This book is a real fast read. There is a fair amount of action, but it is also punctuated by funny insights and some beautiful passages and vignettes...moreThis book is a real fast read. There is a fair amount of action, but it is also punctuated by funny insights and some beautiful passages and vignettes. To have the rather taciturn protagonist express himself so well with the narration, provides an interesting contrast.
Saw the movie and enjoyed it, so I decided to read the book. The only problem being that I couldn't imagine the characters myself, but thankfully the movie was cast fairly well.(less)
This book is a great way to look at a variety of historical developments. It examines the origins of agriculture, and the positive and negative effect...moreThis book is a great way to look at a variety of historical developments. It examines the origins of agriculture, and the positive and negative effects that it had on neolithic humans (Early farmers were malnourished and averaged several inches shorter than their hunter-gatherer predecessors). It examines how farming dovetailed with organized societies and cities. It examines the allure of spices, and the effects the trade networks, and the searching for alternatives to these networks, impacted knowledge of the world and cartography (a la The Taste of Conquest: The Rise and Fall of the Three Great Cities of Spice). It examined the role of food in governance, conquest, and propaganda. The author examines how successful military leaders were often experts in logistics and being able to field and feed armies effectively. He also delves into the failures of the Soviet and Chinese collective farm efforts, where ideological purity and appearances were more important than the facts on the ground, leading to catastrophic results. Lastly, the book delves into the world of fertilizer. South American countries fought over deserts due to mineral deposits which were crucial ingredients in fertilizer and countries tried to lay claim to any island which had nitrogen rich bird guano. The book also examines Malthusian crises, and how they can be avoided.
This book seemed excellently researched. The author also took on current issues, such as organic farming, food miles, sustainability, and bio-fuels. With these topics, there was a distant eye which made me think a lot about them. For example, with some foods, a significant part of their environmental impact comes with the cooking and serving, so a crappy kitchen can undo much of the environmental good of a food choice. Similarly, certain foods just grow better in different locals, and that can have enormous environmental impact. The author was able to look at the positives and negatives of agriculture that relies on fertilizer and specialized crops or organic or traditional methods and heirloom varietals. One of the most interesting points was that if everything was grown organically, much more land would need to be converted to farmland to feed the world's population. So in certain ways fertilizer intensive agriculture can preserve wilderness. Overall, the author sees the importance of all of the different strategies that humans use to feed themselves.(less)
Various thoughts about this book: 1) I love how Steinbeck can describe environments. Considering how he dabbled in marine biology, it makes sense how v...moreVarious thoughts about this book: 1) I love how Steinbeck can describe environments. Considering how he dabbled in marine biology, it makes sense how vividly he can describe tide pools. His descriptions are spectacular.
2) I love the ensemble nature of characters. The Doc, or maybe Mack, are the biggest characters, but it's more a story of the entire community. Also, there is something really topically relevant about the Palace Flophouse residents. Guys of limited means who seem uncorrupted by the world around them and live just for enjoyment.
As Doc describes them, "I think they survive in this particular world better than other people. In a time when people tear themselves to pieces with ambition and nervousness and covetousness, they are relaxed. All of our so-called successful men are sick men, with bad stomachs, and bad souls, but Mack and the boys are healthy and curiously clean. They can do what they want. They can satisfy their appetites without calling them something else." and later, "They could ruin their lives and get money. Mack has qualities of genius. They're all very clever if they want something. They just know the nature of things too well to be caught in that wanting." They embody such an appealing combination of minimalist and epicurean sensibilities, somehow blending them into cohesive, if unanchored, lives.
3) This is a paean to working class, or avoiding work classes, where while everyone is just trying to keep themselves afloat, they are still living beautifully rich and touching lives. The most important status to the characters is how their relationships with each other are faring.
4) From the first sentence, this is a great book. Again, this book reminds of how unoriginal I find many Beat writers (See Travels with Charley: In Search of America). Steinbeck wrote this in 1945, and Kerouac later attempts to steal his style, but could never steal the soul.
This title was one of my co-workers "Staff Picks" at the library, and it was also recommended to me by my partner for a Reader's Advisory Workshop assignment. Great choice for me! (less)
First book to a series which I am sure to devour incredibly quickly. The art is wonderful and it reminds me of a hybrid of pulp novel covers, Gorillaz...moreFirst book to a series which I am sure to devour incredibly quickly. The art is wonderful and it reminds me of a hybrid of pulp novel covers, Gorillaz videos, and Pogo comics. The plot involves the eponymous Goon and his little friend Franky working to protect mob territory from an army of zombies being raised by a sinister necromancer. The premise certainly seems ridiculous, but the writer/artist does a wonderful job balancing action and humor.
This book is one of the best ways to spend five minutes. Great pictures and a wonderfully morbid humor. It's definitely worth the tiny amount of time...moreThis book is one of the best ways to spend five minutes. Great pictures and a wonderfully morbid humor. It's definitely worth the tiny amount of time it takes, and you get to pretend like you read a whole book!
