http://www.goodreads.com/review/list_rss/250795 en-US Wed, 04 Jun 2008 20:59:46 -0700 60 http://www.goodreads.com/ 200 41 http://www.goodreads.com/images/layout/gr_logo.gif 23740883 Wed, 04 Jun 2008 20:59:46 -0700
At its worst it's mean-spirited, and homophobic. In the end, a missed opportunity.]]>
author: Will Leitch
name: Chris
average rating: 3.54
book published: 2008
rating: 3
read at: 01/08
date added: 06/04/08
shelves: sports
review:
I'm pretty mixed on this book. At its best it's well-written, funny and takes a different look at sports (love the story about Chris Berman). Great stuff about ESPN. I laughed out loud. A lot.

At its worst it's mean-spirited, and homophobic. In the end, a missed opportunity.
]]> 23708895 Wed, 04 Jun 2008 20:53:28 -0700
Oh yeah--the content. The book is about how "behavioral residue"--the stuff we leave behind--can tell us a lot about a person's personality. Seems obvious, but his story provides lots of nuance and unexpected findings. You'll never look at a person's office/house/room the same way again.

]]>
author: Sam Gosling
name: Chris
average rating: 3.64
book published: 2008
rating: 5
read at: 06/08
date added: 06/04/08
shelves: nonfiction
review:
I love this book. Gosling shows that it is possible to have something interesting to say, base it on real research and be a great storyteller at the same time.

Oh yeah--the content. The book is about how "behavioral residue"--the stuff we leave behind--can tell us a lot about a person's personality. Seems obvious, but his story provides lots of nuance and unexpected findings. You'll never look at a person's office/house/room the same way again.


]]> 22725430 Wed, 21 May 2008 19:56:24 -0700
]]>
author: Allen Raymond
name: Chris
average rating: 3.75
book published: 2008
rating: 4
read at: 05/07
date added: 05/21/08
shelves: politics
review:
Account of the life of a recovering Republican operative who did some scuzzy stuff (including phone jamming). Fairly good read, but not amazing. The most interesting part to me was about the difficulty that northern, moderate economic conservatives had getting in with Newt Gingrich and his Southern strategy pals.


]]> 21884883 Thu, 08 May 2008 16:27:54 -0700
author: Larry M. Bartels
name: Chris
average rating: 5.00
book published: 2008
rating: 5
read at: 05/08
date added: 05/08/08
shelves:
review:
Thoughtful, careful treatment of the causes of inequality in America. You should read it, but in case you don't, I'll cut to the chase: The Republicans did it.
]]> 5120301 Thu, 24 Apr 2008 11:42:57 -0700
author: Jon Krakauer
name: Chris
average rating: 3.93
book published: 2007
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 04/24/08
shelves: nonfiction
review:
Fantastic book. I always love Kraukauer's writing. He does a great job of demonstrating how Mormans may appear wacky, but so do Christians, Buddhists, Muslims, or members of most any other religion. He's clearly an evangelical agnostic, but it's tough to argue with his history or facts, even if you disagree with his perspective.
]]> 17487062 Mon, 10 Mar 2008 21:14:19 -0700
One of the best books about politics I've ever read. Reminded me that (1) psychologists are smart and know stuff, (2) the Democratic party runs crappy campaigns, (3) the Democratic party doesn't have to run crappy campaigns.]]>
author: Drew Westen
name: Chris
average rating: 3.94
book published: 2007
rating: 5
read at: 02/08
date added: 03/10/08
shelves: politics
review:
Written by an Emory psychologist who does consulting work for the Democratic Party. The central premise is that to run a good campaign, you need to understand that voting decisions are made based on emotions, not (only) facts. Politicians that understand how to activate emotions win elections. This doesn't have to be unethical (in fact, he makes an argument that to ignore emotion is to be pretty unethical).

