Capitalism

Book Name : Capitalism
Author : Paul Bowles

What is it about : A fine introduction to this very relevant and important topic. The book is structured to present to the reader - the history, the peoples, the processes and the behaviour in societies adapting this type of system.

Some thoughts after having read the book : I was enlightened by the comprehensive coverage on the various aspects of Capitalism; what makes it tick, how such form of system is affecting the world in the present days and I was intrigued by the reference the book made to the topic of colonialism and mass consumerism.

Would I recommend this book to you : Yes. The book presents the central topics in a crystal clear and concise manner while never falling into the dangerous path of making it into a "textbook". In particular, I found the text boxes detailing the important relevant figures of Karl Marx, Milton Friedman, John Maynard Keynes and their contributions to the debate and development of Capitalism of significant interest, personally.

The World Is Flat : A Brief History Of The Twenty-First Century

Book Name : The World Is Flat : A Brief History Of The Twenty-First Century
Author : Thomas L. Friedman

What is it about : The author brings in his own day-to-day experiences on globalisation by presenting countless examples on where works actually gets done around the world. For example, if you ring up the hotline for an auto-accident claims in the US, it is well likely that your call will be routed to some remote part of India where a local Indian worker will have all your records in front of her monitor and where she can process your case.

Some thoughts after having read the book : Quite unlike the author, perhaps I have personally dealt with the outsourcing industries for many years, I have found the concept and operation of relocating work to where the resources are best suited, easily understood and not at all novel. Many scenarios described in this book are really no novelties nowadays.

Would I recommend this book to you : If you are (still) unaware that your requests for computer repairs, insurance claims, banking needs or your purchase of a pair of Nike, may actually be carried out in another part of the world in a seamless fashion, then this book will help you understand the ins and outs of globalisation in the electronic age.

Struck by Lightning: The Curious World of Probabilities

Book Name : Struck by Lightning: The Curious World of Probabilities
Author : Jeffrey Rosenthal

What is it about : A fun book to help you understand what all those numbers and statistic really mean. The book is packed with examples taken from winning the lottery, gambling in casinos, election polls and many other day to day events.

Some thoughts after having read the book : The author successfully breathe life and meaning into otherwise boring old numbers and statistics and he gives out useful advice based on these numbers - for example, I will just have to forget about winning the lottery. Other interesting examples include comparison between different causes of death:

Struck by lightning : 0.002 %

Commercial aircraft disaster : 0.01%
- 5 times more likely than being struck by lightning;

Homicide by spouse : 0.06%
- 30 times more likely than being struck by lightning;

Homicide by stranger : 0.15%
- 75 times more likely than being struck by lightning;

Heart attack : 38.2%
- almost 20,000 times more likely than being struck by lightning.

Interesting eh ?

Would I recommend this book to you : Just a fun book to read and some of the statistics may not seem plausible at first, but after digging deeper into your intellect, you will find the book contains a wealth of interesting and meaningful data.

The Trouble With America

How To Build A Time Machine

Book Name : How To Build A Time Machine
Author : Paul Davies

What is it about : The book details the history, science, peoples and theories involved in this fascinating subject. Many of the scientists and authors are given good coverage in what they had contributed; these include colorful and famous characters such as Albert Einstein, Issac Newton, and H.G. Wells. Many films which are based on the idea of time travel are also described and these include Back To The Future.

Some thoughts after having read the book : The design, tone and packaging of this book initially gives you the impression that all is a breeze in the land of time travel. But as we know "never judge a book by its cover" - gradually the reader gets the feeling that he is actually reading a very real physics book and the author does not just skirt around the subject but expects the reader to follow like a college student. So, the book can get a bit hard going at times.

Would I recommend this book to you : If you have a good and solid background already in this BIG subject and are not particularly daunted with the theories of quantum uncertainties, naked singularities, time warping and wormholes, then this can be a fascinating read.

Beyond Fear And Greed

Games Theory At Work

Book Name : Games Theory At Work
Author : James Miller

What is it about : The book comes alive with countless examples from criminal investigations, pricing of goods to calling the price at auctions that illustrate Games Theory playing a central role in determining the choices people make and the corresponding outcomes.

