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adam_mcphee's Reviews (2.87k)
This is the book that made me realize being an adult was going to suck.
A bit heavy on the stat comparisons and the "by your own logic" arguments, but a necessary reminder that the world leader in freedom and innovation is Northern Europe, not the States.
I used to have an elaborate theory about James Church's real identity based on the articles he used to write for 38north.org. (The back cover copy of his books describes Church as a pseudonym used by a retired State Department official with experience in North Korean affairs.)
I knew that homo floresiensis hunted dwarf stegadons, but apparently they also hunted komodo dragons! Imagine that - three feet tall and taking down mini-elephants and giant lizards.
For a long time I had my doubts about whether they were a separate species of human and gave into the idea that they were all pathological specimens, a whole tribe of microcephalic down syndrome autists. I think I let myself believe that because I wanted them to be a separate species and anything I want is automatically bad or wrong. But this book convinced me that homo floresiensis is a different species and that the world is a wider and crazier place than we give it credit for.
The book does a great job of outlining the finds, breaking down the discoveries and finding meaning in them, as well as giving an exciting recount of their discovery and the subsequent politicking and academic backbiting that a discovery of such a magnitude entails.
For a long time I had my doubts about whether they were a separate species of human and gave into the idea that they were all pathological specimens, a whole tribe of microcephalic down syndrome autists. I think I let myself believe that because I wanted them to be a separate species and anything I want is automatically bad or wrong. But this book convinced me that homo floresiensis is a different species and that the world is a wider and crazier place than we give it credit for.
The book does a great job of outlining the finds, breaking down the discoveries and finding meaning in them, as well as giving an exciting recount of their discovery and the subsequent politicking and academic backbiting that a discovery of such a magnitude entails.
One hundred pages about an expat dinner party gone wrong in France. I liked Mrs. Cullen -- a falconer who at one point convinced her Irish aristocrat husband to let the IRA use their castle. She brings her falcon to the party and when her husband gets drunk he tries to free it and possibly do a murder. Shenanigans.
I get how the falcon is a symbol for the aristocracy but I think it's a bit too generous. Certainly it's true that the greatest act of camouflage in nature is the way the British shift to make themselves look harmless and tame, but I want to believe that the tame falcon has a dignity and a remnant of ferocity that humans can't match.
I think maybe the author couldn't decide if he was writing a comedy or something 'serious'.
Though I did learn an interesting hawking term. The make-hawk. Apparently people thought birds could be trainer quicker if they could watch a veteran hunt. Though I've been reliably informed that this method doesn't work.
Apparently the author was Hemingway's model for the snobbish Robert Prentiss in [b: The Sun Also Rises|3876|The Sun Also Rises|Ernest Hemingway|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1331828228s/3876.jpg|589497].
I get how the falcon is a symbol for the aristocracy but I think it's a bit too generous. Certainly it's true that the greatest act of camouflage in nature is the way the British shift to make themselves look harmless and tame, but I want to believe that the tame falcon has a dignity and a remnant of ferocity that humans can't match.
I think maybe the author couldn't decide if he was writing a comedy or something 'serious'.
Though I did learn an interesting hawking term. The make-hawk. Apparently people thought birds could be trainer quicker if they could watch a veteran hunt. Though I've been reliably informed that this method doesn't work.
Apparently the author was Hemingway's model for the snobbish Robert Prentiss in [b: The Sun Also Rises|3876|The Sun Also Rises|Ernest Hemingway|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1331828228s/3876.jpg|589497].
Eat your heart out, Saul Goodman. (Eddie Coyle and his pals, too.)
The perfect sleazy criminal defence lawyer book. I have to read the whole series now.
The perfect sleazy criminal defence lawyer book. I have to read the whole series now.
