What Adam Tooze Learned About the World Last Year

In 'Crashed: How a Decade of Financial Crises Changed the World', Adam Tooze provides a detailed and extensively researched account of the 2008 financial crisis. The book explores the origins, mechanisms, and far-reaching consequences of the crisis, including its impact on global politics, the rise of nationalist movements, and the ongoing challenges to democracy in Europe and the United States. Tooze's narrative spans from the collapse of Lehman Brothers to the broader geopolitical and economic shifts that followed, highlighting the interconnectedness of global financial systems and the complex responses to the crisis.

In this novel, Margaret Atwood delves into a future where genetic engineering and pharmaceutical manipulation have catastrophic consequences. The story follows Jimmy, also known as Snowman, who survives a global pandemic that wipes out most of humanity. The narrative alternates between Jimmy's current survival in a harsh environment and his past, where he grew up in a corporate-controlled world. The novel introduces the Crakers, genetically engineered beings designed to replace humanity, and explores themes of genetic modification, corporate power, and the dangers of unchecked technological advancement. Atwood raises profound questions about the ethics of scientific intervention and the future of humanity.

In 'Shutdown', Adam Tooze offers a compelling narrative of the economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. He explores how the virus exposed deep vulnerabilities in global economic systems, leading to unprecedented shutdowns and interventions. Tooze examines the intersection of politics, finance, and social organization, highlighting the devastating human consequences and the challenges of navigating a complex, interconnected world.