Cohen-Almagor's 3 favorite reads in 2024

What are the underlying causes of local conflicts in Africa and other regions of the Global South? What role, if any, can the U.S. play in helping to resolve these conflicts, and when is it appropriate for external powers to intervene? This study, authored by a leading scholar and conducted as part of the Council on Foreign Relations' Africa Project, explores the roots and dynamics of African conflicts while examining how foreign powers can contribute to their management and resolution without resorting to military force. The book has been thoroughly updated to reflect the latest developments and focuses on four case studies—Western Sahara, the Horn of Africa, the Shaba Province in Zaire, and Namibia—evaluating different approaches to conflict resolution. It provides insights into how to identify the right moment for effective external intervention. The revised edition also assesses how the recommendations from the first edition have played out in practice, particularly the notable withdrawal of Cuban troops from Angola. Additionally, Zartman evaluates U.S. policy on Third World conflicts and proposes a strategy for Africa and beyond that emphasizes preventive measures over military intervention.

One of the many questions I asked about the Holocaust is: how a normative person could survive in Auschwitz? Levi provides some ideas.
Levi survived because of a few reasons. Unlike many people who gave up, he wanted to survive. He learned the keys to survival in an impossible place. He quickly learned basic German so he could understand the commands and many rules. He was smart and innovative. He was willing to take calculated risks. He understood that in the Auschwitz planet, he could not maintain ALL the norms he had as a free person. Some compromises with his conscience were needed. He had an important profession, a chemist, which saved his life. He had a few friends who helped him and saved his life. He quickly identified opportunities when they presented themselves to him. And luck was on his side. Fortuna is important in a place like Auschwitz, where the unexpected is expected and life is constantly on the line.
A book about the basement of humanity cannot be an easy read. This is not a fun book. If you want to learn how a person manages an impossible reality then this is a book for you. It is very interesting, well written and engaging. Things happen at a rapid pace. The characters are interesting. The stories are horrifying. You learn about life in Auschwitz and the closeness between life and death in a place where death is sought by the master race, where Jews live only if they are useful to the Reich, where sadists had free reign, when humanity was challenged every minute of the day and night.

Meir Shalev is a witty, funny author who writes in his own distinctive style. This little book is most charming. It is based on family stories, focusing on Shalev’s grandmother Tanya. At the centre is the “svieeperrr” she received from her brother-in-law who immigrated to Los Angeles, instead of Israel, and succeeded in business. The successful capitalist sent her this vacuum cleaner because he was well aware of Tanya’s main enemy in life, the dirt, and because he knew that Aharon, his socialist brother, could not return this machine to him. It was too big. The proud Aharon refused to receive money from his brother and returned all the money envelopes to LA. The “svieeperrr” will remain in Zion.

Tanya is a character and Shalev describes her with love and humour. The story of his family is the story of the Third Aliya in Israel, the third wave of immigration that came to the newly-founded country. It is a sort of autobiography, although it is unclear that all the details are true. Shalev gives a voice to people, animals, objects and ideas. The “svieeperrr” has a thinking personality. The dust communicates with Shalev. Chickens understand human behaviour. Animals fly and meet sultans. The horse and the donkey are valued members of the family. Everything is charming and well-written. I read and laughed. This book is truly lovely.