Turns out... Trebek is a bit weird. The anecdotes in the book range from fun insights to awkward jokes recounted to audiences through the years. The bTurns out... Trebek is a bit weird. The anecdotes in the book range from fun insights to awkward jokes recounted to audiences through the years. The book is sad given the state of Alex's health at the time of writing/recording, and knowing the outcome. It was nice for Ken Jennings to narrate most of it, and almost weird having Alex jump in for bits, but glad to have heard his own voice as part of the story....more
An interesting book that I saw in the travel section of a local bookstore. It was less about travel and more personal exploration of death/life tied tAn interesting book that I saw in the travel section of a local bookstore. It was less about travel and more personal exploration of death/life tied to an historical exploration of St. Cuthbert through travelling, where the author uses the excuse of recreating St. Cuthbert's voyage to (and from, or back and forth to, it was a bit unclear) the island of Lindisfarne in the 600s as well as past experiences going to the island as a teenager to reflect on life. All that said, it was quite interesting, both the historical elements (in depth, engaging, funny, and with some deep contextualization of religious politics and beliefs at the time) and the personal elements (touching, raw, insightful, if somewhat saddening and overly self-reflective)....more
A new book by Simon Winchester, this one really goes around the world and all through history as it traces the biggest topic coverage of all his writiA new book by Simon Winchester, this one really goes around the world and all through history as it traces the biggest topic coverage of all his writing: literally all of land on Earth! With so many tangents, so many intricate explanations, and so much effusive language, it was a lot to take in by audiobook. Winchester's voice was not as strong as earlier books either. But it was interesting, with lots of unique insight into both the history of land ownership in the "Western World" (which I liked) and discussion of different forms of ownership (which I found interesting). There were many bits of information I went "wow" to or turns of wit that I chuckled at, but because I went through it so fast as an audiobook I can't recall any of them. Interesting tie in: I listened to a 99% Invisible episode about similar land ownership discussions right around listening to this book - funny how things work out like that!...more
I'm really getting into Simon Winchester's writing and narration (great voice!) and just how much he seems to have tied his own life into the subject I'm really getting into Simon Winchester's writing and narration (great voice!) and just how much he seems to have tied his own life into the subject matter (a bit Gyles Brandreth, really). The wild roundabout adventure of this biography of an ocean was, at times, a bit hard to follow but still fascinating bits throughout the book....more
Another really interesting approach to a biography/history of a location, this time spanning more of the globe than ever before with Simon Winchester Another really interesting approach to a biography/history of a location, this time spanning more of the globe than ever before with Simon Winchester focusing on the Pacific Ocean. The technique used in this one, quite different than his Land book or the Atlantic one, is to look at the region from 1950 onwards, focusing less on the founding history or geology of the region (though the geology plays a big part and actually launches the story) and more on how recent events are shaping the "coming collision" of changing dominance in both the region and around the world. With classic wit and anecdotes, good explanations, offshoots and tangets, colourful characters, and great knowledge, this was another great Winchester read....more
Another interesting one by Winchester! Back to the anecdotal history telling (how the heck did this guy do so much way back in life that ties into whaAnother interesting one by Winchester! Back to the anecdotal history telling (how the heck did this guy do so much way back in life that ties into what he would write about decades later?!) that crosses the US and takes an interesting approach looking at the "elements" (as in what ancient Greeks and some Asian cultures consider/ed the 4 or 5 basic elements of the world) and shaping the narrative of who united the US around those parts. A unique approach, one that didn't come across too strongly or too forced, just as a general framework that even at times I forgot about. In the end, it still ended up mainly chronological anyways....more
This was not quite the book I expected, basically a recounting of the videos Beau makes on YouTube but with more philosophizing and connecting them toThis was not quite the book I expected, basically a recounting of the videos Beau makes on YouTube but with more philosophizing and connecting them together as a progression of growth. It is NOT a how-to adventure book (it doesn't claim to be) nor does it hammer home adventure lessons from his adventures either. It doesn't do this because, at its heart, the book is about learning about yourself by doing and enjoying and discovering. Whatever you are doing, enjoying or discovering may be different - it is eating nothing but beans for 40 days, sleeping in a tree, or kayaking to work for Beau - but it is that mindset and openness that I think makes Beau who he is and is something that should be emulated, or at least experimented with to your level of comfort, that is the main lesson. The audiobook seemed to cut out at the beginning of some lines, but that may have been my headphones. Read by the author, which is nice and nostalgic for his videos!...more
I came and went from this book a couple times, but more for life things than because I didn't like it. Overall a very interesting social commentary boI came and went from this book a couple times, but more for life things than because I didn't like it. Overall a very interesting social commentary book, though certain times I didn't like the people Brian visited with (which may have been the point but made it less exciting to read). This really is a story of "fake it until you make it" working out really well! I gave it away as a white elephant gift and my grandma got it, so I'm curious to see what she thinks of it!...more
AUDIO NOTE: Lowered the score because the narrator could not pronounce "Chinook" properly, which is pretty key for this subject... the book gets a staAUDIO NOTE: Lowered the score because the narrator could not pronounce "Chinook" properly, which is pretty key for this subject... the book gets a star more.
