Fantastically researched based on the personal letters of Einstein, Isaacson’s account of Einstein is comprehensive, meticulous in detail, and reveals the independent thinking and perspectives of the man that drove his greatness. The book is not a fast read nor does it delve into Einstein’s humanity. Mostly, the book is a chronicle of his life from childhood through old age—where he was educated, who he met, his struggles to find
Wonderland is a refreshing take on a world (and people) that takes itself (themselves) entirely too seriously at times. The premise of the book is that many significant advances in society got their start in amusement—our amusement. According to the author, the book is “a history of play, a history of pastimes that human beings have concocted to amuse themselves as an escape from the daily grind of subsistence.” The
No child escapes youth without some form of humiliation or ostracization—the term “mean girl” exists for a reason. And while most of us can probably share plenty of nasty stories that knock us to our knees and bring us back to our most insecure childhood moments, my most transformative “mean girl” incident as a child was not pointed at me but pointed at a friend. I was a sophomore in
One movie terrified me like no other in the 1990’s*: Alive. It was the initial flight scene that haunted me—the one where the passengers were sucked from the rear of the plane mid-air when it collided with a mountain peak. The visual of bodies violently suctioned from their seats like dust bunnies from the carpet by the force of a Dyson was disturbing enough to keep me awake that evening.
Owls are magnificent—the real ones. But storybook owls? I am vaguely familiar with several children’s books that feature owls but, honestly, I can’t name the title of one rapid-fast. And I know there’s no fictional owl that made an impact on me as a child like Charlotte the spider, Misty the horse, Ping the duck, Sounder the dog or the dozens of other farm and wild animal stories that captured
Although the eighth book in the Monkeewrench series, Nothing Stays Buried, was my introduction to the collection. And I loved it! The opening chapter was captivating and heart-wrenching and among the most high-impact openers I’ve encountered in a long time. My empathy for the character, Marla, haunted me even after putting the book down. From there, the book splinters into two story lines which eventually converge at the end of
If you buy one book on decision making make it this one, read the first half, and then tuck it away in a handy spot. Forever. Decisive opens by outlining and explaining the four “villains” that prevent us from making optimal decisions in work and life. The decision process and the errors we make are: * You encounter a choice. But NARROW FRAMING makes you miss options. * You analyze
An idea conceptualized in the book, “Built to Last: Successful Habits of Visionary Companies” by Phil Collins and Jerry Porras, captivated, invigorated and permeated corporate America when it was released in 2009. And that idea was the BHAG or Big Hairy Audacious Goal. A BHAG is a long-term goal that changes the very nature of a business’ existence. BHAGs are big, bold, exciting and tangible. They are more powerful than
Rarely does a book cause an immediate physical response. But that’s exactly what Where Are All the Minnesotans did to me. I’m a Minnesotan, and this book captures the psyche (and stupidity) of Minnesotans. I smiled, I laughed and I reflected on my life and stories growing up in this ridiculously wonderful state. Yes, we drive to work after a four-foot snowfall. We create activities to busy ourselves on frozen
I grew up in the Bronze Age of Comic Books. An early love for Casper, Richie Rich, and Archie comics read late night with a flashlight in my sleeping bag in the loft of the Boyce’s Northwoods cabin led to a fervor for Spider-Man then MAD Magazine in my tween years. But my love for graphic reading ended when the ‘70s did. And although I’ve tried desperately (with a cute
