I'm really surprised that this is my first time reading any collection of Best American Essays. I picked this as my starting attempt to try to clear aI'm really surprised that this is my first time reading any collection of Best American Essays. I picked this as my starting attempt to try to clear all the anthologies I have in my possession.
It's daunting but hey, goals!
As always, I'll point out the essays I found interesting. A number of essays started off good but fishtailed as they went along---sometimes you don't really need to go in five different directions or wax poetic about everything to make your point.
Out of 26 essays, I found the following 9 especially interesting/moving/intriguing:
Sometimes a Romantic Notion by Richard Schmitt Schmitt analyzes (and busts) the over-romanticized myth of "running away to join the circus" by telling his own tale of joining a circus. Evokes a bygone time.
Highway of Lost Girls by Vanessa Veselka When hitchhiking was the norm decades ago it was easy for girls to be exploited or killed, and Veselka recounts and investigates a close call she had with a suspected serial killer.
Breeds of America by William Melvin Kelley What happens when you don't conform to other people's assumptions about "your" race?
Triage by Jon Kerstetter A doctor examines the meaning of triage in relation to the death of a soldier in Iraq.
The Girls in My Town by Angela Morales Morales reflects on her life in central California in relation to others similar, but not so similar, to herself.
Letter from Majorca by J. D. Daniels A bit of a ramble but has one of the funniest lines: "...Jeff, a bartender who was blind in one eye and drunk in the other..."
Channel B by Megan Stielstra Short but affecting essay by a mother who unexpectedly finds catharsis because of a baby monitor fluke.
Epilogue: Deadkidistan by Michelle Mirsky A mother learns how to deal with the unthinkable, as well other people's reactions to her reactions.
The Book of Knowledge by Steven Harvey After decades, a son revisits the actions of his mother through her letters and a kid's encyclopedia set. A little overlong and overwritten, but worth the read....more
43 writers writing about the books that got them into reading and inspired their careers? I'm sold.
But it quickly becomes apparent that this is a very43 writers writing about the books that got them into reading and inspired their careers? I'm sold.
But it quickly becomes apparent that this is a very British-centric collection of recollections. Very British. And very, um, what's a nice word for dated? Sure, this is a 20-some year old anthology that's been updated with 5 new authors, but since the essays are arranged by chronological order of the author's birth year (starting 1909!), a vast majority of the books and authors remembered end up being the same with the essays sometimes being poignant but ultimately sounding a bit repetitious. The collective evocation of a bygone era is strong but the better essays differentiate themselves by their unique approach to the subject or their not being confined to just listing books but adding their personal experiences. I hope there's a similar collection of essays from writers (and others) from around the world. The variety would do it good (well?).
Aside from the always interesting memories of when these writers entered into the world of books and the possibilities of reading, it was funny to see how the same author or title could be praised in one essay and reviled in another (equal love and hate for Little Women it seems) or how everyone remembers with horror Struwwelpeter or the endless confusion over the gender of Richmal Crompton.
The authors with the most interesting essays (according to me) are: Doris Lessing, Judith Kerr, Jan Morris, Edna O'Brien, Margaret Atwood (the funniest one), Germaine Greer, Gita Mehta, Buchi Emecheta, Sally Beauman, Sue Townsend, Rana Kabbani, Jeanette Winterson, Kamila Shamsie, Rory Stewart, and Tom Wells....more
I'm writing this review some months after having read the stories, but after looking through them again I remember feeling the same feels I had the fiI'm writing this review some months after having read the stories, but after looking through them again I remember feeling the same feels I had the first time around.
As with other anthologies, I point out the stories that especially captured my attention. Some stories reminded me of an episode of Black Mirror or were interesting premises drawn out way too long, so I didn't like them enough to mention here (but that doesn't mean they were bad!).
Out of 20 stories, the following 8 made my imagination tingle:
A Guide to the Fruits of Hawai'i by Alaya Dawn Johnson Postapocalyptic vampire story that made me feel like I was there (and I'm not really a vampire story kinda guy).
