Book Reviews

Jun

12

Crash Proof: How to Profit From the Coming Economic Collapse

Submitted by Jeffrey on Sat, 2010-06-12 17:35

Doesn't that title sound selfish, cruel, opportunist, or even Machiavellian? I first heard of it referred to as an alternative viewpoint to main-stream media's take on our economy. The commentator stated that John Downes was the "ultimate pessimist" about our economy. I felt that this was a promising viewpoint to the lopsided reports I was getting.

Before I committed to read it, I skimmed a few pages here and there. It seemed level-headed enough and certainly not mean-spirited. So I checked it out from the library and proceeded to renew it for five months, determined to finish t!

Jun

12

Enough: True Measures of Money, Business, and Life

Submitted by Jeffrey on Sat, 2010-06-12 13:11

Enough was a fun read! It was like reading a book from the future that I wrote in my old age. Most of the chapters were based on points of view that I already have. That's fun enough. Though I did pick up a few insights.

Feb

17

Bonds That Make Us Free

Submitted by Jeffrey on Wed, 2010-02-17 22:57

This is an amazing book! Not perfect, but amazing none the less. I find myself referring back to it in other conversations and using the concepts to clarify relationship problems and solutions, both for myself and for friends, family and society at large.

The fundamental premis is that we always have some part in our troubles. There is always something we can do to change or improve a situation or relationship. The most powerful change we can make is how we see the other person. Love and compasion can completely change the equation. These are the bonds that make us free.

Oct

29

ETL: Contentrated Power in a Global Economy

Submitted by Jeffrey on Wed, 2008-10-29 10:15

I subscribe to the netcast (iTunes link) of the Entrepreneurial Thought Leaders Seminar, provided by Stanford University.

The Revolution; A Manifesto

[Review in process].

Weaknesses:
he perpetuates the use of "liberal" and "conservative" labels. This is polarizing, and over simplifying [see blog entry].
many readers miss the meaning of "manifesto"
despite knowing the weaknesses of the party system, he still maintains loyalty to the Republican party and the party system
.
.

Strengths:
clear, strong narrative
lots of historical examples, some personal
variety of sources for quotes
solid, simple arguments with minimal jargon
bold but respectful statements of his position and opinions of others' actions and theories

Read more

Seeker

Thousands of years after an entire colony mysteriously disappears, antiquities dealer Alex Benedict comes into possession of a cup that seems to be from the Seeker, one of the colony's ships. Investigating the provenance of the cup, Alex and his assistant Chase follow a deadly trail to the Seeker-strangely adrift in a system barren of habitable worlds. But their discovery raises more questions than it answers, drawing Alex and Chase into the very heart of danger.