Nothing But A Circus: Misadventures among the Powerful

by Daniel Levin

In this eye-opening exploration of the human weaknesses for power, Daniel Levin takes us on a hilarious journey through the absurd world of our global elites, drawing unforgettable sketches of some of the puppets who stand guard, and the jugglers and conjurers employed within. Most spectacular of all, however, are the astonishing contortions performed by those closest to the top in order to maintain the illusion of integrity, decency, and public service.

Based on the author's first hand experiences of dealing with governments and political institutions around the world, Nothing but a Circus offers a rare glimpse of the conversations that happen behind closed doors, observing the appalling lengths that people go to in order to justify their unscrupulous choices, from Dubai to Luanda, Moscow to Beijing, and at the heart of the UN and the US government.

Genres: Nonfiction, Politics, Society

194 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2017

Reviews

[K.J. Charles]

This purports to be a memoir, with alll names and details changed, of the author's encounters with powerful people as a ... it's not clear to me what he is, something involving being a lawyer with a 'programme' for Africa to make everything better. The pursuit of this programme means that he goes round the world meeting rich/influential people and discovering they suck.

Obviously I am bang alongside that in principle. However, in practice, what the book presents us with is a narrative whereby an obvious grifter arranges a meeting for our do-good hero with a clearly corrupt official. This generally involves no due diligence at all: he just leaps on a flight to the other side of the world or books an expensive restaurant. The official then bullshits or blusters until our hero takes him down with some cutting sarcasm or a heartfelt speech condemning his immorality, which has no effect on the bad person's invincible badness. Repeat every chapter.

By the point I DNF'd, about 70%, it was still unclear who's paying for all these jollies or what the hero's programme had actually achieved. I bailed out at the point where he talks to a massively corrupt and clearly mad Chinese official and decides, "well, on the one hand this guy has a Rhodes-like plan for literal one-man colonial expansion in Africa but on the other hand he might invest in my programme for making Africa independent" and decides to work with him (having fully condemned collaborations with companies trying economic colonialism previously). Make it make sense.

I have no idea what's going on in this book tbh. The pitch perfect recall of the conversations and descriptions suggests it's basically fiction; if the author does have any resemblance to the narrator, I would call this a massive self own because wow does he not come across well. I hope he's actually a brilliantly high achieving guy doing lots of good, but I only have this memoir to go on, so.

A bizarre and dislikeable experience which I was fully expecting to enjoy, and with more than a whiff of racism throughout.

[Fiona · Rating 1 out of 5]

For some readers, Daniel Levin may be a witty raconteur. To others, he might be the pub bore. He's probably a very good after dinner speaker. I suspect most of these stories are minor incidents that have been embellished out of all proportion in an effort to entertain and self aggrandise. It's the sort of book you might pick up at the airport to while away a boring journey but I can't imagine anyone actually wanting to read it cover to cover.

Thanks to NetGalley and Allen Lane for an ARC.

[Rahul Kanakia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quit literally an underrated book. Levin writes like a novelist, with clean, clear descriptions of a variety of vapid, self-important, and dishonest bumblers he's encountered over his years as a lawyer working on international development. What makes the book interesting is that the villains are so petty, from the Chinese bureaucrat who insists that an African minister MUST meet him on a certain day (rather than two days early or a week later), to the pair of partners that spend one memorable dinner bemoaning all the corruption and back-biting amongst people today, only to fall out a few months later and try to cut each other out of a deal!

The book was funny, but also mournful, made me sad for all of mankind's high hopes, and for how terrible we are at accomplishing them. These are people who ostensibly are out to make the world a better place, but in the end the sum of their lives is a series of empty business meetings filled with self-important puffery. Very worth reading.

[Claire Belle · Rating 5 out of 5]

At times hilarious, at other times frightening, Nothing but a Circus offers up an intimate portrait of the gatekeepers -- people who have plenty of power without an IQ to match. The author has done an incredible job giving the reader an inside peek at a world that's otherwise hard to imagine. Who are the powerful people behind the scenes? It turns out they're often uninformed and sometimes even corrupt. It's as much a sociological study as an entertaining (and worldly!) memoir. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to the next one from this author.

[Milena Frank · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! Great stories on human weaknesses - including Levin's, which he does not try to hide - refreshing! For once, not a self-aggrandizing account of politics and power, and also not a tedious, preachy lamentation, but instead a humorous and witty collection of stories. Loved the prologue and epilogue. And what better title than 'Nothing but a Circus' to capture the crazy times we live in! Just a really enjoyable yet thought-provoking read!

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book reads like a novel - fast paced and a lot of dialogue. I appreciated the thoughtful observations the author made about the people he met and countries he visited.

Overall, I found the book to sadly ring true given my last work. It seems there are some people working for the good of people and others, who maybe started that way, but have gotten lost in greed, arrogance, or vanity.

