The Constant Rabbit: A Novel

The Constant Rabbit: A Novel by Jasper Fforde

In an alternate Britain, animals have anthropomorphized and been given rights similar to humans. Things are complicated. Rabbits are treated poorly. They are criticized as indistinguishable sex-crazed beings that rapidly reproduce. The protagonist has a genetic variation that allows him to identify individual rabbits. He works as a "spotter". However, he also had a past friendship with a rabbit. If this were known he would be in trouble with his job (due to the anti-rabbit politics.) Foxes have key roles in government and are part of the force pushing to move rabbits out to an isolated colony. The protagonist rekindles the friendship with the bunny and discovers more about the bunny underground. He sees a fox attempt to kill a rabbit and kills the fox. He is brought to trial. His use of self-defense as rationale is rebuffed because the fox was allowed to act like and animal (rather than a human) when attempting to kill a rabbit. He was able to get off when his attorney said he was justified as being on a fox hunt. 

The book has obvious parallels to race and immigration. The animals are somewhat integrated into the new society, but still treated different from humans. They live split lives as animals and "people". Some organizations want to have nothing to do with some of these animals that are so different.

In the end, the rabbits feel they have had enough. They stop being anthropomorphized and go back to just being animals. The protagonist still sees his rabbit friend as a regular yard bunny.  Does this advocate immigrants going back home? Or just living with their old culture? Or is it just an interesting story?

Collision of Worlds: A Deep History of the Fall of Aztec Mexico and the Forging of New Spain

Collision of Worlds: A Deep History of the Fall of Aztec Mexico and the Forging of New Spain by David M. Carballo

This academic book explores the histories of Spain and Mexico before and immediately after Cortes conquered the Aztecs. The language is dense, though the primary sources are meager. Both areas had rich cultures that were well developed before they met. The Aztecs had recently come to dominate and tenuously held a domination over other peoples in the area. The Spaniards were able to exploit these rivalries with alliances. The warfare culture was also different. The Aztecs fighters were focussed primarily on their own achievements and preferred prisoners, while the Spaniards would kill. Culturally, the Spaniards were fine killing unbelievers, but were repulsed by the Aztec human sacrifices. Mexicans had sports and ball games as well as language and worship that were interesting to Spaniards while at the same time seen as somewhat heretical. The Spaniards worked on the conversion with the conquering, with Christianity and churches placed over former Mexican pyramids and worship sites. It is also interesting that the Spaniards focussed on areas familiar to them. The Yucatan was a bit too hard for them to manage. Diseases also worked in the Spaniards favor as the Mexicans had little animal culture and the exposure to disease. Could things have turned out differently?

The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 3

The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 3 by Beth Brower

This third volume rebounded back to the heights of the first volume. The main "event" is the annual performance of Julius Caesar in the town. It is a big event, but shrouded in secrecy. There are a number of clues that must be obtained in order to procure tickets. However, in true British fashion it is best to pretend you are not interested in the tickets as you proceed. Emma's deadbeat cousin is very into the process, and even gets up early in the morning to attend church to get a clue. They have crazy adventures in the clue search which culminates in the deadbeat eating his ticket. Emma also attends some social events organized by her controlling Aunt, with plenty of bizarre social encounters. There is plenty of great humor here.

Samsung Rising: The Inside Story of the South Korean Giant That Set Out to Beat Apple and Conquer Tech

Samsung Rising: The Inside Story of the South Korean Giant That Set Out to Beat Apple and Conquer Tech by Geoffrey Cain

Samsung is not one company, but a group of affiliated companies that span multiple industries. They all trace their history to the single founder and remain controlled by the same family. It is the largest of the Korean chaebols and is "too big to fail." Leaders of Samsung have been convicted of crimes, such as bribery, but are often pardoned "in the interest of the country". Organizations such as a pension fund will vote out of their best interests to support Samsung. (In one case, they took a big loss in order to help support a complicated succession plan.) The company has been around for less than a century, being founded shortly before World War II. It has been involved in more mundane activities such as groceries. With support of Korean government it grew and expanded to other fields. It saw opportunities in electronics and microchips and took the plunge. Initially the products were low quality imitations, but gradually it grew to improve quality and marketing. It has a huge share of the market for certain chips and cell phones.

Despite its position, Samsung remains firmly controlled by family. (Though people have been sued for comparing the leader of Samsung to the leader of North Korea.) When things go wrong, the tendency is to deflect blame. The company quickly launched a recall, but focussed on blaming a certain supplier. When replacement ones failed, they were left with a big problem that they did not handle well.

