There were about 9 useful tips in here. That makes the book worth the money, but, man. So much of this is common sense. If anything, it's useful to le...moreThere were about 9 useful tips in here. That makes the book worth the money, but, man. So much of this is common sense. If anything, it's useful to learn "no, there are no secret society required moves." I could have used a bit more instruction in the "this many invites tends to yield this many yes RSVPS" and a bit more exposition on the etiquette of plus ones, and second wave invites. (less)
Not an easy read. Patient and repetitive, and the ideas it proffered are now widely (though not completely) accepted. Probably most useful these days...moreNot an easy read. Patient and repetitive, and the ideas it proffered are now widely (though not completely) accepted. Probably most useful these days for its history of the rise of currency and central banks, though still good to remember what a vital role ready lending plays in a crisis. (less)
I like two things out of books like these - juicy tidbits of trivia you didn't know, or actual, useful information that will improve my career. It del...moreI like two things out of books like these - juicy tidbits of trivia you didn't know, or actual, useful information that will improve my career. It delivered moderately on the former and minimally on the latter. But, then, while I do consider myself mildly creative, I've never gotten much use from creative tips from other people. BBH is a great shop, though, and it was fun to read its history. I loved that part. And this very much makes me hope Bogle writes a book. (less)
A decent overview of the New York tech ecosystem, though definitely could have benefited from an expanded interview roster. Many great companies, impo...moreA decent overview of the New York tech ecosystem, though definitely could have benefited from an expanded interview roster. Many great companies, important people omitted. A slightly over-emphasized eye on the immigrant network, but that's totally okay. Just a bit unexpected to see some random companies over some of the more well known. But, then, it relies heavily on interviews, and interviews only work with people who say yes, so... smart move, people who said yes! The Fred Wilson, Kevin Ryan, Evan Korth and Scott Heiferman interviews are particularly interesting, even if you've read many previous ones from them. (less)
Decent overview of Cowen's theory, shared by many, including Peter Thiel, about why our country is "stagnating." Is the theory true? I don't know. I w...moreDecent overview of Cowen's theory, shared by many, including Peter Thiel, about why our country is "stagnating." Is the theory true? I don't know. I would have loved to see him wrestle with business cycle theory - some of the more obvious ones, but also people like Carlotta Peres. In reading the book, I kept that in my head as my default theory, looking for explanations as to why we may not be in a fairly predictable spot in an economic trend. No real explanation was offered. Not that that's a fault, I suppose - Cowen is offering a different theory.
I also find slightly dubious the notion that "the easy stuff has been invented so the hard stuff takes longer." I shouldn't put quotes around that, it is a half-assed paraphrase. Here's a real quote: "Meaningful innovation has become harder, and so we must spend more money to accomplish real innovations, which means a lower and declining rate of return on technology." I don't see any reason why increased difficulty would mean a declining rate of return. Increased difficulty means increased time and money, but with most major innovations the overall return is so much larger than the initial investment that any increase in investment and its effect may simply be incidental. How do we know it's definitely true? And that's if you take the first part - that meaningful innovation has become harder - as a truism, which I also don't buy.
I admire Cowen's apolitical approach, but it's funny watching him arrive at the inevitable conclusion that "financial innovation" (i.e., banks) screwed us all over and not coming to the obvious next conclusion that government should exist to reign them in.
ASIDE: Cowen, like many, takes a couple (mild) potshots at Medicaid, citing a study that says "the uninsured seem to have better health outcomes than do Medicaid patients." This week, I find the right making much ballyhoo of a study that says Medicaid has EQUAL (not worse) outcomes than the uninsured. I think it'd be funny to see a graph of the supposed difference and chart it over time. (less)
This is a massively important book that turned out to be much harder to read than I expected, and left me still pretty confused about how to implement...moreThis is a massively important book that turned out to be much harder to read than I expected, and left me still pretty confused about how to implement much of the advice in the book. But I like what it did to my thinking, even though I was familiar with many of the concepts in the book already.
But boy, I sure do like Five Whys. I am so ready to have kids.
