From the blurb at the back of the intensely Ballardian (see J.G. Ballard's novel, Super-Cannes) Evil Paradises: What kinds of worlds would pure capitalism, unfettered by organised labor or state regulation, bring into existence? In this stunning collection, an extraordinary group of urbanists, architects, historians and visionary thinkers reflect on the capitalist "utopias" being constructed in cities, deserts, and even in the middle of the sea. All across the globe-in Dubai, Kabul, Hong Kong, Cairo and the Iranian desert-the nouveaux riches have created fantasy Californias, complete with Mickey Mouse statues, while their maids sleep in rooftop chicken coops. Filled with "stories of greed, exploitation and enough consumption to make a hedge fund manager blush" (Los Angeles Times), Evil Paradises is a timely and powerful exploration of these phantasmagoric but all too real places where consumption and inequality surpass our worst nightmares. Read the review from the blog Lenin's Tomb here