One of the best books about politics I've ever read. Reminded me that (1) psychologists are smart and know stuff, (2) the Democratic party runs crappy campaigns, (3) the Democratic party doesn't have to run crappy campaigns.
]]> 16239845 Sun, 24 Feb 2008 08:51:07 -0800
author: Derek Bok
name: Chris
average rating: 4.50
book published: 2008
rating: 5
read at: 06/07
date added: 02/24/08
shelves:
review:
Good book. Derek Bok is smart.
]]> 15074868 Tue, 12 Feb 2008 19:51:14 -0800
Despite all I like about this book, it's not without its problems. He's much better off when talking about his research than his own experiences--the personal memoir stuff doesn't work as well. I also hate the phrase "rogue sociologist." In fact, no one should call themselves a "rogue" anything. The end is also a bit weaker than the first half. Still--great book that made a real impact on me. Well worth reading.]]>
author: Sudhir Venkatesh
name: Chris
average rating: 3.96
book published: 2008
rating: 5
read at: 02/08
date added: 02/12/08
shelves: memoir, nonfiction
review:
Excellent, excellent account of Sudhir Venkatesh's time doing research on Chicago crack gangs. Some of it can be found in his other books, but this is by far the most readable account. I learned a ton from this book.

Despite all I like about this book, it's not without its problems. He's much better off when talking about his research than his own experiences--the personal memoir stuff doesn't work as well. I also hate the phrase "rogue sociologist." In fact, no one should call themselves a "rogue" anything. The end is also a bit weaker than the first half. Still--great book that made a real impact on me. Well worth reading.
]]> 11197757 Wed, 16 Jan 2008 13:24:04 -0800
author: James Patterson
name: Chris
average rating: 3.86
book published: 2008
rating: 4
read at: 01/08
date added: 01/16/08
shelves: fiction
review:
I like these books far more than I should. It's just like all of the others, but that's ok. They're fun.
]]> 11149828 Fri, 28 Dec 2007 08:52:43 -0800
author: Steve Martin
name: Chris
average rating: 3.85
book published: 2007
rating: 4
read at: 12/07
date added: 12/28/07
shelves: funny, memoir
review:
Short, funny, smart autobiography of Steve Martin.
]]> 8156632 Thu, 15 Nov 2007 07:06:21 -0800
The pitch of the book is that AJ Jacobs is an evangelical agnostic, but he's interested in spirituality and religion so he tries to follow all of the rules of the bible for one year. He sets out to do it so he can show how contriadictory the bible is. He does show that, but he also finds that spending time following the bible can help make you more religious (or at least more spiritual).

If you're the kind of person who thinks that you should probably be more religious, but you are pretty disgusted with the Jerry Faldwells of the world, then you'll probably like this book.]]>
author: A.J. Jacobs
name: Chris
average rating: 3.84
book published: 2007
rating: 4
read at: 11/07
date added: 11/15/07
shelves: memoir
review:
I really liked this book. It's pretty similar to the Know it All--writer decides to spend a year doing something dumb and writes about it. Along the way he cracks some jokes and learns some stuff and things about life.

The pitch of the book is that AJ Jacobs is an evangelical agnostic, but he's interested in spirituality and religion so he tries to follow all of the rules of the bible for one year. He sets out to do it so he can show how contriadictory the bible is. He does show that, but he also finds that spending time following the bible can help make you more religious (or at least more spiritual).

If you're the kind of person who thinks that you should probably be more religious, but you are pretty disgusted with the Jerry Faldwells of the world, then you'll probably like this book.
]]> 8971720 Sun, 11 Nov 2007 15:39:44 -0800
]]>
author: William Poundstone
name: Chris
average rating: 4.10
book published: 1993
rating: 4
read at: 01/01
date added: 11/11/07
shelves: nonfiction
review:
Very readable discussion of Von Neumann's weird life and the history of game theory. You learn a little bit about Von Neumann, a little bit about basic game theory and a little bit about how game theory has been used by policy makers.


