This book reminds me of The Silk Roads: A New History of the World by Peter Frankopan - both in style, scope, and the stir it has already caused in thThis book reminds me of The Silk Roads: A New History of the World by Peter Frankopan - both in style, scope, and the stir it has already caused in the reading community. The author, a renowned history professor, offers a fresh look at antiquity, finding surprising connections between different ancient civilizations and redefining what even the term "civilization" means. She makes a compelling and inspiring case. Highly recommended for all history buffs.
Thanks to the publisher, Random House, and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book....more
A real treat for anyone in love with the polar regions.
I am a fan of Neil Shubin - I have read and enjoyed two of his previous books, but this one is A real treat for anyone in love with the polar regions.
I am a fan of Neil Shubin - I have read and enjoyed two of his previous books, but this one is a bit different. First, it is not a classic popular science work - more of a travelog and history book. Second, it is more a series of essays on various polar-related topics than a coherent story - but it is so compelling you can hardly put the book down.
The author shares his experiences from many expeditions he was part of (or led), including many interesting observations (“with no news, internet, or external sources of information, the main distractions in camp are the ones we carry inside of us”). I especially liked his set of rules for working in polar regions: 1. Don’t get cold. 2. Don’t get hot (“The general advice for working in cold places is: rush only when necessary”). 3. Don’t get dry. 4. Keep your head in the game. 5. It takes a village. 6. Think inside the box (“Thinking ‘outside the box’ is for the whiteboard at home, not for polar expeditions.”) 7. Experts mess up.
In addition to these recollections, Shubin retraces other scientific discoveries in the Arctic and Antarctic from the so-called "Heroic Age" (which lasted from the end of the 19th century until World War I) to the present day. And on top of all that, there are even a few paragraphs about my favorite creatures: “Because they accomplish all these feats while looking like cute teddy bears under the microscope, tardigrades have developed a loyal fan following.”
Thanks to the publisher, Penguin Group Dutton, and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book....more
"This splendid history of discovery tells a much-told tale better than it has been told before," says The Economist about this book. Well, I disagree,"This splendid history of discovery tells a much-told tale better than it has been told before," says The Economist about this book. Well, I disagree, even though I liked it. Coincidentally, just before I started "Impossible Monsters", I read another recently published book on almost the same subject, which I liked even more - Dinosaurs at the Dinner Party by Edward Dolnick. So it somewhat spoiled the pleasure of reading Michael Talor's book, which I think I would appreciate more otherwise.
"Impossible Monsters" is a more typical history book than "Dinosaurs...", it delves deeper into some issues and also covers a longer period of time - but most of the revelatory thesis of the book is very similar to the ones in the book I've read before. And in my opinion, Dolnick did a better job of presenting them in a moving and thought-provoking way. But if you are interested in this period, both books are worth reading.
Thanks to the publisher, W. W. Norton & Company / Liveright, and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book....more
A gripping tale. While there are many stories about radicalization in the US, I never imagined how big a problem it is in Germany, even though I am inA gripping tale. While there are many stories about radicalization in the US, I never imagined how big a problem it is in Germany, even though I am interested in European politics. Written like a thriller, this book not only describes a spectacular case of a domestic Nazi terrorist group, but also offers fascinating insights into recent German history. I must warn you that it can be harrowing at times - the most frustrating parts for me were those describing how the state and relevant authorities ignored or even supported radical individuals.
Recommended for anyone interested not only in international affairs, but also in how evil can be born and thrive.
Thanks to the publisher, Grand Central Publishing, and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book. ...more
I am very heartened that we are paying more and more attention to the oceans, as evidenced by the growing number of publications on the subject. For mI am very heartened that we are paying more and more attention to the oceans, as evidenced by the growing number of publications on the subject. For most of its history, humanity has ignored what lies beneath the waves because it's out of our reach, but with better science and technology, we finally have the means to learn more about this vast part of our world. And it's about time, because the same technology is threatening these still-unknown ecosystems (think deep-sea mining or carbon dioxide).
Author Helen Scales, who has written about various underwater wonders in her previous books, this time focuses directly on the issue of saving the eponymous ”wild seas”. To find solutions for the future, she dives deep into the ocean's past, looking for clues by studying past extinctions.
Thanks to the publisher, Grove Atlantic (Atlantic Monthly Press), and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book....more
An original and beautiful book. Jacob Mikanowski carefully weaves delicate and shimmering threads of surprising facts, mythology, and personal reminisAn original and beautiful book. Jacob Mikanowski carefully weaves delicate and shimmering threads of surprising facts, mythology, and personal reminiscences into a stunning tapestry. As the author notes in a first sentence, Eastern Europe is a place that doesn't exist - but this strange frontier has long shaped the destinies of many people, communities, and future nations. Mikanowski has the ability to grasp what is elusive to many: “amid all our differences, Eastern Europeans share one other legacy in common, and that is a gift for seeing comedy amidst tragedy. Prolonged acquaintance with history at its most extreme has given us an extraordinary fluency in the absurd”.
