I can’t decide whether Sec’y Albright’s reading added to or detracted from the audiobook. Other than that, it was a really fascinating listen. Equal parts history, theology and statecraft it is one of the most cogent explanations for the state of the world today. While only five years old, I would really like to see a newer edition, with her take on those five years.
Category Archives: Bookvision
A Carpenter’s Life as Told by Houses Larry Haun
This was an enjoyable book, if a little on the preachy side. Haun is a master craftsman/carpenter and tells the story of his life through the houses in which he has lived and those he has built. There are many fascinating stories here that make the book worth reading.
Where it breaks down a bit is in the incessant hearkening back to a simpler time and eco-lecturing. While he is absolutely correct in his sentiment, it reminds me of nothing so much as a crotchety old fart standing on the porch yelling at all the kids to “get off Mother Nature’s lawn!” Again, he’s right: we waste too much and think too little when it comes to our consumerist society. But counting the gifts opened at a 13-year old’s birthday party (and a wedding reception to boot) don’t serve nearly so well as his practical stories of how to reuse materials and the benefit (especially monetary) that entails.
I received a review copy from the publisher.
Available 13 September 2011
The Art of Steampunk Art Donovan
This book is more of a museum catalog than an actual text. It covers the eponymous exhibit at the Oxford University Museum of the History of Science that was held October 2009-February 2010.
Calling it a catalog does do something of a disservice. There are no fewer than three introductory-type chapters that explain the phenomena and philosophy of Steampunk (in somewhat repetitive fashion, alas). After that there are individual chapters on each of the artists, along with some highlights of their work.
While a great deal of the work is standard steampunk fare of goggles and timepieces (even so, beautifully done) two artists, Kris Kuksi and Richard Nagy, stand out. Kuksi’s pieces are sculptural rather than wearable, and the level of detail is amazing, while Nagy tackles digital machines for the Victorian age. This volume is a fun addition to any enthusiast’s library.
I received a review copy from the publisher.
Now Available in Paperback
Read This Before Our Next Meeting Al Pittampalli
This was a colossal waste of time. Almost as much time as a really bad meeting. Yes, we know, meetings are broken and they waste time. There is too much MBA and CYA to really achieve anything. But for 90% of the people who have to attend meetings, there is nothing of practical application in this book. While there were cute moments (i.e., meetings as “weapons of mass interruption”) there is not enough in this book to warrant anything other than a memo. Which the author is bold enough to suggest that one read. Yes, memo-reading is key.
The Conversion of a Klansman: The Story of a Former Ku Klux Klan Terrorist Thomas A. Tarrants, III
This book is the story of the Christian conversion of Thomas Tarrants, once dubbed ‘the most dangerous man in Mississippi’. His story is truly an inspiring one: from terrorist to respected religious educator.
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