As with Expecting Better, this is a data-driven book with an understanding that there’s (rarely) a single correct solution for everyone. A welcome antAs with Expecting Better, this is a data-driven book with an understanding that there’s (rarely) a single correct solution for everyone. A welcome antidote to both ignorance and pervasive judgmentalism....more
I can recommend this book for two reasons that don’t seem like they should go together.
First, it’s fun! The plot moves quickly, the characters are coI can recommend this book for two reasons that don’t seem like they should go together.
First, it’s fun! The plot moves quickly, the characters are competently drawn, and the action is solid. Think Tom Clancy, but with more jokes. I looked forward to getting back to it every time I picked up my iPad.
Second, though, it’s deeply disturbing. We’ve all played the “Here’s how I would cause maximum damage do if I were a terrorist” game, but Geraghty’s done it extremely well. Atarsa’s plan is simple, deadly, and unfolds in an absolutely chilling fashion, both for the characters and the reader.
Unsurprisingly, Geraghty’s also done his research.
(The one odd note was having two — two! — revived pagan religions; it’s an interesting idea and has some advantages for the story, but it’s also very strange.)
Very much hoping that the heavily-implied sequel comes out soon.
A funny and fascinating look into a very different method of parenting. The French may overdo things in some directions, but they’ve a lot of wisdom tA funny and fascinating look into a very different method of parenting. The French may overdo things in some directions, but they’ve a lot of wisdom that’s a welcome correction to Anglophone excess....more
It’s extremely rare to find an author who combines a data-driven approach with an understanding that there’s (rarely) a single correct solution for evIt’s extremely rare to find an author who combines a data-driven approach with an understanding that there’s (rarely) a single correct solution for everyone. A welcome antidote to both ignorance and pervasive judgmentalism. Can’t wait to start its sequel, Cribsheet....more
Far more fun than I expected — especially in the first four books — this is both an excellent entry point into classical Greece as well as a fascinatiFar more fun than I expected — especially in the first four books — this is both an excellent entry point into classical Greece as well as a fascinating, firsthand account of a 5th-century Greek army on the march. Especially interesting for anyone interested in the Hellenistic Era, where there are no similar, extant eye-witness accounts.
The iBooks edition had a disappointing number of typos for a full-priced book from a real publisher....more
This novella has a handful brilliant images and wonderfully-weird moments, but they're separated by dozens of pages of absurd schlock. When it’s good,This novella has a handful brilliant images and wonderfully-weird moments, but they're separated by dozens of pages of absurd schlock. When it’s good, it’s very good, but it’s more often quite bad.
In the right hands, it could make for a good graphic novel. Despite finding his work slightly underwhelming, I'm curious to see what I.N.J. Culbard has done with it....more
Mike has written a beautiful little book about what he's learned since his cancer diagnosis. Unsurprisingly, he packs a great deal of wisdom in a smalMike has written a beautiful little book about what he's learned since his cancer diagnosis. Unsurprisingly, he packs a great deal of wisdom in a small amount of space, and it's beautifully written, too.
You may cry (I did) but you'll be glad afterward....more
My first read of the series was just before the movies came out and -- despite having seen them repeatedly -- this was my first re-read. I'm simply inMy first read of the series was just before the movies came out and -- despite having seen them repeatedly -- this was my first re-read. I'm simply in awe of how rich, deep, and wonderful this is. It's truly marvelous....more
Arrian's text makes for some slow reading, but this is a superbly produced edition that -- between the text and the supporting materials -- really briArrian's text makes for some slow reading, but this is a superbly produced edition that -- between the text and the supporting materials -- really brings the campaign alive. Given that any reader is already likely somewhat familiar with the topic, the (excellent) appendixes might have been improved by being included before the text....more
I love these stories and these adaptations. If ASOIAF is the bent fantasy series, this is the straight version and they're wonderful.I love these stories and these adaptations. If ASOIAF is the bent fantasy series, this is the straight version and they're wonderful....more
I owe this a longer review, but Roberts' introduction to Smith's A Theory of Moral Sentiments is both charming and deeply thought provoking. To borrowI owe this a longer review, but Roberts' introduction to Smith's A Theory of Moral Sentiments is both charming and deeply thought provoking. To borrow Smith's language, it's lovely and should be well-loved....more
A strong companion to her Alexander Trilogy, this does several things the novels lacked. First, it lets Renault examine events the novels missed or glA strong companion to her Alexander Trilogy, this does several things the novels lacked. First, it lets Renault examine events the novels missed or glossed over, particularly the period between Alexander's ascension and the Battle of Issus. Second, it gives her space to explain how she evaluated conflicting sources about Alexander and made the judgement calls she did (though I agree with the conventional wisdom that Renault's judgement of Alexander overshot the mark, I don't think she missed by that much).
Third, it stands on its own -- and quite well at that -- as an illuminating and entertaining examination of one of the most remarkable personalities and adventures in history....more
Though it expanded the universe wonderfully -- getting the Grafter's' take on history was marvelous and earned an extra star on its own -- I left thisThough it expanded the universe wonderfully -- getting the Grafter's' take on history was marvelous and earned an extra star on its own -- I left this one underwhelmed. Odette is a good character, but Felicity is a crashing bore, and neither is half so much fun as Myfanwy was in The Rook (and is again here, in the scenes where she pops-up). Moreover, my reaction on encountering the main Big Twist was less excitement than a feeling that I'd been denied important information that I should have been provided earlier....more
After an extremely strong opening chapter -- its description of Victorian London is simply superb -- I quickly found myself drowning in details, namesAfter an extremely strong opening chapter -- its description of Victorian London is simply superb -- I quickly found myself drowning in details, names, theories, and counter-theories... and more details. As someone new to the topic, I needed a chapter-length introduction that provided an overview before delving into the (admittedly) difficult-to-write narrative. Unusually, I abandoned it halfway through....more
Fascinating look into the reason for the existence of sex and the under-rated influence of sex selection on both the animal kingdom and our own natureFascinating look into the reason for the existence of sex and the under-rated influence of sex selection on both the animal kingdom and our own nature....more
An absolutely delightful fantasy novel with an incredibly realized protagonist, solid world building, and a great story. What really made it stand outAn absolutely delightful fantasy novel with an incredibly realized protagonist, solid world building, and a great story. What really made it stand out, though was the humor: this book could totally have worked without being funny, but it's _so much better_ for being funny. Hilarious at times.
I also highly recommend Susan Duerden's superb audio reading....more
In general, Renault's fiction is regarded as historically accurate, and rightly so to my mind. This series is no exception in terms of how well she's In general, Renault's fiction is regarded as historically accurate, and rightly so to my mind. This series is no exception in terms of how well she's researched her subject and brought it to life, but her interpretation of Alexander is controversial and has been harshly criticized.
In brief, Renault presents Alexander as a truly exceptional human being, someone _rightly_ considered god-touched or even semi-divine. To be clear, Alexander is one of the few people in history you could make a plausible case for that being so -- and there's real evidence that both he and those who knew him at least considered the idea -- but it's very odd for a modern author to embrace it as Renault has done.
So, again, you're getting a vivid, historically-accurate, and highly-controversial take on one of history's biggest characters. And if you can't tell, I think it's fantastic....more
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