Thanks to Mike for introducing me to this one.(less)
This is an exceptional sports book, even though it is less ballyhooed than Bill Simmons's The Book of Basketball: The NBA According to The Sports Guy....moreThis is an exceptional sports book, even though it is less ballyhooed than Bill Simmons's The Book of Basketball: The NBA According to The Sports Guy. Chris Ballard gets some great interviews, from major stars like Shaq, LeBron James, and Steve Nash, as well as less heralded players like Shane Battier, Steve Kerr, and Craig Ehlo. The chapters are broken down into aspects of the game (shooting, rebounding, dunks, blocks, defense, killer instinct, etc.) and it makes the reader appreciate how it is not merely the physicality of the athletes which makes them great. The detailed look at off-season workouts and tape studies reflects how much work NBA players put into their craft, and how deeply they think about it.
Thanks to my friend Demetri for the recommendation.(less)
This is definitely one of my favorite books. A huge portion of this is that I have been fortunate, due to the interests of my family and friends, to h...moreThis is definitely one of my favorite books. A huge portion of this is that I have been fortunate, due to the interests of my family and friends, to have traveled America extensively. With the exception of the South, I have more or less been everywhere that John Steinbeck travels and writes about over the course of the book.
The trip takes place over the fall of 1960, and some of the things which draw the author's focus is the upcoming presidential election (the extremely close Kennedy-Nixon race) and the Civil Rights movement blooming in the South. The attitudes of people about the former seemed surprisingly tepid and guarded, while for the later, they seemed guarded because the views were so fiercely divergent. Reading the end of the book where civil rights are the focus is very powerful and seems to give a penetrating look into how many individuals felt about living in such tumultuous times.
Another interesting theme in the book is Steinbeck talking about cities, and how to him they are all so similar. In particular, he talks about how they are ringed by trash, like mole hills, and he wonders about America's disposable culture. He wonders if this could possibly be sustainable (his short answer: probably not).
This book is always linked in my mind to On the Road, perhaps because I read both years ago and in fairly quick succession. While Jack Kerouac can write an interesting sentence, he never seemed to contribute any feeling or insight. Fortunately, this is where Steinbeck excels. Not only does he lyrically describe the land and the people he encountered, he also is adept and describing the mental landscape of a person traveling alone. I have taken a solo road trip once, and the isolation of driving forces one to think deeply and go out of one's way to interact with strangers. This is perhaps the greatest reason to make the endeavor. Because of my antipathy towards Kerouac, whom I feel merely documented the far more interesting, charismatic, and gifted individuals around him while giving them incredibly stupid pen names like Sal Paradise and Carlo Marx, I also enjoyed a little jab that Steinbeck seems to put towards him early on in Travels with Charley:
"When the virus of restfulness begins to take possession of a wayward man, and the road away from Here seems broad and straight and sweet, the victim must first find in himself a good and sufficient reason for going. This to the practical bum is not difficult... I set it down only so that newcomers to bumdom, like teen-agers in new-hatched sin, will not think they invented it."(less)
This book is hilarious, particularly the second half. The first half is mostly the childhood of Tina Fey, which is entertaining enough, but the second...moreThis book is hilarious, particularly the second half. The first half is mostly the childhood of Tina Fey, which is entertaining enough, but the second half gets into her time at Second City, SNL, 30 Rock, and the whole thing with Sarah Palin. This portion is such a fast read, and amazing fun, insightful, and entertaining. It's interesting to see original scripts and rewrites of ideas, and I also like how Fey will examine her faults or assumptions, such as slipping into condescension when talking to Palin about New York backstage. It's nice to see anyone so willing to critically examine him or herself, and have the wit to make it a joy to read. Part of this is having the perspective that she has her dream job, and it, even at its most stressful, is way better than what most people have to deal with. At the end, Fey goes on a discourse of her thinking about whether to have a second child, and the balance between career and family. While this comes up in all manner of books, her thoughts on it were really nuanced and fascinating.(less)
This series has become incredibly strong. The mysteries surrounding the Planetary organization, its members, and its financier, come to the forefront....moreThis series has become incredibly strong. The mysteries surrounding the Planetary organization, its members, and its financier, come to the forefront. The story is very strong, and the art work is also very well executed.
This actually reminded me some of Patton Oswalt's talk of how nerd culture is too easy now. If I had to wait a month between each chapter, and reread each issue in anticipation, I imagine it would have been an even more riveting tale, and perhaps I would have picked up on some more of the clues. Even though I didn't, this was still an exceptional work. (less)
This book was endlessly fascinating, and really meticulously researched (almost 100 pages of notes). I hope everyone who has read this book walks away...moreThis book was endlessly fascinating, and really meticulously researched (almost 100 pages of notes). I hope everyone who has read this book walks away with a more realistic view of whether or not they are good drivers. In surveys, a majority feel they are better than average, which starting several years ago I realized I was not a good driver, merely one who has avoided crashes and tickets. The book also delved into really fascinating phenomena, such as why it always feels like the other lane is going faster in traffic, and how sometimes a lack of signs and bike lanes can make roads safer. The reason for this is since there is more uncertainty, people are more focused and ready to respond to the unexpected. The book also discusses the problems of communication and anonymity in cars, and the problems that causes such as misunderstood honking and hand signals, and how eye contact between drivers can seem uncomfortable while outside of a car it seems normal.
