Peter Beilharz
The Work of History: Writing for Stuart Macintyre edited by Peter Beilharz and Sian Supski
Reflected Light: La Trobe essays edited by Peter Beilharz and Robert Manne
Implicating Empire: Globalization and resistance in the 21st century world order edited by Stanley Aronowitz and Heather Gautney
Bauman’s point of departure
Dear Editor,
Boris Frankel bursts in through open doors. He gives Zygmunt Bauman and me stick for speaking our truths (ABR, October 2001). Viewed in its own terms, what remains of the Left in Australia is in a bad way because it has failed (1) to clarify its ethics, norms and values and (2) to develop alternative visions and policies upon them; because (3) there is no popular bearer or social movement available to carry these invisible ends; and (4) because there is no evidence of popular support for a new society, present unhappiness and misery notwithstanding. If this is not modern, what is it? (If the Soviet and Nazi experiences were not modern, what were they?)
... (read more)Hughes by Andrew Riemer & Ellis Unpulped by Michael Warby
Why do we read what we read? Bookshelves groan with biography, travel, social theory far left corner, cultural studies creeping up the front, Baudrillard in the back door and out the front. Some people’s books get featured in the weekend papers, others go straight into the back of the car and the second-hand shops. Love, sweat and tears … what’s it all for?
... (read more)