Fairly good but not really one of his best. Seems fairly clear that Grisham opposes limits on damage awards, though overall the book is fairly balanced.
5/2008
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Fortune's Formula by William Poundstone
A book about gambling and probability and investing. It features Claude Shannon, a mathematical genius, and a host of other mathematicians, economists, investors, and criminals. The "Kelly Criterion" is a theme running through the whole book. It is a theory about risk and how much of your bankroll to hazard on a bet or investment. The efficient market theory and random walk theory are featured as well.
The big question is whether one can beat the market. My impression is that there are perhaps some small areas of "inefficiency" in the market that a very smart mathematician can exploit, but that in practice most (but not all) of these plans fail due to hubris or lack of discipline or (and this is well shown in the book) someone cheating or changing the rules.
The takeaway message to me is diversify and don't try to time or predict the market (see Solin above).
5/2008
The big question is whether one can beat the market. My impression is that there are perhaps some small areas of "inefficiency" in the market that a very smart mathematician can exploit, but that in practice most (but not all) of these plans fail due to hubris or lack of discipline or (and this is well shown in the book) someone cheating or changing the rules.
The takeaway message to me is diversify and don't try to time or predict the market (see Solin above).
5/2008
Blind Eye by James B. Stewart
"A terrifying story of a doctor who got away with murder" (Front cover). Michael Swango went to med school at SIU, where I did my residency. He killed patients wherever he went but kept ahead of the authorities, even going to mission hospitals in Africa, where he continued his murderous ways.
4/2008
4/2008
Moses and Monotheism by Sigmund Freud
This was much more readable and interesting than I expected. Freud writes in an almost conversational style. True to his analytic roots, his approach is self-conscious but almost pleasingly so. The preface is in two parts reflecting the cataclysms of the time, the rising cloud of Nazism and the fall of Austria, Freud's home.
Moses, he posits, was an Egyptian noble and imposed a monotheistic religion espoused by a short-lived pharaoh. And during a period of anarchy in Egypt, he led the Hebrews into the wilderness. He was overthrown in a rebellion and a Midianite sheepherder took over. These legends were fused.
While I'm unconvinced by his thesis, it nonetheless is clear that to an outside onlooker Moses imposed a religion on a people, survived several attempts on his life and position, and responded ruthlessly. Moses is also shown as impulsive and rash yet described as the meekest of men.
Of course my own explanation is that the answer is in the action of a powerful God using a fallible human and making of him a great man. Thus imposition becomes advocacy, ruthlessness becomes zeal for God, and meekness is God's work in an impulsive and impatient man.
My opinion of Freud is much greater with more exposure. In this book he is analogizing neurosis to historical religious development. this is difficult and full of hazards, many of which he boldly addresses. It is an attempt of a genius.
He also discusses antisemitism, its causes and persistence, and does so in a touching way, given his own suffering. The psycho-historical search for the historical Moses identifies the important factors of a "one God" with no images allowed.
12/2007
Moses, he posits, was an Egyptian noble and imposed a monotheistic religion espoused by a short-lived pharaoh. And during a period of anarchy in Egypt, he led the Hebrews into the wilderness. He was overthrown in a rebellion and a Midianite sheepherder took over. These legends were fused.
While I'm unconvinced by his thesis, it nonetheless is clear that to an outside onlooker Moses imposed a religion on a people, survived several attempts on his life and position, and responded ruthlessly. Moses is also shown as impulsive and rash yet described as the meekest of men.
Of course my own explanation is that the answer is in the action of a powerful God using a fallible human and making of him a great man. Thus imposition becomes advocacy, ruthlessness becomes zeal for God, and meekness is God's work in an impulsive and impatient man.
My opinion of Freud is much greater with more exposure. In this book he is analogizing neurosis to historical religious development. this is difficult and full of hazards, many of which he boldly addresses. It is an attempt of a genius.
He also discusses antisemitism, its causes and persistence, and does so in a touching way, given his own suffering. The psycho-historical search for the historical Moses identifies the important factors of a "one God" with no images allowed.
12/2007
How Doctors Think by Jerome Groopman, M.D.
