books: a human history

books: a human history

books:

A human history

The World in Six Songs: How the Musical Brain Created Human Nature

Daniel J. Levitin

Dutton Adult, 2008

An entertaining and informative examination of the human brain and culture as revealed by music
Daniel Levitin is both a rock musician and a cognitive scientist. That is, he looks at how the brain behaves as you perceive things. Music is one of those interesting puzzles that allows people like Levitin to see the brain behave in ways different than our other ...

Fish! A Remarkable Way to Boost Morale and Improve Results

Stephen C. Lundin, Harry Paul, ...

Hyperion, 2000

A friend of mine recommended that I read this book. I am glad I did!
I really enjoyed reading "Fish" A Remarkable Way to Boost Morale And Improve Results". "Fish" was a quick easy read, perfect for a cold winter afternoon. In the book "Fish" the authors tell us the story of the transformation of a department in a large company that ...

This Is Your Brain on Music: The Science of a Human Obsession

Daniel J. Levitin

Plume/Penguin, 2007

Brilliant and Inspiring
Brilliant and inspiring. It gives a great understanding of music and how we perceive it. It is written in a very accessible language for those of us music enthusiasts with no knowledge of neuroscience.

On Combat, The Psychology and Physiology of Deadly Conflict in War and in Peace

Lt. Col. Dave Grossman, Loren W. Christensen

Warrior Science Publications, 2008

Criminal Prosecutor
As a deputy district attorney who prosecutes people who murder and attempt to murder police officers, I have a vested interest in understanding what officers go through during a deadly force encounter. Without a doubt, of all the books and articles I've read, this is ...

The Botany of Desire: A Plant's-Eye View of the World

Michael Pollan

Random House Trade Paperbacks, 2002

Funny, gentle and world changing
It is a rare science book that evokes such an emotional response in me. "Beak of the Finch" by Jonathan Weiner is one, and "The Botany of Desire" is another. Pollan's discussion of four archetypal plants (apple, tulip, marijuana and potato) and our shared history with ...

The Art of Seduction

Robert Greene

Penguin (Non-Classics), 2003

Excellent Stuff!!
Simply an amazing book about the subject of great seduction. If you are vaguely interested in approving your social skills, or aim for some kind of targeted success in human interaction, this would be a defintive book for you to read. Its a big book, but as Robert ...

Barack Obama: Son of Promise, Child of Hope

Nikki Grimes

Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing, 2008

A wonderful book for children
This is a beautifully illustrated book about our President-elect. It is inspirational for children in that it stresses the value of education and striving to do always do your best. It is a must for every library and a nice addition to home collections. A+

Your Inner Fish: A Journey into the 3.5-Billion-Year History of the Human Body

Neil Shubin

Pantheon, 2008

Book Club surprise--one of the best in my non-fiction list for 2008
As assigned reading for a book club, Your Inner Fish became for me a page-turning, fascinating read with enough described real-life excitement to generate my own mind-expeditions through the Arctic, voyages to the cliffs of Nova Scotia, and tedious hours in labs ...

Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers

Mary Roach

W. W. Norton & Company, 2004

Weird, yet Good.
I heard a lot about this book. I thought the title really caught my eye and the content really attracted me out of curiousity. Once I started reading, I could not put it down. It really got you thinking about other subjects not talked about much and made you wonder ...

Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies

Jared Diamond

W. W. Norton, 2005

European Advantages
Professor Diamond takes up a very difficult question that spans centuries. He sets out to figure out why the Europeans were able to succeed not only in their enviornment, but control throughout the world. Geography is something Diamond finds as a major factor. ...

Sin in the Second City: Madams, Ministers, Playboys, and the Battle for America's Soul

Karen Abbott

Random House Trade Paperbacks, 2008

Informative as well as entertaining
Abbott takes you back in time and tells the story of the Everleigh sisters and weaves it into the history of the Levee in the early 1900's. She gives vivid descriptions of all of the characters and circumstances making you feel like you are a fly on the wall. This is ...

Who's Your City?: How the Creative Economy Is Making Where to Live the Most Important Decision of Your Life

Richard Florida

Basic Books, 2008

A book that makes you keep reading
I placed order as new copy but found the product doesn't look like brand new one when I received it. Yet the content of the book is very interesting. It contains a lot of useful information.

Pathologies of Power: Health, Human Rights, and the New War on the Poor (California Series in Public ...

Paul Farmer

University of California Press, 2004

Health and survival as human rights
Paul Farmer, perhaps the most famous 'Third World doctor' living today, has written an eloquent and moving plea for a reconsideration of modern approaches toward healthcare in the developing nations in this book, "Pathologies of Power". Based on his personal ...

The History of Sexuality, Vol. 1: An Introduction

Michel Foucault

Vintage, 1990

Somewhat wordy, but deserves consideration
Foucault has been criticized for being too wordy, and to a large extent I agree. He deals with complex topics and histories and tries to mesh philosophy with sexuality with politics with morality, etc. It can be very confusing. But Foucault nontheless presents many ...

Gardens: An Essay on the Human Condition

Robert Pogue Harrison

University Of Chicago Press, 2008

Professor Harrison again provides insight
As in "Dominion of the Dead," Professor Harrison has taken a topic (this time Gardens and our relations to them) and interwoven scholarship with stirring judgment. I am no gardener; this book can resonate with all who take up work and action to cultivate anyone or ...