[Leonne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Levin's book pokes fun at politicians and the world around them. His anecdotes are funny, but also scary, showing us how incompetent and utterly self-serving those in power are. And when they are brilliant, and not incompetent, they are evil geniuses, as described in the terrific (and terrifying) Russia chapter 'Chess a la Russe'. I learned a lot, yet was at all times amused and entertained, as I mowed through his stories. Some of the connectors between the stories felt a little contrived, but no big deal. Just a fabulous read!

[Michael Richter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Daniel Levin takes us on a wonderful journey through his experiences with people in power and with all the manipulators around them. It is a delicious trip around the world, from East Texas, to Dubai, to Moscow, to Senegal, to the UN in New York, to Angola - each place with its own flavor and nuances. Levin writes with humour and great insight, though from time to time I found myself wondering why he kept coming back for more punishment dished out by all these clowns and jesters. I head him in a BBC World Service interview a week ago, which made me buy the book immediately. And then I heard him speak in London at a book event - he is as captivating a story teller in person as he is in print. It is a terrific book, and should be compulsory reading for all aspiring politicians and dimplomats!

[Mike Duncombe · Rating 1 out of 5]

What an odd little book!

It's not clear what Daniel does for a living, or who the other characters are (it might have been more interesting if real names had been given and situations properly explained), but it's clearly very remunerative. He can jet around the world and at one point hands over $15,000 to one of his employees without the question of re-payment ever coming up.

It boils down to a few anecdotes about Daniel's moral superiority to everyone he meets. He is appalled at everyone else's venality and turd-polishing. He takes the moral high-ground and takes pleasure in telling us that he takes the morally right action in every encounter, even if it costs him money and opportunity. I hope he's not just missing the log in his own eye!

It's OK to amuse you on a train ride or flight, but it doesn't live up to the blurb.

[I Read, Therefore I Blog · Rating 2 out of 5]

Daniel Levin's book aims to show the absurdities and venal ambition of those in power and their mental contortions to convince themselves and others that their actions are for the public good. Instead he's produced a jumble of smug anecdotes about scammers and people desperate to be close to power where Levin paints himself as a gullible, Jimmy Stewart-style ingenue who despairs of the arrogance of the West towards Africa.

[Jiwa Rasa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kisah yang lucu juga menakutkan tentang manusia yang punya kuasa dan menggunakan kuasa yang ada untuk kepentingan diri.

[Dan B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nothing but a Circus - a great title for an amazing book! Levin tells us about his real-life experiences with self-promoting narcissistic politicians (sound familiar..?!), powerful people, and their gatekeepers over the world. His contempt is palpable, and I felt like finally someone was giving a voice to the way so many of us feel when we witness these clowns who live in their silly bubbles. At times, Levin seems gullible and almost naive, though that felt more like a strength in honesty than a weakness. In some chapters, I found myself wishing for some more background information, and in the Washington and State Department stories I would have loved to know the real names of the characters he is writing about. But he explained why he tried to preserve their anonymity - fair enough!
It has been a while since I enjoyed a book this much - I actually re-read some of the chapters after I finished. I am a high school teacher, and I plan to make this book part of next year's syllabus for the 12th grade students.

[ManOfLaBook.com · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nothing but a Circus: Misadventures among the Powerful by Daniel Levin is a memoir of the author, a lawyer, who met influential people during his life. Mr. Levin “has spent the last twenty years working with governments and development institutions worldwide, focused on economic development and political reform through financial literacy, political inclusion, and constitutional initiatives.”

This is a wonderful, easy to read book about his life hobnobbing with powerful people. The book is a collection of funny, crazy yet relatable anecdotes.

But in all honesty, the book scary as well. It is terrifying to think that there are some incompetent nincompoops, or simply uncaring bureaucrats, in charge of programs meant to help millions of people costing billions of dollars.

Mr. Levin is also confident enough to admit he does not know all, and still has much to learn. In one story, probably my favorite, he goes to Africa to teach them about economics, only to be taken to an underground market where, unknowingly, the people practice what he preached in an efficient, productive way without all the technology.

Poking fun at politicians is a worldwide favorite pastime, and I enjoyed this book very much. i’m sure the author has many more stories he can relate – maybe he should start a second career going on a speaking tour.

For more reviews and bookish posts please visit: http://www.ManOfLaBook.com

[Mel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can't remember another book when at the end of it I wondered why the author had bothered to write it. In this case, if it were to point out that there are assholes everywhere, I think most of us have already picked up on that.

Not only was it not 'hilarious' I don't even remember finding anything funny. I wanted to give it it 2.5 stars because there were some interesting parts.

This actually went into the recycle bin; I hope it's made into something good or useful, unlike the book.

[Stany · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read it on a flight to a holiday. Left it in the hotel. That's about all you really need to know about this book.

Not sure what bothered me most, the gullibility of the author or his sense of self-importance.

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book starts slowly, but, in ten incidents, grows in interest and accumulates the kind of experience one expects in both business and government, with conmen, greed, and cluelessness intermixed at every level.

