A fascinating story about a missionary to the Amazonian people and his stories and learning to interface with their culture. Most of the book discusse...moreA fascinating story about a missionary to the Amazonian people and his stories and learning to interface with their culture. Most of the book discusses how he learned to live among an extremely foreign culture. The final chapter is about Everett's "deconversion" experience - how the culture of the Piraha people eventually led to him becoming an atheist. As a believer myself and a child of missionaries, hearing about someone going the "wrong way" (so to speak) is intensely interesting. Nevertheless, most of the book is a study in linguistic anthropology and I would highly recommend it to anyone interested in this field.(less)
Got this as a Christmas gift from my sister and sped through it in just a few days. Very cool read about how Darth Vader was developed for the movies ...moreGot this as a Christmas gift from my sister and sped through it in just a few days. Very cool read about how Darth Vader was developed for the movies and how he has impacted pop culture.(less)
Definitely an interesting way to end the story. I'm glad that there was a sense of finality and that it wasn't yet another cliffhanger. The story is s...moreDefinitely an interesting way to end the story. I'm glad that there was a sense of finality and that it wasn't yet another cliffhanger. The story is surprisingly dark and violent for what is ostensibly a "young adult" series. Several elements felt contrived or as if they're written for the movie adaptation (e.g., what exactly does Katniss's super-ninja bow DO?). Nevertheless, Collins was wiling to twist the story in some surprising and even refreshing ways.(less)
Leviathan Wakes got off to a great start, with a very action-filled plot By page 100, the main characters had gotten to their fourth spaceship, so if ...moreLeviathan Wakes got off to a great start, with a very action-filled plot By page 100, the main characters had gotten to their fourth spaceship, so if you rate books based on how many spaceships are in it, the book had a solid beginning. However, the back half of the book just kind of dragged on and on. The main character's struggle to come to terms with this own mortality is long-winded and constant. The actions scenes are good, but are separated by long stretches of dialogue and one-dimensional character interaction.
The duality of a space opera with a noir thriller was certainly different, and for that attempt the authors should be commended. The world they build is well-developed and is certainly interesting. This is the first in a supposed trilogy, and I'm still on the fence as to whether I'll try any further books in the series.(less)
This book isn't about the politics of North Korea, it's about the people who live there. Based mostly on interviews with people who've defected to Sou...moreThis book isn't about the politics of North Korea, it's about the people who live there. Based mostly on interviews with people who've defected to South Korea, I suspect it's slanted a bit by the fact that it's about, well, people who'd be willing to defect from North Korea. Biases aside, the accounts of what life is like in a completely isolated failed state are astounding. At the end, I began to question whether reunification would be the right thing for Korea. I highly recommend this to anyone interested on what happens to a society that is completely and unilaterally ruled by a despot.(less)
Martin continues to drag out his epic fantasy series in book 5. His prose is still very absorbing, but I can't help but feel disappointed at the lack ...moreMartin continues to drag out his epic fantasy series in book 5. His prose is still very absorbing, but I can't help but feel disappointed at the lack of actual progress. Perhaps he's just moving all the characters into place for the final two books, but I'm beginning to believe the series might drag on indefinitely. Nevertheless, it's always fun to see what he'll do with his characters - and how some of them will meet their demise. I just hope it doesn't take another four years for him to write the next book.(less)
An interesting account of the history of bananas... if you're into that sort of thing. Bananas are one of the most mundane things around us, but their...moreAn interesting account of the history of bananas... if you're into that sort of thing. Bananas are one of the most mundane things around us, but their history and their importance around the world can't be underestimated. And, suprisingly, their future is at risk - agricultural practices have caused diseases among bananas, some of which cannot be cured. Koeppel interweaves the history of how the banana came to be the most popular fruit in the world with current efforts to protect it from extinction. A solid read for anyone interested in the fascinating history of the everyday things around us.(less)
What people experience to climb 8,000+ foot mountains is almost inconceivable. Viesturs' account of his time on K2 and accounts of other successful an...moreWhat people experience to climb 8,000+ foot mountains is almost inconceivable. Viesturs' account of his time on K2 and accounts of other successful and unsuccessful expeditions gives a glimpse into a way of life that is almost alien to most of us. His writing style is casual and sometimes almost preachy, but it mostly comes across as honest and truthful. This book makes me want to continue reading about mountain-climbing and the thought processes of those who participate in it.(less)
An astounding account of the disaster that took place on Mt. Everest in the summer of 1996. More importantly. this book is a terrific insight into the...moreAn astounding account of the disaster that took place on Mt. Everest in the summer of 1996. More importantly. this book is a terrific insight into the minds of people who would do something as insane as climb the highest mountain in the world. Krakauer, himself an avid and very experienced mountain climber, undertook this expedition to write an article about the world of commercial climbing. His story ends up being an exploration of the motivations and the personalities that make up such a bizarre pasttime. His writing is top-notch and emotional, the account is heart-wrenching, and his own personal struggle with what happened on the mountain is honest. I highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys non-fiction accounts of exploration.(less)
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