I've been reading this one in chunks for almost a year. It is incredible how something so completely non-technical can still be so _dense_. Greene hasI've been reading this one in chunks for almost a year. It is incredible how something so completely non-technical can still be so _dense_. Greene has a true skill for taking extremely complicated material and translating it for a lay audience -- I actually felt like I was following well till it hit projections and black holes. He makes no effort to hide that his writing is biased towards his own philosophy and favorite theories, and I actually enjoyed a science writer who was so open about this fact. This is a great crash course in the current theories surrounding possible multiverses, by giving a clear snapshot of roughly where current physics stands, how the process of theoretical investigation works, and a humbling sense of just how much MORE there is to the topic than what is presented here. Be warned, despite being very much a popular science book, this is NOT a light read....more
I read this one because the author was coming to speak at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics observatory night and I wanted to get some bI read this one because the author was coming to speak at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics observatory night and I wanted to get some background ahead of time.
Seriously, wow. I'd been only passively following the search for exoplanets in the news and I had NO idea how far they'd come. Scientists have found over a thousand planets outside our solar system, and they've gone so far in some case as to begin analyzing their atmospheres. From thousands of light-years away. How mind-blowing is that?
Jayawardhana brings in a number of little anecdotes which make the story of exoplanets more personal, like how an amateur astronomer housewife in Australia helped locate the first planet by micro-lensing (using the space-time warping effects of gravity. I said this stuff is mind-blowing, right?).
The writing is very inconsistent, sometimes clearly aimed at an audience with no background in astronomy and sometimes waxing extremely dry and technical. I sense an editing conflict. But the subject matter is so interesting, it didn't overly bother me.
On a personal note, it is extremely cool to read a book chronicling discoveries that all occurred since I was old enough to read about them in the news as they happened. This was an awesome way to bring it all together and get up to speed.
This was a lot of fun, especially at the start. It's been a very long time since I read the Little House books, but it's amazing how quickly flashes oThis was a lot of fun, especially at the start. It's been a very long time since I read the Little House books, but it's amazing how quickly flashes of them come back. I was surprised to see that so many of my distinct memories of the books are the same parts that McClure mentions at the start (maybe they're everyone's most common memories). I loved following McClure on her early adventures exploring the world of the Little House books. I had a nearly identical situation with the Little House Cookbook when I was little -- I wanted to make vanity cakes, but my mother wouldn't stand for the 2 pounds of lard the recipe called for (same went for cracklings, which was probably for the better, really). I even attempted the molasses-on-snow candy exactly as McClure describes, Mrs. Butterworth syrup and all (it didn't work).
I love that McClure provides glimpses into the historical context of the Ingalls family and their times without getting bogged down in it. Basically she's read all the historical and scholarly stuff so I don't have to. It was just the right amount of detail and I'm quite happy with it. I am seriously grateful that I never discovered the post-Little House books when I was younger, as I am certain I would have had the same disillusioned response she did. She also gives an overview of the current state of all the historical "Laura world" locations around the country, which is kind of cool (if a bit of a letdown in the descriptions). I don't believe it had ever occurred to me either that these were actual places one could visit.
My only real objection to the book is that it doesn't seem to go anywhere. McClure hands out information as it is relevant, not as she learned it. This means there is limited growth or exploration in the narrative of her personal reflections and they started to just bog it down toward the end. She was self-conscious about her Little House interests to the point of extreme irritation from the reader's perspective. I appreciate the honesty, but it became a little depressing to read her disappointment at nearly every location she visited. The places of our imaginations never match the real thing, I didn't need that precise story told over and over. I wish her enthusiasm had carried through to the end.
