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shanehawk's reviews
421 reviews
The Prince by Niccolò Machiavelli
4.0
“A leader doesn't have to possess all the virtuous qualities I've mentioned, but it's absolutely imperative that he seem to possess them.” —This still rings true for the most part. Politicians serve as facades which we project what we will onto them and/or take them at face value; whatever is presented publicly on TV or otherwise.
There are so many great quotes throughout The Prince, but it’s hard to pick my favorite. I was very pleased to be informed, through the use of extensive footnotes, of the historical events Machiavelli were referring to throughout he treatise. It’s rather a fun mental exercise to go between the two prominent theories of The Prince - Was it written in complete dead pan seriousness or did he write it satirically? Hmm.
I will soon begin to read a book which analyzes Machiavelli and what he was really about along with more contemporary exemplars of Machiavellianism. I’m referring to “The Machiavellians: Defenders of Freedom” by James Burnham.
There are so many great quotes throughout The Prince, but it’s hard to pick my favorite. I was very pleased to be informed, through the use of extensive footnotes, of the historical events Machiavelli were referring to throughout he treatise. It’s rather a fun mental exercise to go between the two prominent theories of The Prince - Was it written in complete dead pan seriousness or did he write it satirically? Hmm.
I will soon begin to read a book which analyzes Machiavelli and what he was really about along with more contemporary exemplars of Machiavellianism. I’m referring to “The Machiavellians: Defenders of Freedom” by James Burnham.
A Conflict of Visions: Ideological Origins of Political Struggles by Thomas Sowell
4.0
A very important book for understanding the thought processes behind the political ideology dichotomy that’s been around for centuries. Sowell, numerous times throughout the text, clarified that no one has expressed either vision 100% nor does anyone particularly fit exactly within the confines of either. He uses two broad visions to simplify the case. Despite Sowell’s adherence to the conservative-libertarian mindset I was pleasantly surprised at his impartiality in this book. This explains why I’ve seen people of all different types of political backgrounds to recommend this book. 4/5 stars
The Stranger by Albert Camus
4.0
Camus explores the philosophy of absurdism in this brief fictional piece. In short, absurdism describes the tendency in man to seek inherent value and meaning to his life all the while being unable to find either. Camus’ book title is apt as his protagonist is a “stranger” to his family, friends, lover, and society as a whole. The book asks a lot of philosophical questions and covers a lot of ground in such a minimal page count. Camus peruses death, isolation, religion, friendship, nonconformity to society, and other topics through the eyes of a solipsistic main character. I recommend this to any of my philosophy loving friends. It may go over the heads of others without that mindset.
Fool's Errand: Time to End the War in Afghanistan by Scott Horton
5.0
Truly unbelievable. Horton packs so many (well cited) facts into his anti-war nonfiction it makes one’s head spin. It is not a nonfiction book written like a flowery novel, but his arrangement, perspicuous prose, content, and insight all make for a page turner. While I continued to read and was flabbergasted I’d text my friend who served four tours in the Middle East to corroborate the details. He confirmed everything and it sent my thoughts spiraling. I believe Horton knew he painted a complicated picture for the average reader so he included five separate appendices. These aid the reader in understanding and referencing military terminology/initialisms and the cast of people mentioned throughout along with supplying additional selected readings on American torture, Afghanistan itself and a few highly detailed maps of the region.
I recommend this to anyone wanting to better understand our 16+ year quagmire in the Middle East. Anti-war advocates should read it as much as pro-war hawks. Everyone between and across the world would appreciate this as well, if a translation is possible. 5/5 stars
I recommend this to anyone wanting to better understand our 16+ year quagmire in the Middle East. Anti-war advocates should read it as much as pro-war hawks. Everyone between and across the world would appreciate this as well, if a translation is possible. 5/5 stars
Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow by Yuval Noah Harari
4.0
Harari opens his readers’ mind with another wide ranging philosophical work on civilization, but this time he concentrates on where it might be heading. Just as in Sapiens he is all over the place with examples to make these philosophical concepts easier for the layperson. This is a great read with many nuggets of wisdom and trivia strewn about. If you enjoyed Sapiens you’d really enjoy this. It’s realistically 400 pages with the remainder being notes and references.
Some of my favorite pithy quotes:
“Previous generations thought about peace as the temporary absence of war. Today we think about peace as the implausibility of war.”
“In the past, censorship worked by blocking the flow of information. In the twenty-first century censorship works by flooding people with irrelevant information.”
“In ancient times having power meant having access to data. Today having power means knowing what to ignore.”
Some of my favorite pithy quotes:
“Previous generations thought about peace as the temporary absence of war. Today we think about peace as the implausibility of war.”
