This is the exact opposite of the uninformed, homogeneous, incendiary, hyper-partisan, superficial, sound-bite Well worth reading, particularly today.
This is the exact opposite of the uninformed, homogeneous, incendiary, hyper-partisan, superficial, sound-bite centered, eye-candy-like blather we're daily subjected to through our social media feeds and preferred media outlets (whether newspapers or cable news services). This is serious, critical, analytical, research-based examination of some of the most important issues facing our society today. How refreshing (and, at the same time, how depressing it is to realize how little of this we hear, discuss, and think about on a daily basis).
Some really good thought-provoking, insightful stuff crammed in here. For folks who enjoyed Robert Reich's recent essay-length, far-more-accessible, much-quicker-to-read book, The Common Good, this is a logical follow-on, just wider (far more global than American), deeper, more nuanced, and far more technical (and, at times, theoretical, but definitely academic, even though it was intended, if I'm correct, for airport bookstore - and other popular - consumption).
Frankly, I don't know how easy to digest this would be for readers who have never taken an economics course or who don't read widely in the field. Conversely, if you like rubrics or thinking about tools for isolating, analyzing, and solving problems, this is catnip with a chaser of Red Bull (or Carabao, or your favorite energy drink). Tirole attempts to introduce all of his concepts for lay readers, and tries to build from the ground up, but there's still a lot of firehose-volume information, theory, vocabulary, and data being spit out here. In other words, it's a lot, and it comes at you fast, despite Tirole's effort to serve it in bite sized chunks.
The best selling point for the book is that Tirole's various recommendations for different problems or segments are written as standalone chapters - and I (really) enjoyed Chapters 8 through 17, covering the climate challenge (8), the labor market (9), Europe/EU/Brexit (10), the role of finance (11), the 2008 financial crisis (12), competition and industrial policy (13), digitalization and the digital economy (14 & 15), innovation and intellectual property (IP) (16), and sector regulation (17). To my mind, of these, Chapters 8-10 alone justified the investment in the whole.
Pleasant surprise: American readers may be amused by, but will surely benefit - in terms of perspective - from, reading sophisticated policy analysis that, while unabashedly global, is often based on (and highly critical of) France and, to a lesser extent, the EU.
Reader's nit: Ultimately, I think Tirole tried to do too much in a single book, and I found the second half of the book far more useful than the first. In particular, Part II, which attempts to describe the economist's role in society, profession and everyday life, etc., felt like more digression and distraction than value added. But, hey, nobody's perfect, and, regardless of any criticism, I applaud him for taking on this Herculean task and producing a darn good book.
In the end, the book provides a valuable public service. In my dreams, it would be widely read. Sadly, that's not going to happen. But hope springs eternal.
Merged review:
Well worth reading, particularly today.
This is the exact opposite of the uninformed, homogeneous, incendiary, hyper-partisan, superficial, sound-bite centered, eye-candy-like blather we're daily subjected to through our social media feeds and preferred media outlets (whether newspapers or cable news services). This is serious, critical, analytical, research-based examination of some of the most important issues facing our society today. How refreshing (and, at the same time, how depressing it is to realize how little of this we hear, discuss, and think about on a daily basis).
Some really good thought-provoking, insightful stuff crammed in here. For folks who enjoyed Robert Reich's recent essay-length, far-more-accessible, much-quicker-to-read book, The Common Good, this is a logical follow-on, just wider (far more global than American), deeper, more nuanced, and far more technical (and, at times, theoretical, but definitely academic, even though it was intended, if I'm correct, for airport bookstore - and other popular - consumption).
Frankly, I don't know how easy to digest this would be for readers who have never taken an economics course or who don't read widely in the field. Conversely, if you like rubrics or thinking about tools for isolating, analyzing, and solving problems, this is catnip with a chaser of Red Bull (or Carabao, or your favorite energy drink). Tirole attempts to introduce all of his concepts for lay readers, and tries to build from the ground up, but there's still a lot of firehose-volume information, theory, vocabulary, and data being spit out here. In other words, it's a lot, and it comes at you fast, despite Tirole's effort to serve it in bite sized chunks.
The best selling point for the book is that Tirole's various recommendations for different problems or segments are written as standalone chapters - and I (really) enjoyed Chapters 8 through 17, covering the climate challenge (8), the labor market (9), Europe/EU/Brexit (10), the role of finance (11), the 2008 financial crisis (12), competition and industrial policy (13), digitalization and the digital economy (14 & 15), innovation and intellectual property (IP) (16), and sector regulation (17). To my mind, of these, Chapters 8-10 alone justified the investment in the whole.
