Science

Intuition Pumps and Other Tools for Thinking
Intuition Pumps and Other Tools for Thinking

Review:As stated by other reviewers, this book is (1) tedious, (2) a rehash of past Dennettisms, and (3) a bait-and-switch. On the last point, it does not provide the "thinking tools" it promises. The short, numbered chapters give the illusion that the author is going to share a host of "thinking tools" when in fact said chapters are nothing more than...short, numbered chapters. I've liked Dennett's other books. Read those. Skip this one. Read more

The Hidden Maths of Everyday Life - How Not to Be Wrong
The Hidden Maths of Everyday Life - How Not to Be Wrong

Review:Reading this book was thoroughly pleasurable. We live in a world where we are battered unceasingly by information and interpretation. Ellenberg presents some basic concepts as tools for separating wheat from chaff. Among others, he discusses the limits of probability, the use and misuse of linear regressions, regression to the mean, and correlation is not cause. His writing style is conversational, laced with humor. His discussion of "there's no such thing as public opinion" is classic. It's som... Read more

Being Human in the Age of Artificial Intelligence
Being Human in the Age of Artificial Intelligence

Review:Artificial Intelligence is analyzed here with the eye of the science.
Nobody knows exactly how and when this major iteration of life will happen, but everybody should be aware that it is going to happen.
Max Tegmark's work is a great contribution in this direction. Read more

The Microbes Within Us and a Grander View of Life
The Microbes Within Us and a Grander View of Life

Review:I purchased the Book on CD version and would listen to it on my way to and from work. I found the information fascinating and the book well thought out. The reader of the audio version had a pleasant voice and was easy to listen to. I look at the world differently now. Read more

Apollo
Apollo

Review:You almost feel like you are there, the people come to life, and you feel the tension along with them.

The best book I've read about Apollo since I say next to my radio listening to that amazing first landing. Read more

A True Story of Survival and Obsession in the West
A True Story of Survival and Obsession in the West

Review:AMERICAN WOLF is a fascinating study of the wolves introduced into Yellowstone.

What was so interesting to me was the recounting of their social structure. How much they were like extended families, with members going in and out of favor. There are sad moments, of course. We are talking about nature. But so many more great moments, like when the author connects the dots and shows how the introduction of wolves was actually good for bears and beavers and certainly flora.

I had a s... Read more

The Ascent Of Man
The Ascent Of Man

Review:I have read many books which have permanently enriched my life, but I believe this is the best one. It intertwines history, science, philosophy, and human values in a fasinating story of mankind. No dry theories, this book contains dramatic stories of man struggling to develop into what? That is the true beauty of this book. It asks (and I believe answers) what it is to be truly human - what it is we are struggling to develop into. Read more

Making Smarter Decisions When You Don't Have All the Facts
Making Smarter Decisions When You Don't Have All the Facts

Review:This is a book that delivers more than it promises. Annie Duke teaches us how to set aside many of our pre-conceived notions about positive and negative outcomes. She provides us with a framework to accept either result derived from the countless decisions we make in business and in our private everyday lives.
The titles for each chapter and subheading inspire the reader to hunker down and examine life through the prism of a poker player champion. How would each important decision be mad... Read more

The Secret Life of the Brain - How Emotions Are Made
The Secret Life of the Brain - How Emotions Are Made

Review:Great book, although I found a rather major flaw in one of early chapters -- the Minangkabau is an Asian tribe, not an African one.
Referring to this snippet from the book:
'This alternative explanation is borne out by their later experiment with an African tribe, the Minangkabau of West Sumatra. These volunteers had less understanding of Western emotions and did not show the same physical changes as Western test subjects; they also reported feeling the expected emotion much less frequentl... Read more

Mastering Essential Math Skills Book Two Middle Grades/High School New expanded edition
Mastering Essential Math Skills Book Two Middle Grades/High School New expanded edition

Review:My recalcitrant learner has been transformed! I found a DVD from this series at our local library and it was so effective I bought two of the workbooks. The videos are clear, humorous, and easy to listen to. This is working beautifully for a homeschool math course for my now seventh grader, who resisted every other math approach I tried. I'm so grateful to find something that works at last! Read more

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