This adventure travelogue/exposé/sustainability narrative was really interesting. I learned a lot about salmon and the life of small villages in Alaska, and the writing was honest and clear. I lived in Whitehorse for a summer so have seen the headwaters and landscape that start and end the journey, and I visited a few of the places along the Yukon River on the Canadian side. The description of life and the Indigenous communities is not easy to take in (nor should they be) and some of that was surprising to me given the lesson explored/hinted at (that Indigenous communities should/could be in charge of salmon sustainability because of their knowledge and traditional care of the rivers), but I think the importance of that message was still able to come through. The descriptions of the river were really interesting, made me think the journey could be an amazing one (minus the mosquitos, which were suspiciously absent, and bears and other dangers!). I liked this book a lot, only downgraded my rating for the audio edition....more
Read for a work book club. Interesting look into the creation of the National Museum of African American History and Culture (a Smithsonian museum). IRead for a work book club. Interesting look into the creation of the National Museum of African American History and Culture (a Smithsonian museum). I think I was expecting less anecdotal, personal experience, though I don't know why since this is essentially a memoir. Maybe more about the actual stories of/in the museum than stories of trying to get financial donations? An interesting read, definitely an insight into the decade-long struggle (or successfully managed implementation of a congressional order, depending how you look at it) of creating a very important and prominent museum. The stories of just how much personal relationship played into all areas of developing this museum was quite the insight - just goes to show how important relationships are!...more
I did not expect this to be so much about the author's own crises and survival, I thought it would be more about David Star Jordan's life, but this reI did not expect this to be so much about the author's own crises and survival, I thought it would be more about David Star Jordan's life, but this really was more of a 50/50 personal memoir and biography, with the science of taxonomy thrown in. I was interested in Jordan's story more at the beginning, wishing the author would get out of the way, but when the story moved around to eugenics it all started falling into place and the story balanced itself out in my mind. An interesting book, the author narrating it was good (her NPR experience made it sound almost more like a podcast), and the story sure had some interesting things in it too....more
Another great one from Tim Moore! What a joke of a ride, but an amazing adventure and another classic of sarcastic brilliance!
Tim Moore's adventures iAnother great one from Tim Moore! What a joke of a ride, but an amazing adventure and another classic of sarcastic brilliance!
Tim Moore's adventures in cycling really shouldn't be survived. They are far too ridiculous and dangerous for a man of his age to do, but I'm glad he does so I don't need to! I enjoyed this one almost as much as his Iron Curtain trail ride, but it is a different one given the far older bicycle and the need to follow the 1914 Giro route. The history of that ride, and the riders, and how it relates to the riders of Tim's youth and the ones I grew up seeing (not idolizing) was really interesting. Bike racing is a weird and strange world, and these early races were something else entirely.
Again, a fun romp around a country on a bike that made me want to get out and pedal as well as stay far away from Italy!...more
(2.5 stars for narration). Interesting book about bikepacking in Asia that actually explores a number of other subjects including explorers, modern po(2.5 stars for narration). Interesting book about bikepacking in Asia that actually explores a number of other subjects including explorers, modern politics in the area, science, and serves as a personal memoir. I was expecting more of a direct travelogue, but wasn't disappointed by these other subjects as it flushed out the narrative and provided some interesting context. As an aside about the asides, how is it that these explorer types end up being both super smart and motivated people who can walk into things like Rhodes scholarships, then just change their fields of study mid-stream and not seem to care or be impacted by this change and near-failure (or, in the case of the at-the-time boyfriend, willingly attempt NOT to pass/complete the degree) and still land on their feet AND go off on wild adventures for months on end? How do I do this?!
Narration scored low because it sounded like she was doing some combo of low-voice wrestling introductions and running out of breath. Especially at the end of the sentences. I listened to it at a faster speed and I can't imagine how annoying it would have been slower....more
This was a great book, an adventure of epic scale and seemingly very bad planning. Who starts a cross-continent cycling trip in Finland in March? And This was a great book, an adventure of epic scale and seemingly very bad planning. Who starts a cross-continent cycling trip in Finland in March? And doing it on an old Soviet shopping bike to boot!