Samsung has also had trouble with acquisitions. They tend to implement their top down control even if that causes problems with the acquired company. The Samsung culture is very hard working. However, it does have difficulty responding to external criticism. Samsung is tries to stay out of media which it cannot fully control. 

A World Beneath the Sands: The Golden Age of Egyptology

A World Beneath the Sands: The Golden Age of Egyptology by Toby A. H. Wilkinson

Egypt has been one of the centers of archaeological exploration and discovery. The climate allowed for preservation of ancient artifacts. The large scale structures like the pyramids show evidence of a grand civilization. The accounts in the Bible encouraged discovery. It was located close to Europe and well documented in Roman history. It seemed to have a lot going for it.  The Rosetta Stone helped enable understanding of the language and kicked things into high gear. Discoveries continue to come in spits and stutters. Both Britain and France laid claims to the area at a time when they were regularly in conflict with each other. Antiquities were gathered for various museums. Research was done in various manners, with some being more destructive. Eventually the "gentlemen explorers" transformed to professional archeologists. Egypt started to exert more control for itself. (Though at one time it had a huge western population with a a country more interested in showing its grandeur than providing for its people.) The book is an interesting account of the work of discovery in Egypt. It does not try to be "history" of ancient Egypt, but rather of the modern explorations and relations with the modern state.

Ruin and Renewal: Civilizing Europe After World War II

Ruin and Renewal: Civilizing Europe After World War II by Paul Betts

What is civilization? The definition has changed over time and space. In the early 19th century, Germany was seen at the forefront of progressive civilization. They even thought of themselves as spreading "civilization" through less civilized areas of Europe. Even concentration camps were justified as ways of cleaning out impediments to civilization. The rest of the world did not buy this and after Germany was defeated German "civilization" was in the trash can. Both the US and Russia had differing views of civilization that they tried to enforce within the world. 

The European powers also wanted to return to their colonies after the war ended. They did not notice the irony of fighting a war in defence of "local freedom" only to decide to resume controlling their colonies. The locals saw the value of freedom and wanted it for themselves. The colonies achieved independence in various ways. Some had fought the colonizers. Others had a more peaceful handover. In some cases the colonizers acted "bitter" and took out much of their know how and "stuff" during the handover. In other cases, there was a more knowledge transfer. These colonies were also involved in the battles between the communists and capitalists both before and after freedom.

During the postwar era, global civilization came out. UNESCO was an organization to help protect global heritage. Other organizations such as the EU and the UN spanned multiple countries. Science and arts organization also worked together across country lines. Multiculturalism and identity sparked a backlash with a response of closed borders, nationalism and far right organizations. Where does civilization go from here? Have we learned the lessons of the past, or will we continue to cycle through the same problems again?

The Myth of Multitasking, 2nd Edition: How “Doing It All” Gets Nothing Done

The Myth of Multitasking, 2nd Edition: How “Doing It All” Gets Nothing Done by Dave Crenshaw

Multitasking is usually just "switch-tasking". We work on one task for a bit, then switch to another. Then switch back. There are costs involved in switching. The end result is that we end up accomplishing much less than if we just focussed on a single task for a period of time. This is exactly what "multi-tasking" computers were set up to do. They provide the illusion of working on many different things, but are really just switching from task to task. Alas, when the term came to use in humans, people got the idea that they really could accomplish multiple things at once. Instead, things are just slowed down. The multi-tasking environment also has negative personal impacts. We may think we can give people attention while doing other things, but we really can't and others can tell. It is faster and better to focus on a single task at a time and give people full attention. (But how does that work if something is really boring?) The book is told in a story of a consultant that comes and helps a worm out multitasking boss to work more efficient and bring efficiencies to her company. It is a short and efficient book that clearly brings home the point.

The Myth of the Entrepreneurial State

The Myth of the Entrepreneurial State by Deirdre N. McCloskey and Alberto Mingardi

This book has good ideas, but is not well written. It was written as a refutation of Mazzucato's Entrepreneurial State. It tries too hard to refute points and often comes across as pedant bickering. The style is also very loose and casual. It is a book, but barely.

Despite the poor writing, the argument is sound. The state is just not good at entrepreneurship. It is very bad at picking winners. It is even bad at picking areas to invest. The lack of signals can cause it to spend way too much time investing in the wrong things. It is much more inclined to protect the status quo. After all, the state is beholden to voters who tend to like their current jobs and have difficulty seeing what could happen in the future. Central planning has been a huge failure nearly everywhere it is tried. Touted benefits of government regulation are often "fixes" to excesses that previous regulation encouraged.

