I originally read this (and the entire series) probably as a pre-teen and loved it. For some reason I remembered this as a children's book so I never...moreI originally read this (and the entire series) probably as a pre-teen and loved it. For some reason I remembered this as a children's book so I never bothered to re-read it until now. It turns out this is not a juvenile book and I'm happy to say it has held up well.
What I find especially interesting is reading these tales of veterinary medicine as it was in the 1930s and 40s, but with the bit of medical knowledge I have now (that I didn't have as a kid). Now I'm really able to appreciate how far modern medicine has come, and how much better things are.(less)
It was an excellent, comprehensive look at the damage we are causing to our planet. The author goes into de...moreThis book was both excellent and horrible.
It was an excellent, comprehensive look at the damage we are causing to our planet. The author goes into detail about how things are changing here on Earth due purely to the actions of mankind, and as a result, we are now living on a planet different from the one we evolved on; he calls this "new" planet "Eaarth." In all the reading I have done about conservation, climate change, anthropogenic changes, and the like, this is the first thing I've read that has gathered all of that information and data and then some in one (well-written) place.
It was a horrible book because in reading it you discover just how much damage we have done, and are continuing to do to Planet Earth. It's scary to know what has happened, what *is* happening, and what will happen if we don't do something about it, and quickly.
Eaarth should be required reading for every policymaker, every politician, and certainly every person who refuses to acknowledge climate change. Heck, it should be required reading for every citizen of Earth.(less)
While I knew the gist of this book I had never actually read it before now. It's a great story. Typical of other tales written in the 1800s and early...moreWhile I knew the gist of this book I had never actually read it before now. It's a great story. Typical of other tales written in the 1800s and early 1900s, the language leans towards the flowery and over-dramatic, and the pace is somewhat slow. It doesn't make it a bad book--that's just the way things were back then--but because of that I found it a bit tedious at times.(less)
I've heard of Steller's sea cow and I've seen Steller's jays and Steller's sea lions, but I knew nothing about the man Steller himself. Now, thanks to...moreI've heard of Steller's sea cow and I've seen Steller's jays and Steller's sea lions, but I knew nothing about the man Steller himself. Now, thanks to this meticulously researched book, I do.
Georg Steller was a German who, along with Vitus Bering (of Bering Strait fame), was one of the first Europeans to set foor on the western coast of North America, and was the first naturalist/biologist to explore the natural world of Alaska and the Aleutian Islands. It turns out Steller was a prodigious naturalist, collecting, cataloguing, and documenting whatever he could in the relatively short time he had to explore this "new world." His descriptions of the Steller's sea cow--along with one of the unique bone samples he collected and a couple skeletons in museums--all that remains of the now-extinct 30 foot-long animal.
This is also an adventure tale of an ill-fated sea journey that resulted in the death of Bering and dozens of other sea men. It helps you realize just how difficult sailing and navigation on the sea was before the advent of motors.(less)
In 1995 the Willard Psychiatric Center in upstate New York closed down, and over 400 suitcases full of the belongings of former inmates/patients were...moreIn 1995 the Willard Psychiatric Center in upstate New York closed down, and over 400 suitcases full of the belongings of former inmates/patients were found in an attic. The suitcases were saved, meticulously catalogued, and a select few were featured here. But rather than just list the contents of the individual suitcases what the authors have done ten years of research to try and discover the actual people who owned them.
Prior to the advent of modern mental health therapies in the 1960s or so, if you happened to have a psychiatric disorder there was a good chance you might be committed to a facility. For life. These case histories are as fascinating as they are scary, as you learn about people who were committed because of something like a loud outburst ... and then proceeded to spend the next 60 or 70 years of their life in an institution despite the lack of actual symptoms in their medical charts.
There is also an exhibition of these suitcases at the Exploratorium in San Francisco (as of April 2013), and more info about the project is here: http://www.suitcaseexhibit.org/.(less)
The last time I read this was at least 20, if not 30, years ago. It was long enough ago that I remembered no details of the story. Turns out that it's...moreThe last time I read this was at least 20, if not 30, years ago. It was long enough ago that I remembered no details of the story. Turns out that it's not the greatest book, but it certainly is a classic and I'm glad I re-read it.
