Book Review #020 - Built to Last: Successful Habits of Visionary Companies

 

Rating:
4/5 cultist board members

Author:
Jim Collins

Amazon Link:
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‘Built to Last’, Jim Collins’ 2004 follow up to ‘Good to Great’, is an academic summary of the foundational work carried out at Stanford that lead to Collins’ understanding of what makes good companies ascend to the the level of greatness. ‘Built to Last’ is comprehensive but not exhaustive, it provides the key insights from every stage of Collins’ research and ties up an overall narrative relatively neatly.

The book moves at a pace that keeps interest and drives to the core of questions that greatly benefit from careful evaluation to deliver some keen understandings in an integrated subject area of human psychology and business economics. The book is required reading for anyone who wants to work on business development, long term project management, or wants to understand the history of the various companies discussed over the previous century.

‘Built to Last’ is a text that should be re-read every decade or so, to re-align an understanding of historic predictors of greatness and project them through the ever-evolving modern lens of technology and social movement. The concepts of preserving the core, stimulating progress, and clock building are innately timeless, but they manifest themselves in different ways as our business environments adapt to new technologies, evolving regulation, and the next generation of leadership.

While the book was a joy to read and prompted thoughtful reflection repeatedly throughout the narrative, it does stray from the main path of the investigation at times. If you want the just of what is here, read ‘Good to Great’, and only venture down this rabbit hole if you really care to know the gritty details of the crafting of the Collins’ methodology.

Source: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5171...

Book Review #016 - A Promised Land

 
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Rating: 4/5 humanizing reflections on life and duty

Author:
Barack Obama

Amazon Link: referral program on hold :(

I first opened the cover of Obama’s long awaited memoir many months ago. I put it down and picked it back up many times, never able to maintain the motivation to continue reading for more than a few weeks at a time. Thankfully, the last few months have provided ample time on my daily commute to return to reading regularly, and I was able to push through to the end. As may be gathered from my recounting of this process, the book doesn’t drive a narrative that is particularly engaging, but I still think it is a worthwhile read because it delivers a much needed grounding perspective for a man who’s legacy, in hindsight, seems more abstract and ethereal than ever.

Nothing makes a political text more tangible than living and working in Washington. I can read about a specific interaction, then be walking past that literary scene a few days later, giving the text a closeness that wasn’t appreciable while I was living in San Diego. I see the jaded staffers, the confused but excited tourists, the protestors, the agitators, and the people just trying to make a living by selling cheap merchandise across the street from the white house, featuring whatever slogan happens to be driving emotion in those who visit. It makes the whole dance of politics seem more like a one-dimensional production, but also makes the concept of political careers seem ever so slightly less egregious, if only due to the unbearable droll and repetition of deriving progress from the ever-swinging pendulum.

Pertaining to Obama’s purpose with this book and the impending second volume, It shines as a revealing retelling of the challenges and pivotal moments of a truly historical presidency, but sometimes loses itself as a means to have the last word in petty interactions that have long been forgotten by those not immediately involved. Barry is human after all, revealing the bruises and scars of two presidential terms reminds the reader that his decision making was not always perfect, though his ideals and motivations were respectable and more appreciated now than ever. Obama’s recounting informs our current understanding of those that are still carrying the fire in Washington, making Biden’s actions as president traceable to his work in the Obama administration an interesting derivative.

Overall I would say that I personally enjoyed the book, although it wasn’t fascinating or particularly engaging, it provides some context into who Barack Obama is and was, as a person, rather than as an idealogue or abstract force of societal change that he is sometimes reduced to. I think that people who respect and appreciate Obama will enjoy the book in nostalgic terms, recounting a presidency that was well intended, purposeful, but perhaps not as effective as once hoped. People who dislike Obama may find some humanizing aspects in the text, but I fear that those people will never make it through the long read, which often requires some personal interest to carry the reader through drawn out anecdotes that are scattered throughout the book.

Book Review #015 - Rich Dad, Poor Dad

 
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Rating: 1/5 rambling stories
ending in a sales pitch

Author:
Robert T. Kiyosaki

Amazon Link: referral program on hold :(

I picked up Kiyosaki’s opus on the philosophy of personal finance at the suggestion of a friend who was getting into investing as a career. It seemed like my personal approach to financial management and investing was well aligned with Kiyosaki’s approach, so I was interested to see the details written out and formed into a cohesive program. I wanted to see the big picture of where the progressive, risk-tolerant, ever-optimistic investor paradigm was placed in the hierarchy of financial ideals. I expected the book to bring some meat to the table, backing up the aforementioned approach with some kind of statistical or analytical framework to justify the aversion to traditional investment strategies in favor of inventive dealing done outside the box. I did not find an analytical foundation, nor did I find anything meaningful outside of some common sense advice and a sales pitch for Kiyosaki’s line of financial education courses. I was conned, as is the goal with Kiyosaki and the type of investor he inspires and admires.

