very amusing!! Thanks to Sherry for the recommendation -- I don't think I would have read it otherwise. I listened to the audiobook, and several time...morevery amusing!! Thanks to Sherry for the recommendation -- I don't think I would have read it otherwise. I listened to the audiobook, and several times I laughed outloud.(less)
A really enjoyable read. The first part of the book has way too much info about the writing of the book, and not enough autobiography. I wanted the ...moreA really enjoyable read. The first part of the book has way too much info about the writing of the book, and not enough autobiography. I wanted the entertainment of reading Twain, not a scholarly "where this was written and how it came to be..." I ended up skipping a few chunks there. But the Twain was some really great reading!(less)
I picked up this book looking for a better version of Michio Kaku's "Physics of the Future" -- so this wasn't what I expected! The title sh...moreI picked up this book looking for a better version of Michio Kaku's "Physics of the Future" -- so this wasn't what I expected! The title should really be "The Next 100 Years of War." I expected a much broader look at the next 100 years might bring. Despite that, this was thought provoking. Through the first half I found it surprising that there was almost no mention of space, energy, or environment. In the second half of the book it was all space, and single focus energy (space based solar). In the appendix, there is a ~5 sentence dismissal of climate/energy ("it'll fix itself, no problemo.."). It wasn't until I finished until I made the Stratfor of the hacked web page connection.
The counter-common sense conclusions were at least thought provoking (China isn't a rising power, Mexico is a threat...).. Hmm..(less)
Just about exactly what I expected -- fast plot, fairly predictable, mystical, and fast and loose with facts. Good brain candy and very enjoyable wit...moreJust about exactly what I expected -- fast plot, fairly predictable, mystical, and fast and loose with facts. Good brain candy and very enjoyable with suspension of disbelief (or suspension of factual requirements...). Anyway, when you need a quick fast enjoyable read...
I like to get the "brain candy" version and then the "real deal" so Umberto Eco's Prague Cemetery is my next book.(less)
I really liked this book. Some stories are more upsetting than others, a few are very uplifting. I think the intro by Bill McKibben was excellent -- ...moreI really liked this book. Some stories are more upsetting than others, a few are very uplifting. I think the intro by Bill McKibben was excellent -- perhaps the best part of the book! I liked Kim Stanley Robinson's "Sacred Space" -- a look at potential climate impacts on the Sierras, along with a touch of parental concern (over-convern..). Hermie (by Nathaniel Rich) was a pretty pointed jab at science and how removed from nature it can become -- but being provoked can be a good thing.(less)
Fun, some neat ideas, but also too long, tedious, and the sex scene was unnecessarily graphic. If it wasn't for the fact it was an audiobook, I don't...moreFun, some neat ideas, but also too long, tedious, and the sex scene was unnecessarily graphic. If it wasn't for the fact it was an audiobook, I don't think I would have finished it...(less)
Wow! This was a perfect read over the Thanksgiving weekend. I was really amazed with the research that went into this, the humor, and the connection...moreWow! This was a perfect read over the Thanksgiving weekend. I was really amazed with the research that went into this, the humor, and the connections between the city on the hill, Reagan, and Kennedy, to say the least. Not quite what I expected, but I enjoyed the history lesson, the personal narrative, and the commentary.(less)
A very enjoyable listen (audiobook) -- it was inspiring and humanizing. I had some personal synergy because I am also reading Yvon Chinaurd's book ab...moreA very enjoyable listen (audiobook) -- it was inspiring and humanizing. I had some personal synergy because I am also reading Yvon Chinaurd's book about Patagonia ("Let my people go surfing") and also attended a local "venture capital/entrepreneur" lunch schmooze thing (they were fairly focused on Steve Jobs "worst part of business" -- build a company to sell and get rich, rather than make cool things/change the world.
On a downside, I felt Isaacson could use the advice "simplify" -- the book was a little longer than it needed to be. I'm sure it was mostly suffering from being "rushed to market" and didn't get quite the polish/editing that Steve Jobs would have put in if he were the author.. :)(less)
I really enjoyed this discussion of leveraging new tools, pushing new norms, and developing incentives for the next step in the way science is done. ...moreI really enjoyed this discussion of leveraging new tools, pushing new norms, and developing incentives for the next step in the way science is done. I recommend this book highly to anyone interested in science -- especially citizen scientists, "new"/young scientists, and open minded scientists. I found this book a compelling enough argument to provide influence on how I do science. This is going on my "re-read every so often" shelf.(less)
A fantastic personal narrative about an incredible bike ride. I really enjoyed the read and was completely inspired to do a few short segments of the...moreA fantastic personal narrative about an incredible bike ride. I really enjoyed the read and was completely inspired to do a few short segments of the ride! There were some fantastic "one-liners" My favorite:
"I pedaled because pedaling was the most natural course of action."(less)
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