blikesbikes's reviews
326 reviews

I had to turn the print book back to the public library before I finished. I thought about what to do because there were dozens of holds on it in print. I explored different eversions because I didn't the print copy around. I got a new iPad for work so I bought it from the Apple book store (with my personal funds). I wanted to see what this experience would be like (buying, downloading, reading). It was great. I felt like the reading experience was fine on the iPad. I already had a personal connection with the book (read most of it in print, and saw the author speak at the recent ALA conference), so that might have helped. I wish I could lend the e-book to a friend though.

In Iowa City, there's a lot of discussion about this book. I've just finished it. It's a compelling read, with lots of questions about ethical issues in science, privilege, monetizing science. etc. I appreciated the references to Baltimore, Maryland - my home town. The race divide resonates. If you haven't read it yet, I'd definitely recommend it.

What a sad tale.

A wonderful book. I highly recommend it. There's a nice blend of physical activities along with more conceptual sections.

I really enjoyed this book. Thanks for David and Ali for recommending it. There are great strategies for being occupied and seemingly outflanked. I think this is going to tie in nicely with my book club's reading of "David and Goliath" by Malcolm Gladwell. I think my favorite bit was the delivery of chocolate with dynamite for the locals. The idea of going without for so long, then having a single bite of chocolate was a good lesson. The occupiers homesickness was a good storyline too. I think this is a good book, and short enough to not get bogged down in dogma.

I did finish wondering what role the lone male gopher plays at the end of the story. Is he a metaphor for Mack, or Doc? And the long poems, one of them cited as a Sanskrit translation, is this connected to Mac's lonesomeness? A lost love that still resonates many years later? I appreciated Steinback's attention to detail, and he documents a time and place with lots of clarity. I felt I was there in Monterrey in the first half of the 20th century, probably a place I cannot go today.

I like Gladwell's focus on adversity - and the strength it creates in those who suffer difficulties. I definitely sense that in my own life and life story. Some tough things have been thrown my way yet I feel optimistic and strengthened by those experiences. Gladwell is a talented writer and if you've read his other work you will probably like this, too.

I mentioned in my review of "The moon is down" that I was looking forward to "David and Goliath." Steinbeck's book is about a town occupied by the Nazis and their attempts to fend off the occupation by withdrawing human affection and relationship from their captors. In Gladwell's book he visits a French town that used non-violence to deter the Germans and they were pretty much left alone. The French didn't have an army, but they did have the strength of their conscience that they were able to use to their advantage.