There are some really wonderful simple quotes too:
"management is human systems engineering."
"Our productive capacity greatly exceeds our ability to know what to build."
The latter was from the last chapter, which was my favorite. Ries gets a little existential about the raison d'etre of business and building things. I liked it.
And this might sound a bit precious out of context, but it did get me quite excited: "What is needed is a massive project to discover how to unlock the vast stores of potential that are hidden in plain sight in our modern workforce. If we stopped wasting people’s time, what would they do with it? We have no real concept of what is possible.."
This book had its thunder stolen recently by a New York Times magazine special of the same conceit, but the book is still really wonderful. A man spen...moreThis book had its thunder stolen recently by a New York Times magazine special of the same conceit, but the book is still really wonderful. A man spends a year riding Amtrak and learning about passenger rail in the US. I am a huge train buff but I still learned a lot from this book. Insert ranting and raving about how passenger rail needs to make a come back in the US here, and foaming at the mouth about all the subsidies we give airlines. Trains are awesome. Why, I'm on one now. I have my own shower. Top that, Delta. (less)
All very reasonable, one of those books if you take the time to read you realize that the critics haven't. Speaking as an entrepreneur and manager who...moreAll very reasonable, one of those books if you take the time to read you realize that the critics haven't. Speaking as an entrepreneur and manager who has employed countless women, Sandberg's advice is pretty spot on. It's not controversial, and most male managers would welcome women taking the advice.
Of note this quote: "In a perfect meritocracy, tiaras would be doled out to the deserving, but I have yet to see one floating around an office." I feel bad for Google. I have seen many Tiaras in offices. My office currently has three.
And this: "Larry and Sergey came to my baby shower and each gave me a certificate that entitled me to one hour of babysitting. (I never used the certificates, and if I could find them, I bet I could auction them off for charity, like lunch with Warren Buffett.)" Collectors rev your engines.
I know, I know, it's an important book and I'm picking little things. I apologize. In reading overly-discussed books, I often tend to look for the little anecdotes not discussed in the press.
But I'll leave you with this one, because I think it sums up the success and importance of this book:
"Talking can transform minds, which can transform behaviors, which can transform institutions."(less)
Howard Gossage seems pretty awesome. I stumbled across him while reading about Marshall Mcluhan, and was intrigued because I used to work in advertisi...moreHoward Gossage seems pretty awesome. I stumbled across him while reading about Marshall Mcluhan, and was intrigued because I used to work in advertising and i hadn't heard of him. I'm also fascinated in environmental issues, and so my interest was doubly piqued when I realized he played such a fundamental early role in the American environmental movement. Wow this sounds like a Yelp review. Why am I writing it in the first person.
Anyhoo, the book is thoroughly researched. In reading it, I learned about Gossage's autobiography, or rather his book of lectures. Perhaps it'd be better to start with that, but this is a quick read, a good overview of an interesting man, living in an interesting city, San Francisco, in interesting times, and interesting people - he was a colleague of Ogilvy and Bernbach, along with a lot of other super fascinating non-ad people. Berkeley radicals. Cyberneticists. Rock stars. (less)
Boy people wrote a lot of letters back then. A LOT. Like pages and pages daily. How did people write so much? They didn't even have word processors.
I...moreBoy people wrote a lot of letters back then. A LOT. Like pages and pages daily. How did people write so much? They didn't even have word processors.
I was happy to see that the "I am the president of the United States, clothed in immense power" line from the movie was in the book. Actually it was amazing how much of the movie was in the book, though the movie only covered maybe 10% of the book.
Meticulously researched. The central thesis of a Team of Rivals is profound and hugely influential, given Obama's taking a shining to it.
Really a monstrously accomplished book. 750 pages, meticulously researched. If this was the only book Goodwin wrote in her life, it would be a tremendous accomplishment. (less)
I was reading some article in Wired or something and it was listing off things that science fiction authors had predicted, and it said something like...moreI was reading some article in Wired or something and it was listing off things that science fiction authors had predicted, and it said something like "And Arthur C Clarke predicted artificial intelligence in The City and the Stars" and I thought "Wait what?" I thought I had read every Arthur C Clarke book when I was a kid, but apparently I had missed this one (AND Against the Fall of Night, an earlier version of the book). So I bought it and got to read my first new Arthur C Clarke book in like 20 years. It was totally fun!
