An easy and enjoyable primer on the issue surrounding the current removal of problematic statues, which I read in preparation to visiting the newly supine Edward Colston statue in Bristol (mentioned in the book).

As the subtitles makes clear, the book presents the stories of 12 such statues, together with potted histories (each around 10 pages) of their subject and of the erection and downfall of the statues. It's all very portable and reader-friendly.

This only real criticism that can be levelled here, (and probably to most books of similar intent) is that von Tunzelmann is very likely to be preaching to the choir, and that the people who need to read this book and gain some perspective on statue removals are very unlikely to hear her clear and intelligent voice.

In addition to the case studies she presents, von Tunzelmann also provide a handy argumentation to answers the four main constantly recurring objection to the taking down of statues. This can be useful for discussions on social media...