It's a study guide, what is there to review? It did a fine job laying out all the information and requirements for LEED process and building certific...moreIt's a study guide, what is there to review? It did a fine job laying out all the information and requirements for LEED process and building certification in preparation for me to pass the LEED AP exam on the first try. It's not a page turner, but sustainable building is a great subject I enjoyed learning about a lot.(less)
Excellent book that many people have praised. Now I hope to see more designers and manufacturers produce products to go from cradle to cradle. There...moreExcellent book that many people have praised. Now I hope to see more designers and manufacturers produce products to go from cradle to cradle. There's not much of this in practice yet--we need much more.(less)
I can't believe I read the whole thing--haha! It was for AP Art History class in high school--I loved it. Our teacher was fantastic and over 1 year, ...moreI can't believe I read the whole thing--haha! It was for AP Art History class in high school--I loved it. Our teacher was fantastic and over 1 year, we went through this whole book, adding notes in the margins on almost every piece of art in the book. It's a huge book that probably gave us all spine curvatures from carrying it in our backpacks, but now it's a treasure I'll keep with me for the rest of my life.(less)
As with anything intending to describe a whole culture of people, I'll take it with a grain of salt as an opinion, but I've already seen a lot of accu...moreAs with anything intending to describe a whole culture of people, I'll take it with a grain of salt as an opinion, but I've already seen a lot of accuracy and believe it to be well-intentioned and accurate as well as well-written and informative. A great book for a new resident of the Middle East, wanting to learn, understand and enjoy my new home and neighborhood in the world.(less)
Excellent book with actionable suggestions for moving to renewable energy immediately. Unfortunately, I don't think governments or businesses will mo...moreExcellent book with actionable suggestions for moving to renewable energy immediately. Unfortunately, I don't think governments or businesses will move at a fast enough pace to nip our environmental troubles in the bud (they're not backed up enough against a wall), but it's not for lack of intelligent options presented.
Lester Brown is a leading mind and voice in renewables and the environment. Constantly updated by Brown and his Earth Policy Institute, I think version 4.0 is on shelves now.(less)
Very good book on an issue that isn't talked about nearly enough for how big a problem it is to human health. We've had waste disposal pretty well fi...moreVery good book on an issue that isn't talked about nearly enough for how big a problem it is to human health. We've had waste disposal pretty well figured out for a century in the US and Europe (though we could do a whole lot to use waste as compost and fertilizer rather than using so much potable drinking water to flush it down our tubes), but in developing countries, lack of sanitation and the disease it lets circulate is killing people--mostly children--by the scores.
Proper sanitation is directly related to providing clean water that's such a popular (deservedly so) subject right now. Once you help people get clean water, what good is it if it's contaminated again right away because of a lack of proper sanitation or even education on how and why to wash your hands and keep your food and utensils clean?
I recommend it to anyone interested in development, clean water, or the out-of-sight, out-of-mind elements that keep all societies running smoothly. It's well written with the right mix of humor and frankness to make this issue easy to read and understand the importance of sanitation.
If you're interested in more, google Jack Simm and the World Toilet Organization--he and his work are at the forefront of finding good ways to introduce toilets and sanitation in appropriate ways all over the world so we no longer have so many illnesses and deaths that could so easily be prevented world-wide.(less)
An excellent book on sustainability and what it means to us in our modern world of business and social interactions. It's less fire and brimstone tha...moreAn excellent book on sustainability and what it means to us in our modern world of business and social interactions. It's less fire and brimstone than others, while presenting real solutions for the ways of thinking and acting that we need to embrace as consumers, businesses, constituents and members of a society we want to see continue and thrive. This is a very smart book.(less)
Awesome. I recommend this to everyone. It's quick, easy to read (and carry on the bus or metro) and full of common-sense tips about how to choose go...moreAwesome. I recommend this to everyone. It's quick, easy to read (and carry on the bus or metro) and full of common-sense tips about how to choose good foods. It gives good, simple arguments for eating what our bodies want, in the ways most of us know is right but aren't always taught anymore. In a world of fast food and packages that have to last for months on a shelf, it makes sense that chemicals and processed food-like substances have taken over where a lot of natural ingredients used to be. But it doesn't mean we're supposed to eat them. In fact our modern diet in the US causes the highest rates of heart disease, diabetes, and other infirmities and deaths related to food than any other traditional diets around the world.
This book encourages eating foods, whole foods, not just ingredients or components of foods like we're so fascinated by isolating to remove or add as supplements. Often we don't know why, but we do know that whole foods give us more health benefits than the sum of their parts.
It's nice to have someone remind us that what we need to eat is good food, not food-like substances, and to have some rules we can rely on in the supermarket and as we choose what to eat anywhere we go.
My only complaint is that it doesn't mention the other half of being healthy--exercise. I'd love it if Pollan would write a second book--"Exercise Rules"--to go with this one and break down the necessities and proper ways to be active as well as he does here.(less)
Excellent and inspiring. Especially important to spread to others, I think, is that you don't just walk into someone else's life and tell them what t...moreExcellent and inspiring. Especially important to spread to others, I think, is that you don't just walk into someone else's life and tell them what they need and what they should want. If you want to help, listen to them--they know what they need. Then, after listening, help them to build their solution. The people benefiting need to own it, so as much as you might think it would be quicker, easier or even better to do it for them, chances are higher you're missing the objective. Humility, respect, trust, honor and human connection seem to be the keys to success in Mortonson's efforts and I bet they're universal principles for development anywhere.(less)
Very interesting. More about neurology than I expected--how our brains and bodies and relationships to others and to nature all work together to eith...moreVery interesting. More about neurology than I expected--how our brains and bodies and relationships to others and to nature all work together to either keep us safe or put us into harm's way. Gonzales studies accidents (wilderness accidents and the like) trying to figure out why some people survive and others become victims.
The main thesis so far: we all try to make sense of the world based on our experiences of it, creating models in our minds with if/then conclusions. The problem is that nature is often unpredictable and on old models may be different from what's happening now. Acting on an old model in a new situation puts us in harms way. Being alert to the present and all clues of danger, not relying on old models but seeing the reality of what's going on right now, are how survivors survive. Mostly, they recognize dangers and stay away from them.
Lessons: nature is unpredictable and we are fragile. Be alert and be careful if you want to stay alive. Sounds like a pretty high duh factor, but there are some pretty fascinating neurological and emotional factors that make all that much easier said than done.
Loved it. The person, the setting, the adventure of someone in real life building block after block, learning and moving forward, doing, not just pla...moreLoved it. The person, the setting, the adventure of someone in real life building block after block, learning and moving forward, doing, not just planning and hoping. Especially valuable to me is that one good American keeps going in a region that has good reason to hate us, helping children and their families who have such hopes for their futures. The values and the adventure made me feel good to read it.(less)
Loading...
