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bmzhang's review
challenging
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
3.0
Nerdy but quick and accessible
amotisse's review against another edition
4.0
This was interesting, I like the concept. Practical problem solving is a skill we all need to develop, how to adapt and improvise in different situations or simply how to look at things from another angle.
helpfulsnowman's review
2.0
I was going to make a joke about the bad choice being to finish the book, but I'm sure someone else did it. Pretty sure. Y'know what? Fine. I'll check.
...
Yep, someone definitely did it.
I loved this dude's first book, An Illustrated Book of Bad Arguments. This one about algorithms is a little above my head, or maybe a little less useful to me personally. Probably both. I mean, I cleaned up some vomit at work the other day, and I've come to believe there are some situations in which you should work smarter, not harder, and some situations that just require you to roll up your sleeves and do a thing, and if anyone has anything to say about doing it smarter, hand them a pair of gloves and tell them to go nuts.
...
Yep, someone definitely did it.
I loved this dude's first book, An Illustrated Book of Bad Arguments. This one about algorithms is a little above my head, or maybe a little less useful to me personally. Probably both. I mean, I cleaned up some vomit at work the other day, and I've come to believe there are some situations in which you should work smarter, not harder, and some situations that just require you to roll up your sleeves and do a thing, and if anyone has anything to say about doing it smarter, hand them a pair of gloves and tell them to go nuts.
sil3nos's review
2.0
The title was total bait.
Has some interesting ideas, especially if you're into computer science, but the cheesy stories the author constructs around them are so fucking annoying.
Has some interesting ideas, especially if you're into computer science, but the cheesy stories the author constructs around them are so fucking annoying.
ramonnogueras's review against another edition
3.0
Este libro es bastante más técnico que el anterior de este autor, "El Libro Ilustrado de Malos Argumentos", en el sentido de que exige, para empezar, un cierto nivel matemático por parte del lector. Y esto puede ser un obstáculo para muchos.
El autor nos presenta el uso de algoritmos como una herramienta de toma de decisiones, que nos puede ayudar, sobre todo en situaciones de búsqueda u ordenación de datos. Presenta diferentes algoritmos, y la justificación matemática de por qué unos son más rápidos que otros, y aunque se defiende muy bien presentando las funciones de cada algoritmo de manera clara y amena, puede ser demasiado para algunos lectores.
El libro exige un pequeño esfuerzo, pero vale la pena. Las ilustraciones, deliciosas, contribuyen al disfrute de los ejemplos, que están bien elegidos. Aunque es menos claro y útil que su anterior libro, resultará útil para aquellos a los que nos interesa cómo pensar mejor.
El autor nos presenta el uso de algoritmos como una herramienta de toma de decisiones, que nos puede ayudar, sobre todo en situaciones de búsqueda u ordenación de datos. Presenta diferentes algoritmos, y la justificación matemática de por qué unos son más rápidos que otros, y aunque se defiende muy bien presentando las funciones de cada algoritmo de manera clara y amena, puede ser demasiado para algunos lectores.
El libro exige un pequeño esfuerzo, pero vale la pena. Las ilustraciones, deliciosas, contribuyen al disfrute de los ejemplos, que están bien elegidos. Aunque es menos claro y útil que su anterior libro, resultará útil para aquellos a los que nos interesa cómo pensar mejor.
lifeinbooks2022's review
3.0
Good book to introduce children to computer science concepts like searching, sorting, big o notation but quite basic for advanced learners even as a refresher
10_4tina's review
3.0
I read this a little at a time over a long period of time. I enjoyed it in theory more than in actuality, but it's not a bad book.
Almossawi sometimes explained things in a way that felt too dumbed-down, condescending, or reductionist and other times concepts were explained too complexly and I felt frustrated to still be confused by a concept packaged in a witty story with an illustration.
I did like the quirky writing, creative stories, cartoon illustrations, and footnotes that felt more like the author's running commentary on his writing. The book felt like a mathy friend sitting down with you over coffee trying to get you to understand the computer programming work they do. It was interesting, but not particularly applicable. I learned things and don't regret reading it, but I'm not super sure who the book is for. I have a hard time believing people who already understand computer science have much to glean from this, but also someone, like me, who is intrigued by these concepts, but utterly clueless remains lost. My best guess is that computer scientists with middle school aged children would enjoy reading this with their family to give them a window into their world.
Almossawi sometimes explained things in a way that felt too dumbed-down, condescending, or reductionist and other times concepts were explained too complexly and I felt frustrated to still be confused by a concept packaged in a witty story with an illustration.
I did like the quirky writing, creative stories, cartoon illustrations, and footnotes that felt more like the author's running commentary on his writing. The book felt like a mathy friend sitting down with you over coffee trying to get you to understand the computer programming work they do. It was interesting, but not particularly applicable. I learned things and don't regret reading it, but I'm not super sure who the book is for. I have a hard time believing people who already understand computer science have much to glean from this, but also someone, like me, who is intrigued by these concepts, but utterly clueless remains lost. My best guess is that computer scientists with middle school aged children would enjoy reading this with their family to give them a window into their world.
bpag314's review
2.0
I thought this book was an okay introduction to the world of algorithms and optimisation but found it to be a bit basic for me personally and I didn’t really click with the examples used. Might be better suited for a high schooler.
naughty_librarian's review
3.0
I don’t know how much better I am at making choices or understanding algorithms via the silly analogies so did I make a good choice by reading this book? Maybe a little? I guess that’s something for a math-challenged person such as myself. Hmm...