It also really held the test of time. I had recently read a sci fi book with a similar scope - humanity's journey through the next billion years - and it got a LOT wrong, by even now, but Clarke's future seems totally possible still. The plot was intriguing and I devoured it pretty quickly. A solid read. (less)
I wanted to love this book. I have been researching global warming for a while and love a good book filled with stats about it. The first chapter deli...moreI wanted to love this book. I have been researching global warming for a while and love a good book filled with stats about it. The first chapter delivers. The rest of the book? Not so much. It's a region-by-region expose of the fighting and strife going on throughout the world, and ties them all into climate change factors or fights over natural resources. Some of these seem perfectly true, and others seem a stretch.
The book's central thesis - that climate change is going to cause a shit ton of geopolitical problems and strife - seems perfectly sound, and this book backs it up, but from time to time you find yourself thinking "okay, come ON." It can stretch a bit much to make its point.
There really is quite a lot of bad behavior in this book. This New York does not exist anymore. The kids are all so much more optimistic and functiona...moreThere really is quite a lot of bad behavior in this book. This New York does not exist anymore. The kids are all so much more optimistic and functional these days. The grunge of the village is gone, punk rock is gone, I do know a few sado masochistic kids still but boy, there sure seem to be a lot fewer of them. Even the garden variety adulterous affair seems to be on the wane in media-centric New York. I'd say maybe it's because I'm getting old, but honestly most of the people in media around me are even more square.
It's tempting to go on and on about how "this is the old New York when things were COOL" but honestly it's so much cooler now. Eh, who knows. Maybe not. Debbie Harry was cool. I'd be so psyched if I had one or two friends in New York like the people who populate this book, but you really have to go out of your way to find them these days, and we all have too much stuff we want to get done.
This book is basically its generations Pitchfork Reviews Reviews. Except I feel slightly dirtier (in a good way) and slightly more hopeless (in a bad way) when reading this.
I should qualify that Gaitskill is a fantastic writer. Her turns of phrase and imagery are fantastic. But if you're reading it as an insight into New York, this is more of a historical document now.
"Of course your sister’s boyfriend wanted you. One wants them all."(less)
An overview of the history of anonymity, pros and cons. Essentially written as a cris de coeur against Randi Zuckerberg's and...moreCOLE STRYKER IS MY HERO.
An overview of the history of anonymity, pros and cons. Essentially written as a cris de coeur against Randi Zuckerberg's and Eric Smidt's all too disturbing comments about the lack of a need for online anonymity. The book comes out in defense of anonymity, but does not shy away from the murky underworld that can result, and the downsides that accompany it.
As an aside, I lost my 3rd grade spelling bee on the word "anonymous. "(less)
A quick recap of the last days of Hosni Mubarek in Egypt. Lots of back door dealing and a blow by blow of Mubarek's mentality, and his actions. Not mu...moreA quick recap of the last days of Hosni Mubarek in Egypt. Lots of back door dealing and a blow by blow of Mubarek's mentality, and his actions. Not much for action on the street, but gives you insight into what he and his cronies were thinking as the country came toppling down around them. Lots of interviews compiled, but you definitely feel it's a bit of a rush job. First draft of history. (less)
This is a great idea for a book in concept - some rock enthusiasts conduct a seance to uncover the secrets of great rock bands from our long dead rock...moreThis is a great idea for a book in concept - some rock enthusiasts conduct a seance to uncover the secrets of great rock bands from our long dead rock idols. The seance part is kinda cheesy, but when you get into the actual advice for rock bands, the book is pretty dead on and hilarious. Some gems: "Human artistic endeavors are typically borne from a deep sense of shame."
