The Books

A List of the Books I Have Read

Title

Author

Date I Read It

Comments, if any

1984

Orwell, George

2018-04-08

Classic story of what Capitalism is becoming. It is not criticizing Communism or dictatorship as much as it is a study of where American style Capitalism is headed.

21 Lessons for the 21st Century

Harari, Yuval Noah

2020-01-04

4% Universe, The

Panek, Richard

2013-05-16

A depiction of the history of astronomy, from Copernicus to Galileo to the many modern contributors to our current understanding of the  cosmology of the universe, culminating in a description of the main threads involved in reaching the conclusion that our universe is expanding  at an accelerating rate and composed of ~72% dark energy, ~24% dark matter and ~4% baryons (the usual, visible stuff of matter and energy). What is needed now in physics is another Newton, to unify the observations and theories of general relativity and quantum physics. That unity (will) (should) result in a completely new understanding of the evolution of the universe, on par with the leap made by Newton, which led to relativity and quantum physics.

Above the Clouds

Bach, Jonathan

1995-07-05

Jonathan is Richard Bach's son. This is the story of how Richard left his wife and 6 kids, how the family coped, and it's effect on Jonathan. A good book to learn more about who Richard is, and about his son's struggle to know his Father. Although Jonathan is not as accomplished a writer as Richard, he shows promise.

Accidental Universe, The

Lightman, Alan

2014-09-08

An excellent book which provides a layman's overview of the current state of knowledge about our universe. Sprinkled with facts and philosophy, this book could serve as the basis for a discussion in which each chapter could be read aloud to the group (about 30-45 minutes) followed by discussion. Not to be missed.

Active Side of Infinity, The

Castaneda, Carlos

1999-08-05

A ghastly book. I've decided that Castaneda really has nothing to say. His books meander from description, to question to answer, without really saying anything. Does he really expect me to believe him? Something happened to him, but he certainly provides no clue, even though he claims he was there.  This book in particular, a kind of summary of his life with Don Juan, is perhaps the worst of the bunch. I was hoping that he had reached some conclusions, had found some accommodation to what he describes in his books, but that is not the case. Even his summary provides no clues as to what Castaneda really thinks, or if he thinks anything at all.

Age of Spiritual Machines, The

Kurzweil, Ray

1999-12-15

The author claims that machines will become conscious and more intelligent than humans; that the advance of technology is inexorable and that man will merge with machines into a single species. I think his timeline regarding the advance of technology, especially as it relates to machine consciousness and intelligence, is overly optimistic. His conjecture that humans and machines will merge, while reasonable, does not appear to me to be possible anywhere near the time-frame the author claims (circa 2099).

Age of Turbulence, The

Greenspan, Alan

2008-01-02

Excellent book about the triumph of Capitalism over state planned economies. In addition to a biography of sorts, also contains significant information concerning economics and the workings of the Federal Reserve System.

Ageless Body, Timeless Mind

Chopra, Deepak

1993-11-06

Capitalizes on the popularization of the interpretation of quantum mechanics to claim we can "think" ourselves into living "forever". Contains some good points & generally worth reading, but still basically an exploitation of the popularization of quantum mechanics concepts.

Alchemist, The

Coelho, Paulo

2008-03-16

Recommend to me by Sandy. Ultimately an interesting, spiritual story urging the reader to follow his heart throughout life.

Algorithms to Live By

Christian, Brian; Griffiths, Tom

2020-06-30

Amusing Ourselves to Death

Postman, Neil

2011-10-23

Probably the most important book I’ve read in the last 10-20 years. It explores the effect of television on our culture.

Animal Farm

Orwell, George

2018-04-08

The story is not really a condemnation of authoritarianism (although it is that as well) as much as it is a criticism of what capitalism is becoming.

Anomaly, The

Le Tellier, Herve

2022-05-31

Fictional story about a warp in spacetime that creates identical copies of passengers on an airplane. Entertaining read.

Aquarian Conspiracy, The

Ferguson, Marilyn

1994-03-23

I read this book because Richard Bach mentioned it in 'A Bridge Across Forever'. Essentially a survey of the new age paradigm. Spans personal, political, medical, changes which the author claims are a precursor to an emerging world view: holistic, intuitive, inclusive, environmental. A bit dull, overly optimistic, but good.

Are Numbers Real?

Clegg, Brian

2017-11-22

Really, only the last four chapters are worth reading. While the preceding chapters are mildly interesting, they lacked depth because the author was catering to readers who have no mathematical knowledge. Hence the early chapters are mere shells of what could have been. The point of the book is made in the final four chapters: are we using mathematics to replace physics? The reliance on pure mathematics to make progress in physics, the author claims, is venturing too far from reality. He makes some good points.

