The Ali Post

As Robert Brenner argued in NLR two years ago, the financial collapse of 2007-8 set a template for government responses to crises that threaten the means of existence. Whether it’s a global financial meltdown, a deadly pandemic or energy bills so high that many people can’t afford to pay them, the policy instrument of choice is the bailout.

Former President Barack Obama released his 2022 Summer Reading List last month, and as usual it’s a fascinating list. He reads diversely in author, genre, and topic, and chooses a variety of well-known and lesser-known books. One thing he does not seem to read (or at least to recommend) is romance.