Overall this was a great deal of fun, and I definitely recommend it to anyone who loved the Little House books....more
This is a cool little history (written in 1896) of public punishments in colonial America. I'm tempted to call it a "cute little history" but that migThis is a cool little history (written in 1896) of public punishments in colonial America. I'm tempted to call it a "cute little history" but that might get me strange looks. There's everything from the familiar stocks to the less known "brank" for nagging women. Earle pulls many direct quotes from town and court records gives specific anecdotes of how various punishments were carried out, where they originated, and what sorts of crimes they were applied to. It's a quick interesting read. ...more
From the standpoint of the quality of research and writing, this book would definitely get 5 stars. However, I'm ranking how much I personally liked iFrom the standpoint of the quality of research and writing, this book would definitely get 5 stars. However, I'm ranking how much I personally liked it, and that gets only 3. Honestly, I was utterly bored through most of the book. The history of the HeLa cells and the tissue culture field was interesting, but dealt with too superficially to draw me in. I could find no way to relate to or even really sympathize with the Lacks family in any way. I do have to give the writer _immense_ credit for her persistence, patience, and dedication to her subject, as well as her incredible portrayal of the individuals involved. She clearly threw her soul into this project (and the Lacks family), and it shows throughout. ...more
First, who thinks it is in ANY WAY acceptable to write and publish an entire nonfiction book without a single citation? This book is filled with quoteFirst, who thinks it is in ANY WAY acceptable to write and publish an entire nonfiction book without a single citation? This book is filled with quotes and references, and not a single source is given. There are no notes or even a bibliography at the back. This is unprofessional, makes his arguments look even weaker, and is just plain sloppy. While I knew of most of the instances he mentions in the book, there were a few new ones, along with particular responses and analyses I had not previously heard; unfortunately I cannot readily follow up on any of it because there are no sources. This book fails even as a jump-off resource.
On the issue of the author's actual message, Hribal appears to be completely out of touch with current zoology research, and fails to understand basic principles of biology. As just one example, he dismisses the existence of musth in elephants as a backward bowing to "biological determinism" that we should have long moved past. I suppose humans going through puberty as a result of hormonal changes is also something we should have moved beyond?
Clearly Hribal is writing to an already supportive audience, because he makes no attempt whatsoever to actually present his arguments. He presents a series of events, makes a snarky remark about the blindness of zoo people to the "real" circumstances, and essentially says that the events speak for themselves in support of his message that animals are actively and consciously resisting their captive state. I wanted some kind of analysis, or synthesis, or any ACTUAL ORIGINAL THOUGHT that would give me pause and make me reassess. Instead, he simply ignores the last several decades of research on animal cognition, emotion, and reasoning and proceeds to assume that simply demonstrating that animals are not automata supports his agenda over that of animal keepers and managers. I am so utterly disappointed and disgusted with every aspect of this book....more
Read this one on recommendation from Maestro of Ring of Steel. A lot of very cool discussions of how humans are naturally very adept at assessing threRead this one on recommendation from Maestro of Ring of Steel. A lot of very cool discussions of how humans are naturally very adept at assessing threats if we just pay attention to our gut instincts. I don't buy into everything he says (such as dogs being such "good" judges of character because they are taking unconscious cues from their owner, not because of their own assessment), and I remember it being a little too overconfident (it's been awhile since I read it). But it is a fascinating read and I definitely recommend it....more
Dawkins really is a wonderful writer. He is able to present complex ideas in a very conversational tone, and I have read some of his other works (sincDawkins really is a wonderful writer. He is able to present complex ideas in a very conversational tone, and I have read some of his other works (since selfish gene theory is at the core of every biology class I've ever taken).
God Delusion is no exception, and he makes an excellent presentation of his arguments. His explanations of how science reveals such an incredible, beautiful, astonishing universe are spot on and I truly want to thank him for his eloquence on that point. My only major objection was the feel of this being a personal venting rant for Dawkins as the book is essentially him making a public response to all of the most frequent comments he has received on earlier works. You can practically feel the frustration screaming out of the pages and there's an unspoken "you morons!" at the end of many sentences. At first I found this highly amusing, but it became annoying as the book went on.
I could have done without the middle chapters which were essentially a summary of gene and meme theory. Been there, read that, really lets move on.