As You Think  (Orig. title: As a Man Thinketh)

Updated & edited by Allen, Marc

Orig. author: Allen, James (no relation)

1994-07-09

A magical little book, which claims that your character, circumstances, health, purpose and achievement spring directly from and correlate with your thoughts. Your reality is more than just your perception; your universe results directly from your thought. I re-read this book in its original on 2024-05-10. Well worth reading. Combined with the ideas promulgated in "the Seth Books", it makes one wonder. (See also The Mastery of Destiny, by the same author).

Atlas Shrugged

Rand, Ayn

2011-12-10

The book, while mildly interesting as a story, is essentially a poorly written novel with wooden characters developed purely to try to portray the author’s conclusion about what is, in her opinion, the way society should be structured.

Ayn Rand is generally a misanthrope. She values only the risk-taking industrialist, who she imbues with self-less compassion for the uneducated, lazy, stupid masses who exist to generally steal from the all-knowing, all-loving industrialist,who government should leave alone so that he can create value for the stupid masses.

While there a significant amount of  truth to her disdain for uneducated masses, she totally believes that society would be better off if government would just leave corporations to do whatever it is they wish. Basically, I think she is delusional. She despises the very people who have taken her philosophy as their own.  She has a superiority complex. And she is no philosopher.

Atomic Habits: Tiny Changes, Remarkable Results

Clear, James

2020-04-08

A really very practical book that recommends various methods for establishing habits. It’s not about will power attempting to establish worthwhile and satisfying ways to live. It’s about incrementally doing on a daily basis that which you want to accomplish.

Autobiography of a Yogi

Yogananda, Paramahansa

2006-01-18

Rhonda gave me this book after we had a conversation about spirituality, consciousness and all the rest. Yogananda relates amazing stories, which, in the West, can only be characterized as miracles. And yet, these stories have been prevalent for a long time and have been told by many sources.

Beautiful Question, A

Wilczek, Frank

2021-08-10

I read this as a follow-up to “Fundamentals”, also by Frank Wilczek. This one was okay, but you should reead “Fundamentals” instead.

Better to Have Gone 

2021-12-21

Kapur, Akash

Excellent history of the founding of Auroville. Extremely interesting. Auroville is undoubtedly worth a visit.

Beside Still Waters

Easterbrook, Gregg

1999-01-07

The author divides his book into  three sections: the reasons/arguments for doubt; the stage for seeking a middle ground; the arguments for faith. He has a disdain for modern existentialism and for proponents of the "it doesn't mean anything" school which is deep and abiding. In the process, he seems to invent a fallible god who learns as he goes along, who seems to be part deity, part intergalactic sentience with awesome but finite technology or powers (the author doesn't make clear which). For me the book was, on balance a provocative argument for the failure of organized and religion and has strengthened my current predilection for meaninglessness.

Beyond Biocentrism

Lanza, Robert; Berman, Bob

2017-11-12

All is One. Chapters 1-9 are a very basic, rudimentary and too simple a description of relativity and quantum mechanics. Chapter 10 is the first hint that the author(s) are out of their mind.  By chapter 12, we know they are out of their mind (and 12 has nothing to do with the rest of the book). By chapter 13 we return to a semblance of order. The book finishes with some interesting questions and somewhat succeeds in persuading us that life and consciousness are basic, unexplored and neglected areas in current physics and its explanatory fable. But overall, the book is not up to par. It reminds me physicists who are tired of thinking and making very little money can make more money by writing books like this to sell to the ignorant masses.

Beyond Good and Evil

Nietzsche, Friedrich

2013-04-26

What little was comprehensible I found illuminating and provocative. Although hard to read, Nietzsche is a much better fit for my own thoughts than, say, Hobbes or just about any English philosopher (whom Nietzsche deplores).

Big Picture, The: On the Origins of Life, Meaning, and the Universe

Carroll, Sean

2018-03-20

I don’t know. After awhile, I just got tired of reading. The author’s core belief is that we have pretty much explained everything, because quantum physics and The Standard Model of particle physics are so good at providing an explanation. The problem with this book, in my view, is that it makes the leap that therefore, even though we don’t know more than what we do know (and the author concurs with this), physicalism must be the only possibility. I think he takes the “hard problem” discussed by Chalmers and concludes, ‘well, yeah, it’s a hard problem, but we have no reason to think that physicalism will (eventually) provide the explanation’, while completely glossing over the explanation. In other words, he’s optimist that physicalism will explain everything, but acknowledges that so far we have explained not much at all.

Biology of Belief, The

Lipton, Bruce

2014-03-20

A readable account of the author's contention that belief has palpable effects on an individual's health.

