In the Shadows of the American Century - Alfred W. McCoy

A well-researched catalogue of all the conditions and geopolitical shifts that are easing the U.S. out of its position of dominance.
- a brief examination of how the US become so powerful after WW II (economics in a fractured world)
- fracturing of social cohesion at home
- American loss of status and credibility through support for oppressive regimes, use of torture, covert operations harmful to the populations of other countries
- over reliance on military threat to force other countries to acquiesce the US lead / interests
- decline in economic performance (education failure, investment failure)
-decline in share of world economic activity as other countries' economic performance grows

The sections on China are very interesting.   They have a completely different approach to foreign relations.  They use their enormous reserves to build infrastructure partnerships with other countries and improve economies for both partners.   Some of the infrastructure projects are huge:  rail lines to Europe,  high speed rail lines to Europe (China to Berlin in 2 days!)  Infrastructure to link Europe, China and Africa in one large trading block. 

McCoy spends time at the beginning of the book exploring an old idea - Central Asia as the strategic key to world dominance.  If you can control or create a network linking this area with Europe, the East and Africa, then you have the dominant economy in the world.  He sees much of China's foreign policy as working towards this goal.

A book to reread, as there are many threads.

The Sympathizer - Viet Thanh Ngyen

A novel that begins in the last days of Saigon, and then continues within the expat Vietnamese community in Los Angeles.
A complex story that weaves through questions of loyalty - to national liberation, to friendship, to colonialism.  Through the main character, the book also presents some interesting social criticism of both Vietnamese and American societies, and of both political regimes.  It brings in events from the underbelly of CIA operations in Vietnam, as well as conditions in the "reeducation camps"  post war in Vietnam.
One of the best novels I have read in a while - compelling narrator, good story, some interesting references to and thoughts on history and politics.

The Accidental - Ali Smith

Another puzzle from Ali Smith.  It is always so hard to say what her books are about underneath it all.  Definitely the theme of bullying and exploitation in schools and universities - way ahead of its time in that respect:  published 2005.  Cellphones and the internet as tools for bullying.  Exploitation of power for sex in institutions like universities.  How institutions and people in power create false narratives to hide ugly realities and escape the need to act.  Also, a look at the false masks we overlay on our lives to avoid unhappiness and confrontation.  Maybe a theme of how children are oppressed and alienated in these false atmospheres were nothing is quite real? 
The funny thing is, the catalyst for the stripping away of all of this falseness, is a very free, "in the moment" kind of person, but not particularly a nice person - in fact, rather self-involved and exploitative in her own way.

The Hidden Keys - Andre Alexis

Another Alexis story set in Toronto, this time a lot of in the Queen and Lansdowne area.  It is always interesting to see his portrayals of certain neighbourhoods I know.  Not bad on this one.  And I was very gratified to see the old "Green Dolphin" as a major setting in the book.
Main character is interesting.  Storyline is a bit contrived, but holds together.  There is just something a bit "stereotyped" somehow in certain aspects of the book.

Main character's friend, Ollie, has a very interesting passage where he explains why we should all worship chance instead of god.  He, in fact, has a very interesting take on life in general - perhaps the most interesting character in the book.

An entertaining enough read, but I found the writing not at the same level as Fifteen Dogs.

Next: Piccolo libro sulla globalizzazione - Alessandro Baricco

Unfortunately, not translated.
Il meglio libro che ho mai letto sulla globalizzazione.  Piccolo, da vero (90 pagine), ama esamina l'essenziale del fenomeno - cos'è, problemi nel disegno nella cultura popolare, effetti postivi e negativi.  Insomma, l'autore non veda un globalizzazione 'pulita' come dica - i problemi della globalizzazione sono i problemi inerenti del capitalismo ama più profondi perché non c'è controlli legali del fatto che e transnazionale come fenomeno.
Ama piuttosto di smettere o disfare la globalizzazione pensa che dobbiamo andare a fondo - una globalizzazione che viene non solo dai banchi e dei manager, ama un gran movimento di globalizzazione dell'umanità - il sogno di un solo mondo.

Un'idea interessante - che la guerra era la globalizzazione del passato; il modo di dare più grande campo di attività ai soldi dei capitalisti.

Seeking Stillness - Olivier du Tré

A collection of stark nature photographs in black and white.  Interesting compositions.  Beautiful black and white tones.   Working in the monumental style of Ansel Adams, though some of the images have a more immediate, less daunting presence. 
Worth looking at for successes, and for details I would alter.

Endgame - Ahmet Altan

Unfortunately a trashy novel centred around a village feud in coastal Turkey.  Sex, violence, monologues with God.  Skipped many pages, just flipped through it to see who he killed in the end.
Trash pop writer.  Avoid!

Mistero in Blu - Carlo Lucarelli

Un libro di misteri del crimine.  Sfortunatamente sono ciascuno fatto dopo una stretta formula, e finalmente diventano noiosi.  Non ho finito il libro...