...some books I've read recently.
Winter provides time for research, investigation and reading.
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Reading...some books I've read recently.
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| Title | Author | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Parallel Worlds: A Journey Through Creation, Higher Dimensions, and the Future of the Cosmos. | Michio Kaku | I've read most, if not all, of the recent series of published books on this particularly interesting and complicated subject, and this is the one. The most understandable of them all. Clearly written with the non professional in mind. Michio Kaku presents all the information of what isn't the most easily understood of subjects in a fashion which allows for an enjoyable reading experience of the ever changing and sometimes reinvented theory that comes tantalizing close to the much sought after holy grail Theory of Everything. |
| At the Water's Edge. Fish with fingers, whales with legs. | Carl Zimmer | I'm not one to pen lengthy reviews as the idea is, after all, what is the book about, did I or did I not like it and why - plain and simple. Well, I did, hence the 4 stars. However, I'm not quite sure why. Mr. Zimmer explains about evolution, some exploring, discovering, insight and mystery solving in a style that contributes to it all being easily understood (almost as if you were involved with it in some small way). It's inspiring, informative and educational. It isn't a cliff hanger, but it kept my attention and after having put it down I wanted to pick it up again. Not riveting but, I think, addictive. If you're interested in discovering the linear progression of how our understanding has arrived at where we now find ourselves (regarding evolution) then give it a try. |
| Warped Passages: Unraveling the Mysteries of the Universe's Hidden Dimensions. | Lisa Randall | Ms. Randall gives an excellent introduction and holds it all together through the first half of the book. From that point on though she gets bogged down as it becomes increasingly difficult for her to explain in understandable prose what it is that she seems to know so well. Finally there's a concession that no one truly knows what goes on once the planc scale is passed and we're back to Star Trek. Too bad as it was going so well. One might give Parallel Worlds : A Journey Through Creation, Higher Dimensions, and the Future of the Cosmos by Michio Kaku a try. |
| Hiding in the Mirror : The Mysterious Allure of Extra Dimensions, from Plato to String Theory and Beyond | Lawrence M. Krauss | Not an enjoyable reading experience. A difficult subject to begin with made considerably more so by a disjointed writing style and apparently little or no editing. One has to guess at the intent of some sentences as there are missing, repeated or misspelled words throughout. On second thought not really worthy of 3 stars either as much of the thrill that one would expect from learning something new was eclipsed by the tedious backslapping of colleagues. A better choice within the genre might be Hyperspace : A Scientific Odyssey Through Parallel Universes, Time Warps, and the 10th Dimension by Michio Kaku. |
| Earth Abides | George R. Stewart | This really great fictional accounting, by G.R. Stewart, of what our future might be, remains my favorite of the genre. I've just reread it for perhaps the third or fourth time - with some years in between. And although just a little dated it retains the vitality of adventure, promise and hope within a story of global tragedy. Considering current media hype about a possible Bird Flu pandemic this is an enlightening and enjoyable reading experience. |
| We Die Alone: A WWII Epic of Escape and Endurance | David Howarth | I was tempted to not give 5 stars due to the poor quality of the included photo's, however, aside from that technical aspect, this book is a testament to the will of an individual to survive against all odds - man made and natural. It is a record of the incredible drama that occurs to someone who is at the mercy of circumstance and the heroic feats he elicits from others. Surely deserving of at least 5 stars. |
| The Great Influenza | John M. Barry | An epic accounting of the modern world's worst killer: Influenza. About the disease and the heroic efforts of the scientists who attempted to find a cure but couldn't. A tragedy with perhaps just a little too much information. The author suggests, due to available information, that the pandemic started in America from human to swine and back to human; however, more recently, researchers believe the 1918 strain was probably entirely a bird flu virus that adapted to function in humans. Especially scary as Asia currently is fighting another deadly bird flu which may catch off guard the rest of the world as there is insufficient available vaccine. |
| 1776 | David McCullough | An exciting narrative that I had difficulty putting down. Written so well I felt as if I were actually there and a part of it all. Made all the more interesting as being a native New Yorker it was a thrill to finally understand how and why many locations got their names. |
| Mutual Dreaming | Linda Lane Magallon | There must be more to dreams than we know. As a result I've recorded, investigated, read extensively and experimented. After all I also dream. My interest waned some until rekindled after Creative Dreaming by P. Garfield suggested "dream telepathy". That is so exciting. The title Mutual Dreaming entices and I hoped it might open a door but alas Ms. Magallon's book is but a compilation of dreams or stories that may or may not suggest mutuality and offers nothing that doesn't smack of fiction. What a disappointment. |
| The Alchemist: A Fable About Following Your Dream | Paulo Coelho | Anyone who would give a negative review of this book is either nuts or just doesn't get it. The title says it all, this is a fable. The author tells of a quest by Santiago, an Andalusian shepherd boy, to find his treasure and the difficulties encountered. |
| Duncton Wood | William Horwood | Not a book for children as love, villainy, intrigue and murder abounds. An epic novel with almost every page filled with adventure that makes it nearly impossible to put the book down. Mr. Horwood is akin to Richard Adams and his Watership Down. |
| Seabiscuit: An American Legend | Laura Hillenbrand | Undoubtedly the best book I've read this year. I'm not a race fan and had almost no prior knowledge of the horse. In fact had the book not been loaned to me, to read, by a friend who loves horses and has her own named Charley I would not have read the book. Sometimes wonders explode from within the pages of books. This was one of those times. I sat entranced, enthralled with Laura Hillenbrand's narrative. I could hardly bear to put it down. An exciting history of the horse, the players, the sport and the emotional background of the time. |