It took me a long time to make my way through this text. Each time I picked it up, fresh with promise, I ended up putting it down an hour later with a bad taste in my mouth and a sense of unconscious discomfort at knowing the point of view being pushed by Kiyosaki likely passes as wise, or at least not harmful, in many circles. The book is aimed at a specific selection of readers who are looking for something to validate their desire to gain wealth at all costs, often at the expense of others. Kiyosaki provides this validation by fulfilling every stereotype of a self-absorbed, morally-bankrupt, narrowly-focused ‘investor’. He takes a Trumpian view of wealth, something that could have been considered a positive approach previously, but is newly considered as the approach of a man that is all image and no substance. A con man who moves from one mark to the next, only a few steps ahead of the legal and moral backlash that typically follows this type of behavior, able to avoid repercussions due to a complete lack of self awareness or conscience keeping him moving forward.

Among the sage advice offered by Kiyosaki is the recommendation of joining a multi-level-marketing company, engaging in insider trading, taking advantage of anyone and everyone at every opportunity, underpaying your employees, setting up shell companies to avoid taxes, and every other kind of devious scheme that would be considered morally reprehensible if it is done by someone who isn’t seemingly wealthy and successful. Of course, there are a few good points as well. Investing in IPOs, defining assets as only the things that can generate income, teaching yourself about finance and the legal framework of taxation, having a diverse mix of investments, are all good points of advice and earn this text the single star it received. The balance of good to bad advice is almost comical however, Kiyosaki just throws out random thoughts, many of them self-contradicting (do it yourself, but hire only the best experts, don’t pay them, but pay them well). I think that ultimately the reader can pick and choose what advice they want to get out of the book. The focus on optimism and positivity is also a good thing, within reason.

Overall I felt this book wasn’t worth the time it took to read it. If anything, it has shown me that Kiyosaki sees financial education as just another revenue stream. He constantly recommends his games, books, and courses. He gives just enough meaningful advice that the novice investor might be tempted to dig a bit deeper and buy the next book. Kiyosaki does a great job of being controversial enough to draw attention (your house is not an asset) then capitalizing on that attention by taking advantage of people who want to learn a meaningful financial strategy. He pulls the con off smoothly, without a hint of self awareness, like he has done this a million times before.

Book Review #014 - Dune Messiah

 
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Rating: 3/5 convoluted trappings of idol worship

Author:
Frank Herbert

Amazon Link: referral program on hold :(

Frank Herbert’s second entry in the Dune series takes a fundamentally different view of the central protagonist of the first book and provides much needed depth to the characters and world of the Dune universe. Herbert's talent for creating technical fiction are apparent in Dune Messiah, but in attempting to strike a different path with the overall tone of the narrative, Herbert does not produce the kind of intriguing character development that set his first Dune book apart from other contemporary science fiction. Where Dune is a flawed masterpiece, Dune Messiah is the necessary foundation for further extrapolation (or exploitation?) of the Dune narrative, and thus presents less intrinsic value when independently appraised.

That isn’t to say that the novel is devoid of intrigue or joy. There are many facets here to gaze into and get lost in Herbert’s expertly crafted world. The political overtones, dense character motivations, and less-vague-than-previous religious commentary provides a variety of full bodied routes through the narrative. Herbert does tend to get lost in his own story weaving, at times almost actively avoiding the action-adventure elements that so well suited the first entry in the series. He does seem to improve his empty gender roles from the last book, actually creating some agency in his female characters this time around.

I was initially worried that pushing past the masterpiece that is Dune, into the belly of a series that has a reputation for being an entirely downhill endeavor, would only serve to spoil the collective ordeal. By probing the scenery surrounding the main stage of this production, I’ve found the illusion to be thin and now inescapably apparent. I would not recommend Dune Messiah for anyone who still has the intact illusion of Dune’s complex and massive universe. The sequel is decent, but the cost to something better left to stand alone is just too high.

