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3.72 AVERAGE
3.72 AVERAGE
challenging
informative
medium-paced
Having seen this on many a pretentious finance bro's shelf, I approached this book with skepticism. I understood the premise of the book, what the author was positing and the infinite examples given but sweet jesus it reeks of the same energy of a kid arguing with a teacher in class. I would say one could read part one and the ending and come away with a full understanding of the book.
informative
slow-paced
I was always afraid that this book is very sterile, long, and hard to read. But, except of some paragraphs where the author starts using uncommon words, the book flows like a story. I usually try to be very critical while reading these kinds of books because authors don't have anyone against them and pick and twist their examples to fit their own ideas. But I resonated with him on many topics. I even laughed. So I think it is a book that should be read.
informative
reflective
medium-paced
I think Taleb makes some good points in here, however he comes across like a pompous jerk in the process. I also wish he had some more actionable ideas, as opposed to mostly just criticism of the way things are done now.
Incisive as always, Nassim Taleb changed the way I see and think about the world.
The writing is pretentious and irritating. Also seemingly incoherent, yet repetitive and loopy. Taleb also seems very confident for a 'skeptic' as he boasts and attacks all those who are 'blind' to his ways and thoughts.
All that aside, the book is thought-provoking and does contain some powerful thoughts amidst the swamp of verbiage and irritating asides.
I usually reward 5 stars to books that have influenced/changed my thinking patterns and perspectives. For that, as well as myself being (in a way) a student of probability and statistics, I grant this book a 5.
All that aside, the book is thought-provoking and does contain some powerful thoughts amidst the swamp of verbiage and irritating asides.
I usually reward 5 stars to books that have influenced/changed my thinking patterns and perspectives. For that, as well as myself being (in a way) a student of probability and statistics, I grant this book a 5.
I listened to this book and had such high hopes.
I was irritated with the smug self-satisfied delivery of the author.
He mayt indeed be all that, but I eventually didn't care.
For all the talk of taking the black swan theory farther than Malcolm Gladwell, he was no Malcolm Gladwell.
Gladwell is engaging, not simpering.
I give this a "meh" rating.
I was irritated with the smug self-satisfied delivery of the author.
He mayt indeed be all that, but I eventually didn't care.
For all the talk of taking the black swan theory farther than Malcolm Gladwell, he was no Malcolm Gladwell.
Gladwell is engaging, not simpering.
I give this a "meh" rating.
This guy is an insufferable ass who makes inappropriate jokes at the expense of anyone he deems less than him. 300 pages is too many pages to just say "shit happens."
Wall-banger at page 64. This might not be the final rating. I entertain the possibility of picking this up again, but at the moment I cannot bear the thought. The author is an annoying schmuck and that overshadows the concepts, which are quite interesting. You want to learn something useful within the same genre, pick up "Thinking, fast and slow" by Daniel Kahneman instead.