ALL THE LATEST

This was the week I renewed my Romanian citizenship, entitling me to live in the country for the next three years. Anticipating a long wait - with gigantic queus at the HQ of the Immigration Ministry in Strada Militarie - we had first sought an interview with the Head of the Immigration Authority to plead our difficulties with downloading the relevant papers (some 8 in number). 

In the event, it proved to be a very useful decision – the whole process took about 
half an hour, although it will be a month before I receive the relevant certificate. 

NEW READING

My latest -

Virtue Hoarders – the case against the PMC Catherine Liu (2021) The Professional Middle 
Class is a concept which continues to fascinate me
The Alibi of Capital – how we broke the earth to steal the future to build a better 
future Timothy Mitchell (2026). A fascinating title for a fascinating book
The fragmentationist grand strategy Nel Bonilla - interesting article which covers 
the next 2 books
The Grand Chessboard – american strategy and its socio-strategic imperatives 
Z Brzezinski (1997)
American Empire – the realities and consequences of US diplomacy Andrew Bacewich 
(2002)
The Search for Modern China Jon Spence (2012) Any book on the subject is worth reading 
Jan Morris – a life Sarah Wheeler (2026). about a fascinating travel writer
The Aristocracy of Talent – how meritocracy made the modern world  Adrian Wooldridge 
(2021). Novara interviews Adrian Wooldridge  on his latest book “Centrists of the World, 
Unite” (2026)
Twenty First Inequality and capitalism – Pikety, Marx and beyond ed L Langman (2018) 
Promises great things
Antonio Gramsci – Beyond Marxism and Postmodernism R Holub (1992) 
This Is For Everyone - the unfinished story of the WWW  Tim Berners-Lee (2025) the 
great man of the web. review by Nik Carr 
Zbig – the life of Brzezinski, America’s great power prophet Edward Luce (2025)
On Strategists and Strategy – essays 2014-24 Lawrence Freedman (2025) Freedman 
senior – author of “on Strategy” - is always worth a read
Ukraine and the Art of Strategy Lawrence Freedman (2019)
Escape from Capitalism – an intervention Clara Mattei (2026) interview here 
with Mattei
Stephen Fry on his manic depression