Dawkins covers a huge range of issues at a superficial level, which makes this book a perfect jump off point for further discussion. Any further thoughts on this book should probably be left for in person confrontations over a few glasses of whisky. ...more
I think I would have gotten more out of this book if Tone had gone in a coherent chronological order. However, with all of her jumping around, it was I think I would have gotten more out of this book if Tone had gone in a coherent chronological order. However, with all of her jumping around, it was a hard to develop a real sense of timeline which would have greatly helped with analyzing changing attitudes toward contraception (especially concerning individuals such as Margaret Sanger). I did really like the chapter on the military's shifting stances on prophylactics (and the recurring discovery that just telling men to be abstinent does nothing to cut down on VD while overseas). The tone is rather dry, and I somehow expected something more from the book, though it does provide an overview of contraception use in the US and an extensive notes and references section which could be used for further investigation.
Some interesting thoughts on animal-human relations, but nothing really new here. Herzog has a tendency to cherry-pick his examples carefully to suppoSome interesting thoughts on animal-human relations, but nothing really new here. Herzog has a tendency to cherry-pick his examples carefully to support his agenda, which is either the result of sloppy research or sloppy presentation. The chapter talking about cock fighting was interesting, though it annoyed me greatly that (as so often happened) he spent so much time getting personal and sympathetic with the cock fighters, while everything he had to say about the meat industry reads like it came out of a PETA brochure, hinting he hadn't done any personal research on the subject. If you are going to do a fair comparison, do equal research and give a balanced presentation. He also had a distinct anti-hunting slant throughout, bringing it up even when it seemed completely unrelated to the subject. It frustrates me that this could be the only anthrozoology / animal ethics book many people will read, given the bias would not be obvious without additional background. ...more
Hediger is cited by virtually every book on zoos and exotic animal care, so I figured it was about time to start reading some of this original groundbHediger is cited by virtually every book on zoos and exotic animal care, so I figured it was about time to start reading some of this original groundbreaking work. I didn't expect much applicable from a 60 year old zoo book.
Wow. Hediger was so ahead of his time it is absolutely frightening that all this was being said 60 years ago and it was only in the last decade or so that much of it really came into standard implementation. He emphasizes researching an animal's natural space-time pattern and using it as the basis for all aspects of husbandry. He spends a great deal of time analyzing space requirements and usage by animals in the wild (emphasis placed on how wild animals are far from "free" in the wild) and how this is essential to exhibit and enclosure design. While giving a nod to the standard nutrition points, he places an interesting emphasis on the social aspects of feeding, which I have not seen done often. In general, there is a focus throughout the book on animal psychology and why it is essential to understand it in addition to biological and physiological needs.
Hediger touches on nearly every aspect of exotic animal management, including exhibit design (accounting for flight distance and promoting naturalistic exhibits), nutrition (get away from dangerous anthropomorphisms), the importance of enrichment, and the value of husbandry behavior training (stating that not providing for thorough training is as inexcusable as not providing sufficient food). There are even sections on dealing with problems with the public and on designing good signage.