Pleasant surprise: American readers may be amused by, but will surely benefit - in terms of perspective - from, reading sophisticated policy analysis that, while unabashedly global, is often based on (and highly critical of) France and, to a lesser extent, the EU.
Reader's nit: Ultimately, I think Tirole tried to do too much in a single book, and I found the second half of the book far more useful than the first. In particular, Part II, which attempts to describe the economist's role in society, profession and everyday life, etc., felt like more digression and distraction than value added. But, hey, nobody's perfect, and, regardless of any criticism, I applaud him for taking on this Herculean task and producing a darn good book.
In the end, the book provides a valuable public service. In my dreams, it would be widely read. Sadly, that's not going to happen. But hope springs eternal....more
Despite his extraordinary life and travels and prior publications, I'm guessing I'm not alone in having first started paying attention to Roff Smith dDespite his extraordinary life and travels and prior publications, I'm guessing I'm not alone in having first started paying attention to Roff Smith during his pandemic-inspired Travels from Home work. The photography was exquisite, and my hat's off to the effort that led to (far greater) exposure with profiles in mainstream media, including The New York Times - https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/05/tr.... As an aside, his Instagram feed (@roffsmith) is an eye-candy-filled joy to behold.
So ... I was already intrigued when I heard about this book and, while it wasn't really what I expected - for example, it's not a Roff Smith photography collection (nor is it marketed as such) - it was worth every penny, and I'm glad I purchased (and now own) it.
Briefly, there's no secret what's going on in this book - it is what it is. The landscape is diverse, the photography is gorgeous, the prose is evocative, and, at least from my standpoint, the organization and presentation made the enterprise work (and will, I expect, lead to the book remaining in a handy place on my bookshelf).
Sure, for those (increasingly common) days when I contemplate retirement and try to hone/prioritize my bucket list of bike trips, I thought I might find inspiration here - and, to some extent, I may have. But, in retrospect, despite my (rather heavy) interest in (and experience with) bicycling, travel, and photography - the three main ingredients in the recipe - I can't say I found what I was looking for in the book. But that didn't necessarily diminish my enjoyment in consuming it.
To be clear, even though I've been lucky enough to live abroad and travel widely, and I've biked in a fair number of countries (and continents and yes, closer to home, States), most of the rides in the book are (particularly at this point in my life) beyond my abilities and, more precisely, of little interest to me (other than fascination). And while plenty of accessible day trips are included, some might quibble with the notion that "cycling experiences" are predominantly self-supported bike-packing and/or expeditions/quests. Then again, maybe that's just the nature of trying to shoehorn a planet's worth of cycling into a mere 100 of the "world's greatest trails." Ultimately, the concept of "great" offers the author (and the reader) more than a dollop of discretion, with plenty of room at the margins for personal taste.
Still, kudos to Smith for assembling something of the quality you'd expect from National Geographic. It's a very nice collection....more
I (really) thought I was the target audience, but I misunderstood the nature of the enterprise. It's a (very) nice project and, apparently, a labor ofI (really) thought I was the target audience, but I misunderstood the nature of the enterprise. It's a (very) nice project and, apparently, a labor of love, but alas, not, to my mind, a great book.
I can see why some folks really enjoyed this; it just wasn't what I was looking for or expecting.
The photos were big plus. Conversely, the easily avoidable repetition was maddening....more
Something a little different and, more often than not, a lot of different things, not necessarily what you'd expect, and very much not a simple, lineaSomething a little different and, more often than not, a lot of different things, not necessarily what you'd expect, and very much not a simple, linear, singular story or theme... and, very much not perfect, yet ... something rather interesting and thought-provoking and evocative..... but, but, but....
This is an inordinately quirky endeavor, and, while I was intrigued by many of the themes - from race, the immigrant experience, and family to law school (and legal careers and public interest work and loan forgiveness) and smart people playing cards/gambling for income, to budgets and the challenges of eating healthy food on strict budget, to climate change and environmental justice (but see below), well, ... it's a lot.
The first rule of autobiography (or at least the first rule I've made up) is that the autobiographer gets to tell their own story anyway they like. They can share as much or as little as they'd like, they can be selective or inclusive, they can work with whatever timeline facilitates their interests, they can select their own voice and target a particular audience (including an audience of one, if that's the goal), and they deploy whatever medium and tools work for them. It may not be the way I'd tell my story, but it's not my story, nor should I assume it was written with me as an intended audience.
I haven't done enough research to determine what the author wanted out of this enterprise (nor do I plan to do so). How much of this was catharsis or an effort to resolve a long-running debate between multiple voices in the author's head? Was this rampant egocentrism or an effort to defend or justify himself to a particular reader as a proxy for parental approval or acceptance? Is it a stepping stone or platform to a future aspiration? I dunno. And that's OK.