The government can take credit for encouraging some innovations. It has played a huge role in the economy and thus some would be hits. However, to achieve these hits, it was required to take money out of the economy. Could there have been even greater innovations elsewhere? The Concorde was the result of huge amounts of government outlays to provide supersonic travel. It does not fly anymore. Was that money well spent? Would it have been better to allocate it elsewhere?

In the end, the state is made up of people. In a democracy, these people are selected by voters. It may be nice to envision a technocratic elite that have thoroughly studied in the area and can provide the guidance of what would be best for the country in the long term future. Alas, what we typically get is politicians with their own beliefs and cronies. Democrats are not too happy with Trump being empowered to redirect science funding. However, in empowering the state, you are beholden to people to act in whatever way they see fit. 

Journey to Freedom, 1838: Great Escapes, Book 2

Journey to Freedom, 1838: Great Escapes, Book 2 by Sherri Winston, illustrated by James Bernardin

The book attempts to narrate the story of a slave mother who escaped with her baby across a partially frozen river. The genesis of the story was an account in the work of Harriet Beecher Stowe. Her account was a composite of a few different slave escape stories. Some of the events were fairly well established, while others are more guesswork. While it may be impossible to tease out the 100% accurate account, it does provide good insight into the plights of slaves and the Underground Railroad.

Inside Money: Brown Brothers Harriman and the American Way of Power

Inside Money: Brown Brothers Harriman and the American Way of Power by Zachary Karabell

Brown Brothers are conservative bankers. They are willing to invest and take risks, but they do so with their own money. They have been around for over two centuries. Part of their ethos is to not get involved with too many things and work behind the scenes. They are still often involved in the "non-public" part of Wall Street. They exited contriversaral industries (such as cotton produced by slaves) when seeing that it is not the best financial investment. They helped grease international trade by providing letters of credit for those visiting other countries. Prescott Bush, father and grandfather of future US presidents was once a partner. 

The story follows a mostly chronological narrative, though does jump around a bit. Both the history of the firm as well as that of individual people and times are followed. Brown Brothers seem to be exactly what you would expect to think of "bankers" rather than the high-flying wall street types that have become predominant recently. They have relationships and influence without flash.

Hooray, I Can Do It!

Hooray, I Can Do It! by Aleks Harrison, illustrated by Ferlina Gunawan

I kid goes to swim lessons. He is afraid. Then he overcomes his fear and does it. It tries too hard to give a message that the story is lacking.

Bedtime lift-a-flap sign language

Bedtime lift-a-flap sign language by Clever Factory

This short board book has single words about bedtime. When you lift the flap you see how to make the word in sign language. It is too simple.

The Iron King: The Iron Fey, Book 1

The Iron King: The Iron Fey, Book 1 by Julie Kagawa

The Iron King

Winter's Passage

This audiobook includes Iron King and the Novella Winter's Passage. The quality and originality of this book is a step above the typically female-driven fantasy. Megan Chase thinks she is just an ordinary girl who has had a tough time. Her father mysteriously disappeared one day when she was with him in the park. He was never found. Her mother remarried and she has a new brother. Together they live in the rural area outside a Louisiana City. She has a crush on a football player at school but things go really wrong when she tries to meet him for tutoring. He gets revenge by getting a picture with her and then photoshopping a nude body on her. She feels so embarrassed and goes to the nurse's office and then things get even weirder. She discovers that her younger brother has been swapped out for a changeling. Her friend is actually Puck from Midsummer's Night Dream. She then goes on a quest to get her real brother back. There she encounters a talking cat among others and discovers she is the daughter of the fairy king Oberon. She does eventually get her brother back and returns back home, discovering she has been gone for 3 months. (And that the cheerleader that got "pig-nosed" is now willing to be her friend.) This one ties into the real world as well as a Shakespearean universe as well as exploring things a little different from the standard tropes. The novella was about a return to Winter Court and was not as good as the main novel.

The Eastern Orthodox Church: A New History

The Eastern Orthodox Church: A New History by John Anthony McGuckin

Eastern Orthodox Christianity has always been more tightly tied to the politics and culture of the home countries than western Christianity. That is one of the big takeaways from this book. Orthodox Christianity functions differently than Catholic and Catholic and protestant Christianity. The unified leadership under the Pope and the vast separation under protestantism are just not part of the DNA of the Orthodox branch. The ceremonies are different. Communist governments have tried to suppress the church without success. They have had greater success in taking over control. After reading I feel I understand Orthodox Christianity a bit more, but realize how much I don't understand.