A fascinating journey through Ukrainian and Russian history, ancient and modern.
"If Ukraine joins NATO, it will do so without Crimea and the East - iA fascinating journey through Ukrainian and Russian history, ancient and modern.
"If Ukraine joins NATO, it will do so without Crimea and the East - it will simply disintegrate". These are the words of Vladimir Putin's speech at the 2008 NATO summit in Bucharest. It's chilling to be reminded of them in 2023. Mikhail Zygar, one of Russia's leading independent journalists, often uses his elephantine memory to show how inevitable, and at the same time entirely avoidable, was the cruel war now unfolding in Europe.
It is an unusual book. The first part, which focuses on the historical relations between Russia and Ukraine, is more essayistic and literary - it reminded me of another interesting and recently published volume, Goodbye, Eastern Europe: An Almost Forgotten History. But while Jacob Milkanowski paints a broad tapestry, describing the realities of the lives of ordinary people who populated these regions, Zygar is more interested in the iconic figures who have shaped history and created national myths that reverberate today. And he uses them as a point of reference in the second, main part of his book, in which he describes - in fascinating and surprising detail - the last few decades of Ukrainian politics. It is written with the flair of a newspaperman and the urgency of a war correspondent.
Having always been interested in that part of the world, I remember many of the events described here - but only now do I really understand what really happened and what the consequences were. Also very moving is the interweaving of the parallel life stories of Putin and Zelensky - classic proof that truth can be stranger than fiction.
Mikhail Zygar is a Russian and he feels responsible for his nation's deeds. This work is his powerful call for change. “This book will not undo the past and present, but it can change the future. History is a disease that afflicts many nations. The Russian people can stamp out the myths that have infected them”, he writes in the introduction. “We’ve been smoking this drug for centuries, feeding our own vanity. The myth of greatness was spooned down our throats, injected into our veins, and it made us high. We escaped reality, no longer saw what was happening around us, lost our empathy and human aspect. It’s time to get off the needle. Because we’re a danger to others and to ourselves. Imperial history is our disease; it’s inherently addictive. And the withdrawal symptoms will hurt. But this is inevitable. We have to return to reality and realize what we’ve done”, he adds in the epilogue.
Thanks to the publisher, Scribner, and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book....more
Beautifully written and thought-provoking book. It is not only an insightful family memoir but also a fascinating history lesson, which brings the facBeautifully written and thought-provoking book. It is not only an insightful family memoir but also a fascinating history lesson, which brings the facts that are rarely mentioned in the official accounts of the wars. Even among the Nazis there were decent people, and even the glorified victors could be cruel and vengeful.
It reminded me of Wade Davis’ brilliant Into the Silence: The Great War, Mallory and the Conquest of Everest, which made me understand how the Great War scarred the whole generation of English young men, Mallory among them. ‘Fatherland’ shows the other side of the coin, describing how the same war devastated the lives of millions of young Germans and prepared ground for the Nazis.
Thanks to the publisher, Random House, and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book....more
If you want to understand how on Earth it is possible that we have a regular, brutal war raging for almost a year in Europe and you have time to read If you want to understand how on Earth it is possible that we have a regular, brutal war raging for almost a year in Europe and you have time to read only one book, choose this one. If you’ve read tons of books about geopolitics and Russia, don’t miss it either – it is fresh, eye-opening, and worth reading no matter what your current state of knowledge is.
These are not purely theoretical considerations – the author doesn’t rely only on his own, though impressive enough, experience but quotes numerous ‘Russia-watchers’, from leading politicians and diplomats to military and intelligence officers to experts from think tanks and academia. Every argument is supported by real-life examples and the countless footnotes are a treasure trove for anyone researching this topic.
Plus, it is so well written that I couldn’t put it down. I wish everyone could read it and finally, the attitudes towards Russia could change, so there will be no more such calamities as the despicable war in Ukraine.
Many thanks to the publisher, Bloomsbury Academic, and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book....more
Author, a scientist himself, combines knowledge from many sources and disciplines - geography, geology, archeology, spEngaging and full of surprises.
Author, a scientist himself, combines knowledge from many sources and disciplines - geography, geology, archeology, spoken history, to name just a few - into a coherent and original tale of sunken lands, real and imaginary ones. Underwater archeology is far less known than its terrestrial kind, so diving into this topic was fascinating for me.
Despite being a little textbook-ish, it is very well written and easy to follow. And in the time of climate crisis and rising sea levels it is worth knowing how our ancestors managed to survive similar situations.
