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Fantastic book. John Snow was absolutely an amazing man -- finding a theory, using statistics to prove it, convincing the government to act, then helping rid the modern world of one of the most deadly diseases -- awesome. Steven Johnson does a great job of telling this story, with a bit of history, a bit of back story, a bit of science and great pacing. Worth a read.
14 October 2012
Book - The Victorian Internet
Very interesting and the parallels to our modern day internet are astounding. I felt that Standage didn't need to point out so many of these similarities as they will not date well; however, you can clearly see how the telegraph changed the world and how the internet is doing the same. At the same time, you see how people are people -- scheming, loving, misunderstanding, etc...
10 October 2012
Book - The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared
I loved this book. I love the understated sense of humour, the irony, the characters. I laughed out loud page after page. It is impossible and fun, highly recommended.
28 September 2012
Book - The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao
Well, you don't win the Pulitzer by mistake. This book was pretty amazing. There was a lot of Spanish (my wife claims most of it was filthy) and a lot of sci-fi references. But it was great.
I think the end was the only flaw... a bit to much effort on Oscars side to explain the fuku... and too many loose ends to tie up, but still, really well done. I definitely recommend it.
10 September 2012
Book - A Dance with Dragons (Song of Ice and Fire)
I can't recall my previous reviews, but this was everything I love and hate about Martin. Love the characters and atmosphere, but he utterly fails to follow a plot, understand how to make people love a hero or underdog, resolve conflicts. And, he kills off one of the last heroes left at the end... so, I guess I say... 'fuck you George' and I will NOT BE READING ANOTHER WORD FROM THIS MAN.
7 September 2012
Book - 1491
Thought provoking, well researched, hopefully transformative, this book tries to set the record straight on what the 'new' world was live before and shortly after the 'old' world arrived. I learned much. If there was a flaw, the book didn't spend enough time explaining what happened after 1491. Luckily there is a second book, 1493 to explain all.
15 August 2012
Book - The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry
Loved this book... Angela read it and passed it over... when she does this, I know it is good. It was funny, uplifting and interesting. I don't know why I hadn't heard of it, but I recommend it.
15 May 2012
Book - A Storm of Swords
Clearly starting to loose the _plot_ ... get it? There is no arc... no plan, great characters that you can only kill off at their peak of power and interest.
21 March 2012
Book - A Feast for Crows (Song of Ice and Fire)
Great characters that have _nothing_ to do with the other books. No plot movement in years... KEEP AWAY!
21 March 2012
14 March 2012
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