strugk's reviews
320 reviews

Nexus: A Brief History of Information Networks from the Stone Age to AI by Yuval Noah Harari

informative reflective medium-paced

4.25

Historic part - great - information networks and information processing as lens to analyze empires and countries makes a lot of sense and reflection about self-correcting mechanisms gives perspective on sustainability of various systems.
Second part on AI - it is bad - it ignores every reflection and analysis from the first part - not taking into account efficiency of information processing, capabilities of self-correction or data gathering. It treats AI as magic entities beyond the realm of physics and limitations.
It is really fascinating how the same author could have written both these parts one after another. 
There is also a third part on political implications of topics outlined in the first two. It is solid, it sometimes goes beyond the obvious, and even when it states the obvious it argues it in an engaging way.

Dirty Laundry: Why Adults with ADHD Are So Ashamed and What We Can Do to Help by Richard Pink, Roxanne Emery

funny informative fast-paced

4.25

The Power of Nunchi: The Korean Secret to Happiness and Success by Euny Hong

inspiring reflective medium-paced

3.75

This book reads like an extended blog about an interesting concept. It probably should be a 2-3 part blog entry rather than a full book. It reads well, it has some believable case studies, it has a bit of historical context. But at the same time it lacks some depth and more detailed outline of how much is the nunchi skill instinctive, how much it should be intellectual.  
So it is an interesting read about the diversity of human cultures, with some advice that could be very useful to some extreme extroverted people, but from introverts who are observant more naturally it seems not that revealing,  and they could be better off reading excerpts online in a form of blog posts.

Zero Sum Game by S.L. Huang

adventurous lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

I swallowed  this book in few days, it is fast paced and engaging. There is plenty action and quite a few twists. The way it was written and how it built up to the finish made me hopeful the ending will answer at least some questions that appeared in along the plot.
I was very disappointed to have none of them answered (where did main character's or its adversaries' skills come from,  what are the objectives of the organisations involved, how some events were triggered) - it is an action book written using language that suggests there is some bigger  scheme hidden behind the action, but I lost faith it is there after reading the first book of the saga, 
The book captures interest very well, and it might answer some of the questions in sequels, but I don't think I will read them.

Brain Rules for Baby: How to Raise a Smart and Happy Child from Zero to Five by John Medina

informative lighthearted reflective medium-paced

4.5

Expecting Better: Why the Conventional Pregnancy Wisdom is Wrong - and What You Really Need to Know by Emily Oster

informative lighthearted medium-paced

3.5

Stacja by Jakub Szamałek

adventurous reflective medium-paced

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

3.75

Rozwiązanie intrygi dobre, zaskakujące, pouczające. 
Reszta niestety dość przewidywalna. Ciekawa sceneria trochę kompensuje niedostatki, ale trochę tych niedostatków jest, najbardziej odczuwalnym jest język. Czytałem książkę autora wcześniej i wydawało mi się że ma ucho to języka i dar do pisania. Stację się czyta jakby nie miał. Może to efekt realistycznego oddawania biurokratycznych sfer NASA, gdzie być może nawet tak to wygląda w rzeczywistości, ale na potrzeby książki dobrze by było to trochę podrasować, dorzucić trochę żartów i płynności wypowiadania się.

The Internet Con: How to Seize the Means of Computation by Cory Doctorow

challenging informative reflective fast-paced

4.25

The gistory of antitrust part is great, ideas and commentary are soud and logical. But there is something missing from the analysis. I have trouble naming it, but that would probably be something aroud understanding social conditions that lead us to accepting our current ituation and modest drive for change. But it is a vey good book still.

Ćwirowidło by Damian Kowal

inspiring slow-paced

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

3.75

NurtureShock: New Thinking About Children by Po Bronson, Ashley Merryman

challenging hopeful informative medium-paced

4.75

It reads really well, it is a good set of counter-intuitive observations from the field of developmental research. Points out some interesting mechanics that will likely blow your mind.
Well researched and well written. It is not (nor does it try to be) a comprehensive handbook on raising children. It is worth reading regardless you have children or not.