While there is certainly a fair bit of dated information (references to "for the good of the species" adaptations, specific materials and research cited, noting that gorillas and cheetahs do not reproduce in captivity, etc.), this is still an exceptional introduction to zookeeping. I highly recommend this to anyone in or considering the exotic animal care field....more
A fun collection of stories from exotic animal vets (both in zoos/aquariums and in the wild). They are definitely written for a general audience, provA fun collection of stories from exotic animal vets (both in zoos/aquariums and in the wild). They are definitely written for a general audience, providing less detail than I might have hoped. But I am impressed by the scope -- there's a little bit of everything from seahorses to rhinos and from quick fixes to the frustration of unexplained failures. I also appreciate the emphasis on creativity and the global cooperation that is rapidly increasing within exotic animal care. ...more
A book I read in anticipation of a trip to Islay in Scotland. It interweaves chapters on each of the Islay whisky distilleries with chapters on the hiA book I read in anticipation of a trip to Islay in Scotland. It interweaves chapters on each of the Islay whisky distilleries with chapters on the history of the island (including a chapter on shipwrecks, which was cool since I know a song which mentions a few of them -- now I know their stories!). It was a perfect introduction for our trip, and was a fun read throughout. If only the author could write a little less floridly, it would have been excellent. He describes the weather and scenery with the all the excessiveness of whisky tasting notes (I mean, seriously, how many places do you see water described as "uterine"?). If you can get past the prose, it is a wonderful reference for the island and its whiskies (and quite entertaining). ...more
I am extremely torn on this book. On the one hand, I have to give Laufer credit for interviewing many private exotic animal owners who are generally oI am extremely torn on this book. On the one hand, I have to give Laufer credit for interviewing many private exotic animal owners who are generally overlooked in the literature which focuses primarily on zoos and large operations. He covers quite a range, from celebrity sanctuaries to private primate breeders to the Lolli Brothers exotic animal auction. He went so far as to arrange private interviews with Ingrid Newkirk and Peter Singer as well.
However, Laufer has an agenda and all of his visits and interviews are strongly colored by it. He presents the narrative as if he is investigating the reasons why people keep exotic pets, when he clearly has already decided that people do it primarily to demonstrate power and domination over nature. All of his reported questions and responses are targeted towards this, there is no unbiased or open-ended questioning here. He consistently describes the animals in sad, desperate terms and often spins the owners as carelessly ignorant (which is certainly true some of the time, but it is impossible to distinguish the educated from Laufer's reporting). He regularly quotes zoo experts and animal activists denouncing statements by exotic owners. Again, many of these are indeed good sources, but he gives no context as to their quotes -- such as the bias accredited zoos have against private ownership as a whole, responsible or not.
Laufer also gets continuously sidetracked by the concept of "domestic" versus "wild" (along with "tame", "feral", and "exotic"). He argues that these are vague terms and that there really is no line between them. While in colloquial usage this may be true, these are actually well defined in technical usage. I am not entirely sure what he was trying to demonstrate by these philosophical meanderings.
The book itself reads more like a series of separate essays than a coherent whole. He repeats stories often, constantly referring back to a few examples and explaining them in full every time. There isn't much tying many of the chapters together. One moment he's describing the giggly owner of a wild cat cub, the next he's spending several chapters on the issue of invasive pythons in the Everglades.
There's a lot of very cool peeks into the private exotic industry here and it's well worth the read. It's unfortunate we have to view it through the filter of the author's agenda, masquerading as a neutral third party investigation....more
I caught myself constantly wanting to shout "Yes! You sooo get it!" throughout this book. It manages to capture all of the ethical quandaries and esseI caught myself constantly wanting to shout "Yes! You sooo get it!" throughout this book. It manages to capture all of the ethical quandaries and essentially "doublethink" games keepers face every day when taking care of exotic animals in a zoo. It's a highly conflicted field and French does a wonderful job of summarizing it. I can even forgive his occasional digressions into utterly ludicrous flowery prose.
On a personal note, Enshalla the tiger's story is one out of my nightmares. Literally. It was extremely hard to read.
The overall story is one of how a zoo can be rebuilt from a disastrous state into a marvelous success. And how bad management can totally take a zoo back down from that marvelous success. The second half of the book is essentially "how to totally f-- up as a zoo CEO". I remember hearing about the scandals at Lowry Park a few years back, and I was excited to finally get a full account. I am truly impressed by French's handling of the whole book.
I do love the stories of Herman and Enshalla and the African elephants. I wish he could have given more details when it came to the falling out with Brian French (and on the protected vs. free contact issue as a whole), but I assume he had good reason. My only objection to his calling out these stories specifically is that he falls into the exact same trap that is so often criticized in zoos -- he focused in on the big name species. You really can't get more charismatic than a chimp, a tiger, and an elephant. And while he made nods to the herps and other departments, they were, for the most part, a token gesture -- I suppose even a critical writer can't escape the lure of charismatic megafauna to sell a book.
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