Historical, contemporary, and science fiction are masterfully executed to tell a story beautifully in their exploration of philosophy and physics. AutHistorical, contemporary, and science fiction are masterfully executed to tell a story beautifully in their exploration of philosophy and physics. Auto-biographical influences are clear in the narrative, as are pandemic themes. The plot leaves readers as lost as some characters but that doesn't distract from the storytelling. Ambitious is an understatement for where the author takes the story, each chapter, and each character increases the complexity of the plot with rich flavors of mystery, poignant moments of loss, and welcome assurances of joy.
Mandel may write fiction, but it's really long-form poetry disguised as prose. Highly recommend this book to anyone who reads fiction or is interested in where physics and philosophy intersect with life. It's a book to read, then share. ...more
There is a reason why everybody hates moral philosophers. Fans of "The Good Place" will enjoy this book. It's written by the show's creator, exploringThere is a reason why everybody hates moral philosophers. Fans of "The Good Place" will enjoy this book. It's written by the show's creator, exploring many of the same philosophies in the show.
The book focuses on non-secular moral philosophy. Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Hume, Kant, J.S. Mills, Bentham, Singer (...the list goes on) are discussed. He also delves into existentialism/absurdism with a discussion of Camus and his contemporaries.
Do those names mean nothing to you? If so, you might want to pick up this book. Even though all those great philosophers are wrong (except maybe Camus?), their thoughts helped develop Western society.
It's a fun read, even for me... and I think the whole concept of "moral" philosophy is as dumb an idea as "reality TV" philosophy. At the least, you'll enjoy Schur's humor (but only about 1 out of 10 of his attempts). If you get the audiobook, it's narrated by the cast of "The Good Place."
Soapbox: Schur treats all schools of thought with dispassionate respect...except Objectivism. He admittedly doesn't get it and states he gave up reading about it (but can read Kant easily for some reason). He then criticizes it and uses ad hominem attacks against Ayn Rand for some reason to discredit it. Schur, if you are reading this (and you're not): It's all subjective. Rand is as right and wrong as Socrates... wait are you projecting anti-Objectivism ideas because you're in the Objectivism closet?
Ultimately, like every great moral philosopher, Schur doesn't give you any answers and says you are wrong. But whatever, morals are stupid and relative. Read the book. ...more
A definitive take on how cults or "cultish" groups use language to advance their interest. The author, Amanda Montell, interweaves victim, witness, anA definitive take on how cults or "cultish" groups use language to advance their interest. The author, Amanda Montell, interweaves victim, witness, and expert accounts, along with her own personal anecdotes and research to progress the narrative. Divided into six sections, the first section starts with understanding the language behind some of the most notorious cults, especially those that have a tragic end (Jonestown, Waco...). The subsequent sections each focus on cultish organizations, each lesser in severity than the last section, but generally more populous. The last few sections focus on multilevel marketing business and cultish fitness groups like Crossfit.
Montell is not on a crusade against cultish language. She explains why we are wired to fall under its influences, and how it's part of how we operate. This book's objective is to help the reader recognize what cultish language is, know how it can affect themselves and others, and when to know to walk away from it. Highly recommend it to all readers, especially those who prefer to read about contemporary, social science, or political issues. ...more
A beautiful example of rethinking old ideas to form a story that feels both original and authentic. What emerges is a fictional biography with a themeA beautiful example of rethinking old ideas to form a story that feels both original and authentic. What emerges is a fictional biography with a theme of "be careful what you wish for". The story spans centuries; French historical fiction intertwined with a contemporary New York narrative, all following one life's events.
Addie has promised her soul to gain freedom from her peasant life, a life where she has no say in who she is to marry, where she is to live, or what she is to do. In doing so, she has unwittingly become free of the world. Losing the ability to leave any marks or be remembered, except by the Devil...
What follows is a lonely 300 year-long journey of her struggle to keep finding a reason to live. In a life without her name, anyone to love, or anything to leave behind, she turns to art as her refuge, becoming a muse. But the Devil wants her soul, and the story cannot be so simple.
