A difficult read, and not just for the history. I thought reading this would be important as we start 2025.
I am very familiar with the history, and haA difficult read, and not just for the history. I thought reading this would be important as we start 2025.
I am very familiar with the history, and have visited the Auschwitz camps. For those who aren't, this book gives a very good overview of that, and has a serious emotional impact. I can see why some folks are uncomfortable with that and seek to ban the book - but discomfort can lead to growth.
The reason I found this a difficult read was Art's relationship with his father. This too had a strong impact, at least on me. I'd not read the book and am glad I did, but I don't think this rates 5 star for me....more
This book about Biden dealing with two wars feels scattered, and falls short of All the President’s Men. Published in October 2024, perhaps the authorThis book about Biden dealing with two wars feels scattered, and falls short of All the President’s Men. Published in October 2024, perhaps the author should have waited a few more months to the conclusion of his administration.
The first half of the book focuses on Ukraine and Russia's invasion in 2022. There is a brief chapter on the previous history, and another on the likely reason Putin started this. Most of the chapters focus on the response by the Biden cabinet, with some on Europe and some on the meddling of Trump.
The remainder of the book splits focus between this conflict and Israel, starting with a good description of the October 7th attack. Again, the primary focus is on the Biden administration, with others on the response by the rest of the middle east and now-candidate Trump. One particular interview with vice president Harris is also covered.
There is a lot going on here, and it would be hard to cover it all. What we have is some behind the scenes and some of the diplomacy that wasn't reported at the time. The timeline is more or less linear, though some chapters talk directly about what happened after. As a result, the book feels both scattered and incomplete. I suggested the conclusion of the administration might have been a better focal point, but equally the conclusion of either or both wars would have worked. Assuming they have a conclusion, sometime in my future....more
Really enjoyed this book on a decade of films and their impact on my generation (among others). One chapter is a little dated, and you'll have to lookReally enjoyed this book on a decade of films and their impact on my generation (among others). One chapter is a little dated, and you'll have to look up the pictures online, but overall a really good read.
Chapters (with clever titles) and mostly about individual films, the majority from John Hughes. Other chapters delve into the music and the impact of a certain article and label, which was more bad than good. Perhaps the most impactful were lines from the many interviews the author had with so many actors, writers and producers from that era.
Middling reviews I have read were mostly concerned about why Say Anything fits this category, but I think I see what Gora was doing. These movies bookend a decade, and while Hughes had moved on to other films, Say Anything has a close connection (and some cast) with the earlier films. This comes back to argue her point about the impact, and the following chapter goes into how these type of teen films changed in the 90s and beyond.
When going into Hughes later career, the chapter continues with how the stars lives have faired. As this book was published in 2010, this feels like a very dated "where are they now". The final chapter is much stronger in this regard, and a few paragraphs about each star doesn't fit as well. A minor quibble about this overall very enjoyable book....more
I really enjoyed this book, which contains plenty of science to back up the "Blue Machine" description of our connected oceans.
The author has literallI really enjoyed this book, which contains plenty of science to back up the "Blue Machine" description of our connected oceans.
The author has literally traveled from pole to pole to investigate many oceanic things, and this book summarizes much of that. Paddling a canoe in treacherous waters near Hawaiian islands and handling scientific buoys in heavy storms or the arctic pack ice are just some of the adventures described - along with an accessible description of the science involved.
I learned a lot about currents and carbon capture at the surface. The section on science just off my Washington state coast was fascinating. While one of the topics is fishing markets (both historical and current), this doesn't delve deeply into overfishing - though the dual connected whale and krill food web is a great lesson.
The majority of 3 star reviews cited the final chapter on global climate change - very much in evidence through rising sea temperatures. Even if those reviewers don't agree with her proposed solution, the problem is still clear. This book is a solid 4½ stars for me, easily rounding up to 5 stars on goodreads....more
Well written book about seeking the truth and effective discussions - especially for me, because I'll discuss anything with anybody. Holding your idenWell written book about seeking the truth and effective discussions - especially for me, because I'll discuss anything with anybody. Holding your identity lightly and escaping the echo chamber - but with people who you respect - are excellent ideas.
The book is written with many anecdotes and examples, and several of those from the author herself. She details the opposite of the Scout mindset as the Soldier mindset - which many people can fall into defending their ideas. In essence, the Scout mindset is open-minded and seeking the truth instead of the win.