Reviewer's nit: At some level the environmental justice angle in the title felt almost like a bait and switch. Sure, it's relevant, but it's neither dominant nor well developed in the book.
Kudos to the publisher for the production quality - the volume is nicely packaged and bound, and the individual pages are satisfyingly sturdy (or heavy), and the graphics and the text are clear (and, most importantly, interesting and compelling).
Ultimately, it kept my attention, I was curious enough to keep turning the pages, and the book made me think. I'm glad I found it....more
So, uh, yeah, I think I was the target audience for this one ... cycling and photography, appreciation of the various things that making cycling so awSo, uh, yeah, I think I was the target audience for this one ... cycling and photography, appreciation of the various things that making cycling so awesome (the speed, the freedom, the travel, the experience, the technology (including gear and kit and style), the agony and the ecstasy, etc.), all with a hard lean into inclusive community, ... well, what's not to like?
OK, I've been reading Flax's work (in various publications) and enjoying the Grubers' exquisite photography (even more so these days through Instagram ... if you love bike racing (or bikes) and you don't follow @jeredgruber and @ashleygruber ... and, for that matter, @leon_van_bon, maybe this book isn't for you) ... so I spent the money without hesitation.
For me, this was a light lift (although the book's production quality was high, and the book itself is heavy), a quick read, a lot of head nodding ... OK, OK, there's plenty of nostalgia buried in here ... and, more than anything, an accumulation of simple gifts and pleasures. I fully enjoyed the experience.
Reviewer's nit: I thought Flax started strong, but I was disappointed that he concluded with a whimper (... indeed, I can't even say he wrapped things up at the end).... I had to check to make sure that nothing was missing between the final section (or text passage) and the index. Alas.
My gut says that, come holiday season or special (birth?) day, this is a wonderful, low risk gift for the cyclist in your life (even if that means buying it for yourself)....more
A British colleague recommended this to me following an exchange about the football (yes, for Americans, soccer) teams we follow, used to follow, and A British colleague recommended this to me following an exchange about the football (yes, for Americans, soccer) teams we follow, used to follow, and grew up with. The topic and the timing were perfect - since it's about Chelsea, a London team (and, yes, I'm a long-time fan - during the highs and the lows), and I was en route to Heathrow, where I am now.
It was a quick, light, fun, rambling and rollicking read. I'd say it's a must for (the peculiar, but potentially large universe of) Baby Boomer Chelsea fans. And, even if you aren't a Chelsea fan (or, equally likely, if you despise the Blues), it's still pretty entertaining stuff about the difference between the modern/current game (money - including money from sources we don't want to think or talk about - driven) and the more simple (but by no means perfect) game we grew up with.
I'd never heard of Hamilton, but my sense is his name is pretty familiar in the UK (and on BBC). If David Sedaris were a lifelong soccer (and Chelsea) fan, I'm guessing you'd get something similar....more
A quick and easy, almost a light, read, well worth the time for anyone interested in learning about (or seeking an introduction to) the evolving worldA quick and easy, almost a light, read, well worth the time for anyone interested in learning about (or seeking an introduction to) the evolving world of bicycle infrastructure.
Special kudos: For me, the book was worthwhile, if for no other reason, simply because it exposed the power of rethinking urban planning (not solely in the context of the need to mitigate and adapt to climate change, although that's very much part of the equation and the book's content) to reduce cyclist and pedestrian ... and motorist fatalities. I had no idea that, in 2019, the City of Oslo achieved (albeit temporarily, but still remarkably) its Vision Zero: zero traffic fatalities for a year. Wow! And, even after the pandemic, a bad year on the roads in Norway (obviously including a much wider area than Oslo), results in a fatality rate of one sixth of that in the U.S. (OK, this is very much a junk statistic kind of sentence, but it still drives the point home: [A]pproximately the same number of people die on U.S. streets every day as are killed on Norwegian streets in a year.)
Reviewer's Quibbles: I could argue (at length) about the accuracy of the title, but I don't think that takes anything away from the book's content or its utility. Interestingly enough, I read the author's thesis to boil down to an argument for making our communities (but primarily, but not exclusively, our urban centers) more car-lite and more bicycle (and pedestrian and e-bike and e-cargo bike and micromobility) friendly. That makes sense to me, and it's a logical touchstone. My only point here is that advocates for enhanced pedestrian access and safety and many others might enjoy (and benefit from) the book, and I fear the title could keep it off their reading lists.
