Stephen Jay Gould - 1996
- Psychology
When published in 1981, The Mismeasure of Man was immediately hailed as a masterwork, the ringing answer to those who would classify people, rank them according to their supposed genetic gifts and limits.
Yet the idea of biology as destiny dies hard, as witness the attention devoted to The Bell Curve, whose arguments are here so effectively anticipated and thoroughly undermined. In this edition, Stephen Jay Gould has written a substantial new introduction telling how and why he wrote the book and tracing the subsequent history of the controversy on innateness right through The Bell Curve. Further, he has added five essays on questions of The Bell Curve in particular and on race, racism, and biological determinism in general. These additions strengthen the book's claim to be, as Leo J. Kamin of Princeton University has said, "a major contribution toward deflating pseudo-biological 'explanations' of our present social woes."
Yet the idea of biology as destiny dies hard, as witness the attention devoted to The Bell Curve, whose arguments are here so effectively anticipated and thoroughly undermined. In this edition, Stephen Jay Gould has written a substantial new introduction telling how and why he wrote the book and tracing the subsequent history of the controversy on innateness right through The Bell Curve. Further, he has added five essays on questions of The Bell Curve in particular and on race, racism, and biological determinism in general. These additions strengthen the book's claim to be, as Leo J. Kamin of Princeton University has said, "a major contribution toward deflating pseudo-biological 'explanations' of our present social woes."
Note: Generally interesting, rather polemic look at attempts to measure intelligence and the dangers of confirmation bias. A little mathy at times, and overlong as well. Did not enjoy this nearly as much as I had expected, especially given my experience with other works by the same author.
Richard P. Feynman - 2010
- Biography & Autobiography -
The outrageous exploits of one of this century's greatest
scientific minds and a legendary American original.
In this phenomenal national bestseller, the Nobel Prize-winning
physicist Richard P. Feynman recounts in his inimitable voice his adventures
trading ideas on atomic physics with Einstein and Bohr and ideas on gambling
with Nick the Greek, painting a naked female toreador, accompanying a ballet on
his bongo drums and much else of an eyebrow-raising and hilarious nature.
Note: Enjoyable, if a
little self-congratulatory stories from one of the twentieth
century's most interesting people. Brainstormed with Einstein, mixed with
showgirls. Lots of humblebragging as well, before the term had even been
invented.
The Man In The Iron Mask
Alexandre Dumas -
Who was the man in the iron mask? Why did he
wear a mask? Why was he imprisoned and who imprisoned him? Nobody knows. His
identity was a mystery when he lived and more than two and a half centuries
later, he is still shrouded in mystery.
Note: Swashbuckling
16th century adventure that moves right along, although it goes
in unexpected directions that seem to defy logic at times. Less of the
eponymous character than I expected.
Ready For a Brand New Beat: How "Dancing in the Street" Became the Anthem ...
Mark Kurlansky - 2013 –
Can a song
change a nation? In 1964, Marvin Gaye, record producer William “Mickey”
Stevenson, and Motown songwriter Ivy Jo Hunter wrote “Dancing in the Street.”
The song was recorded at Motown’s Hitsville USA Studio by Martha and the
Vandellas, with lead singer Martha Reeves arranging her own vocals. Released on
July 31, the song was supposed to be an upbeat dance recording—a precursor to
disco, and a song about the joyousness of dance. But events overtook it, and
the song became one of the icons of American pop culture.
The Beatles had landed in the U.S. in early 1964. By the summer, the sixties
were in full swing. The summer of 1964 was the Mississippi Freedom Summer, the
Berkeley Free Speech Movement, the beginning of the Vietnam War, the passage of
the Civil Rights Act, and the lead-up to a dramatic election. As the country
grew more radicalized in those few months, “Dancing in the Street” gained
currency as an activist anthem. The song took on new meanings, multiple
meanings, for many different groups that were all changing as the country
changed.
Told by the writer who is legendary for finding the big story in unlikely
places, Ready for a Brand New Beat chronicles that
extraordinary summer of 1964 and showcases the momentous role that a simple
song about dancing played in history.
Note: Attempt to connect a song to a protest
movement seems a little stretched. But it's Motown, so I'll let it
slide.
A Heartbreaking Work Of Staggering
Genius: A Memoir Based on a True Story
Dave Eggers - 2013 - A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius is the moving memoir of a college
senior who, in the space of five weeks, loses both of his parents to cancer and
inherits his eight-year-old brother. Here is an exhilarating debut that manages
to be simultaneously hilarious and wildly inventive as well as a deeply
heartfelt story of the love that holds a family together.
Note: Sad,
funny, beautifully written story. A little self-indulgent at times, but what
would you expect from someone who auditioned ironically for the Real
World, San Francisco in the early nineties, and was sad when he wasn’t selected.
Not what it seems to be. More Generation X than family memoir.
A Guide to the Serbian Mentality
Momo Kapor - 2011 -
Note: Charming
series of short essays about the Serbian character and life in
Belgrade. Especially funny if you live here, recommended nonetheless
The 5 Elements of Effective Thinking
Edward B. Burger, Michael Starbird - 2012 -
The 5 Elements of Effective Thinking presents
practical, lively, and inspiring ways for you to become more successful through
better thinking. The idea is simple: You can learn how to think far better by
adopting specific strategies. Brilliant people aren't a special breed--they
just use their minds differently. By using the straightforward and
thought-provoking techniques in The 5 Elements of Effective Thinking,
you will regularly find imaginative solutions to difficult challenges, and you
will discover new ways of looking at your world and yourself--revealing
previously hidden opportunities.
The book offers real-life stories, explicit action items, and
concrete methods that allow you to attain a deeper understanding of any issue,
exploit the power of failure as a step toward success, develop a habit of
creating probing questions, see the world of ideas as an ever-flowing stream of
thought, and embrace the uplifting reality that we are all capable of change.
No matter who you are, the practical mind-sets introduced in the book will
empower you to realize any goal in a more creative, intelligent, and effective
manner. Filled with engaging examples that unlock truths about thinking in
every walk of life, The 5 Elements of Effective Thinking is
written for all who want to reach their fullest potential--including students,
parents, teachers, businesspeople, professionals, athletes, artists, leaders,
and lifelong learners.
Whenever you are stuck, need a new idea, or want to learn and
grow, The 5 Elements of Effective Thinking will inspire and
guide you on your way.
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