You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
amralsayed0's Reviews (146)
I was already an avid follower of Hannah Fry. A good portion of the topics discussed here in this book she already discussed before in conferences or YouTube videos or podcasts but that didn't stop me from enjoying this book. The audiobook is narrated by her and I recommend to anyone that you listen to it. You won't be disappointed. It well researched and nicely organized.
The Dictator's Handbook is both an eye-opening and a depressing book. It dispels the notion that dictators (and in fact any leaders) are blind to the problems you see so clearly and that if you were in their place, you would act so rationally to solve these problems. The rules to rule stand in your way.
I am going to draw parallels between this book and another book I read called [b:The Selfish Gene|61535|The Selfish Gene|Richard Dawkins|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1366758096l/61535._SY75_.jpg|1746717] which attempts to describe all of life by laying out some really simple rules and explaining all behavior of living organisms based on those rules. This book attempts to do the same for politics and the reasons for why organisms and politicians behave the way the do are, surprisingly, similar. The need to survive.
The book takes one main idea, the need to stay in power, and expands it to explain everything about ruling. It is too expansive to summarize in this review but to the people in a hurry, you can watch the distilled version of this book on CGP Grey's channel. There are 2 videos to watch. The Rules for Rulers and Death & Dynasties. Those 2 videos cover a sizable portion of the book's essence but it misses almost the entire second half of the book that talks about foreign aid, war and possible solutions to the "problem" of ruling. The book also gives examples for EVERYTHING that's explained (where the video, understandably, gives none) so I think it would be worth your time to read the book as the multitude of examples really hammer the point the book is trying to make.
The last couple of chapters try to offer some solutions to the Dictator problem and the book ends on a slightly optimistic note but I myself was not convinced of those solutions which I think is a testament to how well the book communicated its ideas.
I am going to draw parallels between this book and another book I read called [b:The Selfish Gene|61535|The Selfish Gene|Richard Dawkins|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1366758096l/61535._SY75_.jpg|1746717] which attempts to describe all of life by laying out some really simple rules and explaining all behavior of living organisms based on those rules. This book attempts to do the same for politics and the reasons for why organisms and politicians behave the way the do are, surprisingly, similar. The need to survive.
The book takes one main idea, the need to stay in power, and expands it to explain everything about ruling. It is too expansive to summarize in this review but to the people in a hurry, you can watch the distilled version of this book on CGP Grey's channel. There are 2 videos to watch. The Rules for Rulers and Death & Dynasties. Those 2 videos cover a sizable portion of the book's essence but it misses almost the entire second half of the book that talks about foreign aid, war and possible solutions to the "problem" of ruling. The book also gives examples for EVERYTHING that's explained (where the video, understandably, gives none) so I think it would be worth your time to read the book as the multitude of examples really hammer the point the book is trying to make.
The last couple of chapters try to offer some solutions to the Dictator problem and the book ends on a slightly optimistic note but I myself was not convinced of those solutions which I think is a testament to how well the book communicated its ideas.
While it is a very touching story, I don't think Paul ever got to the core of his struggle to find meaning in life.
I actually found the last chapter written by his wife after his death much more heart wrenching and describes his struggles much more clearly. Nonetheless, I don't regret reading this book. It gave me new prospectives.
I actually found the last chapter written by his wife after his death much more heart wrenching and describes his struggles much more clearly. Nonetheless, I don't regret reading this book. It gave me new prospectives.
When you hear of a "mathematical fiction" you will probably say: What? Mathematics and fiction are on opposite ends of a spectrum and yet here is this book ... existing.
I honestly didn't expect to enjoy this book as much as I did. The author really was able to make a whole world out of shapes on a flat surface complete with culture and history and politics and everything described in flatland weirdly makes sense. It was fascinating to read.
It also makes you painfully aware of your limited 3D existence. As a 3D being myself I often wonder what 4D cube or sphere would look like. But wondering is all I can do since I would never be able to actually see it, only stretch my imagination far enough to imagine it. This book might help.
I honestly didn't expect to enjoy this book as much as I did. The author really was able to make a whole world out of shapes on a flat surface complete with culture and history and politics and everything described in flatland weirdly makes sense. It was fascinating to read.
It also makes you painfully aware of your limited 3D existence. As a 3D being myself I often wonder what 4D cube or sphere would look like. But wondering is all I can do since I would never be able to actually see it, only stretch my imagination far enough to imagine it. This book might help.
Short, to the point and most of the arguments in the book are just common sense and is an important read for any "beginner feminist".
I really enjoyed this book. I love Math. And I love Hannah Fry. And it's an indisputable fact that math have helped humanity progress by describing the world in this weird and abstract language of numbers but when people try to apply it to an emotional thing like love, it's always dismissed as vain or unproductive. This book, I think, is a successful attempt at doing just that. And if you're not here for the math (you monster!) it is still an entertaining book from start to finish.
I enjoyed this very much. I was listening to the audiobook narrated by Stephen Fry and every once in a while I would burst out laughing and get funny looks from people around me, not know what an amazing journey I was experiencing.