Book Review #013 - Where We Go from Here: Two Years in the Resistance

 

Rating: 4/5 missed opportunities for political revolution

Author:
Bernie Sanders

Amazon Link: referral program on hold :(

After finishing Our Revolution I was compelled to pick up Sanders most recent book, Where We Go from Here, to see what he had to say about the new administration and his desire to run for president again in 2020. As I was reading this book, Sander’s campaign was slowly conceding that the chances for his selection as the Democratic candidate were extremely slim. I wanted to hear Sander’s case for the presidency and give his campaign one last moment of attention before we inevitably move on. Overall, the book was interesting to read, but was more or less what I had expected in that it doesn’t necessarily cover any new philosophical ground and is essentially a collection of public addresses given from 2016 to his presidential campaign announcement in 2018.

It should be no surprise that not much has changed since the 2016 election, Sanders is nothing if not consistent in his message and motivations. I half-expected to read a furious rebuttal to the Trump administration, as the progressive narrative generally and vigorously opposes most recent conservative policies. Sanders avoids this pitfall and manages to abstain from overly focusing his most recent work on Trump and his policies, instead he reinforces his support for the various policy platforms that he described in 2016 and delivers a chronological review of his recent campaign efforts. The positive integration approach is refreshing, effective, and demonstrates Sanders central values of political civility.

Sanders latest book is not significantly different in tone or content than what he presented in Our Revolution. The book serves a different purpose, this time utilizing a recounting of campaign events to drive the central narrative rather than his personal history. I don't find the difference in narrative approach to be compelling for the average reader and I feel the book still suffers the same flaws as his previous text. Fans of Sanders will find the book engaging, but those who aren't motivated to investigate his recent activity will struggle to find motivation for pushing through the material. The book is capable, but the dry, methodical narrative approach does detract from the overall effectiveness of the literature as a tool for his campaign. I would recommend the book to anybody with political interests and progressive leanings. As the Democratic primary draws to a close, it helps to connect the dots of Sanders political trajectory and illustrates the tragedy of missed opportunity if Sanders is not ultimately chosen as the Democratic candidate.

Book Review #011 - Dune

 

Rating: 5/5 mind-melting spice trips

Author:
Frank Herbert

Amazon Link:
referral program on hold :(

Dune is a literary classic and a foundation for modern science fiction. The importance and impact of the novel on the themes of popular science fiction today cannot be understated and deserve to be discussed and appreciated (see the "Jodorowsky's Dune" documentary). Herbert created a vivid, complex world and rich characters that mange to weave together many different layers of story into a cohesive and compelling tale which engages the reader and draws them into the deep universe of the story. Themes of religion, revolution, love, loyalty, morality, politics, and classic action-adventure are all present and ingrained in one another. This creates a varied novel that has some bit of interest for every reader to engage in. Herbert's work still stands as an excellent adventure story in a modern context and is absolutely astounding when evaluated against the popular tropes of science fiction at the time it was published. That being said, it does have a few weak points.

Perhaps the most direct criticism that could be leveled against Herbert's magnum opus is that the character development is somewhat shallow. Paul lacks any human shortcomings and therefore any conflict lacks authentic narrative tension, as the reader is aware of his infallibility early in the story. The cast of women lack any real agency and are treated as tools by their male counterparts, which is likely a reflection of Herbert's own flawed view of gender roles. Much of the dialog is either very flat or extremely pretentious, but that is also a trope of the genre and can be forgiven. If the reader can stomach the one-dimensional characters and appreciate the world building and high level concepts presented, Dune is absolutely worth reading.

There are few tales with such complex and ambitious social analogies woven through them. Dune's central themes are timeless and reflects mankind's recurring struggle to resent oppression and the true value derived from personal hardship. Herbert's Dune is a masterpiece in spite of its tired central narrative of a perfect savior that destroys an oppressive regime. It's deeper explorations of social themes carry the novel to an elevated position among it's peers and permanently fix the novel as a true classic of science fiction.

Source: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2278...

Book Review #009 - Shortest Way Home

 

Rating: 4/5 glowing river lights

Author:
Pete Buttigieg

Amazon Link:
referral program on hold :(

Mayor Pete Buttigieg lays out his background and describes his journey through life as a student, soldier, son, husband, and public servant in his first text; Shortest Way Home. The personal stories are varied and integrated with small descriptions of his political philosophy, making that narrative flow naturally as he steps through each stage of his life and arrives at his present position as a candidate for the American presidency. The book was emotional, reasoned, and as down-to-earth as a candidate can be when setting their public record as they see fit. I’d recommend the book to anyone who is interested in Pete Buttigieg as a candidate and wants to know more about his background. His story is authentic and creates enough personal interest to stand on it’s own as an inspection of American culture from the prospective of a young politician at the launch of his national career.

