Synopsis: First novel (in order of release, not chronology) of the seven volume Foundation series tracing ‘psychohistorian’, Hari Seldon’s efforts to restore civilisation in the wake of the collapse of the Galactic Empire.
My Take: I’m not usually a fan of Science Fiction (and I’m NEVER a fan of fantasy. Yes that includes The Lord of [...]
Entries from July 25th, 2009
“Foundation”, Isaac Asimov
July 25th, 2009 · No Comments · Fiction, ICT, Sci-Fi, Under-Rated
Tags:Isacc Asimov
“The Sun Also Rises”, Ernest Hemingway
July 23rd, 2009 · 4 Comments · American, Fiction, History
Synopsis: A group of American dilettantes living in post WW1 Europe travel from France to Pamplona for the Running of the Bulls. The men in the group (as well as many of the locals they encounter) covet and vigorously pursue the beautiful and promiscuous Brett Ashley, but the narrator, war veteran Jake Barnes, is [...]
Tags:Ernest Hemmingway
“We Wish to Inform You That Tomorrow We Will Be Killed with Our Families”, Philip Gourevitch
July 21st, 2009 · 1 Comment · African, History, Non-Fiction, Policy, Politics
Synopsis: Philip Gourevitch, a staff writer for The New Yorker spends two years travelling in Rwanda in 1995-97 and produces an illuminating, if not always objectively rigorous, account of the Rwandan genocide, its causes and its aftermath.
My Take: Philip Gourevitch’s account of the collective insanity of late 20th century Rwanda is a moving account.
Not simply [...]
Tags:Philip Gourevitch
“The Da Vinci Code”, Dan O’Brien
July 19th, 2009 · 1 Comment · American, Fiction, Trash
Synopsis: I think everyone pretty well knows the deal here.
My Take: WARNING RANT AHEAD
I would have never picked up this book if left to my own devices but I was bullied into it by both friends and family who accused me of being a shallow snob for turning my nose up at a book [...]
Tags:Dan Brown
“The Long Tail”, Chris Anderson
July 16th, 2009 · No Comments · ICT, Policy
Synopsis: As search, storage and distribution costs trend towards zero in an increasingly digital world the economics of commerce are changing. While massively selling high-demand ‘hits’ remain important, lower costs have made it economical to trade in an ever increasing ‘Long Tail’ of low (but not zero) demand niche products a la iTunes, Amazon, eBay [...]
Tags:Chris Anderson
"Love is a Mix Tape", Rod Sheffield
July 14th, 2009 · No Comments · Fiction, Trash
Synopsis: Autobiographical account of Boy meets girl. Boy marries girl. Boy and girl live happily until girl dies of pulmonary embolism. Boy spirals into depression before loving again etc etc.
My Take: Hmmm. I was rooting for this one to come off. The subject matter has great potential – very emotionally rich.
Unfortunately, the author can’t quite [...]
Tags:Rob Sheffield
“All Too Human: A Political Education”, George Stephanopoulos
July 13th, 2009 · No Comments · American, Non-Fiction, Politics, biography
Synopsis: One time choir boy, Rhodes Scholar and Dukakis operative pens a first person account of the experience of being a senior staffer for the Clinton campaign and subsequently presidency. Honest, insightful and controversial.
My Take: The best book ever written by a political insider. Odds are, that if you ask someone who has spent [...]