Wednesday, August 14, 2013
Concrete Planet by Robert Courland
If the author is correct, there is a lot we don't know about concrete; and if the past is an indicator, we may find out the hard way. The Romans may have had secrets about concrete we don't know.
Morality for Beautiful Girls by Alexander McCall Smith
(read aloud)
Delightful multi-threaded mystery with charming simple (in the best sense) characters. A praise of traditional African life. Written in a style that brings to mind 'primitive' art. Beneath the simple humble surface stories, there is a deep wisdom informed by generations of stories and proverbs, a profound understanding of hidden human strengths and weaknesses.
Strength in What Remains by Tracy Kidder
(read aloud)
About Deo, a young man from Burundi who survived the genocide in Burundi and Rwanda and came to the United States, lived homeless in Central Park, and then went through medical school a second time and built a clinic in Burundi. An amazing story, masterfully written.
I think the writing is even better than the story, which is saying quite a lot.
The Legacy of the King James Version by Leland Ryken
My college literature professor has written a very well-documented treatment of the influence of the KJV. He also accesses and explains its beauty and power.
His case is strong and persuasive. I am less satisfied with his view of translation, which is simplistic and anglocentric. He of all people, steeped in the ways of allegory and metaphor and idiom, should know that these are so culturally based that translation across very different cultures must address the meaning of phrases in their cultural context. He calls this 'dynamic equivalence,' and as he uses it, it is pejorative. I think the brilliant King James translators did this far more than he realizes.
Sunday, August 11, 2013
The Theory that Would Not Die by Sharon Bertsch
About Bayesian statistics. This is a very interesting history of Bayes and his descendants. It is very complete and descriptive. It is perfect in this regard.
It does not take up the mathematics in any substantial way. It does develop the idea of "priors" very well and shows their importance. There are a few simple examples of uses, such as breast cancer screening, but not even basic sketches of how it is actually applied. I think it is possible to do this in a popular book. Also, I was wondering more about the possibility of a mathematical synthesis between the Bayes school and the frequentist school. This was discussed at length but mostly in terms of personalities and competition. Are there situations where the solutions merge?
The King of Infinite Space by David Berlinski
An exposition of Euclid, at once laudatory and critical. Berlinski brings out many interesting ideas and touches on the idea of proof and the roots of mathematical constructs. Though I usually delight in his pungent prose, in this book it seems to obscure his developing thesis, to the point that he seems to take no risks, arguing all sides of every question and committing to none.
Perhaps there is a method in this. It could be that at this level of abstraction and at the root of mathematical thinking, the actors are still struggling and there is no clear winner.
Jesus, the Middle Eastern Storyteller by Gary M. Burge
Very good and convincing. Theme is that Jesus told stories and the meaning of them must be understood in the context of the Middle Eastern culture of his day. Some if not much of that culture can be found in places today or reconstructed from rabbinic or other literature. More accessible than Kenneth E. Bailey but made me want to attempt Bailey again.
Death of a Kingfisher by M. C. Beaton
(read aloud)
Our first exposure to Hamish Macbeth, a Scottish detective. Writing was good and characters interesting. Plot very convoluted and not artful. Didn't really make us want to read the others, which may be good because the writer is prolific.
Our first exposure to Hamish Macbeth, a Scottish detective. Writing was good and characters interesting. Plot very convoluted and not artful. Didn't really make us want to read the others, which may be good because the writer is prolific.
Uncommon Carriers by John McPhee
(read aloud)
McPhee has multitudes of devoted followers so I am somewhat late to the party. In this book he deals with trucks, trains, and barges. These commonplace things he takes and shows how much more is going on than meets the eye. With a profound sense of people, places, and history, he writes of technology in use. These people have a level of experience and competence that is amazing and yet he has come to know them, their families, their hobbies, their roots.
We know these things changed America but he shows how; from Henry David Thoreau canoeing the first waterway to UPS planes landing every two minutes, we have been changed in a myriad of ways.
This is a series of stories but tied together. McPhee has a unique voice. He is describing and explaining; he seems to refrain from making judgments. These are real people working hard, doing honest work.
McPhee has multitudes of devoted followers so I am somewhat late to the party. In this book he deals with trucks, trains, and barges. These commonplace things he takes and shows how much more is going on than meets the eye. With a profound sense of people, places, and history, he writes of technology in use. These people have a level of experience and competence that is amazing and yet he has come to know them, their families, their hobbies, their roots.
We know these things changed America but he shows how; from Henry David Thoreau canoeing the first waterway to UPS planes landing every two minutes, we have been changed in a myriad of ways.
This is a series of stories but tied together. McPhee has a unique voice. He is describing and explaining; he seems to refrain from making judgments. These are real people working hard, doing honest work.
Thursday, March 21, 2013
The Racketeer by John Grisham
(read aloud)
This was a fun read with plot twists and surprises and satisfying turns. Colorful characters.
This was a fun read with plot twists and surprises and satisfying turns. Colorful characters.
Speaking from Among the Bones by Alan Bradley
(read aloud)
Enjoyed this very much. Super cliffhanger in last sentence!