A haunting book. Superficial in concept but deep in execution. Examining themes of loneliness, mental health, and philosophical ideas on living. Written in a poignant, poetic, but beautiful demeanor, highly recommend. ...more
Amateur etymologists will love this book. Stephen Fry takes the confusing, anachronistic, and ambiguous record of Greek mythology and expertly shapes Amateur etymologists will love this book. Stephen Fry takes the confusing, anachronistic, and ambiguous record of Greek mythology and expertly shapes it into a cohesive narrative. From before the beginning of time until the end of the gods' age, many of the most famous stories are imaginatively retold. Fry takes time to connect accounts and names to their modern-day incarnations, whether in vocabulary, astronomy, or contemporary religious text.
Entertaining, light, and perhaps educational, not a bad read. ...more
Am I a Racist? No. Is that enough? No. Am I an Antiracist? I am now.
Kendi's book is an in-depth exploration of the concept of race, from its roots in sAm I a Racist? No. Is that enough? No. Am I an Antiracist? I am now.
Kendi's book is an in-depth exploration of the concept of race, from its roots in slavery to its present branches of discrimination. His account is partially biographical, using his experiences to illuminate ideas, define words he has learned, and then relearned. Each chapter begins with terms and definitions and expands into his narrative. Subjects covered are broad (power, biology, capitalism, ethnicity, culture, sexuality, gender, color, success).
Hearing the author speaking on television and not liking his, what I mistakenly thought, militant attitude on race, I purchased this book as part of my "outside of my comfort zone" genre. These are usually books I do not want to read but will give a chance because they have buzz. They are also books I think will be a waste of time (in this case because I was already "not racist", what else do I need to learn?). But every once in awhile I read something so different, it changes me. This is one of those books.
This book helped me realize my thoughts on race had stagnated. What I mistakenly thought was a full understanding of this issue, was in reality, understanding just what I was comfortable with. I started reading before the death of George Floyd, and after his death, reading each word weighed heavier. The concepts explored in this book did not ring hollow, but my old thoughts on race did.
Change does not happen overnight in an entire population, but it can happen overnight in an individual. Reading and applying this book are my first steps toward change. I implore everybody to read this book, especially those who label themselves as "not racist" and see no gain from this book. You can be better; You can do better.
Some quotes:
The language of color blindness—like the language of “not racist”—is a mask to hide racism.
The defining question is whether the discrimination is creating equity or inequity. If discrimination is creating equity, then it is antiracist.
The only remedy to racist discrimination is antiracist discrimination.
In my first course with Mazama, she lectured on Asante’s contention that objectivity was really “collective subjectivity.” She concluded, “It is impossible to be objective.”
Part history book, part owner's manual- Bryson writes a fantastically entertaining and informative narrative. From head to toe, he discusses how the mPart history book, part owner's manual- Bryson writes a fantastically entertaining and informative narrative. From head to toe, he discusses how the machinery in each of us is set up, operates, and malfunctions. The stories behind the doctors that unlocked its secrets are wildly more scandalous and full of intrigue than one would assume. He makes sure to weave them into his account of each subject discussed. Written in a style that doesn't require the reader to recall past chapters or continuity, it's an easy read that will stay engaging. Highly recommend....more
An interesting, albeit somewhat suspect, discussion on the topic of breathing. The author explores how breathing affects the development of the mouth/An interesting, albeit somewhat suspect, discussion on the topic of breathing. The author explores how breathing affects the development of the mouth/jaw, can cause or alleviate many chronic conditions (snoring, apnea, headaches), and improve athletic and mental ability.
He does this with anecdotes, self-sponsored studies, and interpretations of historical texts. Independent hard data is not the primary source of conclusions, but some are there. Additionally, the way the topics are presented makes breathing a panacea for all ailments (right up until the epilogue, where the author finally discusses its limits).