Also, as a reader, a teacher (of sorts), an advocate, and an academic (and thus, also a writer), I'm all-in on the power of anecdote or storytelling. The author powerfully and effectively uses Oslo's (Norway's) experience (one that, frankly, I was largely unfamiliar with - as opposed to the other success stories or benchmarks he refers to - largely in Holland (Amsterdam) and Denmark (Copenhagen)). Again, however, I guess I was hoping the work was somewhat broader or, in other words, nothing in the title suggested to me how much of the work would be Oslo-centric (although, in all fairness, he does mention plenty of other success stories - both in Europe and here in the U.S.).
I concede that, as much as I enjoyed the book, I would have preferred, well, more. More photos, maybe some diagrams or maps, ... more examples and data, more ideas and suggestions ... and resources.... But that's just me.
I'm glad I found, bought, and read the book, and I hope it's read widely....more
What a beautiful, affirming, thought-provoking, inspirational, warm, loving, and ... comforting little collection of writings and ideas and mantras anWhat a beautiful, affirming, thought-provoking, inspirational, warm, loving, and ... comforting little collection of writings and ideas and mantras and wishes.
It's no surprise that Solnit's writing is a pleasure to read, but she's also done a wonderful job assembling a diverse, informed, and interesting collection of voices into a resonant choir as part of this initiative.
No, the book isn't for everyone, and one could easily write a lengthy essay about all of the things the book isn't. But who cares? To my mind, it's very much fit for purpose.
And, no, I definitely wouldn't recommend it to a climate change denier. (OK, for them, it's tough to beat Cook's Cranky Uncle, but that's another story altogether. ) And, for very different reasons, I don't think I'd suggest it to folks who are early in their climate change discovery or advocacy journey either.
As for me, I'm glad I (belatedly) found it after I'd already consumed a shelf full of related readings including, Johnson & Wilkinson's sublime anthology, All We Can Save, and, more recently, Hines' At Work in the Ruins, Manns' Our Fragile Moment, and Boyd's I Want A Better Catastrophe. For me it was the right book at the right time....more
File this one on the shelf of you can't make this stuff up or truth is stranger than fiction. The title pretty much tells the story, and the book doesFile this one on the shelf of you can't make this stuff up or truth is stranger than fiction. The title pretty much tells the story, and the book does exactly what you'd expect, systematically unveiling a slow-motion horror story in painstaking detail.
Rarely do I read a book where I've been following the story, reading everything I can find, and talking about the details ... for years (and not just a handful, either). This was a big story, one of those things that everyone in my (admittedly bizarre and quirky) world was following and talking about. So, yes, I was excited to receive and read the book, and it didn't disappoint.
My hat's off to the author (whose Washington Post coverage, in the spirit of full disclosure, I read - and assigned to my students - with this info-graphic being one of my favorites: https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphi... - seriously, take a look, it's mind-blowing) for sticking with the story and (somehow) condensing it into a readable, cohesive storyline
What I'll be most curious to see is who buys and reads the book. Sure, it's a crazy biography in the tradition of Catch Me If You Can with a nod to (the, yes, the fictional) Crazy Rich Asians movie, and that may appeal to some, but maybe something more along the lines of The Wizard of Lies (chronicling Bernie Madoff's rise and fall) or one of the popular Enron books, like Conspiracy of Fools or The Smartest Guys in the Room. Meanwhile, there's the (I'm guessing relatively small) communities of public corruption professionals (including attorneys, investigators, inspectors general, auditors, prosecutors, etc.) or government contracts (or public procurement) professionals who probably followed this story in the mass media for ages. And, for these latter groups, there's more than a whiff of War Dogs here, although I'm not sure this one will jump to the big screen (and feature the likes of Jonah Hill and Miles Teller, but it's every bit as insane and, in many ways, more so).
Will Navy leaders or aficionados read it ... or is the culture so strong that the institutional preference is to not talk about it and pretend it didn't happen? I dunno. Frankly, I hope they're assigning this as required reading at the Naval Academy and, more broadly, introducing it to cadets at the other military academies (and, yes, in ROTC programs, etc.), and, yes mid-career and senior leaders at the military's (numerous) professional schools.
As I read the book, however, I wonder whether the public (for a host of reasons) has become desensitized to public corruption, abuse of office, and whether ... by the end of the book ... readers will shrug their shoulders and ask, so what? I hope that's not the case, but ... I do wonder.
A note on perspective: There's all kinds of books, but it's difficult to imagine how much work (year after year) went into the book. For that reason, I concede that I was fascinated with the author's acknowledgements and his notes on sources. And, yes, the hardback edition contains a nice selection of photographs, and helpful aids on the geography, military rank structure, and naval surface vessels.
Thanks to be publisher for an advance review copy. I'm glad I've had the opportunity to read it, and I expect I'll be sharing it and talking about it for some time....more
Well, if I was ever going to describe my thoughts on a book in terms of a love-hate relationship, this would be that book.