Enjoyed this very much. Super cliffhanger in last sentence!
Bones are Forever by Kathy Reichs
(read aloud)
Poorly written, weak plot, too many confusing characters. Even the author's strong expertise as a forensic pathologist was not well done; perhaps her TV program, Bones, is better. Not recommended.
Poorly written, weak plot, too many confusing characters. Even the author's strong expertise as a forensic pathologist was not well done; perhaps her TV program, Bones, is better. Not recommended.
Monday, March 18, 2013
Magdeburg by Heather Richardson
(read aloud)
Story of the Thirty Years' War (1618-1648). A story of privation and death and disease and religious bigotry. Unfortunately it is probably historically accurate. War is a terrible thing.
Story of the Thirty Years' War (1618-1648). A story of privation and death and disease and religious bigotry. Unfortunately it is probably historically accurate. War is a terrible thing.
The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley
Delightful mystery, youthful but adult. Flavia is a joy and the writing is witty, intriguing and happy.
Sunday, March 10, 2013
At the Foot of the Snows by David E. Watters
(read aloud on Kindle)
A wonderful, exciting missionary book. Follow a courageous missionary couple into Nepal to live with a very remote people group and learn their language. After many difficult years, the Bible is translated. When the people hear the gospel in their own language, the church is born among them. There are many difficulties, persecutions and trials but the story is one of joy and hope and faithfulness. Watters died before the book was finished. The last few chapters have a far different tone and style and were disappointing. Watters's writing is clear, interesting and delightful. It is graceful but not an apology. He was courageous but shares his times of doubt, making this book ring strong and true. Despite the last couple of chapters it is well worth reading.
A wonderful, exciting missionary book. Follow a courageous missionary couple into Nepal to live with a very remote people group and learn their language. After many difficult years, the Bible is translated. When the people hear the gospel in their own language, the church is born among them. There are many difficulties, persecutions and trials but the story is one of joy and hope and faithfulness. Watters died before the book was finished. The last few chapters have a far different tone and style and were disappointing. Watters's writing is clear, interesting and delightful. It is graceful but not an apology. He was courageous but shares his times of doubt, making this book ring strong and true. Despite the last couple of chapters it is well worth reading.
Daemon by Daniel Suarez
(Kindle)
A geek book about a dead web tycoon who lives on in the Internet. First half of book interesting, last part huge chase scene (which I never like). Some R-rated or worse parts in book, not really recommended.
A geek book about a dead web tycoon who lives on in the Internet. First half of book interesting, last part huge chase scene (which I never like). Some R-rated or worse parts in book, not really recommended.
Peter the Great by Robert K. Massie
Long but very good, well-written book about an extraordinary historical figure. He changed Russia by force of will. He lived simply, traveled incognito and had a wonderful curiosity about everything, particularly all things naval and military.
The Litigators by John Grisham
(read aloud)
A fun legal novel about greed, meaning in work and human nature. Interesting characters, good plot. Typical Grisham.
A fun legal novel about greed, meaning in work and human nature. Interesting characters, good plot. Typical Grisham.
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
My Own Country by Abraham Verghese
(read aloud)
The author captures the sadness and complexity of the HIV epidemic coming to the mountains of Tennessee. He captures the Appalachian culture very well. He captures the surprise and horror of this disease well. He presents the medical aspects extremely well, with accuracy and skill. The social complexity is well accounted for. Verghese is a keen observer.
We enjoyed this because we used to live in Appalachia and because we shared many of his experiences with HIV when we lived in Haiti at the start of the epidemic.
The author captures the sadness and complexity of the HIV epidemic coming to the mountains of Tennessee. He captures the Appalachian culture very well. He captures the surprise and horror of this disease well. He presents the medical aspects extremely well, with accuracy and skill. The social complexity is well accounted for. Verghese is a keen observer.
We enjoyed this because we used to live in Appalachia and because we shared many of his experiences with HIV when we lived in Haiti at the start of the epidemic.
Cold Choices by Larry Bond
A submarine story about a fictional collision between a U.S. and Russian sub. I enjoyed it because subs fascinate me.
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
A quick read that draws you in. Written in a childlike voice but a wise voice. Echoes of Roman gladiators. Are we drawn to this from some primal flaw?
The Distant Land of my Father by Bo Caldwell
Mitzi noticed that the title could have two meanings, and both apply to the book. It is set in Shanghai and California. Shanghai is distant and troubling, even when the daughter is living there; and for most of the book the father is distant, even when they are together. We see everything through the daughter's eyes and we grow up with her. She gives up on her father but can never give him up.
This is a very emotional book and very true. Fathers are important in their children's lives, even when they don't deserve to be. Redemption is hard to earn and a grace given with difficulty and sacrifice. How precious children are. How easy to be busy and selfish.
This is a very emotional book and very true. Fathers are important in their children's lives, even when they don't deserve to be. Redemption is hard to earn and a grace given with difficulty and sacrifice. How precious children are. How easy to be busy and selfish.
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