Rounding up to four stars, because the message is critical. This is an accessible read for anyone looking to garner a better understanding of the US gRounding up to four stars, because the message is critical. This is an accessible read for anyone looking to garner a better understanding of the US government, how it functions and how citizens can influence who is in power and the agendas they push. While I have to be honest, living in DC and being an avid consumer of news and political developments, this book didn't offer a lot that felt new or unexpected for me, but I do think it is a worthwhile read and the overarching message is vitally important. We can't afford to be apathetic, tempting though it may be, given how mentally sapping politics seem. But we are not as powerless as we may feel, and this book reminded me of that....more
At the time of Mitt Romney's run against Obama, the notion of voting for the former seemed laughable to me (and to be clear, I still stand by my votinAt the time of Mitt Romney's run against Obama, the notion of voting for the former seemed laughable to me (and to be clear, I still stand by my voting for Obama wholeheartedly). However, the republican party of that time, not so long ago, seems almost unrecognizable from the one today. Yes, I disagreed with them then, even as I was probably too young to have a strong grasp of or feelings about many issues that now often occupy my mind, but they did not regularly appall me as is the case now. You may disagree, and if you do, I hope it will be civilly. I will not idealize Romney, and nor do I think does the author do it too excessively, yet I come away from the book feeling more positive about the man on the cover. I disagree with him in many ways and still, I can muster a respect for someone who, to his professional detriment, held on to some measure of principles when so many - most, let's be honest - of his compatriots have entirely lost the notion of what that word even means.
This book made me yearn for a version of the past that may never quite have existed, and also wonder whether it is as unattainable as it seems to return to a time of civil disagreement? Perhaps I have too little perspective to imagine it, and those who have a few decades on me have an easier time visualizing a calming of society, a collective coming to reason. It is a worthwhile read even if, as this review may reveal, I feel a little confused coming away from it. At our core, we must all wish for the same fundamental things, happiness, good health, success, peace...and yet it seems, if we are on an opposite political spectrum, we cannot agree on much of anything. It has come to the point where it seems one side calls the sky blue and the other insists it is green. So much energy is poured into vilification, and throwing hate and judgement at one another (and I myself am not immune to the latter). It is easier to judge than to try to understand. I think we have all grown so weary over the past eight years, we barely want to try anymore. But judgement in the present only leads to more of the same in the future, more separateness and more conflict. I can see this clearly, and still I do not truly know what the answer may be. Will I now feel tolerant and kindly towards those who support a man I think of as a hate monger and criminal? No, I cannot say that I have it in me, not right now at least. I'll stop rambling on, and simply say, the book was thought-provoking and for that alone, is worth the read....more
Rounding this up to four stars, because you can't help but feel for Rushdie. What an ordeal he has been through and this book, he says so himself, is Rounding this up to four stars, because you can't help but feel for Rushdie. What an ordeal he has been through and this book, he says so himself, is a sort of reckoning with it, a way to process the shock and the toil of a long healing journey, both physically and mentally. While I did feel this book could have been a long article instead, and I had already gleaned much of its contents from interviews with the author on podcasts and in print, it was well written. I appreciated how much he credited his wife and family in aiding his convalescence and do not think I could have shrugged off vanity the way he did, when chronicling the conditions of his recovery. It is astonishing and frightening what an impact the written word can have, and Rushdie examines this in a subtle manner. His book, The Satanic Verses, written years ago, words on a page, could have lead to his death several times over. While his novels have never struck a chord with me (magical realism just isn't my thing), I feel admiration for the author who persevered, when he could have easily slipped out of the public eye out of fear for what those who misinterpreted his words would do to him....more
Though this was well written and researched, it felt extremely repetitive after a while. The subject matter is frustrating, which I knew it would be, Though this was well written and researched, it felt extremely repetitive after a while. The subject matter is frustrating, which I knew it would be, of course, so the book just felt about a third too long. I do think it's interesting, just a bit too much....more
Unfortunately, this was not for me. It felt too vapid and the story far too spare. Maybe I'm not in the right headspace for this kind of thing right nUnfortunately, this was not for me. It felt too vapid and the story far too spare. Maybe I'm not in the right headspace for this kind of thing right now. I think there probably is a story there, but it feels as if this could have been a long-form piece for Vogue rather than a full length book....more