Each to Each by Seanan McGuire The next step in human evolution and colonization doesn't always have to be in outer space---the planet's surface is mostly water, right?
Sleeper by Jo Walton Examines the consequences to history in a future where the personality of historical figures can be simulated and manufactured for the masses.
Windows by Susan Palwick I love generation ship stories and this tells a slice of life of one mother affected by a generation ship.
The Thing About Shapes to Come by Adam-Troy Castro Really fascinating story about babies born as shapes and how their parents, and the world, adjust to this new and surreal reality. (Note: The ending---I usually hate these types of endings, but I was okay with it here for some reason.)
We Are the Cloud by Sam J. Miller Sad story of lonely kid in love (I could see where it was going right away) but with a sci-fi twist, of course. I wish there were more, the ending kind of feels like the beginning of a larger story.
The Blue Afternoon That Lasted Forever by Daniel H. Wilson A father realizes the fate of the Earth and tries to comfort his daughter. A realistic (I guess?) take on one way the Earth could be wiped out.
How to Become a Robot in 12 Easy Steps by A. Merc Rustad Robots, of course, help shine a light on what it means to be human....more
A fun mix of mostly humorous medieval poems that can get downright lewd and crude. Though almost 1000 pages in length, half is the medieval French texA fun mix of mostly humorous medieval poems that can get downright lewd and crude. Though almost 1000 pages in length, half is the medieval French text and the other half the English translation, both of which face each other throughout the book. I read the last half in a couple of days of dedicated reading (when I ran out of library renewals) so it's not impossible to get through it fairly quick but it might tax your patience.
The English translation is admirable in its attempt to mimic the rhyming schemes of the original medieval French but too often it feels awkwardly forced and it made me wonder many times if more authentic word choices were being sacrificed for the sometimes clumsy rhymes (though I do admire the pairing of "screwed" and "food").
I coincidentally read this while reading about the Magna Carta, which roughly covers the same time period as these poems' composition (c. 1200) and the area they came from (northern France), so it was quite illuminating learning the background of such a historical document while also getting the flavor of what the everyday people would have heard from passing jongleurs. It seems these fabliaux were parodies of the more highbrow poetical forms of the time---I guess making fun of the serious minded culture has never been out of fashion. The better ones were those that had clever twists or (relatively) complicated plots. Some reminded me of Benny Hill sketches, though BH is much tamer than these fabliaux.
While I was surprised by how crude (in carnality or blunt description) some of these poems could be I was more surprised by the level of misogyny in them. I mean, I know that's how the world was then but to see it over and over as the lesson of most of the poems (that women are never to be trusted) was just... tiring. But there was plenty of humor and just outright grossness to make it a worthwhile read, even if not every poem was a winner. The less amusing ones still provide examples of the genre and it's amazing that we have them at all.
Now for some basic numbers about the book, followed by the titles of the fabliaux that I think were especially memorable.
69 (har har) fabliaux in total poems range anywhere from around 50-950 lines 945 pages of text (original language and English translation) 25 pages of notes (keyed to number lines but not noted in any way in the poems themselves) 3 pages of bibliography
The more memorable fabliaux (with some censored titles because even I can't type out some of these words)
#13: The Stupid Knight: a comedy of errors involving a dumb husband, his smart wife, household guests and mistaken intentions
#14: The Knight Who Made C**** Talk: a knight has the power to make a certain female body part speak the truth... and I didn't see the twist coming!
#16: The Piece of Shit, #17: Black Balls: just, eww.
#18: The Peasant Doctor: a wife beater is taught a lesson by his wife
#19: Long Butthole Berengier: a wife gets the better of her cocky husband
#25: The Mourner Who Got F***** at the Grave Site: exactly what it says, this one impressed me by its cleverness. One knight bets another that he can seduce a widow at the site of her husband's grave. He succeeds, and how he does it actually made me laugh out loud.