This doctor understands, of course, but he can communicate his understanding to those who aren't doctors. It is not that doctors don't recognize errors. Groopman shows the errors and the pain doctors suffer. For us ordinary doctors Groopman finds world-class doctors, the best of the best, who have made errors. Groopman gives examples of errors he suffered as a patient.
I find his discussion of medical errors far more useful, far more human, far more TRUE than the systems approach and protocol-driven solutions of the Institutes of Medicine and other groups. Groopman wants high standards and good communication. There are those who think they can measure quality. I remain unconvinced. I am not saying it is impossible. I am not saying they will fail. I am saying they can't do it now.
I find his discussion of medical errors far more useful, far more human, far more TRUE than the systems approach and protocol-driven solutions of the Institutes of Medicine and other groups. Groopman wants high standards and good communication. There are those who think they can measure quality. I remain unconvinced. I am not saying it is impossible. I am not saying they will fail. I am saying they can't do it now.
Monday, June 9, 2008
Crisis by Robin Cook
Somewhat engaging. About "boutique medicine" and malpractice and a murder mystery.
Summer for the Gods by Edward J. Larsen
This Pulitzer Prize winner in history is about the Scopes trial. It is extremely well done. It is interesting, even-handed, very well-documented, and unfailingly fair. It is scholarly but captures the reader's interest and attention. It lays to rest the myths about the trial. I think this is a prototype of what a book about a historical event should be. Unfortunately, perception can be its own reality, and the play and movie have changed the "reality" of the Scopes trial beyond repair. I think the truth can be found in this book.
The Smartest Investment Book You'll Ever Read by Daniel R. Solin
After hearing Solin speak to Google I had to buy the book and was not disappointed. He promises to tell you exactly how to invest and why, and then delivers. The book is simple, clear, and persuasive. Confused, tired of conflicting advice, unsure what to do? This book is for you.
Confessions of an Economic Hit Man by John Perkins
This is a purportedly true story of a business man/economist who is influenced and molded and handled by a shadowy world of international finance and quasi-governmental operatives. It is a confession, but a weak, incomplete one. His descriptions of world events are interesting. His analysis of world debt and manipulation of small countries is surely true. But the shadowy world influencing him behind the scenes, encouraging, threatening, bribing ... is it real or his imagination? I think the real sins are left unconfessed and he is left mostly confessing the sins of others. Large corporations, Bush - easy marks all.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri
This is the immigrant experience told with honesty and pathos. The good and the bad of two cultures mixed and rendered inseparable. You leave your parents' land and tongue but you are your parents and their land and tongue, and you are your children and their new land and tongue. It is a mystery, a joy and a deep sorrow, all achingly expressed in this good book.
The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri
This is the immigrant experience told with honesty and pathos. The good and the bad of two cultures mixed and rendered inseparable. You leave your parents' land and tongue but you are your parents and their land and tongue, and you are your children and their new land and tongue. It is a myster, a joy and a deep sorrow, all achingly expressed in this good book.
Science, Faith, and Society by Michael Polanyi
This is a careful and authoritative discussion of how science works and its scope. He speaks against a naive view of self-correcting science and premise-free science. He gives historical examples of validated experiments that proved to be mistaken, and theory eventually found true despite contradictory experimental evidence. He wants science to be free and not limited by tradition, dogma, or seniority. Belief in truth, love of truth, pursuit of truth. He considers radical empiricists as inevitably moving to complete metaphysical nihilism. He denies truth is demonstrable but holds that truth is knowable. Knowledge of reality will lead us to God.
Science, Faith, and Society by Michael Polanyi
This is a careful and authoritative discussion of how science works and its scope. He speaks against a naive view of self-correcting science and premise-free science. He gives historical examples of validated experiments that proved to be mistaken. And theory eventually found true despite contradictory experimental evidence. He wants science to be free and not limited by tradition, dogma, or seniority. Belief in truth, love of truth, pursuit of truth. He considers radical empiricists as inevitably moving to complete metaphysical nihilism. He denies truth is demomnstrable but holds that truth is knowable. Knowledge of reality will lead us to God.
