I really enjoyed this book. Anyone who's been through a divorce will relate to Theo's tale of striking out on her own, wrangling kids, and making a li...moreI really enjoyed this book. Anyone who's been through a divorce will relate to Theo's tale of striking out on her own, wrangling kids, and making a life as an individual.(less)
Mira Bartok’s Memory Palace is a beautifully crafted tale of life with an absent father and a mentally ill mother. As the story unfolds, you’ll see ho...moreMira Bartok’s Memory Palace is a beautifully crafted tale of life with an absent father and a mentally ill mother. As the story unfolds, you’ll see how fine the line is between gentle artistic creativity and debilitating madness. With each new vignette, Mira reveals the wonder and the horror of life in a house ruled by insanity. As the daughters get older, the mother devolves, making her way from world-class musician to paranoid homeless schizophrenic. Despite that tragedy, Mira’s spirit never fails to shine through. You’ll wish you could pick her up, like a little lost kitten, but in the end, she makes it on her own.(less)
This book tells the story of the air war over Japan, but it does far more. Barrett Tillman describes the development of the B29 Superfortress - a rev...moreThis book tells the story of the air war over Japan, but it does far more. Barrett Tillman describes the development of the B29 Superfortress - a revolutionary machine in its day - and he talks about how lesson learned in the Pacific campaign remain with us to this day.(less)
I liked this book. David Shenk makes a convincing case that much of what has traditionally been considered "innate genius" is actually deve...moreI liked this book. David Shenk makes a convincing case that much of what has traditionally been considered "innate genius" is actually developed talent. He argues that there is untapped potential in all of us; much more than we realize.(less)
Animal Factory exposes the shocking and ugly ways large scale animal processors are impacting our environment. Before reading this eye opening book, I...moreAnimal Factory exposes the shocking and ugly ways large scale animal processors are impacting our environment. Before reading this eye opening book, I had no idea of the pollution coming out of today’s large scale pork farms, dairies, and cattle operations. I always thought of farming as a fairly benign activity. Cows poop in the fields, and farmers plow the manure in for fertilizer. Seems harmless and natural, right? It is, in a traditional farm.
But today’s mega-farms concentrate thousands of animals in a fraction of the space. Cows in these lots don’t graze in meadows – they are fed concentrated food from troughs. They are packed so tight there’s no room to graze, and there are so many hungry beasts that there’s nothing growing to eat, anyway. A field that thrived on the manure of fifty cows collapses with the waste stream of five hundred, and it becomes an environmental disaster when trampled by a thousand cattle.
David showed me a new perspective on animal waste, and frankly, it’s shocking. It’s no surprise that cows and pigs generate more waste than humans. What happens to it? In many places, the waste is pumped into lagoons – open cesspools – before being sprayed on surrounding fields. Some of these animal operations generate as much waste as a city of 10,000 people. Can you imagine the public outrage if we stored that much human waste in open cesspools before spraying it over community meadows? That’s a pretty disgusting thought.
Yet that’s exactly what we do with pig, chicken, and cattle wastes. We’ve brought human waste under tight control in recent decades. David shows us that it’s time to do the same for animals in these factory environments.
There have been a number of books in recent years detailing the animal cruelty and purported evils of large scale animal operations. That’s not the message of this book. Rather, David takes us into communities in North Carolina, the Midwest, and Washington State where we see the impact this kind of agriculture has on communities and the environment. And it’s not pretty.
Now that I’ve read Animal Factory, my view of these factory farms is forever changed. Millions of people appreciate cheap meats in the supermarket, and places like these make that possible. But at what price? Humanity evolved on a much lower level of meat consumption. Perhaps it’s time to take a step back, and reconsider our priorities. I know I will. I already knew the risks of heart disease from eating too much meat. Now, adding the environmental risks, I think the answer for me is less meat, sustainably raised.
David makes a strong case for monitoring and regulating these mega-animal processors the same way we oversee chemical plants and other large industrial operations. Operators will surely cry foul, and complain that the cost of sewage treatment will make our food more expensive. But they are wrong. Every time a meat processor saves a few million dollars on waste management we all suffer as our rivers are polluted, fish die, and people get sick.
The owners of the food factories get rich by cutting corners, and we live with the consequences. Communities around these plants endure horrible and unhealthy stenches, and a toxic rain of manure and other effluents. And when the waste lagoons burst the effects are even worse.