]]> 8157489 Tue, 23 Oct 2007 19:16:12 -0700
author: A.J. Jacobs
name: Chris
average rating: 3.83
book published: 2005
rating: 0
read at: 04/07
date added: 10/23/07
shelves:
review:
I liked this book a lot. This is probably the closest I'll ever come to reading the entire encyclopedia.
]]> 5121381 Wed, 10 Oct 2007 07:39:30 -0700
author: Laurence Gonzales
name: Chris
average rating: 3.88
book published: 2004
rating: 3
read at: 10/07
date added: 10/10/07
shelves: outdoorstuff
review:
Good, but not great. The book has some great stories, but I'm not sure I have a better understanding of why some people make it and some don't. He does a great job writing about survival stories, but his explanations of the science of all of this is not as tight as it could be. He's better with the Krakauer stuff than the Gladwell stuff.
]]> 5676340 Tue, 04 Sep 2007 19:43:01 -0700
author: Cormac McCarthy
name: Chris
average rating: 3.93
book published: 1992
rating: 2
read at:
date added: 09/04/07
shelves: fiction
review:
I wish I liked it more. Some of the writing is undeniably beautiful, but it just didn't do it for me.
]]> 5676089 Tue, 04 Sep 2007 19:40:40 -0700
author: Tony Kornheiser
name: Chris
average rating: 3.69
book published: 1996
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 09/04/07
shelves: nonfiction
review:

]]> 5676092 Tue, 04 Sep 2007 19:39:52 -0700
author: Tony Kornheiser
name: Chris
average rating: 4.11
book published: 1997
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 09/04/07
shelves: columnists, nonfiction
review:

]]> 5676078 Tue, 04 Sep 2007 19:39:46 -0700
author: Tony Kornheiser
name: Chris
average rating: 3.88
book published: 2003
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 09/04/07
shelves:
review:

]]> 5122442 Tue, 04 Sep 2007 19:35:41 -0700
author: John Steinbeck
name: Chris
average rating: 3.93
book published: 2002
rating: 1
read at:
date added: 09/04/07
shelves: fiction
review:
I really didn't like this book. I know I should. I know it makes me low brow, but hey--if the brow fits...
]]> 5234867 Tue, 28 Aug 2007 11:44:19 -0700
author: David R. Mayhew
name: Chris
average rating: 3.00
book published: 2005
rating: 3
read at:
date added: 08/28/07
shelves: politicalscience
review:

]]> 5234845 Tue, 28 Aug 2007 11:43:52 -0700
author: Robert D. Putnam
name: Chris
average rating: 3.74
book published: 2003
rating: 2
read at:
date added: 08/28/07
shelves: politics
review:

]]> 5234819 Tue, 28 Aug 2007 11:43:47 -0700
author: Robert D. Putnam
name: Chris
average rating: 4.50
book published: 1993
rating: 4
read at: 01/97
date added: 08/28/07
shelves: politicalscience
review:
The precursor to Bowling Alone. Better research, tougher read.
]]> 5234636 Tue, 28 Aug 2007 11:43:09 -0700
author: Robert D. Putnam
name: Chris
average rating: 3.59
book published: 2000
rating: 4
read at: 01/99
date added: 08/28/07
shelves: politicalscience
review:
I don't always agree with it, but anyone concerned with American society today needs to wrestle with Putnam's data and conclusions. Be sure to also read his book on Italy for the precursor to this one. Also--make sure to read the Ladd Report for a fantastic response to Putnam.
]]> 5122259 Sat, 25 Aug 2007 22:27:23 -0700
author: Marshall Chapman
name: Chris
average rating: 3.82
book published: 2004
rating: 3
read at:
date added: 08/25/07
shelves: music
review:
Great idea for a book (tying the songs in with stories of her life). Some of the stories are better than others, but Marshall Chapman's lived a pretty amazing life. If you're reading this review, you probably like Marshall Chapman. You should read this.
]]> 5122812 Sat, 25 Aug 2007 22:22:28 -0700
author: Bill Simmons
name: Chris
average rating: 4.00
book published: 2006
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 08/25/07
shelves: sports
review:
Smartest sports writer around.
]]> 5122741 Sat, 25 Aug 2007 22:21:43 -0700
author: David Walsh
name: Chris
average rating: 3.68
book published: 2007
rating: 3
read at:
date added: 08/25/07
shelves: cycling
review:
The stories about Lance and Landis are the least interesting parts about this book. The stories from former cyclists about how they got involved in doping, however, are extremely interesting and valuable for cycling fans. The chapter about Andreau is worth the price of the book alone.
]]> 5122709 Sat, 25 Aug 2007 22:19:21 -0700
author: Floyd Landis
name: Chris
average rating: 3.85
book published: 2007
rating: 3
read at:
date added: 08/25/07
shelves: cycling
review:
Not sure whether he's guilty or not, but after reading this book, I do have a reasonable doubt. All cycling fans should read this and decide for themselves.
]]> 5122677 Sat, 25 Aug 2007 22:18:09 -0700
author: Peter Guralnick
name: Chris
average rating: 4.23
book published: 1999
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 08/25/07
shelves: music
review:

