Bakunin > Recent Status Updates

I am interested in the mythic story telling, especially that of Cain and Abel. JP does digress constantly which is annoying. He also seems to somehow to relate Christianity to classical liberalism which seems partly odd. There exists a wide range of political systems which remain christians. My main beef with JP is that he often extrapolates too much. I would concede however that his interpretations are interesting.

Mostly present anecdotal evidence but doesn't really go indepth into the studies themselves. I am also annoyed by how things are presented in black and white (eg. its better to pursue relationships than to pursue a career).

Funny. Haven't read a memoir from that period so it is interesting reading about how New York culture was transformed due to the influx of Europeans.

Amazing. I rarely read poetry but once I do I am reminded of what art really is. And what it means to me. At least if the poetry in question has this caliber. This is TS Eliots last great work and a great one at that. Very spiritual. Epic.

Disappointing. I wasn't expecting that much though to be honest. It proved to be an easy read so far but Rushdies memoirs frequently name drop famous authors, thinkers etc which I find offputting. I was more interested in hearing his thoughts on free speech and how this brutal attack on his life has affected his world view.

This is an insider story about the excesses of Wallstreet during the 80's. I was hoping to read more about the business side but so far its mostly about backstabbing and manipulation.

A little disappointed. My parents really recommended this non-fiction work but maybe it will get better. It was interesting to learn how ethnically diverse such places as Lviv were (and that they changed name several times depending on whether Germans, Russians or Ukranians ran the city). I am looking forward to reading about the origins of genocide however.

Its quite an enjoyable read. This a memoir of a writers life and about her process. I wonder if all writers start writing without any idea of where their story is going (as Shapiro claims).

So far a very enjoyable read! The story revolves around a family and what happens to the dynamics of that family once a 'monster' is born.

A little too much biography of famous startups. I was excpecting more given the interesting start of the book (but I guess most non-fiction books are too long).

Economist recognize two great institutions of capitalism: the market and the firm. Now it appears that the author Mallaby has found a third one: venture capital. VC is somewhere between the two: more than centralized corporate R&D departments and more than isolated individuals working out of their garage. Very interesting! I also interpret this as providing some evidence for believing Rothbards views on banking.

Funny. Aristophanes manages to blend high with low culture; reminds me a little of Monty Python although Aristophanes is probably more bawdy. I wish there was an anarchist like Aristophanes working today to satirize the political figures (as well as climate) of today.

This is a very erudite study. One pet peeve: the authors do not emphasize Murray Rothbards contribution to the study of economics, instead viewing him more as a political philosopher who's influence on the libertarian stage cannot be understated. Rothbard did contribute to the Austrian theory: he differed from Mises in his views on monopolies but also managed to clarify essential steps in the production process.

I'm struggling to get through this. I liked Milosz other writing but this is a sort of want to be Tom Sawyer-esque magical realist depiction of a childhood in Lithuania. I'm only reading it because we it in my book club.

Interesting. I have read a lot about the subject yet have never read anything that gave me quite the same perspective as I got from reading this book. Chief takeaway is the difference between the libertarians who come from the states and their european counterpart: american libertarians react against slavery whereas europeans react against the onslought of socialism.

Erudite. Makes me want to read more Thucidides! The book explores what happens when a rising power questions a ruling power and what happens to the balance of power between them. In 12 out of 16 cases in the last 500 years this led to war.

This book is aimed at the midlevel/advanced pianostudent. The tips are useful but you could probably get the same thing out of watching a video on youtube. But as I had recently started playing piano again and did notice some pain in my fingers I wanted to go to the source. A few sites recommended this book. The author is German and tends to get a bit too long-winded.

Interesting bio of the founder of the EU. I am trying to see the EU from my normal perspective (which is very critical) and understand how this man (who was not elected) managed to create this large institution. His life is essentially a story about how power works and how you can create massive changes in politics with the right ideas, will as well as connections.

This is the memoir of a woman growing up as a daughter to a diplomat and the author attempts to describe what its like to grow up in a culture other than the one your parents are from. Who am I? As I too am a "third culture kid" I found many aspects relatable. The author manages to capture the alienation as well as the more positive sides (eg. having ones identity enriched by a multiplicity of cultural perspectives)

Compelling case for the value of reflecting on basic existential question in the midst of life. The author mixes philosophy, self-help and some interesting studies on where the "midlife crisis" actually exists. I enjoyed Setiyas discussion of Mill and Aristotles view of happiness. I found myself being highly critical of the existence of a so called "paradox of egoism".

Very entertaining.

The ultimate insider analysis of the fall of the roman empire. This particular selection of letters contain an emotional side of Cicero not seen in his published works. Its the first time I read anything by Cicero but really enjoye reading it. It would of course be even better to be able to read it in latin (which my mother for school).

Interesting along with some surprising findings. I hope to they get to more a theory explaining male and female behavior. So far it has been mostly conjectures.

Interesting portrait of the elite universities at the time (50's England & USA). I found myself slightly angry at Parfit for arguing against a privat education while at the same time reaping the benefits of just that. Parfit seemed to have an amazing talent for everything. I wonder if he would've chosen to focus on philosophy had the elite education he was part of been different.

Very interesting portrait of what is like to be a sociopath. You sometimes have to take her with a grain of salt (which is always the case with writing which is subjective). I found it fascinating how she desperately wants to connect to other people yet she finds herself unable as she does not experience normal emotions. She lives in a state of apathy and anxiety (caused by pressures to conform).

Charming work by the pianist Alfred Brendel! Brendel provides insights as to how to best interpret classical pieces while keeping the tone light. Very enjoyable.

Enchanting. First novel by the Swedish author Agneta Pleijel centers about her grandfather Abel - a painter and adventurer. The style is poetic and moving.