This book was a joy to read. Despite the sordid plot line, of a woman recounting her time as a teenager where she hired a man to hunt down her father'...moreThis book was a joy to read. Despite the sordid plot line, of a woman recounting her time as a teenager where she hired a man to hunt down her father's murderer and bring him to justice, the book has a light tone and can be very funny at times. I can not speak highly enough to the style of Charles Portis. It was an exceptionally quick read, and I look forward to seeing what the new Coen Brothers movie will do with such rich source material. This read has also piqued my interest in the old John Wayne version from a few decades back. (less)
Of the Raymond Chandler books I have read so far (the others being The Big Sleep and Farewell, My Lovely), I enjoyed this one the most. Part of this i...moreOf the Raymond Chandler books I have read so far (the others being The Big Sleep and Farewell, My Lovely), I enjoyed this one the most. Part of this is I took the time to reread the beginning after I realized I had missed or forgotten some information. I think I'm getting better at reading mysteries, and trying to keep up with Marlowe's reasoning on the case. This one had some superb writing, as well as including the term "antimacassar."
I also recently watched "The Big Lebowski" and seeing how the Coen Brothers channel their inner Chandler is pretty fun. (less)
This book is perfect for reading on a plane, which I did. JEt lag really brings home the issues of time and transportation. It's odd for me to realize...moreThis book is perfect for reading on a plane, which I did. JEt lag really brings home the issues of time and transportation. It's odd for me to realize how even the standard time zones are relatively recent invention, and only really necessary once railroads and transportation developed and people could move from town to town rapidly. It was fun to learn why the Eastern Time Zone kept expanding west, and how even now there are some issues with Daylight Saving Time.
It's also interesting to note how DST was really linked to war efforts for World War I and II. It has been such a piecemeal process, and the current national level DST has only really been around 50 years.(less)
This is the best volume I have read so far the second time around. While there are some zombies, the humans and their problems, prej...moreRereading these...
This is the best volume I have read so far the second time around. While there are some zombies, the humans and their problems, prejudices, and social dynamic are what makes this issue so good.(less)
This book was really fun. Much of the reason is that food is very interesting to me. While food at its core is just chemical energy to sustain life, i...moreThis book was really fun. Much of the reason is that food is very interesting to me. While food at its core is just chemical energy to sustain life, in reality it has such a greater impact on culture, language, medicine, and most of all our enjoyment of life.
It is really interesting of how spices had such an exotic allure, and a hefty price tag, which allowed three very small cities in Venice, Lisbon, and Amsterdam, to build great trade empires of such fancy luxury goods. It is also very neat to see how popular spices were in the medieval and Renaissance periods, but how they fell out of favor later in modern history. The author shows how it has come full circle though, with modern cuisine from all around the world causing Europeans to fall in love with spices all over again.(less)
I am amazed how solid this collection is. More remarkable is how much my own thinking about the world was either directly influenced by Calvin and Hob...moreI am amazed how solid this collection is. More remarkable is how much my own thinking about the world was either directly influenced by Calvin and Hobbes, or is mirrored by Bill Watterson. Perhaps it’s because I grew up so near to Chagrin Falls. I even used a quote from Calvin and Hobbes for my senior year book in high school.
This book was a very interesting read. Nothing of its content really shocked or amazed me (I think I had heard/read/known about much of it before), bu...moreThis book was a very interesting read. Nothing of its content really shocked or amazed me (I think I had heard/read/known about much of it before), but the was Pollan writes is very approachable, without being dumbed down. It makes you look at labels in the grocery store, and think about what you eat, why you eat it, and what the consequences of those decisions are. Thanks to my brother, for giving this as a Christmas gift.(less)
This book is a classic and I'm glad I finally reread it. There is something so heroic about struggling in utter futility. It's also nice to have lines...moreThis book is a classic and I'm glad I finally reread it. There is something so heroic about struggling in utter futility. It's also nice to have lines in the book about the Cleveland Indians being good. (less)
This is the greatest writing on sports, perhaps short of Terry Pluto, Chuck Klosterman, or Hunter S Thompson. The writing is clever and insightful, al...moreThis is the greatest writing on sports, perhaps short of Terry Pluto, Chuck Klosterman, or Hunter S Thompson. The writing is clever and insightful, although the editting is sub-par (There were a lot of typos missed). I have a new found appreciation for Tim Duncan, and Gilbert Arenas wrote the foreword.(less)
This is a great collection of character studies. The intertwining events in the lives of all the characters is well executed, and so many of the manne...moreThis is a great collection of character studies. The intertwining events in the lives of all the characters is well executed, and so many of the mannerisms Anderson describes one encounters everyday.(less)
This book was a strange reading experience. I worked slowly on the first half, over the course of months, but as the plot built up, through Kesey's pe...moreThis book was a strange reading experience. I worked slowly on the first half, over the course of months, but as the plot built up, through Kesey's periodic non-linear writing, I could not set the book down. The characters are all horribly flawed and often plain unlikeable. The reading was a visceral experience.(less)
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