Well, if you read many of my previous reviews, you'll know that and not much of a history person, but this book has two advantages over normal (and thWell, if you read many of my previous reviews, you'll know that and not much of a history person, but this book has two advantages over normal (and they're somewhat related: I find the title fascinating and intriguing. It has a handle that grabs me, namely poison amongst the wealthy and royals. I am so glad that I did not live in those days (although my lack of beauty and royal blood certainly does provide me some protection� But seriously, if one wasn't being actively poisoned for profit or revenge, one's Dr. "cured" by killing � after all, one can't suffer anymore, if one's dead � or in a misplaced effort to provide beauty or power to oneself or a loved one, the recipient is treated with poison! My husband heard part of the book, and his immediate thought was that the author is like Mary Roach who has written several books about, perhaps inconvenient, health, and society overall. I agree, and and look forward to reading about sex with presidents and sex with kings (by the same author: both on my wish list, but not yet in my library� That's okay, I seriously have years worth of books in my library�)...more
Somehow, I remember it being advertised as a "true crime". I don't think it quite fits that category, although it does involve crime, that's not the oSomehow, I remember it being advertised as a "true crime". I don't think it quite fits that category, although it does involve crime, that's not the overall emphasis of the book. I think that the overall emphasis is overcoming unlivable and unbelievable circumstances and building a positive reality anyway. Everything that the narrator does that's horrible and unforgivable is done as a child, and is thus, actually FORGIVABLE. What actually miserable life that all those children had growing up, and what a DESPICABLE father! And David is understandable with understandable mixed feelings and guilts. The whole thing just makes me so sad :-(....more
Well, it wasn't quite what I expected. Yes, in Wendover a lot of "vice", and how the US, in particular, but most people in general, have been involvedWell, it wasn't quite what I expected. Yes, in Wendover a lot of "vice", and how the US, in particular, but most people in general, have been involved in it: alcohol, music, alcohol, hallucinogenic drugs, alcohol, weed, prostitution, oh, and did I mention alcohol and hallucinogenic drugs? And then it went into some of the red tape involved in and necessitated in actually studying things. But the writer seemed more interested in drugs and the recipes in particular than in vice or bad behavior itself. But still, it was kind of interesting....more
I enjoy hearing a book that makes immense sense and fits my "cognitive bias" on the subject. Yes, even I am affected by cognitive bias :-), but in thiI enjoy hearing a book that makes immense sense and fits my "cognitive bias" on the subject. Yes, even I am affected by cognitive bias :-), but in this case, it also fits with other things that I have read and experienced from reality and friends. But yeah, I do know that I have a cognitive bias (as does everyone), of finding ways to fight it, and not immediately succumb are important as is pointed out in this book. Anyway, yes, I agree�...more
My husband can tell you that I fully expected this book to be primarily pseudoscience. After listening to it, although I don't agree with all of the tMy husband can tell you that I fully expected this book to be primarily pseudoscience. After listening to it, although I don't agree with all of the things that it said, I am firmly convinced that it is not pseudoscience. Several ideas were introduced and actually discussed instead of past off as total nonsense, and the current beliefs and social holding is. Why was "ColdFusion" ever believed or considered to start with? The book totally discusses it, and though I may not agree with his overall conclusion, I appreciate actually hearing the sides and knowing where they come from. I am neither a philosopher nor a physicist, so my only individual conclusions are NOT as well formed and believable as those of people who have been working in the field, but I really enjoy hearing part of what the actual question is. Do we have free will? My own belief: NO. Is the placebo effect real? I suppose it depends on what you consider to be "real." And what about homeopathy? I personally believe that it's totally nonsense! But I do know that there are those who "believe" in it. And I like hearing some of the actual basis for their beliefs. I still don't believe it, but this does not mean that none of the "nonsense" that a lot of people DO believe is, by definition, totally unfounded. I don't know that my own beliefs per se have changed, but I think this book has affected them. And perhaps it's helped affect my own biases also....more
Shana Tova (good new year � today is the second day of the Jewish New Year) � ANYWAY�
I'd expected this book to be primarily humor � it was a lot, but Shana Tova (good new year � today is the second day of the Jewish New Year) � ANYWAY�
