Compelling history of several conspiracy theory threads, and an entertaining (if dispiriting) read. I was skeptical of the thesis -- how could a hoax Compelling history of several conspiracy theory threads, and an entertaining (if dispiriting) read. I was skeptical of the thesis -- how could a hoax unfamiliar to me be so influential? But Tinline made a strong case that this stands alongside other undying fake texts as a deep well for paranoia. (It also reminded me that conspiracy theory adherents are afraid of FEMA, a through line to contemporary politics I had missed.)...more
Well argued and an enjoyable enough read, but it absolutely could have been edited down into a pamphlet or magazine article. Still, grateful to see moWell argued and an enjoyable enough read, but it absolutely could have been edited down into a pamphlet or magazine article. Still, grateful to see more numeracy books getting press....more
Strong concept well told with more than enough space to hang metaphors. There's no relief from the world Ogawa has created, a straight through-line frStrong concept well told with more than enough space to hang metaphors. There's no relief from the world Ogawa has created, a straight through-line from Kafka and without no softening or clear resolution....more
A unique history book that helped me better imagine the life of 19th-century Londoners -- lost professions and a better understanding of how differentA unique history book that helped me better imagine the life of 19th-century Londoners -- lost professions and a better understanding of how different stages of life existed on the street. The organization around stages of life was particularly clever, and it was particularly fascinating to read about life on the streets for infants and the elderly and how ineffective and judgmental some charitable efforts were. At the same time, I think I would have preferred a telling with a stronger thesis beyond popping into stories....more
Really solid review of theories of child development, touching on evolutionary theories and experimental evidence. I left convinced that exploratory aReally solid review of theories of child development, touching on evolutionary theories and experimental evidence. I left convinced that exploratory and experiential learning is particularly effective, and questioning the extent to which the US educational system accommodates different learning styles. But I was left wondering what (if any) dissent there might be, and since the text is written for a general audience the citations were less clear than I would have preferred....more
A highly enjoyable read, I particularly appreciated the text's self-awareness, e.g. Angelica's Freudian critique of Hortha's story and the narrator's A highly enjoyable read, I particularly appreciated the text's self-awareness, e.g. Angelica's Freudian critique of Hortha's story and the narrator's self-justification of his investigative challenges. And just like Ariel, I, too, felt closer to Allende by the end of the story. But I'm not sure I understand, just yet, how the Suicide Museum fits into it all -- it's a little hard to imagine Hortha believing in it, and hard to deliver on the buildup, though he is a strange man. I absolutely shed a tear when Ariel took his son to visit Allende's tomb, and another (metaphorical) tear when the narrator celebrated Chile's now-rejected constitution in the epilogue....more
Clearly foundational to the sub-field, but I found the chapters to be highly variable in quality. I particularly enjoyed the introductory chapters aboClearly foundational to the sub-field, but I found the chapters to be highly variable in quality. I particularly enjoyed the introductory chapters about why humans tour, but felt like it would have benefited from a counterpoint or alternative perspective. I particularly enjoyed the chapters on Inuit cultural tourism and the inter-Inuit dynamics, and seeing how rapidly tourism harmed Toraja as a model for other places that experience a rapid growth in visitors. But the chapter on the Polynesian Cultural Center felt hagiographic (especially having been referenced elsewhere in the book) and other chapters seemed so specific as to be unhelpful, but I am no anthropologist....more
Lay reader here--and reviewing several months after reading--but one of the chapters criticizing the lecture talked about not being sure what to take Lay reader here--and reviewing several months after reading--but one of the chapters criticizing the lecture talked about not being sure what to take away from the text, and I have to agree. Anderson convinced me that political philosophy has to consider 'private government,' and certainly reframed how I think about early economics, but it had the unsettling air of communicating a problem without any reasonable solution and not convincing me of the urgency. I agree that workers need more rights, but feel like I need to read the next book to begin to build a framework to think about what rights employers have and their basis....more
Majorly enjoyed the first chapters as a lay reader. Understanding the economics of trucking and the unintended consequences of workplace surveillance Majorly enjoyed the first chapters as a lay reader. Understanding the economics of trucking and the unintended consequences of workplace surveillance was illuminating -- it's such an important part of our economy that it seems like it's in the realm of 'things every informed citizen should know.' It absolutely caused me to helpfully reflect on information flows and controls in my workplace. But later chapters felt less valuable--introducing less new information, changing my perspective less--specially the robotruckers discussion where I felt I had more context to critically evaluate the claims....more
A helpful, narrative guide to building a relationship with your child with practices that honestly can extend to any relationship. I see echoes of (goA helpful, narrative guide to building a relationship with your child with practices that honestly can extend to any relationship. I see echoes of (good) management trainings I've attended in this book, and wouldn't be surprised if this work was the genesis. I preferred this to the later _How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk_ for its narrative style, but I admit that the appeal lies in its common sense as opposed to laboratory testing. Still, it's the only parenting book I've read so far that I've recommended my spouse read....more
