Book Reviews

Our book reviews are designed to assist people in deciding what they should read. We aim to review about a dozen books each year.

These comprise a mix of recently published books and books published over the course of the last thirty years or so which we think should not be forgotten. We generally do not review books that may be regarded as “classics” (on the basis that they are already well known) or books that are aimed solely at an academic or other specialist audience (since our aim is to assist the non-specialist who want seriously to think through current issues).

We publish our book reviews on Substack which allows you to receive new reviews directly in your email inbox.

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Andrea Soberg: ‘Religion in a Changing Workplace’ by Elaine Howard Ecklund, Denise Daniels, and Christopher P. Scheitle

Based on research conducted by a team of academics, Religion in a Changing Workplace considers the impact of allowing employees to demonstrate their faith at work, discussing advantages, challenges and possible results for organisations.

Edward Carter: Economics for Ecclesiastics: A Guide, edited by Martin Schlag and Giuseppe Schlitzer

Matthew Lynn: ‘Richer and More Equal: A New History of Wealth in the West’ by Daniel Waldenström

Contrary to the claims of the liberal-left about dramatic inequality and the need for greater taxation in order to prevent societal disintegration, as Daniel Waldenström makes clear in this timely new book, we have, in fact, been getting both richer and more equal - and could continue to do so.

Neil Jordan: ‘The Meaning and Purpose of Work’ by Christopher W. Michaelson and Jennifer Tosti-Kharas

The Meaning and Purpose of Work examines the different levels at which work takes place, its various intrinsic and extrinsic rewards and societal value as determinants of its meaningfulness, always with an eye on the question of why it is that we work.

Michael Severance: ‘Rethinking Subsidiarity: Multidisciplinary Reflections on the Catholic Social Tradition’ edited by Martin Schlag and Boglárka Koller

In Rethinking Subsidiarity, scholars engage with a series of applied questions, exploring the notion of subsidiarity – central to Catholic social teaching – and stressing that it should not be considered an absolute, but rather requires constant prudence.

Andrew Packman: ‘Scarcity: A History from the Origins of Capitalism to the Climate Crisis’ by Fredrik Albritton Jonsson and Carl Wennerlind

In Scarcity, Fredrik Albritton Jonsson and Carl Wennerlind set out a comparison of ideas about the use of natural resources and economic organisation, but the treatment of material is at times superficial and opportunities to engage with important contemporary debates are missed.

Andrea Soberg: ‘Make Work Matter: Your Guide to Meaningful Work in a Changing World’ by Michaela O’Donnell

Make Work Matter is a book that can assist the reader in acknowledging and using the gifts and talents God has given us for the work we do, but the reader needs to understand what they will get out of this book before reading it.

Neil Jordan: ‘My Year with God: Faith for Doubters’ by Svend Brinkmann

In My Year with God, Svend Brinkmann charts his thinking about questions of religion over the course of a year, seeking to explore how it is possible to find meaning in faith in a modern, secularised world.

Andrew Lilico: ‘Limitarianism: The Case Against Extreme Wealth’ by Ingrid Robeyns

In Limitarianism, Ingrid Robeyns asks whether a person can be too rich and whether extreme wealth has negative consequences, but her arguments for limiting wealth are unconvincing.

Neil Jordan: ‘The Political Philosophy of AI: An Introduction’ by Mark Coeckelbergh

The Political Philosophy of AI explores fundamental concepts in political philosophy and applies them to central issues connected with artificial intelligence, showing that there is a rich body of thought in political philosophy as well as ethics that can contribute to our reflection on a technology that is already inherently political.