]]> 5122441 Sat, 25 Aug 2007 22:11:44 -0700
author: John Steinbeck
name: Chris
average rating: 3.79
book published: 1937
rating: 3
read at:
date added: 08/25/07
shelves: fiction
review:

]]> 5122338 Sat, 25 Aug 2007 22:08:53 -0700
author: Paul Luebke
name: Chris
average rating: 3.00
book published: 1998
rating: 3
read at:
date added: 08/25/07
shelves: politicalscience
review:

]]> 5122308 Sat, 25 Aug 2007 22:08:29 -0700
author: Peter Cooper
name: Chris
average rating: 5.00
book published: 1997
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 08/25/07
shelves: music
review:
Charlotte--why haven't you reviewed this yet?
]]> 5122126 Sat, 25 Aug 2007 22:03:26 -0700
author: Barbara Ehrenreich
name: Chris
average rating: 3.66
book published: 2001
rating: 1
read at:
date added: 08/25/07
shelves: nonfiction
review:
Waiters and other low-level service employees get screwed. Agreed.
]]> 5122091 Sat, 25 Aug 2007 22:02:48 -0700
author: Bernard Goldberg
name: Chris
average rating: 3.38
book published: 2003
rating: 2
read at:
date added: 08/25/07
shelves: politics
review:
give me some freaking data if you're going to make this argument.
]]> 5122080 Sat, 25 Aug 2007 22:01:09 -0700
author: Damodar N Gujarati
name: Chris
average rating: 3.00
book published: 2002
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 08/25/07
shelves: politicalscience
review:

]]> 5122058 Sat, 25 Aug 2007 22:00:20 -0700
author: Peter Bearman
name: Chris
average rating: 4.00
book published: 2005
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 08/25/07
shelves: nonfiction
review:

]]> 5122045 Sat, 25 Aug 2007 21:59:37 -0700
author: The Baseball Prospectus Team of Experts
name: Chris
average rating: 4.07
book published: 2007
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 08/25/07
shelves: sports
review:

]]> 5121999 Sat, 25 Aug 2007 21:59:08 -0700
author: Louis Sachar
name: Chris
average rating: 4.06
book published: 2000
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 08/25/07
shelves: fiction
review:
I really enjoyed this book. Clever writing.
]]> 5121976 Sat, 25 Aug 2007 21:57:34 -0700
author: Timothy E. Cook
name: Chris
average rating: 3.50
book published: 2005
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 08/25/07
shelves: politicalscience
review:
Not much to argue with here except that he conflates governmental institutions with political institutions. Otherwise, a well-argued, well-researched book.
]]> 5121943 Sat, 25 Aug 2007 21:56:05 -0700
author: Edmund Morris
name: Chris
average rating: 3.15
book published: 1999
rating: 3
read at:
date added: 08/25/07
shelves:
review:
Still not sure what I think about the narrative style.
]]> 5121916 Sat, 25 Aug 2007 21:55:07 -0700
author: Richard L. Hall
name: Chris
average rating: 4.00
book published: 1998
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 08/25/07
shelves: politicalscience
review:
Clever research design. Examining voting behavior in Congress is fraught with problems and this book shows some excellent alternatives.
]]> 5121884 Sat, 25 Aug 2007 21:53:41 -0700
author: James M. Glaser
name: Chris
average rating: 4.00
book published: 1998
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 08/25/07
shelves: politicalscience
review:
Extremely underrated book.
]]> 5121863 Sat, 25 Aug 2007 21:53:08 -0700
author: Richard F. Fenno
name: Chris
average rating: 4.50
book published: 2002
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 08/25/07
shelves: politicalscience
review:
Best book ever written about how members of Congress act outside of Washington.
]]> 5121722 Sat, 25 Aug 2007 21:48:14 -0700
author: James Patterson
name: Chris
average rating: 3.89
book published: 2001
rating: 3
read at:
date added: 08/25/07
shelves: fiction
review:

