Category Archives: review

Bananas

Posted on December 10, 2012 by Mike

Peter Chapman’s Bananas (2008) tells the story of how the United Fruit Company pretty much ran Central America for a good part of the 20th century. A good read that will help explain why “Banana Republics” became the norm in … Continue reading →

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The Quants

Posted on November 25, 2012 by Mike

“The Quants” (2010), by Scott Patterson, brings to mind the adage “To err is human, but to really screw things up you need a computer.” The subtitle tells you what you need to know:  How a New Breed of Math … Continue reading →

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Gone Girl

Posted on October 20, 2012 by Mike

A wife goes missing from a troubled marriage, in a story told from his and her perspectives.  A very enjoyable read. Read reviews from the Chicago Tribune and the New York Times.

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The Watchers

Posted on September 16, 2012 by Mike

In The Watchers: The Rise of America’s Surveillance State (2010), Shane Harris explains the modern world of “signals intelligence,” and how it got to be this way. To summarize the current state of affairs, some arm of the U.S. government … Continue reading →

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The Invisible Gorilla

Posted on August 21, 2012 by Mike

In The Invisible Gorilla (2010), psychology professors Christopher Chabris and Daniel Simons build on their famous “Invisible Gorilla” experiment that won them the 2004 Ig Nobel Prize. Their web site provides a good synopsis of the book: Reading this book … Continue reading →

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Modern New York

Posted on August 21, 2012 by Mike

In Modern New York (2012), Crain’s New York columnist Greg David offers an insightful history of New York City and its economy since 1965.  David demonstrates how tourism has filled the gap left by the decline of the city’s manufacturing … Continue reading →

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Fooling Houdini

Posted on July 10, 2012 by Mike

Fooling Houdini (2012) is an interesting peek into the history and subculture of magicians.  I found the author’s side trips into the world of three card monte and psychology much more enjoyable than his forays into clown school and his … Continue reading →

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Over Time

Posted on July 1, 2012 by Mike

Quite simply, the best sports book I have ever read. Deford’s stories are often fascinating, and his ability to put them into the perspective that 50 years of sports writing provides makes this a quite enjoyable read. Read reviews from … Continue reading →

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Visit Sunny Chernobyl

Posted on June 23, 2012 by Mike

I have to thank Andrew Blackwell for the time and effort that went into researching and writing this fascinating book of industrial disaster areas (some still serving industrial functions) throughout the world. As I might want to visit some of … Continue reading →

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The End of Money

Posted on June 23, 2012 by Mike

David Wolman’s The End of Money: Counterfeiters, Preachers, Techies, Dreamers — and the Coming Cashless Society (2012) is an interesting look at our faith-based economic system.  If you haven’t already thought the through the implications of an economic system based … Continue reading →

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