Another book down from my physical TBR stash. At my previous job we had the option to pick a book for Christmas. When I saw what the selection was, I Another book down from my physical TBR stash. At my previous job we had the option to pick a book for Christmas. When I saw what the selection was, I was a bit disappointed. Mostly romantic fiction, this was the only non-fiction, so I went for this book.
While I find the Silicon Valley and its companies interesting (I had a great time reading Bad Blood), this book misses out in a lot of aspects.
The focus of the book isn't clear. Is this meant to be a history of Silicon Valley? Or is this supposed to be a guide for people who want to get in and create a startup? The book jumps around between these themes and is therefore quite confusing.
The writing isn't very good. Sudden random sentences in paragraphs, references to people or companies without any explanation.. there are even some spelling errors and one case of a double identical sentence. At only 200 pages, this should have been fixed!
Two stars, as I was entertained at some point, and it didn't piss me off as some books do. I will drop this off at the Free Book case at the train station. ...more
According to my eReader, this took 10.5 hours to read, but time really flew by and it felt way shorter.
The author's massive journey across countries tAccording to my eReader, this took 10.5 hours to read, but time really flew by and it felt way shorter.
The author's massive journey across countries that border on Russia is fascinating. Her personal travel story is mixed with relevant history, which was a great plus for me. It's also really interesting to get an insight into countries that I will probably never visit, like North Korea or China.
It also made me realise that Russia's current invasion in Ukraine was just a matter of time, which was suspected already by everyone, but it never really got through to me before. Maybe I was ignorant, but there was also never much in the press here about these conflicts. Of course that changed at the start of Putin's current siege. But that's also a bit overshadowed now by the misery in Gaza..
I really enjoyed the stories of all the people the author encountered, different viewpoints and outlook on life, some very sad or intense.. also love the photos at the end....more
Great companion during my half-day commute from Bremerhaven to home. Lately I have been reading a lot on Arctic exploration, as I am preparing for a yGreat companion during my half-day commute from Bremerhaven to home. Lately I have been reading a lot on Arctic exploration, as I am preparing for a year on Svalbard myself (starting in August.. time flies). When I saw Daren read this and gave it a good review, I knew it would be my cup of tea! And it definitely was.
This book is written by a man who worked as a tour guide on different boat trips in the Southern Ocean and around Antarctica. He combines his personal stories with historical polar exploration stories, which makes this book quite a good summary/start to learn about the "heroes" in polar exploration! I found it well written and very entertaining.
My only complaint is, and others would agree, that it's quite short. There are quite a lot of historical stories, but I would love to have read more about the author's personal travels as well.
Maybe after my contract has ended I should look for a job in the Antarctic.....more
Short review: important topic, interesting way of telling the story, but very long.
In this book the story is told of how women's voting rights were foShort review: important topic, interesting way of telling the story, but very long.
In this book the story is told of how women's voting rights were formed & established in the 1920's. Multiple perspectives are given, pro- and anti-women's suffrage, which makes this a very interesting and balanced story. This is really one of the book's strongest points.
But for me, the book is too long, with 400+ pages. It is definitely not a casual read, even though the author really tried to make the book engaging. I found myself skimming through the second half most of the time....more
One of my favourite graphic novels so far. This is the story of the Chernobyl disaster told in a different way from what I have seen before. There is One of my favourite graphic novels so far. This is the story of the Chernobyl disaster told in a different way from what I have seen before. There is quite a lot of text for a graphic novel, but that is needed if you want to make it informational. Really love the art style and colouring. I read this as a NetGalley eARC, but I am definitely ordering my own hardcopy as well.
