more ABOUT me…

I had been exploring socioeconomic trends for more than 20 years before I decided to cobble together my ramblings into a book.

After studying economics at Leeds and then Bath, I moved to London to work in public sector consultancy.

More recently, I have been employed as a business researcher developing the commercial case for diversity and sustainability, while pontificating about how Europe can become more competitive.

I published three wildly unsuccessful YA fantasy books a decade ago and today live in Bath, where I play as much high energy, low quality sport as my wife, two children and dog allow.

I hate tiny trolley bags.

Follow me on LinkedIn if you dare.

I’m also on Goodreads, but less active.

some of the best books i’ve read recently…

We Are Not Machines (Sarah O’Connor): Takes you deep into the lives of people at the forefont of the AI automation, from Amazon warehouses to Swedish mines. Asks some deep, searching questions about the what happens when efficiency becomes the goal for everything. Written with journalistic flair, this is about as readable a ‘business’ book as you’ll find.
Goliath’s Curse (Luke Kemp): The topic of the moment: is humanity edging ever closer to societal collapse due to AI, climate change, nuclear weapons etc. Brilliantly researched; yes, some of the beginning is a little dense, repetitive – but you cannot argue chapters are unworthy of inclusion. A must read for anyone asking themselves whether we’re headed down the wrong path…
When The Cranes Fly South (Lise Ridzen): The most moving book I’ve read since The Book Thief. Amazing how such a set of seemingly mundane events can be told so powerfully. I couldm’t stop crying at the end…
Snow Crash (Neal Stephenson): Really good read. Feels ever more prescient reading for first time in 2023. Good characters; whacky but believable plot. Written with wonderful dark humour
Enshittification (Cory Doctorow): Informative, yet witty. I don’t agree with it all (Google still offers a pretty good service if you ask me) but the examples are compelling; you won’t be able to unsee them from your daily life. Repetitive in parts – but mostly well written.
Hyperion (Dan Simmons): Stunning novel. Blends history, philosophy, poetry with technology. Beautifully written, but underpinned by a gripping narrative. I moved straight onto Vol#2 (which was almost as good!)
The Bee Sting (Paul Murray): Tragic story of how a family built on sand starts to crumble. Fast-paced, sad, funny, horrifying, dreamy. Does it really need to be so long? Perhaps…
Net Positive (Andrew Winston): This is required business reading in 2022. The authors speak from a strong position: they’ve practised what they preach. Some of it might come across as a little utopian, but better that than the head in sand attitude propelling humanity towards a cliff edge.