fyodoralekseyev's reviews
177 reviews

Whose Water Is It, Anyway?: Taking Water Protection Into Public Hands by Maude Barlow

informative fast-paced

3.5

A pretty alright read. It was fun to see Barlow on the cusp of saying that capitalism was problematic :P

A Crate of Vodka: An Insider View On The 20 Years That Shaped Modern Russia by Igor Svinarenko, Antonina W. Bouis, Alfred Kokh

funny informative tense medium-paced

4.0

This book is honestly very difficult to review, at least for me. I think the half of the book about the Soviet years is more interesting, especially because the Russian years delve into things which are mostly applicable to Kokh which I have neither heard of nor have interest in. Even then, it was still very entertaining to see Kokh complain about Latvia not being a true country, a recipe for samogon, or a bunch of strange racism (though average). This book is a great time, especially if you already know/have a connection with the period it covers.

Postcolonialism: A Very Short Introduction by Robert J.C. Young

informative medium-paced

3.5

I found this book interesting but meandering.

The Revolutionary Catechism by Sergey Nechayev

tense

3.0

So edgy. Useful to read for historical reasons but not for actual revolutionary thought (unless you're very edgy).

Decolonization: A Very Short Introduction by Dane Kennedy

informative medium-paced

3.5

While I don't know anything about decolonization, I find it interesting that Kennedy took the perspective that decolonization was necessary but bloody. I think its a useful analysis.

Humble Pi: When Math Goes Wrong in the Real World by Matt Parker

funny informative fast-paced

3.75

Not an incredibly in-depth book, but it was fun to read, and I like Parker. A lot of the stories in this book have been covered by Parker before on his YouTube channel but I liked giving them a fresh look.

Mary Stuart Paperback by Friedrich Schiller

challenging tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Quite difficult to read, but I enjoyed this play. I love that Schiller seems to have made half of this book up (Very historical!).

How to Win an Argument: An Ancient Guide to the Art of Persuasion by Marcus Tullius Cicero

informative slow-paced

3.75

This is more about how to be a good orator (which leads into good arguments, but the oratory is the priority), but this was still pretty interesting.

Living the Good Life: Health and Success for You--For Canada by David Patchell-Evans

informative inspiring relaxing fast-paced

3.5

I suppose this book could be useful for someone struggling and wants to hear a positive voice, but most of this was quite repetitive. I have issue with Patch saying that the word "dieting" only means starvation diets (which is a bit confusing), but this was mostly a normal self-help book, I suppose. I love me some free books.

Story of a Nation : Defining Moments in Our History by Westwood Creative Artists

funny informative reflective fast-paced

3.5

This collection was just fine, but it was interesting to see everyone say things as if everyone has heard of this and has a collective memory of that when I haven't heard of most of the events here. Gave me an interesting lense.