Proof of Conspiracy, Seth Abramson

Poof of Conspiracy:  How Trump's international collusion is threatening American democracy by Seth Abramson is the sequel to Proof of Collusion.

Started: 12/10/2019

Completed: 12/21/2019

Recommendation: Highly recommended

Recommended By: Nobody

Words and phrases for which I sought help:

sub rosa lobbying -- Literally "under the rose" this is lobbying that is done in secret.

Review:

So this is a huge take down on Trump and his clan.  It is amazing in its detail, focus, and rigorous sources.  Must read for anyone who wants to know what our President has been doing and how bad it is for the USA.

The Blade Itself, Joe Abercrombie

The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie was on a list of recommended books in the Washington Post that my mother-in-law had cut out and recommended to me.  I think that this was in the year the book was published, 2006.  It took a long time to buy a copy as it did not show up in used book stores and I eventually took it out of the library.

Started: 12/6/2019

Completed: 12/10/2019

Recommendation: Mild recommendation

Recommended By:  The Washington Post

Review:

Some of the descriptions were really good: "...silence but for the wind fumbling across the dark stones...."  Others, however, such as long battle scenes were just kind of gross.  Maybe they were needed, it will take the subsequent books to know for sure.  This is, however, a book that was written in need of a sequel.  We shall see.  For now, however, I can offer a mild recommendation.

Exhalation, Ted Chiang

Exhalation by Ted Chiang is a collection of science fiction short stories.  This book shows up on numerous lists of good science fiction books to read.

Started: 12/2/2019

Completed: 12/6/2019

Recommendation: Highly recommended

Recommended By: A list of some sort

Review:

I am not big on collections of short stories, but this is a pretty cool collection.

"Skill at debate is not the same as maturity."  This is an excellent and fundamental insight.  I find it hard to distinguish them myself.  The story in which this insight appeared did a good job of explaining what was happening.

These are great stories that address lots of cool issues.  The time was well spent and I really enjoyed these carefully crafted stories.

A Warning, Anonymous

A Warning by Anonymous is a book I could not miss.

Started: 11/30/2019

Completed: 12/2/2019

Recommendation: Mildly Recommended

Recommended By: Cousin Charles

Review:

"He is out of his mind."  'nuff said.

Then he said this, "Given enough time and space, Donald J. Trump, will seek to abuse any power he is given."  Wow.

The Education of Brett Kavanaugh, Pogrebin and Kelly

The Education of Brett Kavanah:  An investigation by Robin Pogrebin and Kate Kelly is a book for which I was interviewed.

Started: 11/27/2019

Completed: 11/28/2019

Recommendation:  Recommended

Recommended By: Nobody

Review:

This well researched book follows the education of Justice Kavanaugh.

Leadership, Doris Kearns Goodwin

Leadership:  In turbulent times by Doris Kearns Goodwin is a book that was reviewed in the Washington Post.  The review came up at a Thoughtful Discussion Group when the topic was on the nature of leadership.  I enjoyed Team of Rivals so I have a sense that I will enjoy this book as well.

Started: 11/21/2019

Completed: 11/29/2019

Recommendation: Mild recommendation

Recommended By: Ann

Review:

Goodwin is a good writer who can synthesize information from multiple sources.  Unfortunately, large sections of this book a cribbed from her previous books with a little editing.  The material remains good, it is just redundant.  The final section looks at how each of the leaders addressed fundamental problems with their leadership skills.  That is the part of the book that is truly new.

Universal Darwinism, John Campbell

Universal Darwinism:  The path of knowledge by John Campbell is a book about how multiple phase states might affect philosophy.

Started:  8/10/2019

Completed: 11/27/2019

Recommendation: Recommended

Recommended By:  I saw John Campbell referenced in an on-line blurb talking about multiple phase states and that made me curious--Philosopher discussing physics?

Review:

The link between Bayesian probability and physics results in philosophy.  I think that this is a seminal work.  It is worth taking time to read it carefully.