Tim Moore writes of this mammoth undertaking with a great deal of wit, humour, sarcasm, and pop culture inner monologues. I found myself regularly chuckling as Tim and his MIFA bounced over Serbian potholes to the beats of Croat electro-accordion music, or the invented cold war experiences as he fights for traction on Finland's icy inclines. The cultures Tim went through are all bound by the Iron Curtain, being the boundary between what was then East and West. Their existence today is still defined by that conflict, whether part of the European Union or excluded from it, still facing racial and national tensions, suspicions, economic divides, and uncertain futures. And of course EV13, the Iron Curtain cycle route that runs from the Arctic Ocean to the Black Sea!
I liked this book for a number of reasons: the adventure, the travel/cultures, the fun writing, the challenge, the way of experiencing history... It did not disappoint and I will read it again for sure. The only comment I would have is a bit more on the final countries. Finland, Russia and Germany get a lot of attention (as does Serbia) not just because there were more days spent cycling through their vast geographies, but because they are the iconic nations along the route. But It would have been nice to get a tiny bit more of the more culturally adventurous or different nations. Highly recommended, regardless!...more
Interesting take on the psychological impacts of the Holocaust and concentration camps, as well as the theory of meaning in our lives. I found some ofInteresting take on the psychological impacts of the Holocaust and concentration camps, as well as the theory of meaning in our lives. I found some of it insightful, some challenging, and other parts just over my head....more
Really liked this shorter look at the history, science, culture, and prominence of whales. The paleontological history was really interesting and explReally liked this shorter look at the history, science, culture, and prominence of whales. The paleontological history was really interesting and explains a lot about how and why whales ended up as they are today (i.e. super special, specialized, unique, and diverse) but yet showed how much we still don't know about these magnificent creatures. The exploration of more recent Anthropocene past and present, the impacts, and the rush to save them was also really interesting to see how our culture takes on causes without really knowing why the whales are important, and then how we back-fill that knowledge as we make discoveries and improve science. The future of whales section was maybe a bit less interesting, but also how do you predict the future? I loved how Pyenson really showed how generalist and cross-field science played a pivotal role in the discoveries we've made recently....more
I enjoyed this book more once it got to the actual Antarctic experience of the crews (the first journey in 1902 and the later more famous one in 1913)I enjoyed this book more once it got to the actual Antarctic experience of the crews (the first journey in 1902 and the later more famous one in 1913). The earlier biographical lead-up about Scott and his progress towards Antarctic exploration was important backstory, but took a long time and was only useful for character foundations that Fiennes uses later as a defence for Scott.
The book features a lot of Fiennes, acting as an expert, and thus one of the only people to be able to comment on Scott's actions and reasoning that resulted in (or that coincided with) his death and four of his crew on their journey back from the South Pole. Fiennes does paint a picture of Scott as an incorrectly maligned giant of the golden age of exploration, a man whose good name was tarnished by jealous, unknowing, and, in one case, senile crew members and later revisionists. I think they are fair points, Scott's story was polarized and selectively used for patriotism or reflecting changing society, but the argument at times sounds overly defensive and reflects Fiennes's own right-wing political views.
What makes the book amazing is the story of Scott and his men. The journeys they took, the conditions they faced, and the successes they had even with the tragic end in The Tent are phenomenal and well-documented feats of strength, courage, and leadership. Shackleton gets much more press for his Elephant Island voyage (and because he survived), but Scott in this book is shown as a more genuine, effective, and "British" leader who was only foiled by changing circumstances and some bad luck. Scott made the poll, and did so while conducting a hugely influential scientific program along the way, and was only beaten because Amundsen changed his plans and went hell for leather into a race (that itself nearly ended in tragedy) that had no great impact on the world other than being first. That's why Scott is still so well known today, that's why his name is on the South Pole Station alongside Amundsen's. I think that's an important thing to remember, and an interesting study of difference between the two men and their outcomes. Scott, nearly to the end, carried 35 pounds of rocks that it was hoped would show Antarctica was a continent once attached to others in the world, or with animals from the age of dinosaurs. Amundsen just covered miles, judge them as you wish.
The stories of life on the ice and the life of these men conducting scientific experiments and human travel expeditions is remarkable, and there were times where I was left shaking my head with wonder. Not that I think it was a good idea - I would never want to live through what they did and of course today we don't need to - but it is amazing to see how it progressed within 100 years. The fact that Scott was the last man at the Pole for almost 50 years is also quite remarkable, and that his journey is still a benchmark for modern-day explorers' distances and paces... wow. These stories make up for the defensive writing and for the boring preamble.
