Writers, activists and politicians on the books they turn to for wisdom and perspective – and to restore their faith in human nature
A
ustralia is mired in grief, anger and division over the horrific act of antisemitic terrorism in Sydney. The attack in Bondi has reverberated internationally, tragically bookending a year that already challenged humanity, hope and the future of the planet.
Indeed as 2025 ends it is defined by yet more abject and ignoble political, economic, technological and environmental derelictions of dire proportions.
Acts of war have bombarded our screens in real time, the Earth reached its first “catastrophic” climate tipping point, and the US has perniciously slid towards autocracy under Donald Trump. Meanwhile the tech billionaires who have aided this decline grow ever richer and more powerful on the theft of our intellectual capital.