Thanks to the publisher, Bloomsbury USA, and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book....more
Kolejna piękna i mądra książka jednego z moich ulubionych polskich autorów.
Bóbr jest wprawdzie muzą autora, głównym bohaterem i rO bobrach i ludziach
Kolejna piękna i mądra książka jednego z moich ulubionych polskich autorów.
Bóbr jest wprawdzie muzą autora, głównym bohaterem i raison d’être książki, ale nie jest to klasyczne przyrodnicze opisanie gatunku. Tak naprawdę to przede wszystkim historia relacji tego gryzonia z Polakiem, będąca jednocześnie przyczynkiem do szerszej refleksji na temat relacji całej przyrody z człowiekiem. Zarazem, jak przyznał Adam Robiński na spotkaniu autorskim, to klasyczna historia zmartwychwstania, odrodzenia. To odświeżające, przeczytać współczesną książkę o przyrodzie, która daje nadzieję i powiew optymizmu – tak deficytowe towary w czasie, kiedy z globalnej pandemii przeszliśmy w szalejącą po sąsiedzku brutalną wojnę, a większość publikacji popularnonaukowych snuje wizje nieuchronnej zagłady.
Podobnie jak przy poprzednich książkach tego autora, zaskakuje i zachwyca poetycki język. Nie obawiajcie się jednak taniego sentymentalizmu – liryka opisów przyrody zderzona tu jest, nawet na poziomie językowym właśnie, z raczej pragmatycznym podejściem większości ludzkich bohaterów. To zazwyczaj twardo stąpający po ziemi leśnicy, naukowcy, przyrodnicy, którzy nie patrzą na bobry przez romantyczne różowe okulary, ale którzy jednocześnie wiele zrobili dla tych zwierząt i polskiej przyrody. Robiński nie próbuje ich postaw i czynów idealizować ani potępiać. Uczciwie dzieli się z nami swoimi odkryciami z tej podróży przez geografię i historię. Podróży, w którą warto się z nim wybrać....more
Fascinating and very well written account of a forgotten crime and decades of investigations that followed it.
I first heard about this stranger-than-Fascinating and very well written account of a forgotten crime and decades of investigations that followed it.
I first heard about this stranger-than-fiction true story while watching the wonderful documentary film ‘Cold Case Hammarskjöld’ by Danish director Mads Brügger and ‘The Golden Thread’ is a perfect companion book. The author provides a detailed portrait of a very specific time and place: Kongo in the early 1960s, which was a hub for international spies and a deadly playground for all major foreign powers. In these circumstances it is hardly surprising that UN secretary general Dag Hammarskjöld, who tried to fix the situation and defend the weak ones, was seen as an obstacle to get rid of.
The author’s style is clear, witty and engaging - he weaves the tread of this complicated story skillfully and effortlessly. Recommended for everyone interested in geopolitics, recent history or just a good true crime.
Thanks to the publisher, Twelve Books, and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book....more
Edmund de Waal is truly one of a kind. His style is beautiful, moving and original. I remember how much I loved “The Hare with Amber Eyes”, his book fEdmund de Waal is truly one of a kind. His style is beautiful, moving and original. I remember how much I loved “The Hare with Amber Eyes”, his book from 2010. “Letters to Camondo” is a loose sequel, diving even deeper into the complicated history of not only the author's ancestors but the whole vanished world of Jewish European elite. It is a strange, intimate book, full of digressions, descriptions of various pieces of art, not finished thoughts - but as a whole it is a masterpiece.
It was very disturbing to see the similarities between the anti-Semitic rhetoric from the beginning of the 20th century and anti-immigration one from our times. Why the history has to repeat itself?
Thanks to the publisher, Farrar, Straus and Giroux, and NetGalley for the advance copy of this book....more
A very engaging blend of adventure story and first grade popular science. This book radically changed my perception of early human evolution. I am surA very engaging blend of adventure story and first grade popular science. This book radically changed my perception of early human evolution. I am surprised how much of my knowledge was outdated or possibly based on a shaky science. Apparently, not only mine - discovery of early hominid Ardi, which is a main topic of this book, changed the whole scientific paradigm. It is described in detail in later chapters and I found this part most fascinating. It is a pity that, as Pattison puts it, Ardipithecus is “the most important fossil that most people have never heard about”, but I think this book will change it.
Author gives us also a wonderful profile of the fossil discoverer, Tim White, and a tour of the fascinating world of paleontology, full of scientific rivalries. Every character is presented in a deeply humane way and it applies also to the Ethiopian cast - it is a nice change in comparison to many other books in which the non-Western people often are only a picturesque background.
Unfortunately, it is a great book that could be brilliant with more thorough editing. I don’t blame the author - he writes extremely well, has a knack for explaining even the most complex scientific theories and his research is more than impressing. But there are some repetitions and some parts are a little overwhelming, like minutiae of turf wars over research grounds between scientists from all over the world. And there is an irritating timeline hopscotching in the first part of the book, with the same characters introduced many times on different stages of their careers.