I am torn how to rate this book. It's a four star read for writing and research and decidedly less for how much I connected with the subject matter. MI am torn how to rate this book. It's a four star read for writing and research and decidedly less for how much I connected with the subject matter. Musk is an interesting guy, no doubt, in many aspects, he is likely a genius, who has the potential to change the world in profound ways. Yet he has not grasped that with power comes responsibility and that is where the problems arise. I won't go into too much detail, but I will say, that while his impact may be substantial, it is his motivation I found a little frustrating. He is not greedy in the traditional sense. He doesn't seem to do it for the money or to live a lavish lifestyle. He does it because he loves a challenge. My impression was that his desire to solve problems, to expand his reach and improve the world, comes not from a place of compassion and a desire to make the lives of his fellow humans better, but rather from a place of wanting to prove to himself that he can do it, to prove that he is the master of innovation and unafraid of any manner of risk (even if it costs his family or coworkers dearly). Maybe it doesn't matter what his motivation is, as long as the results benefit the world, but as the subject of such a long book, I found it more than a little off-putting. I had hoped to read this and feel as though I could see the more human side of this undoubtedly complex man, however, I find I do not. He seems proud of being unlikable, because he thinks it somehow elevates him above all those who do not understand him, which makes it very difficult to connect with him. Of course, I felt for him and his siblings and mother, when Isaacson detailed his problematic and abusive father or difficult childhood. But empathizing with someone's situation doesn't mean liking them. All in all, I am glad I read it, but I also think you could save yourself a lot of time and read Musk's Wikipedia page to get a similar, if less detailed overview....more
This was undeniably well researched and written, however, it just did not hold my attention. The subject matter is interesting and relevant, so I was This was undeniably well researched and written, however, it just did not hold my attention. The subject matter is interesting and relevant, so I was surprised that it didn't really hook me. Maybe it's a matter of it being the wrong book for the current time. I am so consumed with anxiety and sadness over the Israel-Hamas war that I cannot concentrate on reading anything beyond the news and what I would affectionately call, "literary fluff". All in all, I would say, don't be put off by my three stars, as it is not a bad book, but it felt too long and maybe too in depth in certain areas that just weren't that engaging for me....more
Ein sehr menschlicher Blick auf eine extrem komplizierte Situation. Dies ist mein zweites Buch von Schneider zu dem Thema Isreal, und ich würde es jedEin sehr menschlicher Blick auf eine extrem komplizierte Situation. Dies ist mein zweites Buch von Schneider zu dem Thema Isreal, und ich würde es jedem empfehlen der mehr darüber lernen möchte. Er hat eine sensibele, fair balancierte Art die Lage zu schildern, und doch fühle ich mich jetzt fast weniger optimistisch als vorher. Es ist so kompliziert und es gibt inzwischen so viele Ressentiments dass ich nicht weiss wie jemals eine wirklich friedliche Beziehung entstehen kann. Ich hoffe ich habe Unrecht, aber so oder so, ein sehr lesenswertes Buch....more
I struggle with the language of books like these, a sort of "inspiration language" that makes me cringe a little, but that doesn't discount the fact tI struggle with the language of books like these, a sort of "inspiration language" that makes me cringe a little, but that doesn't discount the fact that a lot of what Brown observes has a powerful and, frankly, depressing, ring of truth. There is a great focus on belonging, our search for it, the disappointing disconnection in our modern world, and much of what she says feels very true and universal. I like that she emphasizes civil discourse and conversation as a potntial balm for the current climate of discord, even if, sadly, I don't know if it is realistic, given how far into the wrong direction we have veered. While, on the whole, this was a nice, thoughtful little book, I also felt there was nothing particularly new or provocative in it. We know these things already. The implementation is the challenge. That being said, I appreciate an influential voice injecting reason into the world, whether it is received or not....more
I wasn't sure whether this would be boring, to be honest, but the author goes far beyond an examination of K Beauty and delves into the pressures womeI wasn't sure whether this would be boring, to be honest, but the author goes far beyond an examination of K Beauty and delves into the pressures women deal with, the obsession with youth and our appearance that is encouraged by the profit hungry beauty and wellness machine. There was a lot to think about in this book and I know it will be on my mind for a while to come. Recommended!...more
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