The most refreshing characteristic to see in a modern presidential candidate is some kind of personal modesty regarding their arrival at such an illustrious position. The ability to admit that not all answers are immediately clear, but that the path to a solution is a rational result of transparent consideration of the challenges and options available is something that I appreciated at a time when political ideals are so emotionally charged. Mayor Pete describes his approach to solving problems more than he discusses specific policy solutions. This can perhaps be considered a weakness of his exposition, as a candidate is typically expected to bare his arms and armor regarding policy objectives in his candidate biography. Pete takes a different approach by establishing his identity as a primary objective, adding policy only as needed. I would agree that I was looking for clear policy actions and found myself wondering how valuable character development is to his candidacy, as there is so much of that material to be found. Much like other politicians in the past, Pete Buttigieg aims to set his history to public record with this text, rather than cement his positions on policy. I think the material is thin as it stands, but if he releases future material which is more precise in describing his plans, he could easily fill that void. As it stands, I think this text will be viewed as the character development for Pete and will serve as a part of a wider body of material meant to sway voters and establish his political aims.

I felt the book was interesting but not enough of a declaration of principle to build confidence in Mayor Pete as a candidate. I finished the text with a deep emotional connection to Pete, but without the confidence I need as a voter to be sure that he will drive the change I believe we need to see in our government. I think his candidacy is a statement with respect to American political culture, but he needs more steel in his foundation before he can really build anything more significant. A good start, hopefully Mayor Pete follows this book up with more material that will demonstrate his intentions beyond a simple explanation of his personal character. Although that wouldn’t be bad, it isn’t what I feel we need in a post-Trump candidate.

Book Review #008 - Of Mice and Men

 

Rating: 3/5 vaseline-filled gloves

Author: John Steinbeck

Amazon Link:
referral program on hold :(

Steinbeck's classic short story follows (or maybe helps to refine) all the rules for a well rounded narrative, but is ultimately too concerned with being adaptable to both theater and the written page to make for a great book or play, and ends up being a mediocre experience for each of these formats.

The characters, dialogue, and scenery sculpts an image of American culture that is warm and detailed but somewhat encumbered by the social norms of the time and place it was conceived. Images of early America are thin and visual, but end up lacking that narrative third dimension when scrutinized as a reader. The characters are instantly familiar but almost too shallow to support the kind of depth that is required of a great american novel.

Of Mice and Men was written as a sort of play in book form and the restrictions which allow the story to transfer to the stage also constrain the story in it's written form. The arcs and sweeping movements of the characters and their actions would surely be appreciated by a theater audience, but as a reader, I want to hear the inner thoughts of the characters as they consider the abstract, non-physical components which drive their motivations. Perhaps this is why Steinbeck chose the simple characters that he did for the story, but I feel that this cheapens the characters in a way that takes satisfaction away from the book audience in favor of the hybrid experiment.

Overall a great read and a critical component of American narrative culture, but not the classic novel that I wanted to dive into and take apart.

Source: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2838...

Book Review #007 - The Lord of the Flies

 

Rating: 5/5 talking pig heads

Author: William Golding

Amazon Link:
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Lord of the Flies was a book that I never read while I was in school, but I've always heard was a great story. I decided to pick it up and see if the high praise was founded. Indeed; I found it is an excellent book and a very entertaining read. Although it is aimed at a younger audience, I still found so much to enjoy and consider from an adult perspective.

The novel is timeless in the way that all great novels are, it explores a part of the human condition that is is constant and steady as we move forward through the years. Distilling interpersonal group dynamics that are on display in everyday society down to their raw essence. Unhindered by learned cultural norms imposed by civilization and adulthood, Golding creates a tale that lays bare the motivations that drive us. We are given the opportunity to observe the effects of these motivations as they play out in the daily struggle of the boys to survive and work toward a common goal while they manage clashes between abstract social conflicts and real physical threats. We are challenged to evaluate the validity of our social constructs and why we feel the need to adhere or challenge them. The characters are human; flawed and deeply vulnerable at times. Personal, sometimes petty, motivators overtake the fundamental drive to survive and we are forced to recognize our dependency on social order, trust among each other, and the thin film of civilized behavior that separates us from nature. These themes work well to create a story that has impressive depth, achieving both an entertaining surface narrative and an intriguing probe into our societal foundations.