#39: The Crane: absurdly funny because of the play on a certain word
#43: Gombert: a comedy of errors type story involving mistaken identities in dark bedrooms (apparently used later by other medieval authors in more famous versions)
#45: The Butcher of Abbeville: a long con revenge is expertly played
#50: The Miller of Arleux: man and wife try to outsmart each other but both end up getting fooled
#51: Jouglet: The most disgusting revenge I've ever laughed at
#52: The Two Peasants: Like "Gombert" but with even sillier comedic misunderstandings
#53: The Three Hunchbacks: macabre humor where a dead body just won't stay away!
#54: The Portable Priest: another absurdly macabre story about a corpse inconveniencing different people for different reasons (I think this was also in the Arabian Nights story cycle)
#55: Constant Du Hamel: a wife refuses to sleep with a group of men, the men punish her husband, and she seeks her revenge (I think this was the longest poem at 955 lines)
#60: The Squirrel, #61: The Maiden Who Couldn't Abide Lewd Language: euphemisms reign in these really raunchy stories
#62: Saint Martin's Four Wishes: the most surreal story that's a variation on "be careful what you wish for"---so many genitals!
#69: The Man Who Saved His Buddy From Drowning: proves that frivolous litigation is a time honored tradition
I found this a worthwhile read. The book itself is very nice, a hardcover edition with quality paper and a sewn-in ribbon to mark your place. You can't go wrong starting here if you've never before read any fabliaux....more
Slowly but surely I'm catching up on all the volumes I've missed in this series. This entry is a little on the lean side, which is also reflected in tSlowly but surely I'm catching up on all the volumes I've missed in this series. This entry is a little on the lean side, which is also reflected in the shortness of a lot of the article collected here. I liked that almost every article was a relatively quick read but after quickly finishing the book I felt a little sad that it was over so soon. A small quibble to be sure since the articles are still as informative and entertaining as always.
And as always, I'll point out the articles that I found most interesting. A lot of the ones I don't point out are just as interesting but the topics they cover are of the usual suspects variety inherent to these anthologies.
Genesis of Suicide Terrorism by Scott Atran The Cousin Marriage Conundrum by Steve Sailer These two articles cover very different topics but they share a similar theme: the difficulty of defining seemingly simple concepts and how those concepts can be perceived in vastly different ways by different cultures.
We're All Gonna Die! by Gregg Easterbrook Funny yet realistic listing of the top ten ways the earth faces possible annihilation.
Far Out Television by Garrett G. Fagan Interesting look at how legitimate archaeology is being pushed aside by pseudoarchaeology in popular television programs for the sake of entertainment. Even more interesting is the fact that this article is nearly 10 years old and the number of these programs (and the channels to accommodate them) have exploded.
Desperate Measures by Atul Gawande Explores how common lifesaving medical procedures used today are rooted in an experimentally bold past that is no longer possible.
The Bloody Crossroads of Grammar by Geoffrey Nunberg Showcases how proscriptive grammar can lead the self-righteous to attack not only perfectly understandable sentences but also to further their own political agendas.
Ask the Bird Folks by Mike O'Connor This has to be the funniest article not just of this volume but of any in the entire series. These are pickings from the author's ongoing column answering questions about birds, and his answers are just as hilarious as they are informative. I especially like his answer to that old canard about rice being bad for pigeons.
Where Have All the Lisas Gone? by Peggy Orenstein This is a really interesting look at the strange cultural phenomenon of how baby names fall in and out of popularity.
Through the Eye of an Octopus by Eric Scigliano Octopuses (not octupi, as much as we'd like it to be that) are really very smart animals. Personally, I think they're a little creepy because of their beaks...
Parallel Universes by Max Tegmark Inevitably there's a physics article in these anthologies, and just as inevitably these articles fly way WAY over my head. They confuse, frustrate, and irritate me to no end but I never skip them because I can at least say I gave it a try. This one isn't as impenetrable as most but it still manages to boggle the mind. Suffice it to say: Other worlds aren't just possible, they're probable.
