Sep 14 2006
Books I’ve Read Recently
Some of these books I read months ago, some weeks ago. I’m updating these short review posts as I finish a book, publishing it when I’ve reviewed five.
- The End of Faith: Religion, Terror, and the Future of Reason by Sam Harris
(8/10)
An interesting, controversial thesis about the meaning of faith and its role in religion, how all religions should go the way of Greek mythology (which is way cooler than this Christian stuff people are raving about). I previously posted about this book when I heard about it. I’ll probably read it again. - Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything by Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner
(7/10)
This describes the use of economics for unconventional studies, like “What’s more dangerous, a swimming pool or a gun in the house?” Okay, who cares; but the methods used to come up the conclusions are interesting. - Kindred by Octavia Butler
(9/10)
This is a science-fiction novel about a black woman transported to the 1800s, finding her ancestors as slaves. There’s no science in this fiction; the time travel is just used a plot device to introduce us to the world of slavery in the U.S. One of many favorite novels. Thoughtful, gripping, and well-written. - Big Bang: The Origin Of The Universe by Simon Singh (9/10)
This is a history of how the theories about the universe were developed. It’s not technical, and his anecdotes about the scientists and researchers makes you empathize with their goal to understand concepts most people can’t fathom. Highly recommended for science buffs. I’ve read Singh’s excellent The Code Book, as well. - Fade by Robert Cormier (9/10)
I’ve posted about this novel before. I’ve read it at least twice.