It's fun to look back on this from 2013. The book was originally written in 1967(!) and I probably first read it in the late 70s. Back then the year 2000 was still the distant future. But in Logan's Run 2000 was almost 300 years in the past, the year the "world population spiraled toward six billion" and the Compulsory Birth Control Act was put into place. Heh.(less)
On a whim, a 30 year old woman interviews for a job as a morgue technician and is offered the position. She takes it because it seems like the right s...moreOn a whim, a 30 year old woman interviews for a job as a morgue technician and is offered the position. She takes it because it seems like the right sort of job for her, and ends up fascinated with the work. This covers some of the things she saw and dealt with during her first year on the job.
The book is rather interesting but I feel the author spends too much time going off on tangents. Yes, I understand that a writer might want to include a bit of their personal life to round out a book like this, but pages and pages talking about how many bars she went to is unnecessary, as is the better part of a chapter talking about the anxiety she felt leading up to a (voluntary) certification test. Admitting you're nervous is fine, but expounding upon how you had your mom accompany you to the big city for a test makes us lose faith in you as a mature adult.(less)
The last last I read this book was about 14-15 years ago, so I didn't remember it at all this time. And that's okay--it's like reading a new book! Wha...moreThe last last I read this book was about 14-15 years ago, so I didn't remember it at all this time. And that's okay--it's like reading a new book! What I didn't realize the first time 'round is the book is somewhat autobiographical. Vonnegut actually was a WWII POW in Dresden, and did witness (and survive, obviously) the firebombing. The parts about time travel, well, maybe that's not so true :)(less)
Africa has such a treasure in its wildlife, yet most native people consider that wildlife a nuisance and/or a meal, so they have no qualms about destr...moreAfrica has such a treasure in its wildlife, yet most native people consider that wildlife a nuisance and/or a meal, so they have no qualms about destroying it. But occasionally there are people who recognize the animals for the value they have in just being animals, and work to save them. This is the story of one of those people, and the Harnas Wildlife Foundation she started, as told by someone who visited and volunteered there and just couldn't get the place out of her head. I loved reading this enough that now I want to go and spend a few weeks volunteering there myself.(less)
This is an in-depth analysis of animal consciousness with an attempt to compare it to our own. But I take issue with the way the author scrutinizes th...moreThis is an in-depth analysis of animal consciousness with an attempt to compare it to our own. But I take issue with the way the author scrutinizes the information with which he is working. For instance, in the (lengthy) introduction he expounds on the book's title by saying "If a lion could talk, we could probably understand him. He just would not be a lion any more; or rather, his mind would no longer be a lion's mind." Well, sure, if a lion had the ability to speak and understand English he would be a very different creature, but that's not what is meant when one thinks out loud, "Hmm, if that lion could speak right now, what would he say?" I feel the author is too hung up on semantics, and that was pervasive throughout the book. I would have loved to instead see this same basic material presented by someone who wasn't so obviously out to discount it all.(less)
I had to read this book for a conservation biology class and I'm glad I did. I've known Wilson was an important and talented scientist, but he's also...moreI had to read this book for a conservation biology class and I'm glad I did. I've known Wilson was an important and talented scientist, but he's also a great writer and conservationist as well. Here he looks at complex and difficult topics such as what our biosphere is worth and why should we save it as he brings to light a host of supporting information and case studies. Published in 2002 Wilson then spoke of the deteriorating state of our planet and now, well, now it's eleven years and almost a billion people later and nothing has been done.
All in all I felt this was an unbiased yet heartfelt plea that offers solutions for saving this rock we call home.(less)
Interesting and amusing book about why. Why do trains have a caboose? Why does orange juice taste bad after brushing your teeth? Why does popcorn pop?...moreInteresting and amusing book about why. Why do trains have a caboose? Why does orange juice taste bad after brushing your teeth? Why does popcorn pop? My only complaint is that there are no references.(less)
Before picking up this book I never realized what a prolific author Irving was. While I really just wanted to read "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" I end...moreBefore picking up this book I never realized what a prolific author Irving was. While I really just wanted to read "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" I ended up also reading "Rip Van Winkle" (since it's a classic), and a couple other tales. I quickly discovered that I had no interest in reading all the short stories because the writing style from this time period, the early 1800s, is quite different from what we are used to today. That certainly doesn't make it bad, but it's just not my style.