Some thoughts after having read the book : Games Theory fits in well with my very own central plank of life's many philosophies - getting the best compromise. And the best compromise being essentially the famous Nash Equilibrium a.k.a. stable selfish outcome. But of course, making choices in life is never so straightforward and mechanical but Games Theory does give you pause for thoughts and possibly clarity when faced with a dilemma.

Would I recommend this book to you : If you had ever wondered what Games Theory is all about and how you can best play your hand in a negotiation and come up tops, then read on. The examples can get a bit tiresome and repetitive and the numerous "stick" diagrams in the book, representing the situations and outcomes in different cases, although fine in illustrating the points and dilemma, they lack colors, liveliness and imagination.

Evolution: The Triumph of An Idea

Book Name : Evolution: The Triumph of An Idea
Author : Carl Zimmer

What is it about : A pacey and fascinating account on Darwin's life, theories and his ideas that gave rise to the controversies surrounding religion, science and our very own history. The book is full of examples of this great man's endeavour, wisdom, sensitivity and thoroughness.

Some thoughts after having read the book : Those years Darwin spent travelling on The Beagle had to be hard work - he was faced with the prospects of infection from unknown deceases, danger at the open seas as well as wary natives (probably the spear throwing type). Putting his achievement in these contexts, the meticulous details and passion which he still managed to bring to his art and craft of planning, exploration, observation, collection and correlation, that led to his ground-breaking insights and conclusions, were just unbelievable. The man had the qualities of all men great - perseverance, patience and dare.

Would I recommend this book to you : Definitely ! The spectrum of arguments and the angles which the author brought to the crowded debate blew much life to the book. The many current and alive issues such as Creationism had been given vivid coverage; making the laymen readers aware of the forces at work (mainly detailed in the U.S.) which oppose Darwin's ideas or at least argue alternatives to the Great Man's thinking.

On Natural Selection

Book Name : On Natural Selection
Author : Charles Darwin

What is it about : The extremely interesting subject of Natural Selection is presented in this book in the style of a first hand lecture by Charles Darwin. Packed with detailed descriptions of examples, the book gives an excellent scientific overview of Earth's many species' existence and struggles. The great man leads you through his observations, what he surmised and what he concluded with both specific cases as well as generalisations of say the relationship between insects and climate changes.

Some thoughts after having read the book : The English in this book is a pleasure to read for being straight forward, concise and detailed with plenty of scientific evidence to make it interesting and rewarding. Since this is a very contentious subject even till this day, with the many vocal Creationists communities around the world, the book conveys Darwin's humbleness (or even unwillingness at times), his careful approach in dealing not only with the science itself but also in the way he presented his Subject to the generally sceptical world around him in those days.

Would I recommend this book to you : Definitely. One of the best book I have read and felt fully gratified at the end of the reading. I felt the book should go on longer like the melancholy that lingered in one's mind, of leaving the theatre after a very memorable movie.

Science: A History

Book Name : Science : A History
Author : John Gribbin

What is it about : The history of scientific advances in the past 500 years are described in details with vivid accounts of the players, the breakthroughs, the controversies and the benefits to humanity. The book is broken down into chapters describing a specific scientific field to make easy reading and referencing.

Some thoughts after having read the book : The human race had come a long way from believing in a flat world, surmounting hurdles in the taming of incurable deceases, the breakdown of DNA to check "let's see what this guy is made of" and about time too that we get to use a really "mobile" phone ! But I kept thinking the many discoveries, inventions and advances still to come to make our lives easier; let's see - no more ironing to start with, followed by accident-free transport vehicles which don't treat the passengers as cattle, surely we are not asking too much to put foods on the plates for everybody. How long is it going to take for these breakthroughs to become reality ?

Would I recommend this book to you : Regardless of your background and interests and even though you are not a historian or scientist, you would derive both satisfaction and frustration after reading this book, in knowing how far we have come in treating science with an open mind and yet how minute we are in the vast universe of scientific knowledge. Episodes in the lives of many of the true Greats in science such as Newton, Darwin and Einstein also provide a lighter side for reading in balancing the significant advances and impact they made.