In Click Languages, an Echo of the Tongues of the Ancients by Nicholas Wade This taps right into my interest in language and language history. I know nothing about click languages so this was really interesting and informative. Also has quite the 'punny' final sentence....more
I’m trying to catch up on all past volumes of this series, and this inaugural collection was great through and through. My only regret is that I didn’I’m trying to catch up on all past volumes of this series, and this inaugural collection was great through and through. My only regret is that I didn’t start reading this series when it started, so some of these 10 year old stories beg for an update that each reader will have to investigate on their own. As always, I’ll list the articles I found the most interesting from the bunch.
Men, Women, Sex, and Darwin by Natalie Angier Examines the arguments made by evolutionary scientists about what men and women desire.
Back to the Land by Wendell Berry Argues that the loss of connection between people and nature has resulted in ignorance about where the products we buy come from and the negative effects it has on the environment.
http://www.when_is_enough_enough?.com by Paul De Palma I didn’t think this was a very good article (he never defines what computer science is exactly) but I had to include it in my list because it’s interesting in light of the differences in technology from when he wrote it to when I read it ten years later (since most of his arguments seem strange in today’s computer culture).
Something Happened by Helen Epstein Looks at the debate about how the virus that causes AIDS first infected humans.
The Cancer-Cluster Myth by Atul Gawande A high concentration of cancer cases doesn’t always mean there’s a common cause.
Clock of Ages by Brian Hayes Incredibly intricate and complicated astronomical clock that was built hundreds of years ago will be correct for hundreds, if not thousands, of years yet. And it tells time, too.
A New Germ Theory by Judith Hooper Some evolutionary biologists think that diseases not normally associated with germs may very well be caused by them---such as heart disease and mental illness.
The Island at the End of the Earth by Peter Matthiessen A visit to South Georgia Island (near Antarctica), with plenty of history and nature watching.
Lulu, Queen of the Camels Find out here what multi-million dollar industry financed the beginning (and continued development) of hardcore camel science.
The Demon in the Freezer by Richard Preston Chilling account of how a disease thought to be completely eradicated from Earth really isn’t, and the counterintuitive dangers that come from eradicating diseases. Later developed into this book.
Brilliant Light by Oliver Sacks Always an interesting writer of interesting subjects, here Sacks combines personal memoir with some history of the elements and their discoverers. Later developed into this book.
This Is Not the Place by Hampton Sides What happens when your faith isn’t backed up by the archaeological evidence? ...more
I read this companion to the documentary without having seen the documentary, so I can't speak to how well it informs on or complements it, but I can I read this companion to the documentary without having seen the documentary, so I can't speak to how well it informs on or complements it, but I can say it is an interesting and informative look at the problem of public schools in the United States (their quality or lack thereof and the inherent problems in trying to improve them). All of the essays pretty much say the same thing: everything up until now hasn't worked, so we have to try radically new things to improve the situation and we have to do it quick because we're failing the kids *now* and can't spend more time dawdling.
The main problems (according to the essays) with reforming public schools are an overwhelmingly burdensome bureaucracy that is slow to respond to change and an equally problematic teachers' union that is also resistant to change. It is easy to make them the 'bad guys' in this story, but having been a student of public schools, and seeing how resistant the unions have been to any kind of system that measures the effectiveness of teachers makes it hard not to see them as a major obstacle rather than a possible ally. There is one (and only one) essay from somebody who sides with the unions, but that essay comes across more as a too-late-in-the-game agreement that (paraphrasing here) "we should all work together and ratings are a good thing, but let's take our time."
So this collection does come across as one sided, but that side has what the other side doesn't have: a relatively fresh perspective that doesn't have years and years of failing students behind it.
