Bernard Keane, The Mess We’re In

- This is simply excellent. The first chapter’s overview is superbly done. A real, substantial vision is very clearly articulated. 
- Keane can write clearly because he always thinks clearly. Easily the best journalist in the country, despite being a ‘confirmed grump’. (He’s currently Crikey’s politics editor). He’s a master in the art of constructing fluid, well balanced sentences that make for easy reading. 
- He is across all sorts of primary sources, and doesn’t recycle other journalists’ tired cliches and mantras.
- The book is packed with stats, facts and global data. It’s a compendium - essential anchoring in these ‘fake news’ times. Better than Bell & Keating’s Fair Share because it’s eminently readable (although Fair Share, despite being a tedious read, was excellent too). 
- It’s decidedly non-partisan. Its analysis is way deeper than the empty, passing skirmishes that dog our current debate. 
- Comprehensive critiques of neo-liberalism, modern global democratic governments, the religious and political revolutions of the reformation and the enlightenment, the profound changes in our society in this internet age, and the increasing surveillance by governments and intrusions on our privacy. Keane’s deep intelligence, erudition and sound judgement shine through.
- The books concludes with ten proposed solutions to our ills, all of which make sense, although in my view they are insufficient and don’t go anywhere near far enough. 
- Of course it’s impossible to absorb every notion, fact and idea in this superb book from one reading. For fans of Keane’s work in Crikey over the last ten years it will be easier. But it’s a critically important book.
- (Like too many non-fiction books published in Australia it doesn’t have an index. That’s a miserable, cost saving policy and should end. Also - and this is far too common - it doesn’t have an author photo).