This is not to say that the book's conclusions do not have merit. This topic is one most readers will find value in and is worth exploring for those interested. Highly recommend to those who search for ways to improve body performance or those who have pulmonary issues. ...more
Well written, entertaining, and informative. The author has an excellent way of navigating through medical jargon and explaining concepts simply. He tWell written, entertaining, and informative. The author has an excellent way of navigating through medical jargon and explaining concepts simply. He takes pains to weave in historical significance and tangents that make the narrative engaging. This includes significant pharmaceutical contributions made by minorities and women, often ignored. Additionally, the narrator is slightly unreliable, which is usually a plot device in fictional stories. In this case, it is the author discovering and reforming ideas as he learns more about drugs and the industry. Highly recommend to all readers, except medical professionals; the cognitive dissonance caused by reading this would be too much for them....more
This book is a poignant exploration of all the darker shades of gray that emerge in wartime, told through the stories of two sisters. The author's wriThis book is a poignant exploration of all the darker shades of gray that emerge in wartime, told through the stories of two sisters. The author's writing is beautiful, poetically describing their bleak life from war-ravaged Paris to the occupied French countryside. Small, sorrowful details complete the immersion of the reader into this regrettable world, slowly unwrapping a mystery introduced in the first chapter. Their experiences with casual brutality, painful indifference, and so much suffering are difficult to read, but hard to stop, the writing too compelling. Highly recommend to all, especially readers of historical fiction. Excellent audiobook too....more
A story of the American western frontier, told through historical records and written personal accounts. It chronicles the expansion of the union untiA story of the American western frontier, told through historical records and written personal accounts. It chronicles the expansion of the union until about the 1920s. If this were a novel, Theodor Roosevelt would be the protagonist of this book, as his experiences are in the prologue, story, and ending.
As the book relies on western written accounts, there is a noticeable lack of information from the native people of the land. White men write many of the accounts, so their historical bias from these times is present. To the author's credit, he does seek to add stories of Native Americans, women, and some minorities. However, it still does not feel like a complete story.
Recommend to those who enjoy history books and cowboy/westerns entertainment (to read of the stark differences between reality and the depiction of it in media)...more
American history, as told from the perspective of the entire domain of power and population. This book recalibrates traditional US history through theAmerican history, as told from the perspective of the entire domain of power and population. This book recalibrates traditional US history through the eyes of non-white, non-mainland, and non-powerful Americans. The book is separated into three sections; initial westward expansion, territorial gains through war, and World War 2 and modern globalism.
The first section of the book discusses the plight of the Native Americans and the pioneers settling the frontier. It makes the mistreatment of the indigenous people a point of fact and introduces some not so well known episodes of how badly they were treated. However, it does not dwell on this. Instead the author states this section of the book is to explain how America developed its imperial policies in its treatment of new lands and people.
The second section explores imperial America in its heyday. This is when the empire expanded to include Alaska, Guam, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, parts of Cuba, Philippines, and other territories — making all these lands and people American. It discusses the seldom talked about concentration camps in Alaska, where 10% of the natives died. The targeted sterilization, experimentation, and murder of Puerto Ricans by mainland doctors to help the "population problem". It explains how the US allied with Philippine's independence army to win the Spanish-American war then turned on this very allies.
The final section discusses how the idea of empire has changed since World War 2. How, with the advent of airpower, vast territories are no longer required for the reach of empire. The author focuses on military power projection and the "pointillist empire" the US now is. How the US treated Japan and other counties it occupied after the war, especially its territories.
Highly recommend this book to anybody interested in expanding their views of American history. It is a sobering account that is an essential perspective to help both complete the picture of America and understand how history is presented.
Regardless of how history is written, it is always revisionist. This book seeks to revise it with the account of the American people that were forgotten. ...more
Sinek adeptly explains how organizations that play to win aren't playing the game right. You cannot win business. You cannot win life. There is no winSinek adeptly explains how organizations that play to win aren't playing the game right. You cannot win business. You cannot win life. There is no winning in an infinite game.
Many leaders choose not to understand this. They run their businesses like they are in a finite game, as if winning is the goal. They do this by focusing on short term earnings, "moonshots", or some other purpose which they surround with impressive meaningless platitudes. With the rise of Milton Friedman's almost religious fervor to please shareholders, this myopic point of view has become the standard (and justification for ethical lapses).
Sinek proposes leaders should have a "just cause" that motivates them, not metrics of growth, profit, or dominance. This just cause is not an end goal...in fact, it's an unachievable goal. Achievable end goals are for those who are playing a finite game.
His discussions about the dangers of ethical fading in finite minded organizations gave me pause to reconsider my organization. As soon as I did, I saw cracks in a foundation I thought reliable. But seeing the cracks and being honest about them is the first step to fixing them.
Books by Simon Sinek always give me hope for the world, not because they have the answers to the world's problems, but because they argue there are answers to the world's questions. We just have to work together to find them.
I highly recommend this book to everybody, because everybody is a leader, and can become a better one. ...more
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