I would like to read more from both sides of the argument, but for now this is a good start....more
I finally finished this one after off-and-on reading over an entire semester of school getting in the way! Some missed the mark, but these were the beI finally finished this one after off-and-on reading over an entire semester of school getting in the way! Some missed the mark, but these were the best of this collection:
The Kindest Cut by Larissa MacFarquhar Takes a look at the negative view some people have about donating a kidney to a stranger.
The Placebo Problem by Steve Silberman Examines how modern medicine continues to “battle” with the still mysterious power of placebos.
A Life of Its Own by Michael Specter Making life from scratch: molecular Frankenstein or nothing to worry about?
The Orchid Children by David Dobbs Some children flounder or flourish depending on their environment---a nudge in the right direction is all they need, and a genetic trait seems to back this up.
My Genome, My Self by Steven Pinker The rise in being able to test your genetic makeup may lead to more complications than they may warrant. Interesting to read in relation to the previous article.
The Sixth Extinction? by Elizabeth Kolbert Mass extinctions are a regular occurrence in Earth’s history, and the next one is already underway.
Unpopular Science by Chris Mooney and Sheril Kirshenbaum Alarming look at how science writers (and their articles) are losing their place in newspapers, and how this makes for an increasingly misinformed (under-informed?) society.
An Epidemic of Fear by Amy Wallace A look at the autism/vaccine controversy.
The Missions of Astronomy by Steven Weinberg Great little summary of the history and importance of astronomy.
Decoding an Ancient Computer by Tony Freeth Exciting explanation of the oldest “computer” ever found.
The Deadly Choices at Memorial by Sheri Fink Recounts what happened at a hospital in the days after Hurricane Katrina. I think this is a good one to read along with The Loved Ones by Tom Junod in this other anthology.
This anthology is one of the best so far. All the articles were great, but these are the standouts:
At The Train Bridge by Calvin Trillin An angry and rThis anthology is one of the best so far. All the articles were great, but these are the standouts:
At The Train Bridge by Calvin Trillin An angry and remorseless man intentionally seeks out to destroy innocence and peace.
Trial By Fire by David Grann A man is convicted of burning down his house and children based on shoddy science. Also covered in an episode of Frontline.
Flesh and Blood by Pamela Colloff A man who loses his family refuses to accept the truth of who caused their deaths.
The Snatchback by Nadya Labi A look at how one man kidnaps his own kidnapped child.
The Chessboard Killer by Peter Sarodnik A prolific serial killer terrorizes a Russian city.
The Great Buffalo Caper by Maximilian Potter Criminal behavior ludicrous enough to be a Coen Brothers movie (it says so even in the article).
The Boy Who Heard Too Much by David Kushner How the phone system can be used for doing terrible things.
Bringing Down the Dogmen by Skip Hollandworth An undercover team infiltrates the dog fighting world.
The Sicario by Charles Bowden Very disturbing interview with a killer....more
Catching up on all the past years of this series. I love these anthologies, and here are the stories from this volume that I found really interesting:Catching up on all the past years of this series. I love these anthologies, and here are the stories from this volume that I found really interesting:
The Loved Ones by Tom Junod The story of a nursing home in New Orleans where patients/residents drowned in the rising waters during Hurricane Katrina.
The Case of the Killer Priest by Sean Flynn Explores the difficulty in believing that priests were capable of doing bad deeds, before knowing what we now know about abusive priests, by looking at how a priest got away with murder.
Double Blind by Matthew Teague I don't know much about this subject, so it was an eye-opening look at how double agents were used by British intelligence to fight the IRA.
The School by CJ Chivers The longest (but most engrossing and toughest) article in this collection, about the terrorist takeover of the school in Beslan.
A Kiss Before Dying by Pamela Colloff Strange story about a girl who asked to be murdered and was obliged by a friend.
Who Killed Ellen Andros? by Dan P. Lee The quality of the forensic evidence in a case is only as good as the people who gather it.
