Jer

Great little book - read it after reading “Sea Stories” and still really enjoyed it. Nothing you haven't heard expressed before in a different way, but it's the reminder and the way it's presented that make for a solid book.

Seems like it would be interesting, but isn't back by data... all just a bunch of crazy stories linked together by an author who talks himself up and has weird daddy issues. Normally I'm not so harsh, but, after noting this is the third similar book the author has written, I feel like he's reaching for something and just not willing to do the work to ground it in research... so he keeps getting the same poor results.

NOTE:
If you really like survival stories, this book might be a 3, but I would rather read the stories that others have written (and he just recounts) than read this book.

Picked up in place of a more instructive book on the same subject, this brief criticism (more an exploration, albeit with sharp edges) felt unique and playful throughout, with a pace just quick enough to keep me turning the page, but not so much as to let me pass through without the pang of regret for want of a nice pencil or, at the least, a highlighter.

Probably the best exploration of poetry I've read, and I'm still debating whether the parts that bothered me should or not... or if I even care.

Hands-on, useful mix of various approaches to prototype and gather feedback over the course of a week. Team-based, structured and with checklists, it's great for those who have the ability to follow steps exactly — I understand why they didn't want to build “spin off” options, which I'm sure their website might capture, but would have liked to see some nonetheless.

Thorough, insightful and remarkably relevant, this book outlines the fascinating history behind continuity of government efforts that began when fear of nuclear annihilation was at the forefront of national security planners' minds. With wide-reaching implications and unique perspectives on how secrecy and government obligations overlap with gray areas of law and morality, it's a worthwhile read for anyone in or considering public service.

I really expected a lot more out of this book... it was interesting, but not compelling. Almost like a Malcolm Gladwell book, but without being as clever or even entertaining. There were some interesting anecdotes, to be sure, but it was not on the same level as “Give and Take” (which I highly recommend).

There is a lot of food for thought in this book, especially when it comes to use of technology and how both kids and adults interact.

I would have given it four stars, but it was just a bit longer than I felt like was needed - the Cliff Notes version would be just as impactful.

Still, for parents or counsellors, anyone looking to engage in conversations or just sick of their own “iPhone-induced ADD” – there's something here for you!

Solid Stories and Fun Insights

Rubin does a great job of turning anecdotes and observations into tangible, actionable strategies for habit formation. Very easy to read (though, at times, a bit overwhelmed by her own tendencies), she casts habits and behavior in many different lights, with personal insights that build empathy (mostly) and give you a sense of how you TOO can make positive changes. Short chapters, easy style and a solid list of additional resources makes it a solid choice.

All right, so, the first half of this book was... not the most interesting. I was definitely going for a 2 or 3 star review until things took a turn for the better. I'd say if you want to read this book, know that the first half is biographic and the last half is actually about culture and happiness and all the different thoughts that Zappos brings to mind (other than shoes, of course). I ended up deciding that it was worth 4 stars, but if I went back I would probably skip most of the first few chapters.

Really enjoyed this book - realistic outlook at how checklists can have value and their effects on humans in the wild. The stories were compelling and memorable, creating useful artifacts for future conversations. Not so much a “this is how to make amazing checklists” book, but with enough content there to go back and pull from, I'd characterize it as “must read” for anyone who sees this inconsistency as a challenge in their work or life.

Lots of rehashed content from original thinkers (Ariely, Kahneman, Tversky, Taleb, etc.) wrapped up into easy-to-digest chapters with interesting illustrative anecdotes. Although not original in terms of content, it is well-delivered, feels coherent and, if one had not already been exposed to such concepts, would serve as a decent introduction or overview.

When I read information about this book, I was highly skeptical. How interesting could the story of a World War II double-agent really be? Sure, there would likely be some intrigue, but hardly anything compelling. I was SO wrong. This is one of the most exquisite books I have come across, both for storytelling and storyline. Intricately woven throughout are fascinating details about the criminal mind, political history, sabotage, culture, counter-intelligence and, of course, spycraft. Although it might seem dated, the relevance of this book is surprising, and it should be read by anyone with an even vague interest in the topics listed above. Suffice it to say, you will NOT be disappointed.