| The War of the End of the World | Mario Vargas Llosa | An incredible story based on historical events that seem implausible. |
| Faster Than the Speed of Light: The Story of a Scientific Speculation | Joao Magueijo | Joao Magueijo provides the reader an intriguing but brief look into the Variable speed of light (VSL) theory and its impact on Einstein's theories. |
| Hearts In Atlantis | Stephen King | First rate and nicely written. It shouldn't be necessary to explain this novel is of a genre that not all will find to their liking. For Stephen King fans Hearts in Atlantis is an idea somewhat like Firestarter or The Stand, both of which are favorites of mine. And the movie, of the same name, which starred Anthony Hopkins, is true to the book. |
| Watership Down | Richard Adams | This is the 2nd. or 3rd. time I've read this really very good book by Richard Adams and I like it more each time. It isn't just a book about rabbits; it's a book about life, danger, tragedy, humor, adventure, overcoming adversity, death and legacy. The gamut of one's emotions is touched and it's difficult not to want to finish the book at one sitting. Through Mr. Adams's narrative you can almost experience the warmth of a burrow, the kinship of comrades and the incredible thrill of overcoming obstacles on your path of survival. This is a story that should live forever in the hearts of all adventurers regardless of age. |
| The Book of Green Tea | Diana Rosen | An excellent job of enticing the uninitiated with descriptions of the varied pleasures of tea. This book is chock full of information, lore, recipes and health benefits of the many, many different teas. Being a new devotee, I especially found the resources section of immeasurable value. |
| The Elegant Universe | Brian Greene | I've a strong interest in current science, however, not being a mathematician or scientist I often find books, of this type, difficult to read and even harder to understand. Not so with "The Elegant Universe". String theory is a subject that doesn't lend itself to being easily understood but Brian Greene does an exemplary job of explaining most of it in understandable prose with a little humor added too. |
| The Power of Now | Eckhart Tolle | A book to "Guide" one to "Spiritual Enlightenment". A field guide of sorts. It either works or it doesn't, it gets you to where you'd like to be or you find yourself lost. In this case you can find your way and Eckhart Tolle explains it rather nicely. |
| The Stars : A New Way to See Them | H. A. Rey | This book is great. A book for anyone with a desire to learn to identify heavenly objects. If you've a beginning interest in astronomy buy this book, it's reader friendly and written for all ages. |
| Prey: A Novel | Michael Crichton | I have really enjoyed some of Mr. Crichton's books and then there is this one. Good premise, unbelievable characters. |
| Homemade Holograms: The Complete Guide to Inexpensive, Do-It-Yourself Holography | John Iovine | Mr Iovine provides an excellent resource for building relatively inexpensive devices for creating holograms. From isolation table to power supply with pictorials, schematics and sufficient information about the technology to assist each step taken. Unfortunately outdated source information. |
| HTML 4.01 Programmer's Reference | Chris Ullman, et al. | Written and arranged so information is easily found and understood. An excellent, comprehensive resource for both novice and experienced alike as it touches on everything one would need. |
| Maneater: And Other True Stories of a Life in Infectious Disease | Pamela Nagami | I find it difficult to believe all this state of the art Medical wisdom is alive and well at a H.M.O. no less. I admit being impressed by the degree of empathy emoted by Dr. Nagami but I also have to assume there was a mountain of manipulation done to make the book readable. |
| The Holographic Universe | Michael Talbot | Mr. Talbot has explained difficult ideas in terms which are understandable, readable and fascinating. This is not religion nor is it an alternative, it provides some plausible solutions to questions our present science finds unanswerable. |
| Parasite Rex | Carl Zimmer | The subject is fascinating and almost unbelievable. All about parasites and the methods they employ to get their host to do as they will. I recall, while in the middle of it, thinking how workable a survival situation these minute and microscopic creatures have created. And, wondering also if our humanity is somehow directed by some unseen, unknown, unsuspected entity. You really have to read the book to understand what I mean. There was some repetition to the point I almost, but didn't, put the book down. I'm glad I didn't. |
| Coercion: Why we listen to what "they" say. | Douglas Rushkoff | This book is a little long which, for me, translates to it having missed the mark. Although I've a long standing belief that people are coerced into acting, buying and believing a variety of things as a result of the manipulation of truths and half truths and had hoped to find evidence for support, I'm sorry to say I did not. The opening chapter's examples amounted to childish story telling and it wasn't until much later in the book that Mr. Rushkoff opened the door, ever so slightly and much too late, to reveal a place where untold millions are spent to fool and deceive. Too little too late, for me. |
| Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side of the All-American Meal | Eric Schlosser | Mr. Schlosser's book continues in the tradition of Upton Sinclair's "the Jungle". An expose' of the fast food industry and mainly their suppliers of meat. This is a horror of a read and completely believable. Bad meat does, on a regular basis, get into our food supply. No one here has learned from the Mad Cow Disease encountered in Europe and we continue to feed herbivores meat to eat. We are feeding meat, which is unfit for human comsumption, to animals who aren't supposed to be eating meat in the first place. We then slaughter those animals at charnal houses unfit for the task and feed it to our children as hamburger. Without acknowledging the problems of bacteria which exist on the meat sold to us the panacea is to irradiate it. But, that is only part of the problem. A subculture of underpaid, overworked children, minorities and seniors are employed in an industry which pays the lowest of wages, without health care and which has become more risky than police work. |
| New York City: The Five Boroughs | Carol M. Highsmith and Ted Landphair | "A Photographic Tour". Of special interest to me as p109 shows where I lived as a child. |