Last Seen on September 10th by Mark Fass Unusual story of a loved one lost the day before the World Trade center attacks and the difficulties the family has in having her listed as one of the casualties of the attacks.
My Roommate, the Diamond Thief by Brian Boucher Very funny story of a man who ends up having a diamond thief for a roommate.
The following two articles were later turned into books:
The Man Who Loved Books Too Much by Allison Hoover Bartlett One book collector loves books, but doesn't have the cash to buy them. I read the book before the article and if you want more after reading this, I recommend picking up the book.
The Monster of Florence by Douglas Preston May sound like a thriller novel, but this a true and very fascinating story about an Italian serial killer, and how a novelist gets caught up in the investigation. I caught this story on TV a long time ago, but I haven't read the book yet.
I've been reading the other "Best American" science anthology for a while now (different publisher) and am more than happy to have found a parallel seI've been reading the other "Best American" science anthology for a while now (different publisher) and am more than happy to have found a parallel series to dive into. An added feature is commentary from the authors about the article they wrote, included in the "About the Contributors" section. As with other collections I'll just list those articles that I especially liked.
The First Ache by Annie Murphy Paul Explores the debate surrounding the question of when a fetus is first able to feel pain.
The Truth About Autism by David Wolman Explains how narrow definitions of autism can't encompass the wide variety of "autisms" that actually exist.
Reading the Wounds by Jina Moore Presents the difficult task of a doctor who must document and verify the physical results of torture for people seeking asylum in the U.S.
A Cloud of Smoke by Jennifer Kahn The cause of death for a 9/11 hero is called into question.
A Tall, Cool Drink of... Sewage? by Elizabeth Royte Takes a look at how one city is turning sewage into drinking water.
Birdbrain by Margaret Talbot Explains the debate surrounding the famous talking parrot Alex.
The Anonymity Experience by Catherine Price How successful can be in avoiding today's electronic "paper" trail?
The Sky is Falling by George Easterbrook An end of world scenario involving space debris may be unlikely, but is it an investment worth making?
Evolutionists Flock to Darwin-Shaped Wall Stain by The Onion Very funny satire.
The following articles were also collected in this anthology. The Itch by Atul Gawande Contagious Cancer by David Quammen
The following articles were also collected in this anthology. Contagious Cancer by David Quammen Perhaps Death is Proud; More Reason to Savor Life by Theresa Brown ...more
I really like the Best American series (even the knockoffs) and I enjoyed this one a lot, even though some of the comics were out and out strange, or I really like the Best American series (even the knockoffs) and I enjoyed this one a lot, even though some of the comics were out and out strange, or left you wanting more since they were just snippets of a larger whole. This is an enjoyable peek at the wide variety of comics that are out there, and certainly a great starting point in finding what suits your individual tastes. Like with other anthologies, I'll list what caught my attention the most (but without my usual one-sentence summary).
Justin M. Damiano by Daniel Clowes
Our Beloved Tape Dispenser by Robert Crumb and Aline Kominsky-Crumb
Shortcomings (Excerpt) by Adrian Tomine I did end up seeking out, reading, and enjoying the whole of this one.
I really enjoyed last year’s edition and was happy to find that this new collection has even more wide ranging but always interesting essays. There arI really enjoyed last year’s edition and was happy to find that this new collection has even more wide ranging but always interesting essays. There are 41 essays and articles, from very short to substantial in size, and they are grouped in 12 different categories:
The Presidential Election of 2008 Our Michelle Reverend Wright Revisited The United States, Past and Present Personalities Profiles Race Talk Sports Rita Dove African American Literature Racial Identity, Enslavement, and the Law In Memoriam: John Hope Franklin
I enjoyed all the essays individually and as a collection because they show how all of the issues and topics covered here are very nuanced and are ill-served by all the hype and soundbite analyzation that is commonplace in the news today. As with other anthology reviews, I will point out the essays that really grabbed my attention.