Dark Hero of the Information Age by Flo Conway & Jim Siegelman
A book about Norbert Wiener, the father of cybernetics. Cybernetics is Greek and the Latin is Gubernator, hence governor, which controls the speed of an engine by negative feedback. Cybernetics is system control.
Wiener was a polyglot genius, a child wonder, possibly the smartest boy in the world at the time. He went on to scientific greatness despite the persistent bipolar disorder which plagued him and an obsessive controlling wife who caused serious family troubles and alienated Wiener from his most talented collaborators, causing serious problems discussed in agonizing and voluminous detail in the book, almost ruining it.
Weiner, however, was a true genius and a legend at MIT. He invented cybernetics (unless you give proper credit to On Governors by my favorite scientist, James Clerk Maxwell). He was at Aberdeen Ballistic proving grounds, the 'Los Alamos' of WWI. He used statistical methods to extend Einstein's explanation of Brownian motion. He developed mathematical methods of measuring communication that were popularized by Shannon, who got all the credit. Decades too soon he recommended using vacuum tubes for a digital computer in the 1920s, but was rejected by Vannevar Bush. He had an idea for optical computing decades before it became feasible. And he recommended continued use and research on analog computing, which only now has recaptured interest.
His cybernetics research led to 'circular causality' and machines behaving 'with purpose,' an affront to reductionist philosophers. He formed a teleology society and studied brain nerve networks. He proposed that entropy and information are negatives of one another, information measuring order and entropy measuring disorder. He wrote a novel called The Tempter, a retelling of Faust in the technological age. He predicted that nucleic acids would be used in machines. He predicted 3-D electronic circuits.
Wiener was a polyglot genius, a child wonder, possibly the smartest boy in the world at the time. He went on to scientific greatness despite the persistent bipolar disorder which plagued him and an obsessive controlling wife who caused serious family troubles and alienated Wiener from his most talented collaborators, causing serious problems discussed in agonizing and voluminous detail in the book, almost ruining it.
Weiner, however, was a true genius and a legend at MIT. He invented cybernetics (unless you give proper credit to On Governors by my favorite scientist, James Clerk Maxwell). He was at Aberdeen Ballistic proving grounds, the 'Los Alamos' of WWI. He used statistical methods to extend Einstein's explanation of Brownian motion. He developed mathematical methods of measuring communication that were popularized by Shannon, who got all the credit. Decades too soon he recommended using vacuum tubes for a digital computer in the 1920s, but was rejected by Vannevar Bush. He had an idea for optical computing decades before it became feasible. And he recommended continued use and research on analog computing, which only now has recaptured interest.
His cybernetics research led to 'circular causality' and machines behaving 'with purpose,' an affront to reductionist philosophers. He formed a teleology society and studied brain nerve networks. He proposed that entropy and information are negatives of one another, information measuring order and entropy measuring disorder. He wrote a novel called The Tempter, a retelling of Faust in the technological age. He predicted that nucleic acids would be used in machines. He predicted 3-D electronic circuits.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
The Limits of Science by P. G. Medawar
A classic discussion by a scientist with impeccable credentials. Debunks the myth of the "scientific method" as the way science is done.
He makes a case for the limits of science and that at times true inferences have come from false premises.
Science cannot answer questions about origins and meaning of existence.
A good book to go back to from time to time.
He makes a case for the limits of science and that at times true inferences have come from false premises.
Science cannot answer questions about origins and meaning of existence.
A good book to go back to from time to time.
The Case for a Creator by Lee Strobel
This is a popular-level, well-written story of investigation of evolution and science. Its main value is accessibility and exposure to seminal thinkers who understand the limits of science and the weaknesses of neo-Darwinism. It is full of revealing quotes on both sides. It makes clear that to say that science is the only "begettor of truth" (Richard Lewontin) is self-contradictory since this thesis itself is not testable by the scientific method. William Lane Craig, Robin Collins, Jay Wesley Richards, Stephen C. Meyer, Alvin Platinga are all featured and interviewed or quoted. Good endnotes and bibliography. Would make a good enjoyable class book.
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