Sadly, unfortunately, but inWell, if I was ever going to describe my thoughts on a book in terms of a love-hate relationship, this would be that book.
Sadly, unfortunately, but in no way surprisingly, this book spoke to me, resonated in my bones, and, yeah, was written with folks like me as a target audience. I hope you're not similarly situated, in which case, maybe the book isn't for you! (Hope springs eternal, eh? Well, it does until it doesn't, and, gee, that's what the book is all about.)
If you're steeped in the climate change (OK, increasingly climate catastrophe) literature, you're familiar with the widening chasm between the hopers and the doomers, which, of course, is a pathological side show with regard to the issues themselves, but critically important if you care about communication or advocacy (or, yeah, I guess, teaching) on anything related to climate (and the future).
And if you've seriously internalized the climate catastrophe facts (and, yeah, that includes stuff like the IPCC and National Climate Assessment reports), you know, among other things that, alas, the outlook is really bad, ... and, sorry, but, whatever the scientific consensus is, you have to assume that's (extremely) conservative, so it understates what's almost certainly coming, ... and despite all the information out there (and the increasing pace of warning signs), our governments aren't doing anywhere near enough fast enough ... and, gee, stuff like the Ukraine-Russia and Hamas (Palestine)-Israel-Iran (or other kinetic) confrontations aren't helping ... and while the scientists don't emphasize this as much, the escalating issues of drought, famine, and a broad range of environmental disasters will only increase the pace of population displacement, which leads to regional instability (by the way, can you name a country where you think the trend on immigration policy is consistent with what's coming?) ... and, yeah, competition for increasingly scarce resources is more likely than cooperation among neighbors, sharing, etc. (kind of funny how effectively shared sacrifice is a storyline from WWII, but you don't hear much about these days), and, meanwhile, the global population of humans is still expanding (while species become extinct at staggering rates), and, no, the planet can't sustain that ... and amidst all of that, the point of this book is not about whether it's actually possible for human life on this planet to end or whether, in the far superior alternative (it's wild to type that), the future will see billions (groan) perish, and the odds that that process will be a cooperative are relatively low, which is why serious adults talk about things like Mad Max movies or dystopian novels like the Road or The Parable of the Sower....
Hence the book... How does one think about all of this? How does one endeavor to make such a bleak future less bleak? Is the healthiest approach to be a (different kind of) denier?
Unfortunately, despite his best efforts, the author couldn't fully answer those questions for me. But he gave me plenty to think about. He helped me organize my thoughts, introduced me to other thinkers/authors, and suggested innumerable tools and resources that I may call on in the future.
Alas, despite his efforts at gallows humor, he rarely made me laugh.
Reviewer's warning: Obviously, this isn't a light read, nor is it a fast read. Somewhere between the formatting (featuring surprisingly dense font) and the content matter, this was a surprisingly time-consuming journey or undertaking (given the size of the package)....more
In the stack of climate change literature I've consumed, I concede that this was ... I dunno how else to say it ... constructed quite differently fromIn the stack of climate change literature I've consumed, I concede that this was ... I dunno how else to say it ... constructed quite differently from many, and, ultimately, I'm torn as to how effective it was or, quite simply, whether it worked or not - for me or generally. (Granted, had I read it when it came out, when it was less dated and before I'd read, among others, Monbiot's Regenesis, I expect I would have found it more impactful.)
It's a well-researched and well-written book, and I found myself glued to my chair and turning the pages. And I applaud (pretty much) all authors devoting their time and energy to mobilize action on climate change in a world where the stakes are enormous (for our kids and their kids, for the less fortunate, the global south, for national/global security, etc.) and our governments aren't doing enough (and surely aren't doing enough quickly enough), given the harm and the loss (and, sadly, devastation) that we know is coming.
Also, as a teacher (of sorts) and an advocate, I firmly believe in the power of stories and anecdotes, and I thought the author did a nice job weaving in familiar (and deeply personal) stories to make his points.
I guess my bottom line is that: if you haven't read a lot of climate change literature, I'd recommend this, but I don't see myself recommending it to expert readers. Having said that, I'm confident that I'll be returning to the book for quotes and nuggets - the author has a way with words, and for that, I'm grateful.
Geeky reviewer's nits or quibbles at the margin: While I agree with the overall thesis, I can't say I found don't eat x before to dinner to be a more effective recommendation (or plaintive plea) than eat less x. Sure, both are fine, but I found the author's rubric (or bumper sticker or t-shirt) too cute by half.