Lord of the Flies is a classic novel for so many reasons. It is a masterful example of minimalist world building and deep character development. It starts from a clean, basic premise and allows the complexity of human social interactions to build a nuanced and intriguing world that I couldn't help but be drawn into. I would recommend this book to anyone willing to give it a read, as every age and perspective is sure to gain something in the adventure that Golding has created.

Source: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2801...

Book Review #006 - The Future is History: How Totalitarianism Reclaimed Russia

 
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Rating: 4/5 arrested protesters

Author: Masha Gessen

Amazon Link: 
referral program on hold :(

The Future is History was an intriguing perspective of Russia from a native Russian who has lived through and participated in many key events in recent Russian history. Masha Gessen provides a narrative that is both deeply personal and massive in scope. She has been on the progressive side of Russian social movements for many years and has met a number of key players in the events that would eventually lead Russia to where we stand today. Her story is woven through the larger narrative in a way that makes the text readable and underlines the personal impact of a nation’s heavy-handed social regulations. Russia is a complicated political environment, but Gessen does an excellent job of taking it apart piece-by-piece and providing the context that each individual moment in history deserves, allowing it to be understood from a human perspective.

From a western viewpoint, Russia can be enigmatic in it’s underlying social framework and motivations. The people of Russia are distinctly different from their western counterparts and are unique in that they have been created from an environment that is deeply entrenched with historical norms surrounding distribution of power, wealth, and a familiarity with authority that is monolithic and unlike anything seen in the west. Russia’s history is, and should be, a source of pride to it’s people, but that history also brings with it a crushing amount of inertia that makes progressive social movements much more difficult and raises the stakes for those involved. This text is as much a story of Putin, his rise to power, and means of control as it is about navigating the political landscape as a young person who finds themselves in a nation of people who seem to be rejecting themselves. Her fellow Russians seem to be taking comfort in a past that offers no future to those who want to move their society forward towards western ideals of individual freedom. The conflict of love for one’s country and love for one’s identity is jarring and difficult to maintain without feeling immediately overwhelmed. Gessen does a spectacular job of describing that conflict in a way that makes the situation recognizable but foreboding. The case she makes for Russia’s slow descent into totalitarianism is clear and troubling, and surely will continue as long as the Russian people continue to accept and enable a society in which the concentration of power is allowed to progress.

Gessen’s book is very good. It is well written, well paced, and packed with historical perspective. It isn’t a definitive hard-edged recounting of Russian history; it is a human story and filled with the sort of softness that the human perspective brings to history. This might not be suited for someone purely interested in concrete historical review, but I would recommend it for anyone who wants human context coupled with historical perspective.

Source: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2574...

Book Review #005 - Walden; or, Life in the Woods

 

Rating: 5/5 ant metaphors

Author: Henry D. Thoreau

Amazon Link:
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What can be said about Henry David Thoreau’s classic reflection about the nature of man that hasn’t already been said countless times before, by far more experienced readers than myself? Walden is a spark that ignites a sense of the ancient, independent spirit in every human being, or should be, if the reader is ready to embrace it.

Thoreau’s prose is so precise yet adorned with the most fantastic description of the natural world surrounding him. It makes reading the text both entertaining and acutely painful as a modern member of society who embraces many of the material things Thoreau disassembles. Thoreau has such a talent for distilling his argument for the simplicity of a good life and makes the pursuit of anything more derived seem absurd in comparison. He introduces supporting characters as needed to provide tangible examples to the reader and manages to cover a huge variety of humanity’s many excuses for self-inflected misery. Walden was a joy to read and has had a remarkable effect on my understanding of, and motivation for, a life well lived. The decadent bits of profound philosophical arguments are well anchored and softened by a glorious reflection on the beauty of the Northeastern landscape.

I would recommend this book to any American, or human being, who feels that life is too complicated or feels overwhelmed with the race that we have made for ourselves. Take a few deep breaths and walk the line of a cynic, as it is well justified from Thoreau’s vantage point. You won’t be able to do anything but appreciate his wisdom and sympathize with his justifications while you wade through his gorgeous description of the nature surrounding him and the nature which lies within all of us.

Source: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2607...