Thank you so much to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an ARC to read & review. These are my honest opinions....more
What a powerful book! This describes the forced relocation many northern Sámi had to undertake in the beginning of the 1920s. The reindeer herding peoWhat a powerful book! This describes the forced relocation many northern Sámi had to undertake in the beginning of the 1920s. The reindeer herding people lived with the seasons, in different parts of Scandinavia, parts that are now Norway, Sweden and Finland. For Norway it was not desirable anymore to have this seasonal migration going on, so they prohibited the people from entering Norway and relocated them to parts of Sweden, with force and a low amount of money to help them. The promised area was often already populated or an obviously less nice area to live. The authorities said the reindeer damage the landscape too much, that more space was needed for agriculture. But from stories and documents it is clear they found the Northern Sámi not fitting in their idea of a modern Norway. In Sweden it also wasn't easy for the Sámi. Reading all this, you realise that these people really had no place to go where they were welcome and valued. Ofcourse you see this pattern with many indigenous people all over the world. And most of it is hushed up, erased from history books.
That's why this book is a gem. It's filled with personal stories, wonderful photography, poems and joiks (Sámi traditional "songs", often addressed to nature). It's wonderfully written and captivating until the end.
Thank you so much to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an ARC to read & review. These are my honest opinions....more
What an enjoyable read! This book discusses the history of wolves, and mixes it with current-day events and stories. At first I was a bit distracted bWhat an enjoyable read! This book discusses the history of wolves, and mixes it with current-day events and stories. At first I was a bit distracted by the writing, there are a lot of unnecessary unusual words, but as soon as I rolled into the story it worked for me, especially during the myths.
The history and stories of wolves in Britain are told and combined with some of the author's own experiences of working with wolves in captivity. The book touches upon the current state of wolves in Europe and the controversy around them. In the Netherlands, recently a few wolves have settled and packs were formed, which really divided people here: nature enthusiasts embrace the wolves, farmers want them shot. From the book I learned Denmark was in a similar situation, which I didn't know.
Wolves are now no longer present in Britain, but the author explores the possibility of their reintroduction. I hope it will one day happen. If we learn from all the measures taken elsewhere, wolves could coexist with us, in Britain and everywhere in West Europe. Wolves are an important part of the ecosystem. They keep populations of deer, rodents and foxes in check. Most ecosystems in West Europe lack a top predator. The wolf could fill that role, just like it did a few hundred years ago.
Thank you so much to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an ARC to read & review. These are my honest opinions....more
Very interesting insight into fishery history and forming of the Boldt decision, something that I read about during my studies. Its a great example onVery interesting insight into fishery history and forming of the Boldt decision, something that I read about during my studies. Its a great example on how important it is to include native fishermen in these processes, as they are nearly always the ones with the knowledge and experience needed to manage nature healthily. Unfortunately it was quite long, and slow going, so it took me a while to finish. I do recommend it, but more as a text book than an entertaining read.
Thank you so much to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an ARC to read & review. These are my honest opinions....more
Unfortunately, this book was far from what I expected. Even though it is filled with historical background on fasting, it feels hollow. Empty, like reUnfortunately, this book was far from what I expected. Even though it is filled with historical background on fasting, it feels hollow. Empty, like reading Wikipedia pages. The references are not indicated in the text, which makes it very difficult to fact check, something I felt like I needed to do often. From minor things like the (incorrect) definition of narcolepsy, to the one-sided simplified view of Anorexia nervosa, I feel like the author researched a lot, but can't weave it into a story and connect it to their own experience. The writing is needlessly complicated, with many bloated words. There's constant switching between wether fasting is healthy or not. I understand the research is inconclusive, but that should be properly acknowledged in all chapters where these claims are being made. I feel bad, disliking a work where obviously so much time has gone in to, but this really needs to be said. I actually found the small introductions to each chapter where the author describes their seven-day fasts the most fun to read. And I guess that shows what I had expected and hoped to read.
Thank you so much to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an ARC to read & review. These are my honest opinions....more
Really loved this combination of a modern day travelogue through space and a historical travel through time. I find the book engagingly written, thougReally loved this combination of a modern day travelogue through space and a historical travel through time. I find the book engagingly written, though it is quite scholarly. The photographs give the book a nice touch. Recommended for biologists, palaeontologists, geologists and enthusiastic non-professionals with a strong interest in those fields.
Thank you so much to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an ARC to read & review. These are my honest opinions....more
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