Biplane

Bach, Richard

1995-07-08

Bach trades his high performance plane for a 1929 biplane and flies it from N. Carolina to California. A description of Bach's trip as well as his thoughts and feelings about flying, pilots and life. As most Bach books, it is biographical, metaphysical, philosophical, descriptive.

Black Hole War, The

Susskind, Leonard

2010-09-06

The story of how Susskind and others proved that information is not irretrievably lost in a black hole. An exploration into a paradigm shift that reconciles quantum physics with string theory.

Blindsight

Watts, Peter

 2022-07-15

Mediocre science fiction story about an alien organism that consists of multiple units but appears to be one mind.

Body, The

Bryson, Bill

2021-08-27

Excellent overview of the human body. Well worth reading.

Book of Universes, The: Exploring the Limits of the Cosmos

Barrow, John

2013-02-06

A good historical overview of the evolution of cosmology and theories about the universe, starting with the initial conception of Earth being central and progressing on to string theory, M-Theoy, multiverses and dark energy. Reading chapters 1-3 and the last two would be sufficient to get the point of the book.

Brain That Changes Itself, The

Doidge, Normal

2020-02-07

A survey of many examples where the brain has managed to compensate for injury or damage. The implication is that not only can the brain change itself after injury, but one can train oneself as well.

Bridge Across Forever, A

Bach, Richard

1994-02-14

Essentially autobiographical.  Deals with Bach's search for love and himself and the events in his life which were formative.  Essentially mystical.  Ends with the idea that love and commitment are essential for happiness.  Contains the premise that we are capable of more than we perceive, eg out-of-body travel, mental contact with past and present.

Brief History of Everyone Who Ever Lived, A

Rutherford, Adam

2218-04-26

A general overview of the history of mankind through the study of genes. A readable and interesting book, but I remember very few of the details.

Brief Tour of Human Consciousness, A

Ramachandran, V.S.

2008-10-01

A very readable book with interesting ideas and concepts. Not riveting, but noteworthy.

Buddhism

Ross, Nancy Wilson

2022-08-18

One writer’s view of the philosophy of Buddhism. Worth a read, but ultimately forgettable.

Bullshit Jobs

Graeber, David

2022-01-03

There are so many of them.

Camino, The: A Journey of the Spirit

MacLane, Shirley

2000-12-03

Shirley’s description of her walk along The Camino.  A deep thinker, she is not.

Cartoon History of the Modern World, The 

Gonick, Larry

2012-06-02

A surprisingly good summary of the period 1450-1785, what will all of the queens, kings, alliances and wars that nobody can keep track of. Starts with Spain and Portugal attempting to find a route to the Indies and stumbling on North and South America. Continues with the subjugation of the native peoples of S. America, followed by religious wars between Rome and the rest of Europe, Turkey, papal alliances, Protestant vs. Catholic, eventual rise of Britain and France over Spain and Portugal. The gradual unification of Germany, the birth of the U.S. Presented in a concise and unvarnished commentary as to what happened.

Case Against Reality, The

Hoffman, Donald

2022-10-02

Highly recommended book about consciousness and perception. The author makes a case for Idealism (kind of like Bernardo Kastrup) but with less emphasis on consciousness being primary. His idea is that we do not experience reality as it is, but only see it through instruments (our senses). This lends credence to Bernardo Kastrup’s theory of Idealism but in a weaker sense. Chapters 4 and 10 are especially good and explain the author’s views by touching on the big questions: what is the true nature of reality?

Celestine Prophecy, The 

Redfield, James

1994-06-28

Average quality novel. Interesting because it deals with the same topic as One and Illusions, ie the transformation of self and society into realizing that the mind/body/universe is one.

Celestine Vision, The

Redfield, James

2003-01-30

A plea by the author that by realizing our essential spirituality and being open to synchronicity, we can achieve a transformation in a relatively short time, leading to being spirits of light and love.

Chatter

Kross, Ethan

2021-10-12

Mildly interesting book about the chatter in our head.

Children of God

Russell, Mary Doria

2001-07-26

Sequel to The Sparrow.  Another engaging, thoughtful work.

Communion with God

Walsh, Neale

2007-08-01

Near useless. I think Neale has run out of ideas with this genre.

Complete Idiot's Guide to Hinduism, The

Johnsen, Linda

2006-09-07

An extraordinarily good book describing Hinduism's multiple facets. Extremely readable, to the point, written by an author familiar with India who has participated in and observed what she describes.

Complexity

Waldrop, M. Mitchell

1994-12-05

Things are complex. Self-actualizing organization arises out of complexity. Too obtuse for me to understand. Boring writing style. I'm just not sure what the conclusion is, if any. Yes, things are complex.

