where are you really from?’ Osler delves into the historical and personal consequences of colonialism and how it continues to shape our understanding of race and belonging in the UK.
4. Bullsh*t Comparisons by Andrew Brooks
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Bullsh*t Comparisons exposes how misleading and harmful comparisons shape our perceptions, from politics to everyday life. Andrew Brooks uses diverse examples to show how ranking systems and statistics are often manipulated, urging readers to rethink the value of comparison altogether.
5. Battle for the Museum by Rachel Spence
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A sharp and incisive exploration, Rachel Spence’s book unpacks the controversies surrounding museums, revealing their role in artwashing, colonial plunder and the sway of wealth and power. With keen critique, Spence explores how these institutions, while presenting a progressive front, remain deeply entangled in issues of inequality and appropriation. She challenges whether museums can enact meaningful change or if they merely give the illusion of reform, while balancing the complex tensions between activism, art, and institutional complicity.
6. We WIll Not Be Saved by Nemonte Nenquimo
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In We Will Not Be Saved, Nemonte Nenquimo shares her story. From a young girl born into the Waoroni tribe of Ecuador’s Amazon rainforest to a climate change activist, Nenquimo recounts her journey of cultural reclamation and environmental advocacy. She leads her people in a historic battle against oil exploitation, and her narrative emphasizes the historical and cultural ties between indigenous peoples and their land, particularly in the face of environmental degradation.
Over the next few weeks, we will be diving into more of our recommended books – from the best of travel writing, nature to geopolitical reads. Stay tuned as we cover all of the must-reads rounded up for 2024.
