* Archived Book Suggestions *

tarav · Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2005 11:25 am Post subject: Re: Some more suggestions

Endless Forms Most Beautiful by Sean B. Carroll

From Publishers Weekly
Cobb County textbook stickers aside, evolutionary natural selection offers a pretty straightforward explanation for the forward march of species through history; a mutation that better equips a given organism to survive is passed along to its heirs, becoming more common as successive generations flourish. The actual process by which mutations happen, however, was far more mysterious until scientists turned to the study of evolutionary development (known by the somewhat unfortunate moniker "Evo Devo"). One such scientist is Carroll, a genetics professor at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, who guides us along the broad contours of development ("the process through which a single-celled egg gives rise to a complex, multibillion-celled animal") and the ways in which its study sheds light on the underlying mechanisms of evolution. He explains in concrete terms how small changes in a species's genetic code of a given species can lead to dramatic differences in physiology is the "missing piece" of evolutionary theory, Carroll argues. The book is as much a salvo in the continuing battles between creationists and evolutionists as it is a popularization of science, and Carroll combines clear writing with the deep knowledge gained from a lifetime of genetics research, first laying out the principles of evolutionary development and then showing us how they can explain both the progression of species in the fossil record and outliers like a six-fingered baseball pitcher.

From Booklist
*Starred Review* Evo Devo is short for evolutionary developmental biology, a new science that explores the biological processes that give rise to both the shared traits and the wild diversity of animal anatomies. Carroll is at the vanguard of this promising field, and he is also a lucent and lively popular science writer deeply inspired by the order, ingenuity, and beauty of the molecular choreography he brings to light. Evo Devo has not only proven that human beings have a surprising number of genes in common with other animals, including the humble fruit fly, it has also revealed the startling fact that every animal species on earth is derived from the same small set of "tool-kit genes." In explicating these unexpected discoveries, Carroll describes in stunning detail the geography of a growing embryo, how genes mark out a diagram of the body to come, and how exactly, thanks to "genetic switches," the "hotspots of evolution," one group of genes can produce such variations on a theme as butterflies, birds, leopards, and whales. Carroll's highly detailed and well-illustrated technical discussions are enriched by his appreciation for the philosophical, aesthetic, and ethical implications of the biological wonders he decodes, adding up to a vital and enjoyable introduction to a field with profound implications.

Chris OConnor · Posted: Thu Sep 15, 2005 4:13 pm Post subject: Re: The First Chimpanzee

I hope so. It sounds awesome.

pctacitus · Posted: Thu Sep 15, 2005 10:08 pm Post subject: Imperial Grunts

Imperial Grunts : The American Military on the Ground by Robert D. Kaplan

www.amazon.com/exec/obido...7RAL16H02H

I had posted about this book but the hack in May took that post away. Robert Kaplan has had an interesting career. He started in the 70s as a foreign freelance correspondent, and spent the 80s in places like Eritrea, Pakistan and Afghanistan. The 90s were spent discussing the problems of the post-cold war world and studying America. After September 11 2001, he quickly turned out a work on leadership and has spent the last several years with the US military, embedded with Marines in Fallujah, Special Forces in the Philippines, etc. The result is this book.

Doug Larson: “The cat could very well be man's best friend but would never stoop to admitting it."

Mr. Pessimistic · Posted: Thu Sep 15, 2005 10:11 pm Post subject: Re: Imperial Grunts

I just read his book: The Coming Anarchy.

It was interesting...made some good points.

Mr. P.

The one thing of which I am positive is that there is much of which to be negative - Mr. P.

The pain in hell has two sides. The kind you can touch with your hand; the kind you can feel in your heart...Scorsese's "Mean Streets"

I came to kick ass and chew Bubble Gum...and I am all out of Bubble Gum - They Live, Roddy Piper

pctacitus · Posted: Thu Sep 15, 2005 10:38 pm Post subject: Re: Imperial Grunts

I enjoyed The Coming Anarchy several years ago. I read it all within two days.

Doug Larson: “The cat could very well be man's best friend but would never stoop to admitting it."

Mr. Pessimistic · Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2005 7:34 am Post subject: Re: Imperial Grunts

Yeah...it was a quick read...flowed well.

Mr. P.

The one thing of which I am positive is that there is much of which to be negative - Mr. P.

The pain in hell has two sides. The kind you can touch with your hand; the kind you can feel in your heart...Scorsese's "Mean Streets"

I came to kick ass and chew Bubble Gum...and I am all out of Bubble Gum - They Live, Roddy Piper

MadArchitect · Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2005 10:44 am Post subject: Re: The First Chimpanzee

I read "Nickel and Dimed" about 5 months ago, so if that one gets picked for the next quarter reading, I'll probably discuss mostly from memory and the notes in my reading journal, rather than re-read something that soon after the initial reading. Not a bad read, but I'd much prefer to discuss something a little more global in scope.

As for "Under the Banner of Heaven", given all the fallout we've been seeing in other forums, how about we steer clear of religious topics for a quarter?

Chris OConnor · Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2005 10:48 am Post subject: Re: Some more suggestions

Mad

Tara and Nick felt the same way about reading Under the Banner of Heaven. We'll skip that one till maybe a future poll. I'll be posting the poll within the hour.

