A new book by German political economist Maja Göpel examines how dominant paradigms in economic thinking turn into assumptions –inhibiting action on climate change.
In a new edition of his classic work, Suzuki suggests the major crises we face – pandemics, climate disruption, biodiversity loss – all have roots in our lack of recognition of our place in nature.
Stephen Hawking pictured in 2016.
Jason Szenes/EPA
In a new book, On The Origin of Time, Belgian physicist Thomas Hertog unravels Stephen Hawking’s last theory, which focuses upon one of the biggest questions of all.
German philosopher Martin Heidegger was one of the 20th century’s most feted thinkers. A new book examining his Nazism in light of the now-available evidence, is a troubling, timely read.
Until recently, little was known of the history of the children convicts brought with them to Australia, or gave birth to while under sentence. Their stories are moving.
Novels aren’t responsible for the climate crisis and probably won’t solve it, but there is plenty they can do. They can make us feel for lives unlike our own; modelling careful thinking and analysis.
Privately commissioned histories are a strange literary beast. In MUP: A Centenary History, Stuart Kells does a fine job, but doesn’t quite resolve the matter of maintaining authorial independence.
Danggu Geikie Gorge National Park on the Fitzroy River in the Kimberley region.
Richard Wainwright/AAP
A new book explores a paradox: women have been excluded from Australian science for many social and political reasons, but were also present and active in it from its earliest days.
The African National Congress’s fully black leadership belies its commitment to non-racialism.
Ihsaan Haffejee/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
Neanderthals living in Italy swam confidently and In early Egyptian, Greek and Roman images people are shown swimming overarm. But today, only one in four people in low income countries can swim.
An exceptionally talented writer, Shirley Hazzard is cherished for her novels The Great Fire and The Transit of Venus. Her life defends the right to be unfashionable and the value of learning.
Bob Dylan performing with George Harrison in 1971.
AP
Critic Greil Marcus sees Bob Dylan as constantly rewriting the national songbook. And in his weird, funny new book, Dylan does just that.
South Africa’s democratic era presidents, Nelson Mandela, Thabo Mbeki, Kgalema Motlanthe, Jacob Zuma and Cyril Ramaphosa.
Penguin Random House South Africa
Mandela, the first president of a democratic South Africa, made big strategic choices – not necessarily the right ones, but certainly ones that were befitting of the times.
Honorary (Senior Fellow) School of Culture and Communication University of Melbourne. Editor in Chief, Design and Art of Australia Online, The University of Melbourne