A friend mentioned it as a book he wants to read, and I can see that it was a very good choice. I actually read the book twice - once as an audiobook read by the author (she does a good job, and I understand has a TED talk that I should probably watch next) and then again as an e-book. I hope I can use a lot of the things I learned here, and plan to go back and review that later this year.
I read some other reviews, and can see some of their points, but for me this is a 5 star book (about 12% of my ratings this year were 5 star)....more
Covers the topic fairly well, utilizing humor. Only touched on RISC and the stack in passing.
The backstory was fun. The comics themselves were not terCovers the topic fairly well, utilizing humor. Only touched on RISC and the stack in passing.
The backstory was fun. The comics themselves were not terribly detailed, and single finger pointing was frequent. Often the story reverted to paragraphs with just a character head - this is a wordy discussion.
It felt as much like a book on assembly language as a book about microprocessors. I was expecting more about RISC and FPGA - both quite prevalent in embedded designs. The rice cooker was a good example, but it would have been nice to delve further into the design - a sample program for running the machine, for instance.
I felt similar about The Manga Guide to Calculus, which I read in 2010 and didn't review (early days on goodreads). Maybe I should try a Manga Guide for a subject I don't know much about instead :)...more
The subtitle has a fairly easy answer, but the book goes a lot further. Science, society, and even law are examined in context of developing a communiThe subtitle has a fairly easy answer, but the book goes a lot further. Science, society, and even law are examined in context of developing a community in space, on the moon or Mars. The authors (self-acclaimed space geeks) spice up what could be dry topics with a good dose of humor.
This really does cover a lot of territory - company towns, space babies, closed ecosystems, economic goals (Helium 3 isn't really *that* valuable). These are questions that starry-eyed dreamers just don't ask about. Probably the most impactful (to me) was when they asked "why not create a new city on Antarctica?". People who think that's too hard or there aren't enough reasons to do so are *starting* to get the answer about space.
I read this as an audio book, and the reader (Brittany Pressley) does a wonderful job! At the end of each of the six major parts, there is a nota bene (NB) section read by one or the other of the authors, who do a good job - but not as good as the Pressley. These sections have added bits cut from the book (which is already comprehensive at 436 pages). Expect more humor :)
I haven't encountered either of the Weinersmiths before now, but look forward to checking out other books and comics. This book is highly recommended!...more
David Graeber wrote an essay for Strike! magazine, it was well received. He expanded that into this book - but most of the expanded material is not woDavid Graeber wrote an essay for Strike! magazine, it was well received. He expanded that into this book - but most of the expanded material is not worth it. Go find the original essay.
The added "research" was done by polling on Twitter. He uses this to come up with "statistics" and goes further, to try and categorize different types of bullshit jobs. The anthropologist in him shares theories of why these categories are relevant. Ultimately he leaves the call of bullshit to only the employees themselves, based on their feelings. This is all unsatisfying.
A significant section is spent on labeling the effect of these jobs Spiritual Violence, and comparing this to sado-masochism without a safe-word. The author quotes social philosopher Michel Foucault, and explores the idea of universal basic income. This could have been the most interesting part of the book, had it not come at the very end.
Will I still read The Utopia of Rules? Perhaps later, or after further discussions on this book, which I didn't like. The essay is better, and much shorter - and available on archive.org...more
Simply excellent graphic novel of the early Apollo program and the science, history, and culture that led up to it. A good picture of America (and theSimply excellent graphic novel of the early Apollo program and the science, history, and culture that led up to it. A good picture of America (and the Soviet Union) at the time as well.
As with Trinity, the art style is both sparse and highly effective. The individuality of the astronauts and others in the program (and out) really comes across well. Loved seeing the contrasting attitudes on important topics - women in both space training and support, then Valentina Tereshkova with the first flight. Couldn't cover *everything*, but there are other books if you want to know more about Ham the astrochimp (and others).
Read Trinity earlier this year and found Moonbound was available at the library also. This is a quick read and a great introduction for anyone who doesn't know the history. Highly recommended!...more
Picked up on impulse from the library, I finished the first two chapters quickly. Noted that the author read the audiobook, so I checked that out alsoPicked up on impulse from the library, I finished the first two chapters quickly. Noted that the author read the audiobook, so I checked that out also. While the quotes are great (his voice hasn't lost a step), the author stumbles a bit on the rest of the text. Went back to the hardcover.