Note: I've been reading a book about Arctic or Antarctic exploration each year (it seems always in winter), so this was a natural fit to read over Christmas, but it was also a book that was on my shelf for some 5-7 years beforehand. I'm looking forward to learning more about Amundsen or some of the other characters involved in similar events around that time, to see how people like Scott are portrayed differently depending on the book's respective protagonists and the authors' era and views....more
I enjoyed this fun romp around Scotland by kayak. Brian Wilson did the trip solo, and some of his experiences are pretty out there. Hard to believe heI enjoyed this fun romp around Scotland by kayak. Brian Wilson did the trip solo, and some of his experiences are pretty out there. Hard to believe he made it in one piece, and hard to believe he did it before the age of GPS, portable radios, or even good camping gear. It was neat to hear about the British kayaking scene back then, and about the work he did getting ready for this trip, as well as the main focus: the coast of Scotland, but it didn't strike me as something I wanted to do - at least not as he did it. Definitely worth a read if you are a kayaker or interested in big solo endurance trips, but don't think you'll get a guidebook on how to do it yourself!...more
I recommend this book! This book is basically a pep talk about how not to be a dick to the people around you while listening to the world's greatest hI recommend this book! This book is basically a pep talk about how not to be a dick to the people around you while listening to the world's greatest humblebrag by one of the world's genuinely nicest (and most impressive) moustaches.
An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth isn't a memoir, because of the aforementioned life lessons being the main focus, but you still get to hear the amazing life journey Hadfield took to get to space three times as examples of living out his teachings. While I followed Hadfield while he was on the ISS in 2012/13, I didn't know much about his early career other than that he was a military pilot. He was much more than that, especially after he became an astronaut - and that was probably what I appreciated most in this book, learning about the life of an astronaut when they're not in space. Hadfield was a fighter pilot, but also the best test pilot of his class. And when he became an astronaut he did more than fly to space. He was NASA's head of robotics, served as Chief CAPCOM for 25 Shuttle missions (the main guy on the radio), Chief Astronaut of the Canadian Space Agency, NASA's head of operations for training in Russia (yes, he learned Russian to be an astronaut), Chief of International Space Station Operations, and much much more. Yah, ok, he's impressive. Oh yah, and first Canadian to walk in space, first Canadian commander of the ISS, fully qualified Cosmonaut, has visited MIR and the ISS (twice), etc, etc.
It was great to hear about Hadfield's astronaut work. As a Canadian, we don't get to hear much about the space program as the attention is really only on those in space (and we don't have many astronauts, let alone astronauts in space). If Canadians knew more about what our astronauts do to support the program while on the ground, and just how important that work is, I think we'd be more impressed by our personnel and not fall into that tokenism feeling we often have in the international circuit. In reality, we punch well above our weight! (By the way, did you know Canadians spend as much on Halloween candy as we do on our space agency each year?! One of them may cure cancer someday, but I'll let you guess which one.)
The other aspect of this book, and arguably the main point, is to outline Hadfield's keys to life success. Most are simple and attainable, along the lines of "be respectful of people around you, work hard, and don't try to be a superstar." I'm sure some people listening to the book, and hearing the examples from Hadfield's own life, will say "yes, but it worked for you" or "but that's really easy to say when you ARE a superstar who can accomplish anything," but I think that overall they are attainable and easy to put in practice. They may not make you an incredibly successful spaceman, but they could make your life more successful, or at least more enjoyable (which is just as good).
I think the number one lesson I took out of the book is not to define your success by an outcome. Hadfield was an astronaut for 31 years, but only went to space three times in that period. His first two missions were quite short, totalling just 19 days, while his third mission was 5-months long and came after over a decade being grounded. Is an astronaut really an astronaut if he doesn't go to space? And when his big dramatic moment of glory came on his last mission to space, NASA picks someone else for the emergency spacewalk (Hadfield was a spacewalking instructor, so seemed a shoe-in). But he didn't let it get him down (though he admits to some initial disappointment) and went about his work supporting the team and excelling in a new role, something that made him more proud than if he had been the public hero. For many of us, especially those who don't have easily identifiable mission/project-related pinnacles in our careers, it may be harder to identify those large outcomes in the day-to-day, but it is a good reminder that doing your job well is a better long-term success and easier for us to avoid major disappointment. It will help me not focus too much on the outcomes of the major project I'm working on and just try to do it well in the meantime.
The audiobook was good, Hadfield's voice is recognizable from all his YouTube videos from space even if the audio quality may not have been the definition of perfection. I was surprised by a few words that seemed mis-pronounced - is it an Ontario thing? Hadfield has become an educator, an experienced professional making the case for his sector, and that really comes across in the narration. It's clear, it's got a bit of humour, it all fits. I think Hadfield is best when not reading a script, some areas (especially the humour) felt a bit stilted like he needed a reaction from the listener back, but it wasn't a problem over all.
I really enjoyed finishing this just a few hours before the ISS Expedition 53 crew returned to earth in the early hours of December 14 (Pacific time at least, it was mid-day in Kazakstan). I had just heard Hadfield describe the Soyuz descent and then could watch it happen on video. His descriptions made me understand so much more about what was going on, what the astronauts were thinking, and what would constitute a good landing (it was an excellent landing, by the way). What a cool experience to have that insight!
Highly recommend, and thanks for your service Col. Hadfield!...more
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