More broadly, once the author concedes that he's pitching an incremental approach (as opposed to simply don't eat x, I was (extremely) disappointed by the author's lumping of meat, dairy, and eggs rather than pointing out the critical distinction that beef (and cattle) products aren't just worse for the environment (and, yes, our health) than pork or chicken, they're much worse (although estimates differ, the hierarchy doesn't). In other words, we can debate whether beef is twenty times worse than eggs (or only ten or fifteen times worse), but lumping them together doesn't make sense to me and - if you're looking for incremental progress - it unnecessarily asks too much of mere mortals who are at least open to consider dramatically changing their diets.
All of which brings me to my final nit, which is once the author shows his hand (after page 62) and begins discussing his prior book Eating Animals, he explains that: "The animal welfare and environmental arguments against dairy and eggs are the same as those against meat [and his primary gripe is with factory-farmed meat], and often stronger..." All of which may be true, but, returning to my first nit - as an incrementalist, I'd rather ask people to give up the least they need to to generate the maximum (positive) impact (or most significantly reduce the harm of their actions), and, sadly, to my mind, this book doesn't really do that....more
Entertaining and informative! What's not to like? ... unless, of course, you're the proverbial cranky uncle, in whiOutstanding! So very well done!
Entertaining and informative! What's not to like? ... unless, of course, you're the proverbial cranky uncle, in which case you wouldn't buy, read, or be open to the book's message or content (or, gulp, facts) anyway, ... and, despite the title, you were never the intended audience anyway.
My hat's off to Cook for brilliantly, effectively executing on a valuable (nay, critical) enterprise. I wish this had appeared on my radar screen (and reading list) earlier. My money says I haven't bought my last copy, and it wouldn't surprise me if I end up eventually buying in bulk.
Reader and reviewer notes and nits: As a regular reader on related topics, I really enjoyed the cameos, caricatures, and interjections featuring a broad range of familiar authors and voices (primarily scientists and authors, but, OK, also, rogues).
I'm guessing that, compared to many readers, I'm more open to the format, as a longstanding and frequent consumer of (both fiction and non-fiction) content in graphic novel (or manga or serial art or comic book ... or funny page) format. It's great to see the highly accessible and entertaining format be used effectively. Over the years, I've seen a fair number of compelling and thought-provoking and, yes, educational (non-fiction) graphic novels covering everything from economics to history. Sure, I've read plenty of superhero and fantasy fare, but this is a horse of a different color (but very much a horse worth riding)....more
One of the most exquisite books about professional cycling I've read, all the more gratifying because the author's voice (and, of course, Berry's tranOne of the most exquisite books about professional cycling I've read, all the more gratifying because the author's voice (and, of course, Berry's translation) is (are) as elegant and thoughtful as it is (or they are) convincing. Very much a sublime little window into a life, a sport, a brotherhood, a time, a place, a profession, and so much more.
I'm glad I found it (in a roundabout way), got my hands on a copy, and finally read it. Much as it's a book that any serious cycling fan should enjoy, it's also a splendid period piece, a poignant portrayal (ooooh, that's a lot of P's) of two remarkable lives.
Quirky note: I'm guessing I'm not alone in being pleased that I'd fortuitously read McConnon's (x2's) excellent Bartali biography, Road to Valor before reading this. It's not a simple and direct thread from Bartali to Bobet, but, historically, the 1948 Tour de France is well, an incredible story unto itself that very much links the two (although it features far more in the the Bartali saga)....more
An interesting, and, no doubt, unique, but very much quirky, riff on the evolution and accelerating potential of solar power as a key component of theAn interesting, and, no doubt, unique, but very much quirky, riff on the evolution and accelerating potential of solar power as a key component of the increasingly urgent need to address climate change.
On the one hand, this is an incredibly modest story of a relatively minor power plant in an admittedly quirky market, from which the author (more often than not) suggests compelling extrapolations and asserts that this (again, admittedly small) anecdote can and should serve as a model to expand and morph into something much greater, impactful, and, ultimately, inspirational.
Against that backdrop, it's easy to criticize the book (and its title) and categorize it as what should have been a discrete piece of long-form (largely autobiographical) investigative reporting that's been cobbled together with the author's (admittedly thoughtful and thought-provoking) lifetime of experiences and thinking on related topics. In this edition, by the time you've read the through the body of the book ... then the last chapter (the love letter to America, which very much should have been the US or USA) ... then the epilogue ... then the afterword (these last two which exceed 15 percent, and the last three which are basically a quarter, of the total text), well, it is what it is.
Having said all of that, the author has a lot of interesting experience, he's done plenty of reading and engaging with knowledgeable and relevant people, and he's clearly put a lot of thought and emotional capital into these issues. I found much to inform, plenty to agree with, and, alas, almost as much to disagree with (but only a little to scoff at), and that's probably a good thing. On the whole, I'm glad I read it, but it probably wouldn't be one of the first books I'd recommend to someone new to the climate change literature, but it might be a great entry for anyone interested in solar (or wind) power generation.