I'd expected this book to be primarily humor � it was a lot, but I had not expected the amount of introspection and thought presented. I feel that I know Gabrielle Stone a lot better than many people! It's thought-provoking, and encourages the reader to really look into the important things in life for HIM/HERself! And the whirlwind trip of Europe was exciting and fun. Most of all, the insights in the end of how to actually love oneself is valuable and a great addition to each individuals' basis...more
It was okay: the whole first part was basically introduction of characters, but it was definitely way too long, and the title made it feel like there It was okay: the whole first part was basically introduction of characters, but it was definitely way too long, and the title made it feel like there is significantly more emphasis on drugs and the murder itself � murder in general � general misbehaving in the Hollywood group. Yes, the misuse of drugs was mentioned, and of course there was the one murder, definitely fraud amongst a small group, but other than the fact that religious nutballs were afraid that movies or cinema overall was going to corrupt the American public, one didn't get the overall feeling of debauchery in Hollywood as the title seems to impress....more
I had Only known of Mary Roach through her science books ("Gulp", "Spook", "Packing for Mars", and "Grunt", and I think she has another one coming outI had Only known of Mary Roach through her science books ("Gulp", "Spook", "Packing for Mars", and "Grunt", and I think she has another one coming out soon), but even her scientific books are highly amusing. Turns out, she's a well-known humorist who writes a column and everything! She reminds me a bit of Erma Bombeck. I was definitely in need of humor, and this really hit the spot. What a wonderful book; I'm certainly happy for my discovery of it!...more
Truly intriguing situation and death/murder, but at the same time not totally satisfying! Story is delivered in a single person explanatory voice, andTruly intriguing situation and death/murder, but at the same time not totally satisfying! Story is delivered in a single person explanatory voice, and several possibilities are are run through and examined in-depth. Unfortunately, trust for the school and the police departments involved in slowly eroded. Most of the examination is done well after I was in college, and although I was at University of Chicago, not Harvard, I'm sure that the sexism was rampant there, as well. The whole story is unsettling, and it makes one wonder about one universities and murder investigations overall, and the sad thing is, it's not likely to improved any :-(...more
what a complex and difficult situation in which she was cast! Her parents both from Iran in a somewhat ill advised marriage and totally different ide what a complex and difficult situation in which she was cast! Her parents both from Iran in a somewhat ill advised marriage and totally different ideas of what they wanted from life, from marriage, and from offspring, and neither of them really knowing what they were doing or getting into, or the possibilities of life, people, or society in different settings, made for an unlevel basis of her life. An interesting picture into the trials brought about by two very different sets of desires of the parents and the totally unique one of herself! Combined with the history of Judaism � both in Iran and worldwide � it made for an intriguing and riveting individual self history. In some ways, I enjoyed the book, but in some ways, it brought up a whole range of emotions and feelings � some of which were more than a little uncomfortable. And it was very clear that there was a combination of love, fear, and questioning toward both of her parents....more
Hard to rate; although I was already aware of most of what he said, it was good information, but I think it went too far into the actual science and bHard to rate; although I was already aware of most of what he said, it was good information, but I think it went too far into the actual science and biochemistry for the title. It was fairly interesting, but I'm not sure that it was appropriate. I highly recommend it, but maybe under a different title and subtittle , maybe something like "The science and Biochemical methodology for spotting misleading science online". I don't know, maybe that's a little too much, but "A Guide to Spotting Misleading Science Online" doesn't indicate the scientific depth of the book. Still, a worrthwhile read!...more
I suppose that this is nominally addressed to Amy Klobuchar: I rarely give a book 5 stars, although a nonfiction book is far more likely to receive fivI suppose that this is nominally addressed to Amy Klobuchar: I rarely give a book 5 stars, although a nonfiction book is far more likely to receive five than a fiction book, but it's still not a guarantee; in order for me to grant a book order for me to grant the highest rating, said book has to both be interesting and it has to teach me something. This book fits in both categories. I did study one year of economics in college, but I hated it, and it didn't teach me anything. I expect that my attitude had a lot to do with it; for one thing I was interested in in mathematics and science, not social science or law. For another thing, the Econ 101 was microeconomics, and cared more about people reading graphs (which, as a mathematician, I was