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At Easter, we reflect on suffering and resurrection. And after suffering through two leaders’ debates, along with Trump-induced vertigo, what could be more enlivening than a good book? This Easter I plan to tackle a big, old-fashioned, unashamedly optimistic work gifted by a wise friend: Steven Pinker’s Enlightenment Now - The Case for Reason, Science, Humanism and Progress.
If you’re looking to binge-read this weekend, you might start with one of the campaign trail classics chosen by 10 trusted political observers. Editing this article, I wondered what Hunter S. Thompson, who pioneered “hyper-subjective reportage” to convey “a larger, objective truth”, would make of our anodyne 2025 campaign.
We also revisit Richard Flanagan’s Booker Prize-winning The Narrow Road to the Deep North, now adapted for TV. Luke Johnson considers how this 2013 novel, depicting war-time valour and heroism, fares today. Suffering – war’s misery, pain
and cruelty – is at the heart of this story. But its flawed hero, Dorrigo, can’t agree with the Christian notion of suffering as a virtue. Suffering, he concludes, is suffering.
New books reviewed include David Sheff’s biography of Yoko Ono, now 92, Robert Dessaix’s shape-shifting memoir, and science writer Henry Gee’s assessment of how long humanity can survive on a denuded planet.
A book about our future demise is surely the antithesis of Steven Pinker’s paean to humankind’s accomplishments. But reviewer John Long finds this engrossing work “the wake up call” our species needs to start protecting Earth. It should be “mandatory reading for all politicians”.
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Suzy Freeman-Greene
Books + Ideas Editor
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Michelle Grattan, University of Canberra; Anna Broinowski, University of Sydney; Dennis Altman, La Trobe University; Frank Bongiorno, Australian National University; Intifar Chowdhury, Flinders University; Mark Kenny, Australian National University; Matthew Ricketson, Deakin University; Michelle Arrow, Macquarie University; Paul Strangio, Monash University; Robert Phiddian, Flinders University
Ten political observers nominate their favourite books about the hustings hustle.
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Luke Johnson, University of Wollongong
Richard Flanagan’s novel is about to hit screens. How do its depictions of heroism and valour land in 2025? And were the raves right – or the pans?
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Christine Feldman-Barrett, Griffith University
Yoko Ono has long been abused as a homewrecker – and worse. A new biography celebrates her joyful positivity in adverse circumstances – and celebrates her as an artist.
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Dan Dixon, University of Sydney
There is no definitive answer in Chameleon, only the conflicts and inconsistencies in which Dessaix invites us to revel.
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John Long, Flinders University
In The Decline and Fall of the Human Empire, science writer Henry Gee considers how long we’ve got, and how we can extend our time on Earth.
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Kate Cantrell, University of Southern Queensland
This week, it will be 30 years since the Oklahoma bombing. Now, it’s back on the cultural agenda, as the right-wing extremism that drove McVeigh is on the rise.
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Nathanael Andrade, Binghamton University, State University of New York
Throughout history, Christians have often believed Pontius Pilate was reluctant to condemn Jesus. History suggests otherwise, a scholar explains.
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More great reading
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Darius von Guttner Sporzynski, Australian Catholic University
Russia’s war on Ukraine continues, despite US attempts to broker a ceasefire. Russia has repurposed history to build its power since the 1500s – that continues, too.
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Andy Ward, University of the Sunshine Coast
The recent track attacking Labor proves one thing: the Coalition doesn’t understand hip-hop.
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Ángel Esteban del Campo, Universidad de Granada
The Peruvian Nobel prize-winning author was intensely committed to his craft.
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Brenton Griffin, Flinders University
Followers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints make up a small minority of the Australian public. Historically, new temples haven’t been well-received.
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