As climate change readers increasingly organize their bookshelves (or authors) to keep track of the doomer versus the hoper authors, approaches, advocacy, or orientation, it's pretty clear this one belongs on the hoper side of the ledger. Sure, that should be obvious to anyone already steeped in the literature simply because Katharine Hayhoe, arguably the most hopeful of the hopers, provides the forward. (She and the author apparently go way back, in Texas.) But, like most of the better hoper offerings, the book is sufficiently sober about where we're headed if we don't do all (and far more than just some) of the hard work that needs to be done....more
Well, I guess I'm glad I read this, and I don't feel badly in the least (OK, I'm ecstatic) that the author made a few pennies in royalties from my purWell, I guess I'm glad I read this, and I don't feel badly in the least (OK, I'm ecstatic) that the author made a few pennies in royalties from my purchase, but, overall, this (the book, the enterprise, the thesis) didn't really resonate with me. And, frankly, I'm not sure who the target audience would be....
Yes, yes, I remain a fan of Mann's research and, arguably more importantly, his ability to communicate relevant concepts and advocate with regard to the incredibly important work that needs to be done with regard to (not only adapting to but) mitigating climate change. But I'd be hesitant to recommend this book to someone starting (or early in) their journey through the climate change literature, nor did I find it particularly helpful from the perspective of a typical policymaker.
Is the work a remarkably impressive collection of research? Yes. Is it presented in a (relatively) clear and organized and (somewhat) accessible manner? Sure. Does it offer potentially significant advice for someone who works through the whole, determined to glean some meaningful takeaways? Almost certainly. And, OK, as an academic, I found the inside perspective (who did the research and whose tutelage led them down which path) interesting, but ... I'm guessing that's background noise to most readers.
Ultimately, it says a lot (and, alas, frankly, nothing good) about where we are as a society, who are politicians (or so-called leaders) are, what the major political parties stand for, how our media behaves, etc. ... that, for many, Mann is increasingly known as a key voice in the hopers versus doomers debate, and, along with Katharine Hayhoe (author of Saving Us, which I strongly recommend), pre-eminent in the hopers camp. And, while I can't quibble with Mann on the science ... I'm not yet persuaded that: The greatest threat is no longer [climate change] denialism... but rather doomism, the notion that it's too late to act. Indeed, my gut says that the most ardent purveyors of doom are the deniers who increasingly find that their tried and true arguments (or disinformation campaigns) increasingly fall on deaf ears but now find (much to their delight) that fatalism is the new denialism. But what do I know?
I don't mean to make light of this. To the extent that I'm frequently writing and talking about these issues, I fully concede that reaching people, making them think about the topic, convincing them to learn more or care or ... in those rare cases ... change their behavior ... well, ... decoding the doom versus hope equation plays a critical role. These days, I find myself acknowledging the debate but encouraging folks to do their best to (recognize that the debate is background noise and) get past that as soon as possible.
However you get there, I agree with Mann that: we have a massive challenge on our hands.... [and that] there is no point beyond which we shouldn't keep trying to limit warming. Every fraction of a degree matters to the level of suffering that [present and future] climate disruption will rain down on us.
Whether this is the book ... the vehicle, the message, bridge, the key ... that convinces readers of that incredibly important point, frankly, I just don't know....more
A rather unusual piece of work, and, to some extent, a period piece (published before I had a driver’s license), but I’m glad I read it. It’s very mucA rather unusual piece of work, and, to some extent, a period piece (published before I had a driver’s license), but I’m glad I read it. It’s very much related to, but quite different from, a lot of the climate change literature I read, but I found the context and the history fascinating.
What’s jarring is how, more that four decades (two score? a generation or two?) after the initial conversations (or "encounters"), the debate (or the battle lines remain the same. Alas.
I was unfamiliar with the author, and only vaguely familiar with the saga of the protagonist (the Archdruid, Dave Brower, and his role in the evolution of the Sierra Club), when a former student recommended this.
It’s an intriguing piece of conservation history and, I’m guessing for many, philosophy. But it’s also an extremely self-contained, modest, series of vignettes, snapshots, or, OK, “encounters.”
The premise is simple, elegant, and extremely effective. The author accompanies (and, one assumes, previously orchestrated), extended interactions with the Archdruid, Dave Brower, of Sierra Club fame/notoriety/controversy and a small number (three) of sophisticated, powerful, successful leaders of efforts/movements/initiatives/businesses/philosophies that Brower (and many conservationists) oppose.
These encounters are no mere negotiating table, conference room, or pedagogical debates; rather they are journeys over the ground, the battlespace, the specific/actual areas (often wilderness) in dispute (although some battles have already been won or lost or, at least temporarily, been suspended).
