A review by bobbo49
Farsighted: How We Make the Decisions That Matter the Most by Steven Johnson

4.0

The first two thirds of this book are excellent: a deep look at the processes of decision-making, from the perspective of individuals, groups, societies. Using the raid that killed Osama Bin Laden as an example of deeply conceived, analyzed, and decided (mapping, predicting, deciding) processes, Johnson describes an excellent and useful process for decision-making at a macro and micro level; I found the descriptions very thought-provoking for my personal "big" life decision-making (changing jobs, moving, retiring, etc.) Unfortunately, having used George Elliot's Middlemarch as an example of personal decision-making throughout the book, Johnson then focuses the last two-thirds of the book on Middlemarch, George Elliott's personal life, and his own decision to leave New York and move to California, distracting from much of the big picture he has provided earlier. Overall, an interesting read, nonetheless.