Still, it is one hell of a nonfiction. Highly recommended....more
Did you know that the biggest burrows ever were built by the extinct giant sloths? Or that some dinosaurs were engaged in a sort of mating dance? And Did you know that the biggest burrows ever were built by the extinct giant sloths? Or that some dinosaurs were engaged in a sort of mating dance? And that there are fossils of butterflies, molting arachnids and even creatures during sex? These are only some of the fascinating facts from “Locked in Time”, but there is so much more than that in this great book. It isn’t a random collection of dinosaur trivia, but a very well written story, a real page-turner, with interesting insights about evolution, biology and geology.
I’ve read this paleontology book immediately after Written in Bone: Hidden Stories in What We Leave Behind by Sue Black, about forensic anthropology, and it is funny how similar these two stories are (apparently, there is even such discipline as paleopathology). Both professions not only deal with bones but also use them and various traces as clues to reconstruct the behavior and fates of their subjects, often with astonishing results.
A good book for anyone who is interested in geopolitics. In every chapter, devoted to a particular country or a region, you will find a description ofA good book for anyone who is interested in geopolitics. In every chapter, devoted to a particular country or a region, you will find a description of the lay of the land, a short history, including recent developments, and a prognosis for the future. I liked the most parts focused on the “geo” part, because this fundamental aspect is often lacking in current affairs analysis. The history parts were a little cursory, but it isn’t a history book, after all.
The selection of presented countries seems a little arbitrary, but I like the fact that the author focused on smaller regions than in his previous book, “Prisoners of Geography”. The chapters I have found the most interesting were these devoted to the places I am less familiar with, like Sahel, Saudi Arabia, or Iran.
Thanks to the publisher, Elliott & Thompson, and NetGalley for the advance copy of this book....more
Myanmar is still not a well-known country; after decades of isolation, only recently it is becoming more accessible for journalists. In the time when Myanmar is still not a well-known country; after decades of isolation, only recently it is becoming more accessible for journalists. In the time when the bloody pacification of street protests in Yangon once again is on the headlines all over the world, it is important to better understand this region of Asia. And you won't find a better guide than the author of this book.
Daniel Combs has all of the greatest virtues of a foreign correspondent: an eye for details (a policeman dropping to his knees in front of a young Buddhist monk in the middle of a busy Yangon street; rolling explosions of Kanchin civil war that don't bother VIP golfers from both sides of the conflict; a man selling Hello Kitty balloons at punk rock concert in a provincial city), humility, leading him to give the voice of local people instead of passing subjective views, and insatiable curiosity. His writing is clear and engaging. He reminds me of one of my favorite authors, Peter Hessler.
A great example of non-fiction, highly recommended to anyone interested in international issues.
Thanks to the publisher, Melville House Publishing, and NetGalley for the advance copy of this book....more
A masterpiece. It left me in awe, craving for more, despite its length of about 600 pages (without notes).
As I am interested both in mountaineering anA masterpiece. It left me in awe, craving for more, despite its length of about 600 pages (without notes).
As I am interested both in mountaineering and the heroic age of exploration, I've read some books about first expeditions to Everest (most notably, The Lost Explorer: Finding Mallory on Mt. Everestby Conrad Anker and David Roberts, and Maverick Mountaineer by Robert Wainwright). It didn't diminish the pleasure of reading Into the silence, though, on the contrary - knowing this story allowed me to better understand what was at stakes. And, as Wade Davis writes in his Annotated Bibliography,
'What possibly remained to be said about a story that had been covered by so many writers? Assuming that Knopf might be wondering the same thing, I offered to return the advance. Ash Green generously replied that he had not offered me a contract because he wanted another book on Mallory but, rather, because he wanted a book by me on Mallory.'
And that's the point: nobody else could possible write such a book. Davis, an anthropologist and explorer by his own rights, didn't want to tell the story of a famous tragedy. He wanted to understand what made Mallory and his companions push into the unknown and take unimaginable risks. To achieve this, the author began digging into the history of the Great War, an experience that created this whole Lost Generation of young men, traumatised and disillusioned forever after. And thanks to his effort we can almost relive these horrors, reading detailed reports straight from the trenches.
I have to admit that until reading this book I had not fully understood the scale and impact of the British losses during World War I. That may be a reason why, to my surprise, I've found these parts of the book most gripping. But no less fascinating was the deeply empathetic depiction of Tibet and its people, and their attitude towards strange white people risking everything to get on a cold, deadly mountain. And, of course, I devoured the account of the expedition itself, admiring bravery and resourcefulness of these long-gone first mountaineers....more
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