Every summer the CBC Radio program Cross Country Checkup takes a holiday from discussing the latest pressing issues of the day to give over their live call-in show to reading and literature. With listeners’ participation, they compile a list of must-read books.
Earlier this summer three guests joined host Rex Murphy to begin this season’s national conversation.
They included Mercedes Stephenson, a commentator on defence and security affairs. She’s also the host and producer of the current affairs program The Underground Royal Commission Investigates on iChannel. Following her was Kenneth Oppel, a writer of young adult fiction and the winner of the Governor General's Award for children’s literature, and finally Salim Mansur, a professor of political science at the University of Western Ontario and a columnist for the Toronto Sun newspaper.
Each guest suggested three books, and listeners were asked to call in with the book they were most passionate about, be it a classic or a book fresh off the store shelves.
Here are some highlights from that program.
[runs: 30:30]
Here's the complete Cross Country Checkup reading list.
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Comments
Hi,
Given Canada's current role in Afghanistan, I highly recommend Ahmed Rashid's, Descent Into Chaos (2008).
This book, by one of the foremost knowledgable journalists in the region, is a fantastic account of the terrible consequences unleashed by 9/11 and the war in Afghanistan.
For example, the book describes the complete disinterest of the US in nation-building after the initial invasion. It also describes the policy of warlordism adopted in the early days of the occupation. It describes the torture regime put in place. It describes the creation of a democratic process and the failure to realize the potential of this process. It describes the rise of the insurgency, the destabalization of Pakistan, and US support for dictators in Central Asia.
A very good read, especially for Canadians at this point in time.
Posted by: Sam Barns | August 1, 2008 04:11 PM
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