These are travelogues involving diametrically opposed combatants addressing - talking through and just as often not discussing - the legal and policy historical battlefields as they traverse the hotly disputed ground or resources that divide them.
I found the author’s prose evocative and powerful, even if I found the premise for the book as strange as it was effective. I may have to go back and look at some of McPhee’s other writings.
Quirky reviewer bias: I fully concede I'm partial to the book because there is a Bierstadt on the cover. No, not my favorite Bierstadt, but the more well known ones are all pretty epic. And, by the time you get to the end of the book, it's clear why this one is on the cover....more
A (very) personal memoir by a remarkable person written (not to focus on her extraordinary professional achievements, more on that below, but) for herA (very) personal memoir by a remarkable person written (not to focus on her extraordinary professional achievements, more on that below, but) for her children (and grandchildren) who, like most of us, simply can't imagine how different life (and the world) was (nearly) a century ago.
It's so easy to forget how much the world has changed. It's a poor analogy, but, for me, one of the most jarring aspects of Wilkerson's stunning The Warmth of Other Suns were the story arcs of familiar people (for example, the Bill Russell anecdote resonated widely) that seem improbable today. My gut says that most of my students, today, would struggle to process that one of my mentors explained in her memoir that she chose her law school because the cross-town alternative was not yet accepting women.
Ruth passed recently, which led me to return to this (more than 6 years after it was published). For anyone who knew (or was mentored or influenced by) Ruth, the book is a wonderful reminiscence, and the photos are a special treat. It opens a window into stories you won't find in her obituary - https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/... ... Similarly, while, in the memoir, Ruth relegates the two-page list of the honors and awards she received to an post-conclusion insert, she does highlight how much she appreciated the ABA's Margaret Brent Award - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1LTrY... (and, both then and now, I consider myself lucky to have attended the award ceremony).
It's strangely refreshing (and, OK, sobering) to read about little girls walking to school, knowing that one (the author) would live a long and fruitful life collecting "firsts" for women in the law and shatter so many glass ceilings and later share much of her life with a world-renowned doctor/research scientist - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/arti... while the other would become a world-renowned astronomer - https://www.nsf.gov/news/special_repo... or https://www.amnh.org/learn-teach/curr... .... And given how much the memoir revolves around family and, well, life, it makes sense, but it's still surprising to recognize the familiar names that ran in their social circles.
Powerful stuff. Terrifying? Indeed. Depressing? You betcha. Worth reading (and recommending)? Absolutely. Will it make a difference? I doubt it, but hopePowerful stuff. Terrifying? Indeed. Depressing? You betcha. Worth reading (and recommending)? Absolutely. Will it make a difference? I doubt it, but hope springs eternal.
And yet.... Part of me asks why I bought and read this. OK, it was highly recommended (OK, OK, I read about in the New York Timeshttps://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/29/bo... ... and almost immediately bought it, and it didn't take long to reach the top of the stack), ... and I can see why it generates so much buzz. But did I learn anything new? Did it persuade me to recommit to a cause I'm already committed to? No, not really.
And I'll be curious to see how often I return to it. I've dog-eared some pages (which I'm entitled to do, because I bought the book, LoL), and, between the index and the notes, I'm confident I'll reach for it doing research or preparing a speech/talk/presentation in the future.
Still, all in all, I'm busy and stressed enough that reading to get more depressed seems like a fool's errand. At the same time, well, it's like watching a horrific accident, and I can't look away, ... while at the same time, I can't understand, for the life of me, how others can. And here, I'm not even talking about the willfully ignorant or the denial community, because that's a horse of a different color.
Then again, I'm obsessed with finding more creative and persuasive and efficient ways to convince others to take climate change seriously, I don't see myself losing interest in the topic any time soon, I'm always looking for books to recommend, particularly to students, and (forgive me for I am weak, but) I enjoy supporting authors doing the difficult and thankless, but critically important work in the field.
So, in the end, no, I have no regrets whatsoever that I bought, read, or am recommending the book....more
Relatively late to the party on this, but, as expected, I enjoyed it.
It's not my first shipwreck book (or disaster and survival epic), and I'm confidRelatively late to the party on this, but, as expected, I enjoyed it.
It's not my first shipwreck book (or disaster and survival epic), and I'm confident it won't be my last. I can't say it's my favorite shipwreck book either, nor is it my favorite book by this author ... but, for both, that's only because the standard is so high.
My hat's off to the author not only for the volume of research and for translating all of it into a cohesive and compelling and easily digestible narrative, but for his ability to maintain momentum and breathe life into (and offer useful context surrounding) such a diverse group of historical figures. ...
Bonus points for the helpful maps found inside the front and rear covers.
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