Fascinating, informative, and engaging. I loved McWhorter's style of lecturing and learning about the idiosyncrasies and intricacies of language acrosFascinating, informative, and engaging. I loved McWhorter's style of lecturing and learning about the idiosyncrasies and intricacies of language across the world....more
Some of the cultural customs seemed quite convenient to be able to move the plot along in an exciting way, but it was still a very enjoyable adventureSome of the cultural customs seemed quite convenient to be able to move the plot along in an exciting way, but it was still a very enjoyable adventure....more
Many of the principles overlap significantly (there are 175 of them after all!) but there is much gold here and things to think about. I wish there haMany of the principles overlap significantly (there are 175 of them after all!) but there is much gold here and things to think about. I wish there had been more "this is how it would work in practice" examples rather than just philosophy. I still struggle on knowing how to implement much of this in our own work flow....more
This one definitely stuck out in my memory and I was delighted to come across it again. Wolfe breaks from his usual habits in order to face his greateThis one definitely stuck out in my memory and I was delighted to come across it again. Wolfe breaks from his usual habits in order to face his greatest enemy yet: Zeck....more
An excellent collection of three Wolfe novellas, each engaging. I'm nearing the end of the availability of Nero Wolfe audio books to listen to while rAn excellent collection of three Wolfe novellas, each engaging. I'm nearing the end of the availability of Nero Wolfe audio books to listen to while running!...more
It was decent but it was more of the same from the previous book: historical fiction with some name-dropping and a romance sprinkled in. I couldn't geIt was decent but it was more of the same from the previous book: historical fiction with some name-dropping and a romance sprinkled in. I couldn't get interested in any of the characters....more
Jones is a wonderful story teller and as soon as I realized what was going on in this book, I thought the idea quite hilarious. There is a magical kinJones is a wonderful story teller and as soon as I realized what was going on in this book, I thought the idea quite hilarious. There is a magical kingdom whose main commerce seems to be tourism and once a year they elect a "Dark Lord" to put on a show for the tourists coming from other worlds. One must keep appearances up, after all! Only Derk is just about the worst possible choice for Dark Lord......more
Um...that was very odd. Very short and mostly pointless. Like fanfiction, it had the names of a few characters dropped but it didn't add anything to tUm...that was very odd. Very short and mostly pointless. Like fanfiction, it had the names of a few characters dropped but it didn't add anything to the Cytoverse....more
Some very gripping stories in here. The first one is absolutely a classic and vividly captures the stark deadliness of the North. Don't get complacentSome very gripping stories in here. The first one is absolutely a classic and vividly captures the stark deadliness of the North. Don't get complacent!...more
Sowell's books tend to be very similar. This one seemed almost identical to his "Vision of the Anointed". I appreciate a lot of his critiques but I doSowell's books tend to be very similar. This one seemed almost identical to his "Vision of the Anointed". I appreciate a lot of his critiques but I do think it tends to come off as a bit critical of "other" views as being silly and full of confirmation bias (which they are) without the careful introspection that a lot of his own statistics and views are also victim of confirmation bias.
Still, a lot of good food for thought here....more
A great piece of documentation (through letters and other correspondence) of what happened during that first year of the war before the US entered. BrA great piece of documentation (through letters and other correspondence) of what happened during that first year of the war before the US entered. Britain was in great straits and appealed repeatedly to the United States for aid, which was finally given in the form of the "Lend-Lease" agreement, where the US wouldn't formally enter the war but would supply Britain with the arms and ships they needed to defend themselves against Hitler.
At one point the British navy was so desperate to defend themselves against the U-Boat menace that they proposed a 60-mile length, 3-mile wide carpet of mines that would prevent the U-boats from getting out into the Atlantic! Ideas were flying all over the place and I was fascinated to see the progression of the "art of war", terrible as it was, during this time period....more
I was reminded of the quote from Hayek that "the curious task of economics is to demonstrate to man how little he truly knows about what he imagines hI was reminded of the quote from Hayek that "the curious task of economics is to demonstrate to man how little he truly knows about what he imagines he can design." There are beliefs and policies that politicians and people in general are absolutely adamant about that just don't hold up to evidence. It would behoove us to actually study and be willing to change our views in the face of sound, empirical analysis. ...more
Loading...
