The journey towards the Written Exams was what I would consider one of discovery. It's a lot like armchair traveling and it led me to unearth some scholarly treasures from brilliant people who are not exactly household names. I'd hate to jump the gun so I won't mention them in this paragraph.
But like all reviews, it's a bit impossible to stumble upon ALL the good reads in time for the exam. In fact, I came across even juicier reads months after the exams--books and authors I could only wish I could have read prior to taking the third part of the Foreign Service Officers Exam. Some of these books fit the realm of Social Pychology but they are nonetheless perfect in making you understand how world leaders' and diplomats' minds tick in relation to changing the course of events around the world.
For those who are still in the race to become the next batch of Philippine career diplomats, here are some books you might want to check out (in no particular order):
1. Waiting for Mariang Makiling: Essays in Philippine Cultural History
Author: Resil B. Mojares
Useful Link: http://books.google.com.ph/books?id=An-ggOOAqAUC&printsec=frontcover&hl=fil&source=gbs_ge_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false
Coming across great reads in Philippine Culture and History can be one of the most challenging aspects in reviewing for the Philippine Culture and History part of the Written Exam. Thank God for scholars like Resil Mojares. Resil is an authority in Cebuano studies but more importantly, the depth of his knowledge in Philippine culture and history in general spiked with a characteristic journalistic flair in his writings make his books incredibly enjoyable reads.
My boyfriend introduced me to his book, Waiting For Mariang Makiling. The book is a cocktail of fascinating tidbits on culture and history ranging from an essay that explores how a simple dinner menu from the party society's elites can belie the intrigue and politics characteristic of the period to memoirs from Filipino intellectuals.
Consider it a backstage peak at the issues revolving around cultural politics and how our nation came to be what it is today.
2. Claiming "Malayness": Civilizational Discourse in Colonial Philippines
Author: Resil B. Mojares
The fascinating thing about us Filipinos is that we're caught in between Eastern and Western cultures. To our Asian and Southeast Asian neighbors, we may be a little bit too Western, and to the West, well, we're a little too collectivist and Asian to be considered an extension of the West. Like it or not, we're a hybrid of disparate cultures and for many, this has caused quite a cultural identity crisis. This topic is important to study in depth because the roots of our being Filipino today is an invisible hand shaping much of our culture. Claiming 'Malayness' is another Resil blockbuster that delves deep into this issue.
3. An Anarchy of Families: State and Family in the Philippines
Edited by: Alfred W. McCoy
Useful Link: http://books.google.com.ph/books?id=fawaNZu-yqUC&pg=PA311&dq=resil+mojares&hl=fil&sa=X&ei=0WM7VMqAH9LnuQSJ3YCICQ&ved=0CDQQ6AEwBA#v=onepage&q&f=false
If you love Game of Thrones, my goodness, you will most likely consider this book quite a page-turner as well. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to know and feel that Philippine politics has a striking resemblance to the Dark Ages in light of the clout being held by some of the country's most formidable political families. Political dynasties have become notorious in the Philippine political scene for their role in clipping the country's wings. Of course, there are benevolent dynasties but seriously, there are more bad eggs in this basket than good ones. This doesn't just happen in the national arena. It happens even at the most basic, barangay level, the latter of which has become a training ground forthe sons and daughters of provincial warlords who wish to consolidate and perpetuate their grip on their 'kingdom'.
I could rattle on and on about this but I would not want to deprive you guys of enjoying this book. All I can say is that it's fascinating and disgusting to see how some political families are fusing gold and guns to rule their territories, most of the time, at the expense of the general public. This book is collection of essays from Resil Mojares, G. Carter Bentley, Ruby Paredes, and John Sidel to name a few. Consider this Game of Thrones Philippine Style.
4. Why Leaders Lie: The Truth About Lying in International Politics
Author: John J. Mearsheimer
Useful Link: http://books.google.com.ph/books?id=gP2csQPgMt0C&printsec=frontcover&dq=why+leaders+lie&hl=fil&sa=X&ei=Wmg7VNHGNpOQuASMm4GwAw&ved=0CBsQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=why%20leaders%20lie&f=false
We've been taught since we were kids that liars go to hell. Yes, it's common knowledge that lying is B-A-D. John Mearsheimer's book may turn your head 180 degrees as he substantiates on why leaders and diplomats need to fib for the benefit of their country in the arena of international politics. This is an entertaining albeit easy read considering that it is Mearsheimer you're reading. According to Mearsheimer, leaders lie more to their own people than they do to other countries and world leaders. This may be an intriguing assertion and you'll have to read the rest of the book to find out why our leaders need to lie a little. This book will enlighten you on many of history's political foibles and the ruckus failed foreign and national policies have caused. This book may even change your impressions on Saddam Hussein.
5. The Invisible Gorilla and Other Ways Our Intuitions Deceive Us
Authors: Christopher Chabris and Daniel Simons
Useful Link: http://books.google.com.ph/books?id=f8AN1DAud5sC&printsec=frontcover&dq=the+invisible+gorilla&hl=fil&sa=X&ei=mWo7VM_XA8OUuASpkIGgAQ&ved=0CBsQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=the%20invisible%20gorilla&f=false
I first came across this experiment by Chabris and Simons in our class in Social Cognition. Since then, I've searched through the shelves of Fully Booked for this social psychology reading. Yes, this book may be he last on your list when it comes to reading up for the FSOE but as they say, you can't really judge a book by its cover. Consider this book the invisible gorilla in your review. If you're a fan of Malcom Gladwell, you'll most likely love this book to bits owing to its anecdotal style of writing. As far as international politics, public policy, history, and economics are concerned, this book will make you understand why we never seem to learn from history's costliest mistakes, why many, many things about public policy fail to truly influence human behavior in a positive light, why financial crises keep happening, and why deadly diseases and epidemics are rearing their ugly heads yet again.
People often view international relations from a macro perspective--which is not exactly a bad thing. It's just that zooming out makes you miss the details that can create waves of differences later on. The Invisible Gorilla is a an x-ray vision on the small things that make a world of a difference most especially in international politics.
These five books are only the tip of the ice berg. I'll find time to write about other essential books to cover whether it's for your review or just plain rainy day reading :)
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