From Brexit to Brazil via Hong Kong, China, Russia and the USA

A collection of contemporary political, social and lifestyle essays

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Pub Date 3 Sep 2019 | Archive Date 11 Jun 2023

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Description

An insightful foray into the colourful volatility of today's world this collection of prosaic essays remarks on the political, social, lifestyle and environmental maelstrom in which we find ourselves. John Spencer comments on this in a provocative manner and ponders possible solutions. Many world leaders would be extremely displeased by his observations and opinions.

China's ruthless expansionism, evidenced by the suppression of democracy in Hong Kong and its bullying threats to Taiwan, is one of many issues discussed. John has closely followed events and trends in our world for many years. The issues that bother many people have intensely concerned him and he wishes to promote further discussion in the search for available solutions.

The trend to elect populist leaders without due regard to the consequences is one of his lines of inquiry. Others include the ever increasing disappearance of freedom, the increasing human overpopulation, along with its aging, and the looming environmental disaster. Some of the essays point to the likelihood of such pandemics as COVID-19 as well as the early demise of the elderly. Greed, stupidity and overpopulation are closely examined as is the predilection of the young for danger. 

An insightful foray into the colourful volatility of today's world this collection of prosaic essays remarks on the political, social, lifestyle and environmental maelstrom in which we find...


Advance Praise

"5.0 out of 5 stars Vera’s Review of “From Brexit to Brazil via Hong Kong, China, Russia and the USA”

Reviewed in the United States on December 3, 2019

Verified Purchase

When I read this interesting and informative book the first thing that struck me was the author’s passion. John Spencer has obviously taken a lot of trouble to learn about our world and cares deeply about it. When I was much younger I lived in my own carefree bubble. The world’s problems were nothing to do with me. It was if they didn’t even exist. I just didn’t notice them and I certainly took no interest in politics.

In more recent times I began to study Social Work and began to “see” what was happening around me. When I read Spencer’s collection of essays, the issues that face humanity came flooding back. Probably the main thing I learned from this fascinating work was that an event or policy that occurs in one part of our world has repercussions and ramifications in many others. Everything is so interconnected that we simply cannot escape from what surrounds us no matter how much we may wish to. From Brexit to Brazil, from Xi Jinping to Donald Trump, everything will affect us and our children’s future and we had better try to deal with it.

The author as well as enumerating the problems does offer some possible solutions and that is reason enough for reading this work. If you have an enquiring mind and care about the future you should read this book.


4.0 out of 5 stars Important and thought provoking

Reviewed in the United States on January 16, 2020

From Brexit to Brazil is a collection of essays and blog posts about events and problems in relation to world politics and government. The author does more than just inform readers what the topics are and of their importance, he also offers solutions and explains the impact of these issues. His essays are thought provoking and important, whether you have interest in politics or not, it’s more about life.

He is starting a conversation about topics we should all be aware of, for instance; security, our future, gun control, Hong Kong, China… you will be amazed at the importance of subjects that are thousands of miles away.

“Be Afraid of the Future” is one of my favorite essays. Seeing how the interests of the citizen are rarely considered was an important take-away for me. Even though I know that the ego of a politician is large and often the part in control, it was eye opening to view these points through the author’s eyes.

To be honest, this isn’t normally the kind of book I read, but I’m glad I did. This is an interesting book and was well put together. I recommend it to everyone because it will alter your view of the world."

"5.0 out of 5 stars Vera’s Review of “From Brexit to Brazil via Hong Kong, China, Russia and the USA”

Reviewed in the United States on December 3, 2019

Verified Purchase

When I read this interesting and...


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ISBN 9780648835615
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Featured Reviews

This is a book comprising of a collection of inciteful short essays written over a number of years, on a wide range of emotive subjects.

At last, I have found an author who closely shares my opinions about the general state of the world, in particular my strong opinions on our current global politicians.

I really enjoy John Spencer's writing style and I was (almost) able to read the book in one long sitting. Not just because we align in our thought processes, but because of his eloquence and his ability to easily grip the reader.

The only niggling comment that I have is keeping track of the jumbled timeline. However, this does not detract from the enjoyment of reading this fascinating book.

I am looking forward to reading his other books.

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