If you are interested in reading Irving this particular edition contains quite a bit of information about him, and appears to be high-quality and true to the original works.(less)
Sacks is a neurologist with a particular interest in hallucinations, in part spurred by his own drug use in the 60s. In the course of his professional...moreSacks is a neurologist with a particular interest in hallucinations, in part spurred by his own drug use in the 60s. In the course of his professional studies he has discovered that hallucinations--aural and sensory as well as visual--are much more common that we realize. (For instance, did you know that the ringing in your ears is a hallucination?) The author delves into the variety of reasons one might experience hallucination, and traces interesting commonalities between hallucinations with similar etiologies. He also hypothesizes that hallucinations are the actual source of the "voices" and "images" people experience when they think they've received some sort of message from god. I found the book interesting, but at the same time I realized the fragility of the human mind and was a bit worried that I might start seeing things.(less)
I've had this book ever since I was a child, and recently came across it as I was moving. I gave it another read for old time's sake. It's the story o...moreI've had this book ever since I was a child, and recently came across it as I was moving. I gave it another read for old time's sake. It's the story of a logger who finds an orphaned cougar cub and adopts him, but the cougar grows up lonely without the companionship of his own species. At least, until he sees a girl cougar outside his enclosure...(less)
A somewhat science-fictiony tale taking place in a plausible dystopian not-too-distant future when the multi-billionaire creator of an extremely popul...moreA somewhat science-fictiony tale taking place in a plausible dystopian not-too-distant future when the multi-billionaire creator of an extremely popular videogame-cum-virtual reality world dies with no heirs and leaves his fortune to whomever can find the easter egg hidden in the massive game. Since this creator grew up in and loved the 80s the book is filled with pop culture references, and since my formative years were the 80s I found this a lot of fun! It was a light, yet engaging and thoroughly entertaining read.(less)
A Tiffany Aching Adventure, book one. This series takes place on Discworld and includes at least two of the same characters, yet it is considered a se...moreA Tiffany Aching Adventure, book one. This series takes place on Discworld and includes at least two of the same characters, yet it is considered a separate series from those books. The Tiffany Aching series is supposed to be for young adults, but I don't find much difference between these and the Discworldbooks--maybe fewer puns, but Pratchett's writing style is pretty much the same. Oops, I read book one after reading two and three. But it's just as well; I felt the adventure that made up the meat of this book went on for too long and I never really got into it. If I had read this book first I may not have bothered to continue with the series. I guess I have a low tolerance for some aspect of that particular escapade.(less)
A Tiffany Aching Adventure, book three. This series takes place on Discworld and includes at least two of the same characters, yet it is considered a...moreA Tiffany Aching Adventure, book three. This series takes place on Discworld and includes at least two of the same characters, yet it is considered a separate series from those books. The Tiffany Aching series is supposed to be for young adults, but I don't find much difference between these and the Discworldbooks--maybe fewer puns, but Pratchett's writing style is pretty much the same.(less)
A Tiffany Aching Adventure, book two. This series takes place on Discworld and includes at least two of the same characters, yet it is considered a se...moreA Tiffany Aching Adventure, book two. This series takes place on Discworld and includes at least two of the same characters, yet it is considered a separate series from those books. The Tiffany Aching series is supposed to be for young adults, but I don't find much difference between these and the Discworldbooks--maybe fewer puns, but Pratchett's writing style is pretty much the same. This was my favourite of the three in the series I've read so far.(less)
This was my first experience with Banks, and this particular book was recommended to me as a good example of his work. I had a hard time getting into...moreThis was my first experience with Banks, and this particular book was recommended to me as a good example of his work. I had a hard time getting into it; it took me the first one-third of the book to figure out what was going on, and a bit more to care about the story. After I got halfway or so I enjoyed the story, but now I'm wondering if I came in during the middle of a series, which would explain a lot.
