Toby Green Livres

Why does Western pandemic policy have support across the political spectrum, when its social impacts conflict with ideology on both right and left?During the pandemic, the Left has agreed that 'following the science' with hard lockdowns is the best way to preserve life; only irresponsible right-wing populists oppose them. But social science shows that while the rich have got richer, those suffering most under lockdown are the already disadvantaged: the poor, the young, and--most overlooked of all--the Global South. The UN is predicting tens of millions of deaths from hunger and warning that decades of development are being reversed. Equally, why have conservatives backed lockdowns and other major interventions, creating the big state that they usually abhor?These contradictions within the great consensus of Western pandemic response are part of a broader crisis in Western thought. Toby Green peels back the policy paradoxes to reveal irreconcilable beliefs in our societies. These deep divisions are now bursting into the open, with devastating consequences for the global poor.

This book transforms our view of West and West-Central Africa. It reconstructs the world of kingdoms whose existence (like those of Europe) revolved around warfare, taxation, trade, diplomacy, complex religious beliefs, royal display and extravagance, and the production of art. Over time, the relationship between Africa and Europe revolved ever more around the trade in slaves, damaging Africa's relative political and economic power as the terms of monetary exchange shifted drastically in Europe's favour. In spite of these growing capital imbalances, longstanding contacts ensured remarkable connections between the Age of Revolution in Europe and America and the birth of a revolutionary nineteenth century in Africa. This book draws not just on written histories, but on archival research in nine countries, on art, praise-singers, oral history, archaeology, letters, and the author's personal experience to create a new perspective on the history of one of the world's most important regions

Set against the backdrop of four cities, the narrative follows an Argentinian bookseller in Madrid who becomes embroiled in a scheme to thwart a looming crime alongside an American professor, a Gambian migrant, and a Spanish waitress. Their quest for connection evolves into an obsession as they navigate their intertwined fates. Meanwhile, in Buenos Aires, a diverse cast, including a Nigerian judge and a cultural expert, seeks to uncover a mystery tied to a long-deciphered book. The story raises questions about the nature of crime and humanity's ability to confront it.

The book explores the emergence of the trans-Atlantic slave trade following the Spanish conquest, highlighting the historical and economic factors that fueled this dark chapter in history. Toby Green delves into the interconnectedness of European colonial ambitions and the exploitation of African populations, providing a detailed analysis of the societal impacts and the evolution of the trade. Through this examination, the author sheds light on the complexities and consequences of slavery in shaping the modern world.

The lives of Elvis Jaramillo, a poor boy from a shantytown, and Julián Restrepo, a wealthy taxi driver with aspirations of rock stardom, collide with Pamela Oswald, a London NGO worker. Their intertwined fates explore themes of class disparity, ambition, and the impact of external influences on personal dreams. As their stories unfold, the characters navigate the complexities of their backgrounds and desires, leading to profound consequences that challenge their perceptions of success and connection.

Toby Green describes the rise of the trans-Atlantic slave trade in the aftermath of the Spanish conquest.