29th June, 2006
Well, looks like we got ourselves a reader.
So, it’s summertime. What better time is there to laze about in the sun with a good book? None, I say! Here’s a quick rundown of some of the noteworthy stuff I’ve run across in the past month or so:
Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed by Jared Diamond. A bit rambling at times, but overall a good read. With lots of lessons to be learned, this should be required reading for all leaders-of-state. My favorite quote from this book:
What did the Easter Islander who cut down the last palm tree say while he was doing it? Like modern loggers, did he shout “Jobs, not trees!� Or: “Technology will solve our problems, never fear, we’ll find a substitute for wood� Or: “We don’t have proof that there aren’t palms somewhere else on Easter, we need more research, your proposed ban on logging is premature and driven by fear-mongering�
Incidentally, I also read his book, Guns, Germs and Steel, but I wasn’t overly impressed.
The Republican War on Science by Chris Mooney. It probably should have been called “The Neocon War on Science”, but then it wouldn’t sell as many copies. Starting around the Nixon era and continuing through G. W. Bush, this is a highly detailed and documented chronicle of the downward spiral in the role that science plays in policymaking here in the US. Despite the level of detail, it is also quite readable. And extremely angering. If Collapse is required reading for all heads-of-state, then this book should be required for every citizen of this country.
On a lighter note, I recently started the 2nd book in The Kingdoms of Thorn and Bone series by Greg Keyes. Really some solid fantasy writing here with strong characters and well-developed environments. Of similar caliber to George R.R. Martin, IMO. I had read his earlier works, The Waterborn and Blackgod, which were decent but not on the same level that I’m seeing so far in this series. Recommended.
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