A More Perfect Union by Barack Obama A speech by Obama, works just as well on the page.
Finally, a Thin President by Colson Whitehead Funny take on the "finally someone like me as president" notion.
The Other Obama: Michelle Obama and the Politics of Candor by Lauren Collins Since I never really read anything about any of the candidates or their families, this detailed look at Michelle Obama was very interesting.
In Defense of George Bush by Jelani Cobb An essay pointing out how easy it can be to blame Bush for everything.
The End of White America? by Hua Hsu An interesting look at just what it means for the current majority to become a minority.
‘This Is How We Lost to the White Man’ by Ta-Nehisi Coates A look at Bill Cosby, his controversial remarks, and the issues they raise.
The Other Black President by Adam Serwer A look at the new president of the NAACP, and that groups evolving relevance today.
Family Matters by Henry Louis Gates, Jr. Interesting look at a slice of the author's family's past.
Pig Candy (Excerpt) by Lise Funderburg From a book, but an absolutely fascinating look at the life of a black doctor in the south in the early part of the 20th century, chronicled by his granddaughter.
On Black History Month by Eric Holder On Race, Blacks Are Cowards, Too by Bill Maxwel A speech that caused some controversy, and an essay that explores what the speech talks about.
Creature Features: A Two-Part Invention on Racial Profiling by Gerald Early This Machine Kills Fascists by Gerald Early The author considers his own recent reaction to a situation in light of an incident that happened years earlier, and the essay about that incident.
Still Crazy After All These Years by L. Jon Wertheim Fun look at how the Harlem Globetrotters are set to be as big as they used to be.
The Fire This Time by Rita Dove On Rita Dove by Erika Meitner Absorbing essay by Dove that details the aftermath of a house fire caused by lightning, and an equally absorbing essay from her student about Dove as a teacher.
Chester Himes: Exile & 125th Street by Michael A. Gonzales Not having read anything by or about Himes before, I found this essay an interesting place to start. ...more
Another interesting collection! This edition contains 26 articles from 15 different publications. The top contributors are a tie at three each from HaAnother interesting collection! This edition contains 26 articles from 15 different publications. The top contributors are a tie at three each from Harper's Magazine, National Geographic and The New Yorker. Here I'll just point out the articles that piqued my interest.
Is Google Making Us Stupid? by Nicholas Carr A look at how the internet may be literally reprogramming our brains. (Though the author's fear that his internet use has caused him to lose his ability to concentrate on reading long passages is a bit too alarmist---he could just be getting older...) [This article has become a book.]
Intel Inside by Andrew Curry The incredible work being done to reconstruct the shredded files of the East German stasi.
The Itch Atul Gawande A woman's itch is bad enough that she ends up scratching into her brain.
The Mushroom Cloud's Silver Lining by David Grimm How above ground nuclear testing pumped lots of carbon-14 into the atmosphere, and how science is finding this quite useful.
Last of the Neanderthals by Stephen S. Hall Explores the mystery of Neanderthal's fate.
Chain Reaction by Walter Isaacson The story behind the letter Albert Einstein sent FDR that started work on the atomic bomb---and why Einstein himself never worked on the project.
Wasteland by Frederick Kaufman What happens to what we flush, and how it might be worth more than we think.
Darwin and the Meaning of Flowers by Oliver Sacks Darwin is of course famous for one particular book, but learn here how much of a botanist he was and how he figured out that plants rely on insects for pollination---a fact not known before he proved it.
Animalcules and Other Little Subjects by Mark A. Smith I liked this one because it reminded me of a high school science project I enjoyed: keeping alive and observing a fishbowl of pond-water creatures.
Big Foot by Michael Specter How carbon footprints can be amazingly difficult to figure out, and how putting a monetary value to carbon output helped (or rather, encouraged) companies to reduce their own outputs.
This edition includes two articles that were also included in this anthology: Virtual Iraq by Sue Halpern Contagious Cancer by David Quammen...more
Loading...