Record Play Pause: Confessions of a Post-Punk Percussionist: the Joy Division Years: Volume I

Record Play Pause: Confessions of a Post-Punk Percussionist: the Joy Division Years: Volume I by Stephen Morris

Stephen Morris's memoir is the best of the Joy Division autobiography. There is very little "set the record straight" content and just a history of where he came from and what he feels. He came from a fairly normal house. He became enamoured with music. He was not so keen on school. He got into drugs which got him suspended from school. He was only too happy to drop out when he had a chance. He had a stint as a freelance music writer. He took up drums, but was not that good. (He thought he could disguise it by having more drums.) He want on to meet up with the other guys and form Joy Division. He also became attracted to synthesizers and drum machines. The book details the formation and some of the initial activities of the band. The focus is very much on his experience. He self-deprecatingly declares himself a horrible singer and a not very good drummer. (Though he does have a drummer's desire to be on time.) There is very little on conflicts within the band - it seems the biggest "conflict" is him retroactively wondering what they could have done to help Ian Curtis to help him from committing suicide. The book is interesting look at life and experiences in the late 1970s punk and post-punk scene in northern England.

Without the Mask: Coming Out and Coming Into God's Light

Without the Mask: Coming Out and Coming Into God's Light by Charlie Bird

The artist was a the mascot at BYU. He also came out as gay while remaining active in church. He looks at his history. As a child in rural Missouri, he found he had many "female" interests. He was empathetic, artistic and liked gymnastics. He was not a big fan of the typical "jock" boy activities. (The question remains - why are the preferences typecast as male or female?) His parents divorced, leading him to become closer to his siblings. He was willing to come out to his sisters first, but it was more challenging to come out to his brothers. He found the challenge of being gay and religious. The LGBT contains people with similar orientations, but also tends to be open to substance and sexual experimentation. Trying to be faithful can be challenging with regards to relationships. He had some experiences where he went out with women, but refused to try to enter a relationship. He did mention there were some people that had working relationships like this. (I wonder if this was more common in the past.) It must be a challenge to remain faithful in religion that condemns the expression of the attractions you feel. (Would it be such a challenge if things were not considered so binary?) The theme of the book is love for people, especially as they work through challenges.

The Enemies of My Country: The Shadow Strike Series, Book 1

The Enemies of My Country: The Shadow Strike Series, Book 1 by Jason Kasper

Some quasi-military operatives try to disrupt a terrorist attack in the US. The book has action and suspense, but not much in originality. The terrorists are about to strike the area where the protagonist's family is (Charlottesville and DC) - right at the time when he is on the outs with his family and his employer. It feels like I've read the hyper-masculine story many times before. The "Spider Heist books by the author are much better.

The Great Egg Eggscape!

The Great Egg Eggscape! by Jory John (Author), Pete Oswald and Saba Joshaghani (Illustrators)

When the grocery store closes, the eggs (all except one) go out exploring and playing hide and seek. The eggs all have names with Shell and Egg (like Shelby and Meg). After the eggs don't come back in the morning, the egg goes to find them. He finds everyone except for one. They then find the missing one. Now the one egg decides he will play too.

The Enlightenment: The Pursuit of Happiness, 1680-1790

The Enlightenment: The Pursuit of Happiness, 1680-1790 by Ritchie Robertson

This is an extremely long book that attempts to explore the entire enlightenment. However, it reads more like a book review. It goes through fields and countries to explore various works of the era and how they tie together in various themes. The time period does get a bit fluid, with Jane Austen books appearing also. In addition to books, there are other works such as plays or compositions by Mozart. The elites of the time were thinking outside the box. Rather than focus on the given knowledge and explanations, they worked to discover and obtain truths of their own. The scientific method started to make its way in society. There was striving for more equality. However, that definition was in flux. Slavery was on the rise. The French Revolution started with bold goals, but then fell apart as those that did not adhere were executed. The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire is emblematic of the thought. Is society on a path towards improvement or just oscillating? The book goes on for much to long to try to get to its answers.

The Sky Thieves: Spider Heist Thrillers, Book 2

The Sky Thieves: Spider Heist Thrillers, Book 2 by Jason Kasper

A new impenetrable Sky Safe is being built into a building in LA. The heist team treats it as a challenge. Little do they realize that Jim, their nemesis is using this to trap them. The team plots a way to get it by infiltrating the construction process to create a vulnerable piece. They plot to get access by inflicting structural damage on a nearby building in order to require a crane to be in place. They use the fourth of july as the date since fireworks will keep everyone busy. The plan almost goes well. They get the diamond and get it handed off. However, a swat team is waiting, and one team member is caught. He is tried and sentenced to life in a maximum security prison. They end up plotting his escape, using the prison's adherence to protocol to their advantage. They do get him out, much to the chagrin of Jim. The book includes multiple heists with very elaborate planning and technical challenges. It even throws in courtroom drama and chase scenes.