The blurb on the back of this book makes it seem much more exciting than it really is. While the story here might be original (an area of this world i...moreThe blurb on the back of this book makes it seem much more exciting than it really is. While the story here might be original (an area of this world is being physically warped and changed by the mind of a god who is going insane, and a group of sorcerers attempt to stop it) in practice I found it to be very mediocre. I couldn't get past some of the character names verging on silly--Dilvish, Tualua--and honestly I finished the book just because it was short and I needed something to read.(less)
Written by a zoology professor and ornithologist, Bird Sense delves into the sensory systems of birds in an interesting and enjoyable way. With one ch...moreWritten by a zoology professor and ornithologist, Bird Sense delves into the sensory systems of birds in an interesting and enjoyable way. With one chapter devoted to each of the (known) senses of birds--sight, hearing, touch, taste, smell, magnetic sense--plus a chapter on emotions, Birkhead dispels many of the myths and misinformation that so many people have about birds. He cites not only his lifetime of study, but also other valid experiments showing that birds have quite a range of sensory perception for which they've never really been given proper credit. For instance, did you know there are birds that can navigate via echolocation? I didn't either, but it turns out there are!(less)
This is the tale of a 100-year-old man who climbed out the window of his nursing home and disappeared. Well, disappeared in the eyes of the police and...moreThis is the tale of a 100-year-old man who climbed out the window of his nursing home and disappeared. Well, disappeared in the eyes of the police and nursing home attendants. It's the story of lifelong adventure, honest communication, meeting world leaders, and a bunch of strangers becoming fast friends and unintentional millionaires. Sure, there's a bit of murder involved and an elephant, as well as a murder by an elephant, but hey, you gotta do what you gotta do. All in all this is an easy, fun read.(less)
As an avid diver I enjoy reading about what others in the diving world have experienced. In this book there are are quite a variety of tales (includin...moreAs an avid diver I enjoy reading about what others in the diving world have experienced. In this book there are are quite a variety of tales (including a few only tangentially diving-related) that have been compiled by the author; some he has personally experienced and others he has collected during his years of diving. And yes, many of them are interesting. But the reason I gave this book such a low rating is it is so poorly written. Each of the over 60 anecdotes here read like someone had taken words, dumped them onto the page, and liberally sprinkled commas atop. Often the stories are written in disjointed chunks instead of an expected order, and they're often concluded with a partial thought leaving you wondering if you skipped a page somewhere. Many times I reached the end of a chapter and was left hanging because it felt as though the paragraph had simply been chopped off rather than it coming to a tidy conclusion. But to me the worst part is that the author has fallen prey to a novice writer's error: Too many commas. So many, in fact, that this book is quite difficult to read and, as such, I marked it down at least one full star. Bantin inserts commas not only between independent clauses but often right in the middle of a phrase! It's hard to believe he is a magazine editor himself. I wanted to like this book, I really did, and I do respect Bantin's place in the diving community. I just wish he had a copyeditor. (less)
This is a book about (Asiatic) lions and (Amur/Siberian) tigers and (European brown) bears (as well as saltwater crocodiles), oh my! Quammen takes an...moreThis is a book about (Asiatic) lions and (Amur/Siberian) tigers and (European brown) bears (as well as saltwater crocodiles), oh my! Quammen takes an interesting and thorough look at these apex predators, their roles in the ecosystem, their relationships with native peoples and how that has been affected by the encroachment of the "modern" world, as well as the outlook for the species' long-term survival. One interesting thread connecting these particular predators is that they have all been known to consume humans, and the author explores how being eaten happens to be a very primal fear in humans, and how that colors our opinion of certain animals.
However, I don't understand how the first part of the title, Monster of God, relates to the book.(less)
Cute and funny, this cartoon book stands on its own, separate from the Simon's Cat videos. Tofield has drawn the comics to work in printed form, and w...moreCute and funny, this cartoon book stands on its own, separate from the Simon's Cat videos. Tofield has drawn the comics to work in printed form, and while there are one or two which were taken from video ideas, these seem to be mostly new adventures and antics. (less)
Cute and funny, this cartoon book stands on its own, separate from the Simon's Cat videos. Tofield has drawn the comics to work in printed form, and w...moreCute and funny, this cartoon book stands on its own, separate from the Simon's Cat videos. Tofield has drawn the comics to work in printed form, and while there are one or two which were taken from video ideas, these seem to be mostly new adventures and antics. Contains a few pages created especially for American readers, with American wildlife.(less)
The fictional story of a writer who, in the process of tracking down and interviewing the adult children of atom bomb creator Felix Hoenikker, travels...moreThe fictional story of a writer who, in the process of tracking down and interviewing the adult children of atom bomb creator Felix Hoenikker, travels to the Caribbean island of San Lorenzo and discovers the physicist has created the potentially world-destroying substance ice-nine. During the course of the book the writer abandons his idea for a book about Hoenniker and gets quite involved with what's happening on the island.
Others have described this as "satirical commentary on modern man" which I do see in its pages, but the tale didn't have as much impact on me as it did on others.(less)
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