A Short History of Power, Dr Jack Davy
A Short History of Power, Dr Jack Davy
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A Short History of Power

Author: Dr Jack Davy

Narrator: Dr Jack Davy

Unabridged: 7 hr 26 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Quercus

Published: 07/21/2022


Synopsis

'I thought I had a pretty good sense of how colonialism shapes modern society, but Dr Davy has shown me that understanding these things is a lifetime's work. In the absence of time to read everything, you could not ask for a more eloquent guide than this book. Essential' - Sathnam Sanghera

An eye-opening book about how societies are designed to support the status of those in power at the destructive expense of those without it. Read it and take responsibility.

Ecological oppression
From 1958, China declared war on sparrows, destroying their crops, contributing to the deaths of more than 10 million people.

Economic oppression
In the 19th century, the Shuar people of Ecuador were driven by economic need to wage bloody wars to procure shrunken heads for the Western curio market, which nearly destroyed their society.

Educational oppression
There have been 55 prime ministers of Great Britain, of whom 48 have been privately educated, creating a society built for and by the privileged.

These are just some of these stories in this remarkable book, that illustrate the key components through which society creates and sustains oppressive systems. Some are historical. Others have played out right before our eyes over the last decade. All are rooted in systems in which we all take part.

Together they expose the layers of systematic, often insidious oppression which make up the world today, and reflect the choices of people just like us to participate in them.

(P)2022 Quercus Editions Limited

About Dr Jack Davy

Dr. Jack Davy has worked in the heritage of marginalised peoples for over a decade, focusing in particular on the cultural oppression of Native Americans. He has a PhD in anthropology, and has worked for the British Museum, Horniman Museum and the University of East Anglia. He is currently Head Curator at Morley College in London.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Thomas

I must confess I wasn't fully sure what I was getting myself into with We the Oppressors, anyone familiar with my reading history will know that I don't shy away from topics like systematic prejudice, social injustice and economic inequality; so this book seemed in my lane. The initial pages promised......more

Goodreads review by Keziah

An essential book to read. Dr Jack Davy does a great job at unpacking the impact that colonialism has had on society, how societies are inherently designed to benefit and maintain the power and status of those in power. Using history, sociological and psychological analysis, Dr Davy challenges us to......more

Goodreads review by Jack

Occasionally, a book stares at you in a store and tickles your brain. You've never heard of said book nor its writer, but the premise and the cover speak to you. We, The Oppressors, was this book. While the book covers some obvious cases and conclusions, the books historical context and how said case......more


Quotes

I thought I had a pretty good sense of how colonialism shapes modern society, but Dr Davy has shown me that understanding these things is a lifetime's work. In the absence of time to read everything, you could not ask for a more eloquent guide than this book. Essential. Sathnam Sanghera

Sharp and insightful. Jack Davy makes complex ideas accessible in this powerful book about the roots of inequality Caroline Dodds Pennock, author of On Savage Shores