Chris

MadArchitect · Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2005 12:49 pm Post subject: Everything and More

A bit too late for this quarter's nominations, I'm afraid, but Marti accidentally reminded me of this book, which I've been tempted to buy on several occasions, but haven't yet gotten around to reading. Wallace is an interesting character, something of a literary maven, and one benefit of reading this book would be that a chat with the author is almost guaranteed to be interesting.

Everything and More: A Compact History of Infinite
by David Foster Wallace

Paperback: 336 pages
Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company (November 30, 2004)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Before discussing the merits of David Foster Wallace's Everything and More: A Compact History of Infinity, it is essential to define what the book is not. This volume in the "Great Discoveries" series is not a history of the personalities and social conditions that led to the "discovery" of infinity. Nor is it a narrative fixated on the cultish fear of--and obsession with--the infinite that has seemingly driven mathematicians insane over the centuries. Rather, Everything and More is a surprisingly rigorous march through the 2000 plus years of mathematical research that began with Aristotle; continued through Galileo, Isaac Newton, G.W. Leibniz, Karl Weierstrass, and J.W.R. Dedekind; and culminated in Georg Cantor and his Set Theory. The task Wallace (author of the bestseller Infinite Jest and other fiction) has set himself is enormously challenging: without radically compromising the complexity of the philosophy, metaphysics, or mathematics that underlies the evolving concept of infinity, present the material to a lay audience in a manner that is entertaining. To propel his narrative, Wallace even develops a style that mirrors the mathematical language he probes. One difficulty in his focus on concepts and not a strict human chronology, though, is that his structure is dependent on frequent digressions (especially early on). Patience is required. Wallace demands that his reader walk through the equations, study the graphs and charts, and relearn college-level concepts to follow along on the exploration. Indeed, after one wrenching dip into Zeno’s paradoxes, Wallace spouts at his imagined complaining audience: "Deal." But the book should be deemed a success. If one grants him the attention he requires, Wallace has made the trip richly rewarding. --Patrick O’Kelley--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Publishers Weekly
The subject of infinity would probably strike most readers familiar with Wallace as perfectly suited to his recursive style, and this book is as weird and wonderful as you'd expect. There are footnotes galore, frequently prefaced by the acronym IYI ("If You're Interested"), which can signal either pure digression or the first hint of an idea more fully developed in later chapters. Among other textual idiosyncrasies is the constant use of the lemniscate instead of the word "infinity," emphasizing that this is "not just an incredibly, unbelievably enormous number" but an abstraction beyond what we normally conceive of when we contemplate numbers. Abstraction is one of Wallace's main themes, particularly how the mathematics of infinity goes squarely against our instinct to avoid abstract thought. The ancient Greeks couldn't handle infinity, he points out, because they loathed abstraction. Later mathematicians fared better, and though the emphasis is on Georg Cantor, all the milestones are treated in turn. Wallace appreciates that infinity can be a "skullclutcher," and though the book isn't exactly easy going, he guides readers through the math gently, including emergency glossaries when necessary. He has an obvious enthusiasm for the subject, inspired by a high school teacher whose presence is felt at irregular intervals. Had he not pursued a career in literary fiction, it's not difficult to imagine Wallace as a historian of science, producing quirky and challenging volumes such as this every few years.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

queenbee · Posted: Sun Sep 18, 2005 1:51 pm Post subject: How about Wal Mart Way?

It was written by Don Soderquist former COO of Wal Mart. I already read it but didn't know if someone else would have interest in it?

Suggestion = Wal Mart Way

Edited by: Chris OConnor at: 10/1/05 11:53 am

JulianTheApostate · Posted: Sat Oct 01, 2005 5:13 am Post subject: Moral Politics

George Lakoff's Moral Politics: How Liberals and Conservatives Think would be an excellent choice.

It's one of the most enlightening books I've read, and it would provide us plenty to talk about.

www.amazon.com/exec/obido...s&n=507846

Mr. Pessimistic · Posted: Thu Oct 06, 2005 2:34 pm Post subject: Re: Book Suggestions

Well...the books will not go away, we can always refer to the threads.

LOCK and UN-PIN them is what I should have said.

Mr. P.

The one thing of which I am positive is that there is much of which to be negative - Mr. P.

The pain in hell has two sides. The kind you can touch with your hand; the kind you can feel in your heart...Scorsese's "Mean Streets"

I came to kick ass and chew Bubble Gum...and I am all out of Bubble Gum - They Live, Roddy Piper

Chris OConnor · Posted: Thu Oct 06, 2005 2:39 pm Post subject: Re: Everything and More

Mad & Nick

The problem I see is that some members might get frustrated. Should they keep making the same suggestion over and over again? ...from one quarter to the next? If their book wasn't picked to be on a poll, but was in every way qualified for a poll, how do they keep it as an option?

I'm frustrated with the system too.

Chris OConnor · Posted: Thu Oct 06, 2005 2:48 pm Post subject: Re: Everything and More

Maybe the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. You guys wanna talk in the chat room right now?

MadArchitect · Posted: Fri Oct 07, 2005 2:02 pm Post subject: Re: Moral Politics

Sorry I missed the chat -- my online time is limited. I'll try to think up some solutions and suggest them later on.


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