Or "Ironically, all groups are tied to an automotive destiny. And the automobile is, of course, the primary culprit in the destruction of the world via global warming, suburban sprawl, and oil wars. This underlines the paradox of the group, who purport to embody some accelerated utopian artistic ideal, but are alchemized into Teamsters for most of their lifetime."
Svenonius is a wonderful character, he always has been, and his wonderful view on capitalism, labor, socialism, modern society and rock and roll is always a breath of fresh air.
My favorite: "Predicting drug trends could be an enormous asset for a group, akin to a stockbroker knowing how to play the market effectively."
A worthy read if you used to dream of being in a rock band or, god forbid, you still do. (less)
This is a book about a song. A single song. A single song that has been covered hundreds of times, but still, a single song. It's a testament to the s...moreThis is a book about a song. A single song. A single song that has been covered hundreds of times, but still, a single song. It's a testament to the song that while reading the book I listened to various versions of the song hundreds of times, and never got tired of it.
Leonard Cohen, John Cale, Jeff Buckley. That's the main thrust of the song here, John Cale playing an under-heralded part in bringing Cohen's song to Jeff Buckley, who then brought it to the mainstream. As a lifelong Cohen fan who saw him before he retreated to Baldy mountain, it's a bit hard to take sometime. As someone who's had the honor of seeing Cohen, Cale and Buckley all perform the song live, I can understand, however. As someone who doesn't consider Hallelujah Cohen's finest work, it's a bit hard to take. For the life of me I can't understand why no one's done the same for "Anthem."
Still, Light's book is fascinating, if a bit overly-extended. It's worth it for no other reason than to see Bono apologize for his crap version of the song. (less)
What a wonderful book! You forget what a wonderful writer Douglas Coupland is, but when reading a well-researched work of non-fiction, his prowess is...moreWhat a wonderful book! You forget what a wonderful writer Douglas Coupland is, but when reading a well-researched work of non-fiction, his prowess is hard to ignore. And such a great subject. McLuhan is a fascinating, influential, difficult subject, and Coupland does a wonderful job depicting his life, his evolution in thinking, and his professional career. It's a great blend of biography and literary criticism, with a wonderful dash of insight into humanity. if that sounds overly fawning, perhaps it is, only because of the subtle, deft way Coupland manages it. Subtlety and quiet insights abound.
If ever you wanted to get your head around McLuhan, this book is a wonderful place to start. (less)
As a history of telecommunications empires, this book is remarkably well researched and insanely informative. When it gets to trying to find "cycles"...moreAs a history of telecommunications empires, this book is remarkably well researched and insanely informative. When it gets to trying to find "cycles" and trends through the different epochs - telegraph, telephone, radio, television, cable, internet - it gets a little messier. But damn it if you don't learn a ton reading this book. One also gleans a far greater understanding of the interplay between government and the various telecommunications industries, and pretty quickly you realize that it's impossible to be a flat out libertarian in these industries: the government is there, and its actions have impact. The trick is to understand the potential impacts in crafting proper legislation.
It's amazing to me that 100 years later there are still some very large gaps and holes in our history of the government and the telecommunications industry. There have been a lot of sketchy back room deals through the years. (less)
Basically our economy is set up to make us depressed. Capitalism has an incentive not to sell us the goods we want, but the goods it wants to sell, he...moreBasically our economy is set up to make us depressed. Capitalism has an incentive not to sell us the goods we want, but the goods it wants to sell, hence, advertising. This was the book that got economists to first start thinking about happiness. It is a sort of reinvention of economics looking through the prism of why people actually spend money. Sort of a meta-step between traditional economics and behavioral. It was poorly received at the time, apparently, but now it reads like common sense. It spends an extraordinary amount of time on clinical studies that are no longer relevant, but you don't sense that its core arguments are that weak. Whenever he talks about sex and gender it's a little weird. But overall, an important step in making economics more realistic. (less)
This makes me want to read the rest of the POLITICO e-books about the last election. You learn something in each one of them. This one I learned a goo...moreThis makes me want to read the rest of the POLITICO e-books about the last election. You learn something in each one of them. This one I learned a good amount about Obama's approach - or utter lack thereof - to superPAC money. Boy, am I glad he won anyway. What a pointlessly close election. It also makes me think I am going to have to boycott Steve Wynn. Also it makes me wonder just how much of a baller Steve Wynn is that he ONLY has a 737. Not even a 777 buddy? Also the author of the Steve Jobs biography was briefly considered for an Obama administration spot, and many of Romney's wall street donors are pro-gay marriage. Thus continues the endless mystery why people ignore social issues for their own pocketbooks. Depressing.