]]> 5121721 Sat, 25 Aug 2007 21:48:13 -0700
author: James Patterson
name: Chris
average rating: 3.87
book published: 2002
rating: 3
read at:
date added: 08/25/07
shelves: fiction
review:

]]> 5121720 Sat, 25 Aug 2007 21:48:11 -0700
author: James Patterson
name: Chris
average rating: 3.89
book published: 2008
rating: 3
read at:
date added: 08/25/07
shelves: fiction
review:

]]> 5121719 Sat, 25 Aug 2007 21:48:08 -0700
author: James Patterson
name: Chris
average rating: 3.85
book published: 2003
rating: 3
read at:
date added: 08/25/07
shelves: fiction
review:

]]> 5121718 Sat, 25 Aug 2007 21:48:07 -0700
author: James Patterson
name: Chris
average rating: 3.90
book published: 2000
rating: 3
read at:
date added: 08/25/07
shelves: fiction
review:

]]> 5121716 Sat, 25 Aug 2007 21:48:06 -0700
author: James Patterson
name: Chris
average rating: 3.73
book published: 2001
rating: 3
read at:
date added: 08/25/07
shelves: fiction
review:

]]> 5121713 Sat, 25 Aug 2007 21:48:02 -0700
author: James Patterson
name: Chris
average rating: 3.75
book published: 2005
rating: 3
read at:
date added: 08/25/07
shelves: fiction
review:

]]> 5121712 Sat, 25 Aug 2007 21:48:00 -0700
author: James Patterson
name: Chris
average rating: 3.92
book published: 2006
rating: 3
read at:
date added: 08/25/07
shelves: fiction
review:

]]> 5121710 Sat, 25 Aug 2007 21:47:58 -0700
author: James Patterson
name: Chris
average rating: 3.91
book published: 2006
rating: 3
read at:
date added: 08/25/07
shelves: fiction
review:

]]> 5121707 Sat, 25 Aug 2007 21:47:55 -0700
author: James Patterson
name: Chris
average rating: 3.92
book published: 2005
rating: 3
read at:
date added: 08/25/07
shelves: fiction
review:

]]> 5121706 Sat, 25 Aug 2007 21:47:52 -0700
author: James Patterson
name: Chris
average rating: 3.75
book published: 2002
rating: 3
read at:
date added: 08/25/07
shelves: fiction
review:

]]> 5121705 Sat, 25 Aug 2007 21:47:51 -0700
author: James Patterson
name: Chris
average rating: 3.88
book published: 2000
rating: 3
read at:
date added: 08/25/07
shelves: fiction
review:

]]> 5121666 Sat, 25 Aug 2007 21:46:22 -0700
author: Harper Lee
name: Chris
average rating: 4.37
book published: 2006
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 08/25/07
shelves:
review:

]]> 5121664 Sat, 25 Aug 2007 21:46:18 -0700
author: Scott Turow
name: Chris
average rating: 3.31
book published: 1978
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 08/25/07
shelves: memoir
review:

]]> 5121661 Sat, 25 Aug 2007 21:46:11 -0700