Book Review #004 - The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin

 

Rating: 5/5 secret societies

Author: Benjamin Franklin

Amazon Link:
referral program on hold :(

Ben Franklin is perhaps one of the greatest American literary figures that has ever lived.  His knack for conversational language combined with his keen intellect and vast base of knowledge means that his writings are both approachable and entertaining while also being ingenious in many ways.  He strikes me as someone who would have been a great companion for an evening of contemplation.  Accounts of his life demonstrate that his value as a clear-headed partner in conversation was recognized and sought after.  By Mr. Franklin's account, he succeeded simply by striving for constant improvement throughout his life and having an interest in the world and people around him.  This open-mindedness served him well in that he never stopped being curious and welcoming new and challenging ideas throughout his lengthy career as a businessman and a statesman. 

In is autobiography, Mr. Franklin recounts a number of personal maxims that he resolved to guide his life.  The value of these lessons is apparent in that they have a timeless quality and still apply to modern life; they apply to the human condition as well as to his specific human experience.  His ideas regarding the proper way to go about getting the most out of life are inspiring and practical, if not downright profound.  Ben Franklin is perhaps the only person who could write such an inspiring and entertaining account of a life so well lived, and his autobiography is one of the best books I've had the pleasure to read.  I would recommend this text to any American who has even the slightest interest in Mr. Franklin or his strategies for living a good, rewarding, and meaningful life.  An excellent book and an excellent account of a true hero of American history.

Source: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2604...

Book Review #002 - Billions and Billions: Thoughts on Life and Death at the Brink of the Millennium

 
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Rating: 4/5 billion stars

Author: Carl Sagan

Amazon Link: https://amzn.to/2LX8x6J

Note:
The link above is an associates link.  I'll get a portion of the purchase price if you buy the book with that link.

Sagan's final book reflects on the things that many of us consider when we know our lives are near their end. The text is both a heartwarming reminder of the eloquent prose that Sagan is capable of, as well as his capacity for addressing some of the most profound questions that humanity must ask itself as we continue to move into the future. Billions and Billions ended up taking a longer period of time for me to read, due to a number of life events getting in the way, but I was able to pick it up after a break and easily climb back into the narrative. I was very happy with the book overall and would recommend it to anyone who is a fan of Sagan or wishes to explore his viewpoints on the topics covered in the book.

The book covers a number of topics, and approaches fundamental questions about mortality, morality, and the human experience. Sagan reflects on the awesome scale and possibilities of the universe around us in the first part of the book, probes the reasoning and justification behind a number of social questions in the second part of the book, and digs into some very sensitive subjects and provides profound advice for living a good life in the final part of the book. The text covers an amazing amount of ground, from investigating the justification and practice of abortion, to the question of whether intelligent life exists outside our own planet. Sagan is perhaps the only author that can handle such a variety and differing scale of questions without missing a beat. Sagan's classic conversational style is present, and is refined at this point in his career. The book is an excellent demonstration of work that is approachable without sacrificing academic depth. His dictation is as calm and reasoned as it always has been; I like to imagine him reading the text in an armchair in front of a flickering fireplace, calmly explaining the universe to those of us who are prepared to listen.

Sagan's personal story is entwined into the narrative, which both grounds the text in real experience and provides an emotional thread that left me with a lump in my throat and a sense of respect for his enduring perspective and the strength of his family as his life came to an end, near the end of the text. The final chapter is written by his wife, as she reflects on his impact and life of work spent answering questions that have proved to be difficult to approach, even today. It speaks to the gravity of the topics discussed, that we still struggle with many of these in our modern society. Perhaps if we still had Sagan with us, he would be able to help us to further deconstruct these complex questions, but I suspect that him being forced to consider his mortality somehow allowed him to see some of these topics more clearly.

The discussion is notably apolitical, something which is both refreshing and discouraging considering how our current politically charged social climate has only gotten more extreme with time. Sagan was interested in finding the truth of the matter, even with questions that many would gladly accept some more comforting narrative as opposed to a more sober, realistic understanding.

Considering that Sagan's legacy can be measured by the effect on our modern culture, it is clear that he lives on through his thoughtful words and positions. His cutting observations will shape our dialog for years to come, as a man of his intellect and social statue deserves. 

We miss you Carl, thank you for all you have done for us.

Source: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2395...

Book Review #000 - Introduction!

I've been writing reviews for the books I read on a website called GoodReads for quite a while now.  I really enjoy the site as a way to consolidate my reviews and get recommendations for new books to check out in the future.  In the spirit of consolidating all the material I publish online in a single place, I'll also be publishing the reviews here on my website.  Look forward to blog posts every few weeks.  If you enjoy the reviews, leave a comment and let me know your thoughts.

 
 

If you want to see my GoodReads profile, click on the image above!