Missive #789 Published 9 Sep 2026

In this remarkable and provocative book, Yanis Varoufakis explores the myth that financialisation, ineffectual regulation of banks, greed and globalisation were the root causes of the global economic crisis. Rather, they are symptoms of a much deeper malaise which can be traced all the way back to the Great Crash of 1929, then on through to the 1970s: the time when a 'Global Minotaur' was born. Just as the Athenians maintained a steady flow of tributes to the Cretan beast, so the 'rest of the world' began sending incredible amounts of capital to America and Wall Street. Thus, the Global Minotaur became the 'engine' that pulled the world economy from the early 1980s to 2008.

Missive #788 Published 7 Sep 2026

Kit Darling is a maid with a snooping problem. She’s the “invisible girl,” compelled to poke into her wealthy clients’ closely guarded lives. It’s a harmless hobby until Kit sees something she can’t unsee in the home of her brand-new clients: a secret so dark it could destroy the privileged couple expecting their first child. This makes Kit dangerous to the couple. In turn, it makes the couple—who might kill to keep their secret—dangerous to Kit.

Missive #786 Published 5 Sep 2026

Sharpe has been sent by Wellington on a mission to Cadiz, now the capital of Spain, to rescue the British ambassador — who happens to be Wellington's brother — from a spot of undiplomatic trouble. The city has been blockaded by the French but is supported by the British from the sea. It contains a rare mix of pro- and anti-British citizens, diplomats, courtiers, adventurers, and spies. Sharpe's mission — complicated, undercover, and political — turns out to be completely different from the one on which he was sent. It brings him through the besieging enemy army to triumph in the Battle of Barrosa, where the British, deserted by their allies, defeat an overwhelmingly stronger French force.

Missive #784 Published 3 Sep 2026

This book was published in 2016 the election year for Trump 1.0 and before Vance was elected as Senator from Ohio in 2023. If the book had been published after he was elected as Senator and certainly after he became Vice President it would not have been as well received as it was in 2016.

Missive #783 Published 31 Aug 2026

This is the second book in a trilogy with an author that is a cultural critic, historian and professor of English and American Studies. So, what you get is an academic's book written in the academic style with a profusion of quotes making it a long read. I read the last one in the series when I get around to it since the first two have been interesting although not easy reads.