Simple, powerful recommendations to build relationships, instill independence, and have accountability. I can see why these practices are healthy, I cSimple, powerful recommendations to build relationships, instill independence, and have accountability. I can see why these practices are healthy, I can imagine using them in my parenting and other relationships, and I see how they apply to my managerial practice at work. My only reservation is the workbook format, since I prefer a more narrative or theoretical style. (If you share this objection, the companion _Liberated Parents, Liberated Children takes this approach.) One could also criticize the book for not being grounded in research, but it's such a common-sense approach that I'm not going to get hung up on this....more
A really helpful parenting framework, I appreciate the encouragement to include children in responsibilities and understand the limitations of childreA really helpful parenting framework, I appreciate the encouragement to include children in responsibilities and understand the limitations of children's development. But it self-consciously straddles a cultural border in a way that's hard (impossible?) to get right and at time feels too much like an extreme case study as opposed to a repeatable pattern. Still, I enjoyed it and will absolutely employ some of these techniques....more
A good read, a thoughtful bit of reporting and introspection. But how the author looks down on people below his station, even if he's honest about it-A good read, a thoughtful bit of reporting and introspection. But how the author looks down on people below his station, even if he's honest about it--I'd find Carrère frustrating as a bit of fiction, let alone memoir. It wasn't quite what I hoped for, I wanted the story of Kotelnich and seeing ordinary Russia before the invasion of Ukraine. It has that, but not in the way I hoped.
Is it fair to give 4 of 5 stars for personal reasons? I think he could handle it, and it's not a bad mark. If he's been through getting a nasty review of his short story from Philippe Sollers, then surely this will have no sting....more
An illuminating look at how the Second KKK parallels right-wing movements today, but it doesn't feel like an enduring work. It's written in response tAn illuminating look at how the Second KKK parallels right-wing movements today, but it doesn't feel like an enduring work. It's written in response to the era of the Trump presidency, and draws heavily on secondary sources. I came away uncertain how much I was reading the story of the KKK versus a mirror on the present. It was fascinating to see threads from this movement continue to the present, and see how its pageantry compared to other far-left and far-right movements, but I can't say I came away with a new understanding of the movement or our current political moment....more
Significantly changed how I think about Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and what policies are needed to contain Russian aggression. For years I've strugSignificantly changed how I think about Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and what policies are needed to contain Russian aggression. For years I've struggled to understand what motivates Russia and its citizenry, and this book was the best explanation I've found yet. If I had to pick nits, I would have appreciated a more serious take on Ivan Ilyin (Is his philosophy really that empty? Probably, as an early-20th-century fascist, but Snyder so clearly disdains him I wasn't sure he was well explained.), but I'm enthusiastically recommending this book to anyone who wants to understand Russia's current goals and how its domestic media came to be so thoroughly controlled and manipulative...more
An interesting read, but it could have been a long pamphlet as opposed to a hardback -- the thesis is talk to your kid a lot in a way that's engaged wAn interesting read, but it could have been a long pamphlet as opposed to a hardback -- the thesis is talk to your kid a lot in a way that's engaged with them. I didn't appreciate how this helped with spatial reasoning and numeracy, so that was new to me, but otherwise the message was familiar. I'd prefer either a shorter format or something that had deeper descriptions of current research....more
I don't feel qualified to rate this, since I'm not in the field. But an interesting look about how institutions can (even unintentionally) create sociI don't feel qualified to rate this, since I'm not in the field. But an interesting look about how institutions can (even unintentionally) create social capital via their design and service provision. And, as a parent about to send a child to daycare, it absolutely influences the value I see in parental participation in programming and services....more
Practical, plausible advice generously padded with occasionally amusing anecdotes. I'd prefer something dryer and more research-focused, and I questioPractical, plausible advice generously padded with occasionally amusing anecdotes. I'd prefer something dryer and more research-focused, and I questioned some recommendations like avoiding soft cheeses for listeria risk (this seems like accepted wisdom more than something based on actual outbreaks). But it gave me confidence to give this approach an attempt....more
I was expecting an interesting read, but not to find many things I hadn't already heard--I was pleasantly surprised to find some eye-opening (for me) I was expecting an interesting read, but not to find many things I hadn't already heard--I was pleasantly surprised to find some eye-opening (for me) thoughts on how taxation / subsidies and urban planning are sexist. A few claims raised my eyebrows--although Stage I clinical trials may have gender imbalanced compositions (and likely should not), given the focus on safety I'm not sure that they're significantly gating therapeutics for women. Ditto for a metaphor that if economics was a religion GDP would be its god, although the author is a trained economist and I'm not. But I completely had not considered how subsidies paid to households could exacerbate inequality, or how taxation of individual incomes would harm second wage earners. These seem like easy corrections to make on a technical basis -- and completely impossible in the current political climate....more
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