Billy Dee Williams has led a heck of a life, intersecting with singers, painters, directors, and actors of both stage and screen. He pulls few punches here, charting the course of a Hollywood with only certain roles for black actors. Through it all, charm and sensitivity nearly always helped him take the high road.
If anything, this memoire doesn't have enough detail on a whole life. Regardless, it was a very enjoyable way to spend a few hours of reading, over the course of a few weeks....more
Borrowed from the library on the anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima, finished by the anniversary of bombing of Nagasaki. Good physics and historyBorrowed from the library on the anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima, finished by the anniversary of bombing of Nagasaki. Good physics and history, though it repeats propaganda.
The beginning is about fission, bits of history and science. After that the considerations, threats, and after Pearl Harbor day, the US crash course. Portrays the individuals briefly, but this is a graphic novel. Towards the end, the false narrative of weighing the decision about the attacks, though this is surrounded by the accurate statistics on firebombing Japanese cities and the true motivation of the early Cold war.
The art style is sparse, though highly effective. Science is explained well, and the artist portrays both the emotions of the people and the horrors of radiation in an excellent fashion. This is Fetter-Vorm's first book, and it was selected by the American Library Association as a Best Book for Teens in 2013. I look forward to reading Moonbound: Apollo 11 and the Dream of Spaceflight in the near future. ...more
Behind the scenes memoir of a young Anthony Bourdain, learning his craft - and warning others about the significant costs. Rambles at times, repeats sBehind the scenes memoir of a young Anthony Bourdain, learning his craft - and warning others about the significant costs. Rambles at times, repeats some themes. As described by a friend, more of a conversation than a book.
The most relevant comparison is to Jim Bouton's Ball Four. Both revealed a side that wasn't usually seen outside the industry. In Bourdain's case, even though the food network existed, it was all clean cooking - not the (likely accurate) high pressure locker room.
I enjoyed it, and finished it fairly quickly. Had been meaning to read this for a while; it was his comments about Cambodia and Kissinger that ultimately led me back to it....more
Biography and history of Luke Howard, whose lecture in 1802 codified the types of clouds. Bonus bit on Beaufort, who similarly codified wind.
In additiBiography and history of Luke Howard, whose lecture in 1802 codified the types of clouds. Bonus bit on Beaufort, who similarly codified wind.
In addition to Howard's life, the book covers some of how clouds were classified before his lecture, and competing ideas after. We still use his classifications today, with only minor changes. The book also has a little science about clouds, but that isn't the majority of the book by any means.
I liked the book, but it wasn't compelling - I started and finished 10 other books before completing this one. The illustrations are nice, but would be better in color. Probably the most interesting part for me were the scientific clubs in the early 19th century....more
Clear, concise, short - this book contains a series of ways you can help people with less privilege than you, and applies equally well non-race relateClear, concise, short - this book contains a series of ways you can help people with less privilege than you, and applies equally well non-race related discrimination. Sections separated by a page with a theme based on real life, links in the back of the book.
If you find yourself wanting to do more, seek this out....more
This book provides lessons on communication with a backdrop of Jen Psaki's career. Those looking for a chronological memoir or white house insider infThis book provides lessons on communication with a backdrop of Jen Psaki's career. Those looking for a chronological memoir or white house insider info will likely be disappointed.
The lessons are pretty good, though they've been covered in other books. I listened to the audiobook (read by the author), the first option available through the library. A bonus for this form was audio clips from actual sessions, connected to the particular lesson by the author. None of these were from her newer MSNBC show, which I also haven't watched. I understand the physical copy of the book has photos and illustrations; I look forward to flipping through that at a book store or library soon.
Overall rating, 3.5 stars out of 5. This is a fairly short book, both entertaining and informative....more
Found the second collected volume at the library, but it didn't appeal as strongly. Rome at least partly to blame - emperors condensed to a panel or tFound the second collected volume at the library, but it didn't appeal as strongly. Rome at least partly to blame - emperors condensed to a panel or two of comic just doesn't tell the whole story. China was interesting, up to the comic condensation of "Romance of Three Kingdoms", for lack of other source material apparently.
This volume ends with the onset of the dark ages. I didn't see the third (final?) volume of history in any of the local libraries, so this might end my historical reading journey. Perhaps I will sample another of his works - history of math would make sense....more
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