David’s book doesn’t contain any nutrition or eating advice, but I sure am glad I eat organic locally grown foods whenever I can. There may not be much I can do about pollution from a hog factory in North Carolina, but I can at least support sustainable and environmentally responsible alternatives, so that’s what I do. And I can eat less meat. You can too.
The Omnivore’s Dilemma showed us alternatives to factory foods. Slaughterhouse showed what it’s like for workers and animals inside these places.
Now, Animal Factory shows us the place these operations have in our human community.
And it’s not for me. This is an eye opening book, for sure. Read it.(less)
This is a fascinating biography of the fellow who invented multi unit locomotive control, which is the single most important invention in the developm...moreThis is a fascinating biography of the fellow who invented multi unit locomotive control, which is the single most important invention in the development of commuter rail and subway systems. MU control allowed subway trains to be made up of ever changing numbers of cars, controlled from either end. Today he is relatively unknown though his son founded Sprague Electric, longtime leader in the capacitor world. (less)
You might say I'm biased because I appear in many of my brother's stories, but I will say this . . . the last two stories are by far the best and most...moreYou might say I'm biased because I appear in many of my brother's stories, but I will say this . . . the last two stories are by far the best and most meaningful.
Follow Neil as he moves from skeptical reporter to survivalist to defender of his community. That sounds sarcastic but it's not . . . it's really a c...moreFollow Neil as he moves from skeptical reporter to survivalist to defender of his community. That sounds sarcastic but it's not . . . it's really a commendable journey and something many could benefit from, me included(less)
I have read a few other stories of riding the rails, and I've ridden a number of freights myself, so I've always got a sort spot for these stories. I...moreI have read a few other stories of riding the rails, and I've ridden a number of freights myself, so I've always got a sort spot for these stories. If I have any criticism of this book, it's that there are two many "literary diversions" and not enough current storyline. That said, it's still an enjoyable tale of modern day train hopping; a subject about which little exists.(less)
I am sorry to say that the writing style of this particular work took a dry subject and rendered it drier, to the point of unpalatability for me. As ...moreI am sorry to say that the writing style of this particular work took a dry subject and rendered it drier, to the point of unpalatability for me. As a rule I enjoy works from the Naval Institute Press but this particular book is better suited for classroom study where specific pieces are discussed in the context of some larger class.(less)
The author of this book commanded the US Navy ship that drove U505 to the surface during World War II, and then successfully siezed the sub and towed ...moreThe author of this book commanded the US Navy ship that drove U505 to the surface during World War II, and then successfully siezed the sub and towed it back to the United States.
At the time, this was a major intelligence coup, and it was in fact the first time the US Navy captured an enemy ship intact since the War of 1812.
The writng is a bit up and down but it's a little known and fascinating piece of military history. U505 is now on display in the midwest.(less)
If you've ever wondered what happens to your trash . . . read this book. The only downside is that I now see my own petty recycling efforts as essent...moreIf you've ever wondered what happens to your trash . . . read this book. The only downside is that I now see my own petty recycling efforts as essentially meaningless in the face of the huge industrial and municipal waste sreams that are filling our landfills. It's well written and engaging.(less)
The Long Way Round is Charley's best known book but I really liked this tale of the 2006 Dakar Rally. I also share the dream of doing the Dakar, but ...moreThe Long Way Round is Charley's best known book but I really liked this tale of the 2006 Dakar Rally. I also share the dream of doing the Dakar, but Charley actually went and did it, and he made it much of the way his first time through. (less)
I really enjoyed this well-researched story of the breakup and loss of two WWII-surplus oil tankers off Cape Cod fifty-some years ago. It gives a rea...moreI really enjoyed this well-researched story of the breakup and loss of two WWII-surplus oil tankers off Cape Cod fifty-some years ago. It gives a real insight into what rescue service was like before the advent of helicopters and electronics, but after the end of the age of sail.(less)
I liked the ideas in this book. The author talks about going back to our local roots - local shopping, local farming, and greater self reliance. I p...moreI liked the ideas in this book. The author talks about going back to our local roots - local shopping, local farming, and greater self reliance. I particularly liked his story about farming on reclaimed land in Burlington, VT, and their use of local "currency."(less)
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