Arundhati Roy "Ordinary Person's Guide To Empire" (Flamingo)
I first come across this book in 20047 , and on reading it, I was hooked with Arundhati Roy's writing style of being emotive, passionate, poetic and very powerful. I found it again in paperback on one of my covert charity shop ventures.
The book is excellent ,insightful and though-provoking with the separation of political facts from myths and at the same time being honest about the world we live in post 9/11. It also covers the issue of power and powerlessness which to me means the need for the poor to survive in physical, moral, social, economic and political levels. Arundhati Roy's (AR) readings of American Linguist/Philosopher Noam Chomsky entitled: "Manufacture of consent" & "Reason of State" clearly shows the re-writing (out) of history of what really happened to American native Indian race and the American invasion of South Vietnam in 1962 is very telling of what most recent events (2001-2003) in Iraq, Afghanistan and how they will be remembered.
AR's sharp analysis of the media monopolies by the few & very powerful transnational forces that send out hypocritical rhetoric of: 'free-market'; 'justice' and 'freedom' all over the world is very helpful. Furthermore, AR argues that the third world's corrupt authoritarian regimes within poorer countries have on most occasions colluded with transnational companies and "there is no globalization of human rights but is about money, patents, goods and service". Additionally, AR argues that the "erosion of freedom and civil liberties" has been suspended in the name of protecting democracy under the so called "War on Terror".
This book serves as much as a bristling manifesto and impassioned call to (intellectual) arms as it does a handy source of wonderful quotes and reliable data for students and activists alike. I would recommend this book to anybody, even and perhaps especially to you if you have ever wondered "what can I do to change the world for the better?" or "Just what are all those liberal tree-hugging hippies on about anyway?" or "Why can't we all just get along?"
Roy has a razor sharp mind and an excellent writer, her words are clear and accessible and everything is designed for maximum impact. This book is not written for the intellectual, nor the politician, nor even the high minded, idealistic student. This is a book written for everybody, it is a rebel yell, a rallying cry and just maybe, the promise of a better world.
Finally, AR's answer to this hypocrisy of 'democracy' & true democracy is (one man, one vote) and we need to stop buying from those who oppress us and: "We are many they are few. They need us more than we need them"
Short, sharp and to the point.
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