Ideas for a 60th birthday present for a politically minded father

[BirthdayPresentQuandary]

Need ideas for a birthday present, for the father of some friends of DS's.

What do you give someone who is turning 60, who runs his own plastics factory, is into small government, neoliberalism, libertarianism, anti environmental controls on plastic production or recycling, anti anything he finds challenging or unfamiliar, and Catholic?

He'd probably be really flattered by a book about politics or philosophy.

Our taste in philosophy and politics is really quite, quite different from his. That said, the family as a whole is really nice and very friendly to DS, so I want to honour that and give this chap something that would make him happy.

Anyone got any ideas?

Last Days in Old Europe: Trieste '79, Vienna '85, Prague '89 by Richard Bassett

I read this recently, as has my brother who is to the right of me politically, and we both enjoyed it. It's beautifully written and very interesting. It's a memoire of a foreign correspondent that focuses on the collapse of the Iron Curtain.

Or this:

https://giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/actions/redeem/92523590-d88e-4783-88a6-a47f9a963c71Jared Diamond’s next big question: how much do leaders really matter?

(Photos of start of review as the link is only viewable 3 times. Don’t click if you’re not the OP! 😄)

My first thought - with those views - is does he like whisky?
How about this ? https://threshers.co.uk/products/fisherman-refillable-whisky-decanter-with-tap-2-glasses-35cl?currency=GBP&country=GB&stkn=30ef46b69932&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=16458962397&gclid=CjwKCAjw48TUBhBREiwAK0GnQbZ2M9s0pxJk_NTDLnlZTDD7Vq2k147wxgIGOCaqKPWpjF4u01RivRoCzQYQAvD_BwE

Someone recently got one for a friend who was really pleased with it.

Journal subscription?

I imagine he gets Private eye so could you get him a subscription.

Thanks all. I went for the anodyne option of some books about geopolitics/ history that don't have a particularly strong political position. Last days in Europe looks good but wasn't available before the birthday - I'm going to find a copy for myself!

Faber book of reportage, eyewitness accounts of historical events.

https://www.google.com/goto?url=CAESbgHrOzAVhkdVDl67sL7yvvS1MRcNG3UEX3kPGoftSajtaAoyRKVo6vYVrBW-9tO1dOA-hzjqdaL1d6yU7xJsYBJx-wxGPHK1z2qWYyNNUO31Hp4uiO8BpKixcxnIdhv2o615BWiFXhB61InrFhwH

Houses of parliament tour?

My DF does not have particularly different political views to me but I often get him a puzzle book or a newspaper-related gift (as my DCs say, Grandpa likes newspapers and wine).

How about a design book about plastic?
”Plastic Dreams” by C & P Fiels collates photos of landmark plastic products since the 1920s. An interesting coffee table talking point piece that acknowledges the amazing contribution plastic has made to the development of 20th century modern society

Gosh - it’s not a long thread. You’d think posters might have the patience to read through it before commenting …

What an odd suggestion. You know some people don't live near London?

Why buy a present at all if you feel that way about him.

Social obligation. Also, she said the family is nice, she just doesn't share this man's political views. You can be friends with someone you disagree with (in fact it's essential to avoid extremism).

But why are their suggestions or requests for politically minded presents.

Generic gifts exist.What does he like to drink / eat. Restaurant vouchers, book tokens so he can buy his own sodding political book. A bottle of something he likes to drink.

It seems quite a stretch to run, this man down online and then ask to look for a gift based on the views you so strongly disagree with I mean, what is wrong with people.

A couple of years ago I got my dad a new missal.

https://www.ctsbooks.org/product/sunday-missal/ he was thrilled with it. He passed away at the start of the year and it is now being used by another RC relative.

Sorry it's not politics.

@sashh Sorry to hear about your Dad. Missal is a good thought.

@FruAashild precisely! Thankyou for your answer there.

@PleaseDontAsk because politics and religion is what really floats this bloke’s boat. After several years of discussing geopolitical history and religion with him every time he brings his kids to our house, I don’t need to give him something boringly impersonal for his bday do I? I want to show him I’ve been listening, and that we want to continue the friendship. If ee eere only friends with people we agreed with, life would be lacking in mutual understanding, wouldn’t it?

@OfficiallyOnVacation that's a good idea! i'll save that one for his 70th :-)