Gauss: A Biographical Study by W. K. Buhler

Much vague detail about an interesting genius. I found the biography boring and the math of course too difficult and not presented for my level.

Proofs from the Book by Martin Aigner / Gunter Ziegler

A well-conceived book based on the idea of Erdos that there are proofs in math so elegant they come from "the book." It is also well-executed such that a serious reader with time could fairly well work through many of the subjects. Alas, my seriousness well exceeded my available time and I was able only to take a rapid tour through the book viewing with envy the peaks one could climb given the will and a vacation.

A wonderful book to see how proofs are done, how they fall into various categories and how a simple elegant solution can evade thinkers for decades. I close the book with the question - where is "the book" and who wrote it?

Weaving the Web by Tim Berners-Lee

An account of the invention of the WWW by its inventor. It is interesting that he can claim this invention. I have no doubts this is true. It seems his vision for the web has been very helpful and the freedom engendered has been a boon to its growth. Because of his free vision he perhaps minimizes his impact and the story is a bit less interesting than if he made himself more of a hero.

He plays his final hand drawing an analogy with the web and his newfound "faith" in Unitarian Universalism. The song ending on a sour note!

Christianity and Missions: 1450-1800 Edited by J. S. Cummins

Part of a series, this book is amazing in the depth of bibliography and variety of articles, mostly Catholic but some of all Christian stripes. Very interesting and shows some amazing variety of approach and different approaches to culture and politics. Most interesting is an article about Leibnitz, who evidently had a burning missionary heart and zeal to support missions. He was especially interested in the advantages of putting the scriptures into the language of the people being reached.

Into Thin Air by John Krakauer

Riveting account of a tragic Everest expedition written with unique insight and much sensitivity. Courage and determination undermined by competetion, arrogance, and oxygen-deprived misjudgment. Self preservation meets compassion. How anyone survives is my question.

Bethsaida Vol. II by Rami Arav

More than you wanted to know. Every stone and potsherd charted and categorized. Not the kind of book you actually read but interesting in its own way. The ancient pilgrims' accounts are interesting and strangely unreliable, it seems.

The Mindbody Prescription by John E. Sarno, M.D.

Is chronic pain caused by Freudian narcissistic rage? Sarno makes a compelling case. My question - is there a Christian paradigm here?

A very interesting book. Why has this not gotten more attention - even criticism?