Category Archives: Book Reviews

My reviews of books I have read (or listened to on audiobooks).

The Fate of Rome

Posted on March 2, 2018 by JohnMatel

The great thing about ancient history is that we learn more every year. History is not just out there to be discovered. It is the creation of historians, who fit a narrative to events that are otherwise just one darn … Continue reading →

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The Third Wave

Posted on March 1, 2018 by JohnMatel

Just finished “The Third Wave” on The Great Courses. Lots of interesting ideas. I like the concept of “impact investing”, where you try to do something useful while making money. My tree farming is like that. I need to make … Continue reading →

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Enlightenment Now

Posted on February 25, 2018 by JohnMatel

Just finished “Enlightenment Now.” I have been reading Pinker’s work since “Blank Slate,” and went to lectures a few times. He is the quintessential reasonable man and a true liberal in the real sense. The Economist does a better job … Continue reading →

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Book Note: The Infidel & the Professor

Posted on January 14, 2018 by JohnMatel

 5.0 out of 5 stars A New Introduction to a Couple of Guys I Should Have Known Better ByJohn Matelon January 14, 2018 Format: Hardcover|Verified Purchase David Hume and Adam Smith seem like a couple of decent guys. It would … Continue reading →

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Grit

Posted on February 16, 2017 by JohnMatel

I finished her book “Grit” today. She refers to “Peak,” which I finished last month. They go together in many ways. I have been reading this sort of stuff since I was young. I worry sometimes that my ideas on … Continue reading →

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Book review: Nova’s Fire Wars

Posted on July 30, 2016 by JohnMatel

I got  Nova’s “Fire Wars” video as part of my study of fire science.  It is a great complement to the many books and magazine article.  To actually see the flames and the firefighters at work, and hearing them speak … Continue reading →

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Book review: Chaos Monkeys: Obscene Fortune and Random Failure in Silicon Valley

Posted on July 28, 2016 by JohnMatel

Chaos Monkeys: Obscene Fortune and Random Failure in Silicon Valley Hardcover – June 28, 2016 by Antonio Garcia Martinez   The author describes himself as a disenchanted idealist who turned cynical. I suggest that it takes a smart person to … Continue reading →

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Book Review: Young Men and Fire: A True Story of the Mann Gulch Fire

Posted on July 25, 2016 by JohnMatel

Young Men and Fire: A True Story of the Mann Gulch Fire September 1, 1992 by Norman Maclean  This is a multidimensional story.  It is the story of the sixteen-man crew that in 1949 fought a wildfire at Mann Gulch, … Continue reading →

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Book Review: Investing in Nature: Case Studies of Land Conservation in Collaboration with Business

Posted on July 23, 2016 by JohnMatel

Investing in Nature: Case Studies of Land Conservation in Collaboration with Business Dec 22, 2005 by William Ginn “Investing in Nature” was published in 2005, i.e. more than ten years ago. It is useful to remember that, since some of … Continue reading →

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Book Review: Success and Luck: Good Fortune and the Myth of Meritocracy

Posted on July 23, 2016 by JohnMatel

Success and Luck: Good Fortune and the Myth of Meritocracy Apr 19, 2016 by Robert H. Frank Read enough of these sorts of books and the ideas start to mash together.   In fact, they often use some of the same … Continue reading →

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