I like books like this, where they try to give you an overview of various fields but from their own personal framework of beliefs.

I enjoyed it.

This book has an agenda, but it’s so full of historical information about chip manufacturing - and its geopolitical implications - that you must read it if you’re interested in the topic.

The book is as much about the current situation as it is how we got here. With AI the situation has only worsened.

Went fairly deeply into the world of cybersecurity and how these firms actually work, very interesting stuff.

It isn’t the best of the group of computing history books I’ve read, but it is worth the time if you’re deep into the subject.

The early computer age is fascinating, and this is a well-written book detailing many of the people and institutions involved.

I really like this book until about 2/3 of the way in, when he began interviewing someone who is trying to implement some of the ideas of the book in his business, and some of the claims seemed a bit handwavy to me. I stopped reading eventually.

The history part of it was good. The modern stuff seems a bit of a stretch.

Fascinating stories spanning decades. I felt a mixture of awe at the bravery and daring of these men, as well as a sense of anger and confusion at their arrogance and foolish decision making.

Required reading if you’re interested in naval or intelligence history.

This was highly recommended by other history buffs, and it didn’t disappoint. Horrifying details mixed with much historical information about Chicago, and the US, during this period.

Those poor men! What a story. Well told, one of the best survival stories I’d read.

I read it, mostly because so many people recommend it. It seems like a useful framework, but the author is reaching in some places. I’d read it only if you specifically want to understand this popular idea.

Hard read! Not something you can approach lightly. When I took the time, I found it rewarding. Very thought provoking.

Not as good as the-moral-animal but it’s still an interesting book.

I listened to this on audiobook, and it was poor audio quality. At first I was interested, but it eventually got a bit banal and it wasn’t enough to overcome the annoying audio, so I stopped.

This felt like less of a stretch than lifespan, Attia is more focused on practical methods and lessons. Definitely worth a read for fitness people.

Our individual and societal beliefs and habits about learning are often wrong. The illusion of competence is commonplace. Reading without trying to recall is the default practice, even though it’s extremely inefficient. Almost no one even knows about Spaced Repetition Learning.

This book tries to change that, explaining the science behind learning. It explains both the good science as well as the bad (but unfortunately commonplace) science and beliefs too.

Worth reading if you want to understand the subject.

I’ve heard this has become a seminal text on psychedelics in a short time, and I understand why. Pollan talks to a lot of people, in depth, and gives us an excellent picture of this subject. He’s open about a slight bias in favor of psychedelics, but it seems fairly even-handed. I knew a fair bit about this subject already and I learned from this book.

I bought this more out of respect for my mother than anything else; she considered this the last word on the subject.

It’s mostly good advice. I don’t sit down and read it though, and in the internet age reference-type books aren’t worth much anymore.

Listen to the audiobook, Fry’s voice is worth it alone. They are classic myths, and Fry is unabashed about trying to present them in a compelling way.

Novelist as a Vocation by Haruki Murakami collects essays about writing and the author’s approach to his craft.

Uneven Collection

Unlike Murakami’s more cohesive memoir about running, this book feels fragmented, consisting of separate essays on writing and other topics without a strong central narrative. This format makes for a less engaging reading experience compared to his previous non-fiction work.

Writing Insights

The book does contain some valuable insights into Murakami’s writing process, influences, and philosophy. Readers interested in his approach to fiction may appreciate these glimpses into his creative thinking, though they’re less systematically presented than in other books about writing.

For Dedicated Fans

This collection is best suited for readers already familiar with and appreciative of Murakami’s work. While it contains interesting observations about the writing life, those looking for a more structured discussion of the craft or a more intimate memoir would be better served by other books on these subjects.

Related Notes

• what-i-talk-about
• on-writing

So much fun to read. If you want some science fiction that doesn’t take itself too seriously, I highly recommend.

I loved the first book but didn’t get far into this one. I should give it another try but I got Alien fatigue.