All right, so, I have not done a ton of reading on Iraq, possibly because it still feels too close for much objective debate. I would NOT categorize this book as objective (it's very kind to the case officers at CIA), but it IS a very interesting look at a failure of a number of different elements to work together. It is an indictment of the policy-centric bureaucratic sycophancy that drove a major political and military decision: the Iraq invasion.

Now, to be fair, I'm rating this as a must read for people who want to understand how the intelligence world can be spoiled by policy interests. I am sure that opinions will vary, but it came across as well-researched (given the subject matter) - again, NOT unbiased, but still worthwhile. Oh, and it's short!

Consider pairing with “Arrows of the Night” (about Ahmed Chalabi) and/or “Code Name: Johnnie Walker” (about an Iraqi interpreter) for a broader perspective on Iraq.

Okay, I finally read this at the recommendation of a friend and thought it was pretty good. While I would probably have gone about the task of taking on a year of self-improvement projects differently (and the goal of trying to just “be happier” seems a little shallow), there was notable substance that most people will connect to along the way.

The best part, in my opinion, was just learning the random things that people try to do to be happier - and how sometimes what works for other people won't work for you (which is absolutely okay). This idea does not seem to resonate much in society, where, despite the diversity of beliefs and opinions, certain “mainstream” concepts (meditation, yoga, mindfulness, etc.) tend to take the lead on people who are trying to “find balance” or “be happier”.

The author, to her credit, concludes that she needs to just “be Gretchen”, which is actually more profound of a statement than it may appear at first blush.

I came away from this book challenged to identify (and face) more about myself (fact and fiction) in order to make the most of however much time I have left. And, you know, I think the funny anecdotes and embarrassing stories shared in this book have made that goal seem more attainable.

Let me know what you think!

I really, really wanted to be able to give this four stars, but it kind-of loses the plot part-way through. Great historical information on symmetry and clearly the author is passionate and well-researched, but, as a book, it just felt a bit disjointed.

Perhaps if you approached it like you were going to take an entire semester to learn the topic (and were willing to do some outside research or pause for a while between chapters to try and apply some of the knowledge), it might be a better read, but that's a somewhat particular method.

Overall, I give it 3.5 stars for being very interesting and summarizing quite a bit from one particular perspective, which is very interesting, and for humanizing a few very clever individuals who died young, but not without making great contributions. These are noble things for a book to do, so if the topic interests you, check it out, you'll probably enjoy many parts of it.

Not bad, but the concept probably could be summarized with sufficient support in a NYT article. If you're really interested, it's worth the full read, otherwise the basics are:

1) Most of what we call “stress” is not “bad” for you (unless you think it is, in which case it can kill you)

2) You can change your physiological response to stress through a mindset shift, such as framing it as excitement instead of anxiety

I thought the most interesting part was that doctors effectively took the “stress is bad” hypothesis for granted, which likely resulted in tens of thousands of (at least premature) deaths.

Don't be afraid to get that second opinion!

Well, shoot, I'm just on a roll - this book was awesome too (third 5-star in a row, which is very unusual) — easy to digested great content intermixed with story, concept is really interesting (and applicable), plus Ray Porter kills it as the narrator! Well-worth the listen for anyone who looks at the title and is even just curious.

A worthwhile book - both entertaining and insightful. If it's an area in which you have interest (business with or management of “smart creatives”) the. I would recommend it. Also, if you're just curious about Google (as the title might reflect), the content will likely be interesting.

Really interesting history with lots of worthwhile details. Makes a weird polemic twist in favor of VCs at the end, which brings into question the motivation of the author and the level of bias in the author's sources, but even if it's tilted in favor of the financial mechanism, it's still well-worth reading for anyone interested, particularly since it covers the international interactions between the US and China.

An interesting read for the ideas and potential challenges or technological applications of a future war. An imaginative work more so than a literary one, I would consider it instructive in helping people (particularly those in the military or defense world) think about current postures and various technologies.

Nothing cosmic here and a bit dated - still, it's focused and could be worth the read if the topic piques your interest. Very business / entrepreneur / Benjamins-focused.

A fascinating exploration of quantum physics with a heavy dose of philosophy, Helgoland will re-inspire your inner scientist and leave you pondering the nature of everything... but in a good way.