A good read, though. I look forward to reading the Romney campaign counterpart. (less)
What a weird book. A future history of humanity over the next 20 million years or so. I liked it. Some of the stuff at the beginning about the near fu...moreWhat a weird book. A future history of humanity over the next 20 million years or so. I liked it. Some of the stuff at the beginning about the near future from the early 1910's on was comically off, and it was interesting seeing how communism loomed over all of Stapledon's thinkings, but as the book gets further afield from the present it gets more interesting and better. And the ending is pretty fascinating. A worthy thought experiment, definitely worth reading. I also like that it was a novel devoid of characters or really, even, a plot of any time. Almost zero dialog. Almost zero human relationships even though it's a book about humanity. But it works. Clever. (less)
I work at Tumblr so I figured I should learn about this guy because he is HUGE on Tumblr. And you know what? I like what i learned. This is the second...moreI work at Tumblr so I figured I should learn about this guy because he is HUGE on Tumblr. And you know what? I like what i learned. This is the second of his books I've read, and it is much, much better than his already-alright first book I read, Looking for Alaska. I love that kids are into reading. I love reading his Tumblr and seeing how obsessed kids are with books. I love the way his brother teaches kids about science on the internet. The kids are alright.
And the book. Oh right. The book. Rock solid. Really a great story. Great ending. Great subplot with the drunken novelist (boy, I really liked him in all his distasteful Amisean glory). A book about cancer but not a cancer book as they say. On a personal note, reading a slight aside in the book about how treatable osteosarcoma is when I have a friend who died of it because it was caught way too late was pretty heartbreaking. People, get checked early and often.
There are so many books to read in the world and 150 just sitting in my kindle just waiting to be read, but TFIOS made me think I could read another John Green book. Perhaps he'll become the author I distract myself with to continue putting off reading Ulysses. (less)
Somewhere around the one-quarter through point I thought "all right! This is awesome! Let's settle in here and read this totally awesome novel about f...moreSomewhere around the one-quarter through point I thought "all right! This is awesome! Let's settle in here and read this totally awesome novel about fonts and mysteries and google and tech and this is great. I've spent too much time reading books where the whole plot would fall apart if they had cell phones and Google (just WAIT till you read my review of Bad Behavior ha) so let's read something modern AND mystical woo hoo I love this book I'm reading!"
Somewhere along the way, though, the ardor became a smidge tempered, I can't say why, exactly. It's been a month and a half, and I can't *quite* remember, but I think maybe some of the licenses taken with tech and reality were a bit hard for me to take, but you know what? screw it. I liked it. I love that the whole book was based on a tweet about a mistakenly-read sign. That's the kind of obsessive thoroughness I can get behind. Right on. (less)
This book got some guff in its reviews, most notably from that horrible, mean NYT writer whose name I always willfully forget because she's so mean. B...moreThis book got some guff in its reviews, most notably from that horrible, mean NYT writer whose name I always willfully forget because she's so mean. But she was wrong. It was great. It was a book where you have to say "okay, book. I will approach you on your terms, eyes and heart open, let's do this" and let it take you where it will, rather than, you know, having your own opinions about the kinds of books that an older Ian McEwan writes. But you know what? He has handled his transition to maturity a damn site better than Radiohead, for example. I like he's grown, mellowed, aged, thought about different things. McEwan's avoided strapping himself to the mast of his own stylistic innovations, and good for him. Also, lady spies are sexy, even if they're a bit bumbling and bureaucratic and 60's grey. Also I've been meaning to read Defend the Realm forever, it's been sitting on my shelf for like 2 years, and this reminds me that I should pick it up again. (less)
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