“In the past, censorship worked by blocking the flow of information. In the twenty-first century censorship works by flooding people with irrelevant information.”
“In ancient times having power meant having access to data. Today having power means knowing what to ignore.”
Red Rising by Pierce Brown
4.0
Rating: 3.5/5
I expected something entirely different and I expected more. What started out as an interesting science fiction novel in the first quarter about mining resources and terraforming on Mars shifted toward a high fantasy and dystopian novel with a 300-page Hunger Games-esque showdown between houses of this aristocratic school. It was a chore to read at the halfway mark, but it maintained my interest till the end despite that. It's not marketed as a young adult novel, but it surely read like one. The parallels to the Roman Empire were intriguing as I'm one for history. It had a clear imperialist apartheid tone as its political message for youngsters--which could also be interpreted as the American slave vs. slave owner or the Marxist proletariat vs. bourgeoisie dichotomies.
The ending was rather annoying and enough of a cliffhanger to make me wanna read and finish the sequel. I'm not much of a fantasy fan and wanted this to be more concentrated in space and civilization of the future. Perhaps the next book goes on to show what the protagonist plans to do in his new role. All in all, I had no idea what this book was actually going to be about, but it was worth a read eventually.
I expected something entirely different and I expected more. What started out as an interesting science fiction novel in the first quarter about mining resources and terraforming on Mars shifted toward a high fantasy and dystopian novel with a 300-page Hunger Games-esque showdown between houses of this aristocratic school. It was a chore to read at the halfway mark, but it maintained my interest till the end despite that. It's not marketed as a young adult novel, but it surely read like one. The parallels to the Roman Empire were intriguing as I'm one for history. It had a clear imperialist apartheid tone as its political message for youngsters--which could also be interpreted as the American slave vs. slave owner or the Marxist proletariat vs. bourgeoisie dichotomies.
The ending was rather annoying and enough of a cliffhanger to make me wanna read and finish the sequel. I'm not much of a fantasy fan and wanted this to be more concentrated in space and civilization of the future. Perhaps the next book goes on to show what the protagonist plans to do in his new role. All in all, I had no idea what this book was actually going to be about, but it was worth a read eventually.
I Sing the Body Electric! & Other Stories by Ray Bradbury
3.0
Some great, some good, some crap.
Enjoyed this collection enough, nonetheless.
Enjoyed this collection enough, nonetheless.
War Is a Racket: The Antiwar Classic by America's Most Decorated Soldier by Smedley D. Butler
4.0
The first listed review on this book’s detail page summarized it perfectly so I’ll keep it extremely short. This is a timeless repudiation of the military industrial complex by a former Marine who fought in WWI. He sheds light on the industry profiteers during war time and how their profits grew exponentially compared to peacetime operation. Butler has most contention with bankers I would say and their market manipulation of war bonds on taxpayers and the soldiers made to buy them and sell them back at an artificially lowered price. Near the end of the book he offers three points in order to prevent future warfare, none of which will ever be taken seriously by the federal government.
Confirms the anti-war bias in a succinct booklet-length essay. 4 stars
Confirms the anti-war bias in a succinct booklet-length essay. 4 stars
Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion by Robert B. Cialdini
4.0
Using six main principles Dr. Cialdini teaches the reader how to persuade others to act or think a certain way and how to combat others using these same techniques with objectionable motives. Each principle has a dedicated chapter, is illustrated by numerous examples to make the points concrete, and most are accompanied by auxiliary rules of thumb. This book is a very easy read and I could’ve finished it in a day if it weren’t for midterms.
This serves as a primer for basic persuasion to be used in sales, negotiating terms, hypnosis, etc. You will better understand the psychology between your decisions and the decisions of others around you.
3.5 stars
This serves as a primer for basic persuasion to be used in sales, negotiating terms, hypnosis, etc. You will better understand the psychology between your decisions and the decisions of others around you.
3.5 stars
I Am Legend by Richard Matheson
4.0
Vampires. Alcoholism. Wretched loneliness.
Disregard the Will Smith movie that banked on the zombie movie craze of the mid-2000s. The two couldn’t be further apart.
Matheson’s writing is exquisite and illustrates an immaculate portrait of despair-tinged hope. The inner dialogue was superb. I felt what the protagonist was feeling almost the entire time. Brutal.
What a short story. Recommended to those who want something short, creepy, philosophical, and not run-of-the-mill.
Disregard the Will Smith movie that banked on the zombie movie craze of the mid-2000s. The two couldn’t be further apart.
Matheson’s writing is exquisite and illustrates an immaculate portrait of despair-tinged hope. The inner dialogue was superb. I felt what the protagonist was feeling almost the entire time. Brutal.
What a short story. Recommended to those who want something short, creepy, philosophical, and not run-of-the-mill.