Levin comes across as an effective and interesting do-gooder who actually is interested in seeing that those doing business with him and his firm are taught to develop their own problem-specific solutions to the financial difficulties and development they face and desire. His attitude toward Western financial institutions and the Department of State may confirm the negative view many of us have about the arrogance and irresponsibility of economic imperialism, but the characters with whom Levin deals--or tries to deal--create the interest that keeps one reading.

I especially enjoyed the vignette Chess a la Russe, an eye-opener for those of us interested in the alleged meddling and collusion surrounding the 2016 US election and what is likely to follow. "Very Foggy Bottom" also is enjoyable for those with a cynical point of view.

Levin himself plays the role of a picaro, bouncing his way through a conniving society of manipulators, learning to maintain his balance. He could have used one of the stocking-stuffers my wife gave me at Christmas, a button that responds in various languages to "Bullshit," as he has to confront plenty of it.

Clearly written and informative, the book would be valuable in college courses in economics, political science; for anyone standing for the Foreign Service exam.

[Simon E · Rating 4 out of 5]

Highly entertaining tour of the morally bankrupt but politically influential circles in which a smart professional can become entangled. Levin recounts a series of short stories in which his knowledge of African affairs combines with a degree of prominence as a US lawyer in attracting the attention of various politically connected figures.
The results are collectively unsurprising in their reinforcement of cynicism toward the political class, but each is amusing in its own right. The Russian chess story potentially explains just about every event associated with the modern regime ( for those pondering why an ex-Russian spy and his daughter might be poisoned in Salisbury just before a Russian presidential election this section offers a clue) and was my highlight. If Americans do play checkers while the Russians play chess, then Trump is probably playing Snakes and Ladders!

A good read for those interested in international politics, or wanting to understand how power works (badly.) Well-written and easy to read in bite-size sections.

[Mark Isaak · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an interesting collection of first-hand accounts of encounters with people in power. The sense of entitlement among the rich, their paucity of real friends, and their clear prioritizing of money and power (for them) over everything else are shown pretty clearly in his anecdotes. Still, a couple paragraphs summarizing Levin's observations might have helped, with some mention of how well these stories generalize to the people he has met but not written about. The writing is clear but just slightly on the dry side.

[Claudia · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not doing it for me.

I'm a sucker for political history and can get lost in anecdotal stories the way others can in entertainment celebrities. I felt this would be a guilty pleasure, wolfed down in a couple of sittings.

Problem 1: changed names = no life connection, too abstract.
Prob 2: Unrecognizable events = too obscure to appreciate the context.
Prob 3: His writing doesn't bringing it to life.

I'm out.

[Ernst Cloete · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy to read entertaining anecdotes of how wannabe politicians, large organizations and so-called consultants are generally inefficient, corrupt and clueless. Many characters in this book are power hungry, narcissistic and arrogant and others are down to earth and honest. This is an insightful book which reveals a cross section of human nature that will always be with us, and which is amplified as we try and climb up the slippery corporate ladder.

[Olivia · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read this for research but it was basically pointless - someone who is trying to make basically run-of-the-mill interactions on the edge of late capitalism sound really interesting. The book is also a bit sexist and racist and colonialist and overall strange in the current literary and historical climate.

[Leroy Lim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Generally a book of anecdotal accounts from someone who has spent some time in the halls of power. Can’t quite say that it is a fully accurate picture due to the nature and style of writing that seems to favour the author’s interpretation of events. However, it was an entertaining read and an interesting look through the eyes of someone who has had experience in the international arena.

[Giovanni · Rating 5 out of 5]

A helpful and rather entertaining insight into the psychology of those in power and near it. Deception, manipulation, entitlement, self serving interest, flattery, betrayal, and much more. Extremely well written. You won’t be able to put it down.

[Joe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Incredible naïveté

Levin’s book was an amazing interesting read, but he seems to be exceptionally trusting in strangers. Who takes a trip to meet Dubai’s ruler without doing due diligence on the people who invited you and the people you expect to meet?

[Kenneth Clarke Carrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Politics and the self serving idiots that practice it.

Enjoyed reading this book. It made me angry at the level of ignorance and self serving people in the halls of power????? and laughing at the same thing at just how idiotic they can be.

[Phares Kariuki · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is hands down one of the funniest books I’ve read in a while; it’s also very instructive for anyone in the development space.

[Jake · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly entertaining, my only problem was that it seemed to end so quickly

[Akshat · Rating 3 out of 5]

An extremely entertaining book which gives insights into how governments, international aid agencies, NGOs, etc. operate. The chapter focused on Russia is eerily enjoyable to read.

[Hatem · Rating 1 out of 5]

Apparently, hanging out with the powerful does have its upside: being able to get endorsements for such a mediocre book

[Julie de la Kethulle de Ryhove · Rating 3 out of 5]

Anecdotal stories on geopolitics and marco economics. Funny, baffling but long tales