Books of the Week

Today's books of the week are recommended by 4C.

The Psychopath Whisperer by Dr Kent Kiehl
Recommended by Jarlan Bogolubov

This is a non-fiction book on the topic of psychopathy. The book is extremely informative and has various chapters ranging from childhood signs (including case studies), tragic incidents that have turned people psychotic and changed their behaviour etc. However, the main story lies in the author’s time studying psychopathy. It follows his career, where he spent time working in a maximum security prison in Canada, interviewing psychopaths and mentions relevant chronological events (breakthroughs and discoveries). From key definitions to the science behind psychopathy, this book is a great introduction to anyone who’s interested in picking up a book about a niche, misunderstood subject.

Although this is a non-fiction book it doesn’t mean we can’t analyse or cherry-pick the key points and themes of it. At the beginning of the book, the author makes a strong impression through a macabre, eerie description of a maximum security prison in Canada where it is then revealed that he is working. The theme here is one of striking images, there to give the reader ‘the chills’ in order to reenact what the author himself would have experienced on his first day in the facility. The theme does change later on in the book. After some time has passed and the author’s career has developed enough, he begins to work with important people and companies at the head of the researching psychopaths world. The theme shifts into one of a more upbeat mood, influencing the following events as he begins the journey to publishing outstanding work in his field. 

Overall, there is a consistent theme of trying to understand the people whose minds work differently to ours and how to pinpoint the root of the disorder. Although this is the study of an old overlooked field, our current understanding of the subject is growing exponentially. This book is relevant to young minds and audiences because there are a lot of general misconceptions about psychopathy like, for example, ‘it’s a mental illness and not a disorder’ and it would be good to educate them.

21 Lessons for the 21st Century by Yuval Noah Harari
Recommended by Kirill Volosins 

In the book 21 Lessons for the 21st Century,  Yuval Noah Harari discusses all of the mistakes that humans have made throughout their time on earth. He dives into great detail about every possible controversial topic, such as race, sexuality, religion; yet also covers less argumentative topics such as how technology essentially rules the modern sapien, and how bio-engineering will lead to the greatest advancements in human history to date. However, Harari does rush to create some questionable conclusions that are arguably incorrect, such as highlighting extremists of religion, rather than the unity it also brings to billions - although, this book does have a pessimistic outlook on everything the author mentions, not only religion.

Harari, through this book, reflects on how humans have made terrible decisions, and how this impacts upon both the future and the present. He explores many eye-opening topics, such as why we fear terrorism more than sugar, when sugar claims the lives of over sixty times more people. However, Harari seems to take a controversial opinion on religion, as an atheist himself, and he overlooks the importance and positive effects of religion on modern society - instead, Harari takes a reductionist, and also questionably negative view of religion, stating that we do not need a deity to ‘command’' us to act morally, and arguing that religion causes obsession over minor details. 

Despite Harari’s occasional controversial opinion within the book, it is truly a mind-expanding read. As a young reader, some may be inspired to take action against some of the truly threatening problems in this modern world, such as climate change, war, and the Artificial Intelligence revolution. Harari breaks down a lot of political and technological information to make the book an easier read; 21 Lessons for the 21st Century is a fantastic book to read for anybody interested in having a greater understanding about the politics of today, as well as the future.

Breathe by Sarah Crossan
Recommended by Dhruv Jalan

This book is set in a post-apocalyptic world where there are no trees left on earth, and oxygen is not available outside of the ‘pods’ which the remaining humans live in. The people now have to live by manufactured oxygen, which is controlled by a company called Breathe. It follows three main characters, all teenagers: Alina, a rebel who is against Breathe and wants to bring back trees; Bea, who is a student at the school trying to get into the Breathe Leadership Programme; and Quinn, who is a 'Premium' and is given a better life than others due to his father’s high role in Breathe.

One of the key themes in Breathe is the effect of environmental degradation on nature. We can see this by looking at the setting and how the life in the book is so different from the life we are in now. Another theme is the theme of control and oppression by a singular government. The company in control of oxygen, Breathe, have power over all citizens living in the pods which they created as they can limit the amount of oxygen given to them. As we read further, it becomes clearer how much of a part Breathe and their affiliates had in the destruction of the earth.

A final theme is social inequalities, such as the access to oxygen. At the beginning of the book, we find out that rebels are killed by suffocating them outside without an oxygen mask. Another oxygen linked inequality is between 'Premiums' and 'Auxilaries', where Premiums have access to more oxygen, while Auxilaries must pay for any extra oxygen consumed.  This book could be relevant to a young modern audience as we are facing environmental and social problems like this now, and it could allow them to see what must be fixed.

Many thanks to 4C for their recommendations, and to Mr Harris for collating them.