Ian Dunt's UK, the Colombo plan, and AI publishing scams

Dennis Altman's 'Unrequited Love: Diary of an Accidental Activist' is a 2019 memoir tracing his journey as a writer, activist and public intellectual. The book mixes personal recollection with reflections on gay liberation, politics and cultural change across decades. Altman situates his own story within wider social movements and examines the interplay between private life and public advocacy. He offers candid insights into the challenges and contradictions of activism and intellectual life. The memoir received attention for its honesty, historical perspective and stylistic range.

David Lowe's study of the Colombo Plan examines the organisation's founding, aims, and activities during the Cold War, focusing on its role in fostering technical assistance and student exchanges across Asia and the Pacific. The book contextualises the Plan within tensions of decolonisation, anti‑communism and donor politics, analysing how diverse countries contributed expertise and aid. Lowe uses archival research and personal narratives to explore both achievements and shortcomings, including how the Plan navigated colonial legacies and regional diplomacy. He traces the Plan's evolution, decline and later revival in different forms, assessing long‑term legacies for regional cooperation. The work contributes to scholarship on postwar development, internationalism and Asia‑Pacific history.

Dennis Altman's 'Homosexual Oppression and Liberation' is an early scholarly work exploring the social, political and cultural dimensions of oppression faced by gay people and advocating for liberation. The book examines legal, institutional and societal mechanisms that marginalised homosexuals and outlines strategies for political and social change. Rooted in activist scholarship, the work situates gay liberation within broader struggles for rights and recognition. It contributed to early debates in queer studies and activism and remains a notable part of Altman's oeuvre. The title has been noted as currently available in some editions, including an Italian print edition.

David Lowe's 'The Colombo Plan: Development Internationalism in Cold War Asia' examines the origins, practices and legacy of the Colombo Plan from the 1950s onward. The book explores how the Plan facilitated technical assistance, student exchanges and infrastructure projects while navigating Cold War politics and post‑colonial sensitivities. Lowe analyses contributions from donor countries, recipient experiences, and the Plan's role in shaping regional ties and soft power. He places the Colombo Plan within broader debates about development, anti‑communism, and diplomatic culture in the Asia‑Pacific. The work draws on archival sources and personal stories to assess both achievements and limitations of the initiative.

Dennis Altman's 'Writing My World: Essays from the Past Half Centuries' collects essays that chronicle his engagements with politics, sexuality, culture and activism across five decades. The volume showcases Altman's reflective and analytical voice on issues ranging from gay liberation to broader social and political developments. Through personal and public pieces, the collection maps the evolution of ideas and debates that have shaped Altman's career. The essays combine memoiristic elements with critical commentary and historical context. The book underscores Altman's long-term contribution to public discourse and scholarship.