more than able to do), and in general the topics covered were memorization and logic. (My undergraduate was at your alma mater, University of Chicago from late 1979 through early 1983 :-) � I am more than a little disappointed that the Chicago version of antitrust was so warped! But I was an undergraduate scientist and totally disconnected from those ideas generally!) I now know more about monopolies and antitrust than I ever did, and I thank your book! I have to admit to being more than a little biased � I am a diehard left left left wing Democrat! I believe in people, not specifically money! I grew up in lily white wealthy Naperville, Illinois, but I came from Hyde Park, Chicago in 1967. My family didn't fit in (for one thing, we're Jewish), and we had posters all over the house ranting against Nixon and the police state. Never mind that my parents have since be come rabid Republicans and diehard Trumpers (well, I'm not sure about my mom; she died in 2012, but I'm 90% sure she would've been). Anyway, what I'm saying is that the book was full of very good information and education, and I really think that it's a wonderful choice for anyone who has any doubts about our money system or the crooks running it!...more
Sigh. I unfortunately am of two minds on this: first of all, it's positively disgusting what people attempt to and succeed in doing to global foodstufSigh. I unfortunately am of two minds on this: first of all, it's positively disgusting what people attempt to and succeed in doing to global foodstuffs; second of all, so many particulars are, to me, totally unimportant and overemphasized by today's American society. That being said, when an item is sold and/or LABELED as a particular thing � even "organic" which is a misused and a totally misunderstood thing � it DAM* well ought to be that thing! It was interesting and useful to read that there are techniques available to examine the truth of what's being sold or advertised, but it's truly depressing how many types of the various things that we eat and or drink are being faked and or altered! Meats, honey, milk, cheese, alcohols, juices � you name it. I'm happy to see that some countries appear to be taking things seriously, and I'm extremely happy that I don't live in China or Maui, or any number of primarily Asian or African countries, but I don't doubt that even in the US, if people think they can get away with it, they probably will. Fortunately, for the most part, our government agencies prohibit or dampen needs and desires of the food fraudsters. An informative look and study!...more
In the beginning, the author states that he is an "old-fashioned" Dr.,, but in reading the book, it becomes more and more obvious that he is nothing lIn the beginning, the author states that he is an "old-fashioned" Dr.,, but in reading the book, it becomes more and more obvious that he is nothing like an "old-fashioned" Dr., at least not in my perception. He clearly cares more for the patient than the doctor himself, much less the medical institution as a whole! It's interesting to see the combination of factors that an individual physician needs to keep running in his/her mind in order to actually CARE for the patient, and the recognition that no one approach is right for all patients. I truly enjoyed the combination of cases that were described as well as his, Dr. Reilly's take and reaction on all of them. The recognition that there OFTEN is no "correct" medical decision, but everything comes with its own risks and side effects. And the treatment of his parents. In the end has got to of been difficult, but definitely well considered. (And the book _, Thinking Fast and Slow_, that is mentioned near the end, is one of my husband's favorites, and I STILL need to add it to my list�) ...more
The decision of whether to give this four stars or five is affected by the fact that I almost gave up on it; the first half was way too dark and paintThe decision of whether to give this four stars or five is affected by the fact that I almost gave up on it; the first half was way too dark and painted a picture of a true devil! The fact that Sanford was able to get through the whole thing, socially unscathed, but truly damaged both physically and mentally was inspiring but made me cry. And I don't doubt that such evil is possible and practiced by human beings, but it makes me weep for our species! Clearly, it wasn't a totally enjoyable book, but witnessing good possibilities of humanity along with the demonic was definitely a salve....more
This book was actually different than I had expected: I expected a primarily humerus commentary on human beings who tried to be politically and socialThis book was actually different than I had expected: I expected a primarily humerus commentary on human beings who tried to be politically and socially correct at least. In fact, it was a book about polite, courteous, and kind ways of dealing with 21st century situations. It included such things as cell phones, online dating, groups of strangers, groups of impolite people, defusing potentially obnoxious situations, etc., etc., etc. It WAS humerus, but that was not the primary goal. Ms. Alkon had advice, commiseration, and commentaries. It was amusing and instructive....more
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