Confession of a Buddhist Atheist

Batchelor, Stephen

2022-10-10

The best book about Buddhism that I have read to date. It treats the subject from a personal experience of a 1970’s English student who goes to India to find himself and becomes a Buddhist monk. He describes his eventual abandonment of being a monk and provides a personal journey with Buddhism, including the best history I’ve read about the life of Buddha himself. A hightly recommended book, highly readable, very thought provoking.

Conscious 

Harris, Annaka

2021-08-27

Good book about the mysteries of consciousness..

Convergence: The Idea at the Heart of Science

Watson, Peter

2018-08-10

A brilliant history of science over the past 150 years that offers a powerful new argument—that the many disparate scientific branches are converging on the same truths.

Conversations With God (Book I)

Walsch, Neale

1997-06-01

The author claims that God has spoken to him. He holds a conversation with God, in which God explains what is really true about us, about how he communicates with us through feelings, experience and thought, and how we have made up a lot of stuff about him which is simply not true. A very readable book, but the language is almost too simplistic and conversational. All in all, I agree with the book and its concepts. Is it really God talking with the author? Well, I guess it doesn't really matter.

Conversations With God (Book II)

Walsch, Neale

1998-11-30

A follow-up to Book I. Again, it is the language/writing style that really bugs me about this book. It's as if the author is writing for 12 year-olds. The ideas presented are generally lucid, sound and liberal. The emphasis is on how we are to govern ourselves, both within nations and between nations. The general theme is that we need to create a world government; that we need to ensure that all people are taken care of, especially as regards the basics for physical survival; that personal income is to be limited. All in all, a very readable and positive book, but I think it will only convince those who are already predisposed to this way of thinking. I think the premise (that God is the author) bears closer scrutiny.

Conversations With God (Book III)

Walsch, Neale

1999-02-14

Yet another one. Same problem as Book II. Still, generally worth reading.

Cosmic Numbers

Stein, James

2022-01-25

Story of important physical constants.

Crack In The Cosmic Egg, The

Pearce, Joseph Chilton

1994-09-05

An interesting but ultimately disappointing investigation of what is possible if one discards the social agreement of what is reality and pursues instead one's own consistent, holistic system; witness what is possible, ie, Don Juan's Way, Jesus' Path, Indian Firewalking, etc.

Creation Revisited

Atkins, P. W.

2010-06-10

An argument for the creation of the universe "from nothing". Very interesting book to read.

Here it is 2015-04-11 and I am making an entry upon the second reading of this book, having completely forgotten that I had read it before.

This time I would say that it is more than “very interesting book to read”. This book contains speculations about why mathematics works as a description of the universe; about bootstraping existence and structure from the existence of binaries such as 'true' and 'false', akin to forming the natural numbers from the naming of corresponding sets of sets of empty sets. It may be worthwhile pursuing some references found in the book: Symmetry (H.Weyl); Symmetry Discovered (J. Rosen); Geometric Symmetry (E. H. Lockwood, R. H. Macmillan).

Cyclical Serpent, The

Halpern, Paul

1999-09-17

A mediocre review of the physics of Newton, quantum mechanics and cosmology.

Daemon

Suarez, Daniel

2022-09-10

Excellent fictional story of the rise of computer technology that attempts to control the economy and provide a sense of more fairness to the economic order. I myself rooted for The Daemon.

Dark Forest, The

Liu, Cixin

2018-01-22

Science fiction from China. Very good.

Darwin's Black Box

Behe, Michael

1999-10-05

A critique of evolution. Behe finds that biochemistry is so elegant and so complex that he throws up his hands and claims that intelligent design is the explanation for life. He touts "irreducible complexity" as the underlying reason for choosing intelligent design as the explanation. While I myself have a lot of questions regarding the "explanations" that evolution provides, Behe's explanation is no explanation at all. While I think that his book is a valuable addition to the critique of evolution (evolution needs to be able to do more than provide a loose framework, attributing life to random mutations without real explanations), Behe's explanation is no better than what evolution offers. That is why physics and mathematics still remain the real thing.

Dancing Wu Li Masters, The

Zukov, Gary

1993-01-10

Excellent explanation of the new physics and its' implications regarding the structure of the universe.

Death’s End

2021-05-05

Liu, Cixin

Science fiction from China. Very good.

Demon-Haunted World, The

Sagan, Carl

2023-07-05

A very readable book about the discrepancy in modern times between our increasingly technological driven lives versus the beliefs and myths people have about the nature of the reality. Seems to me that very few, if any, will survive the coming energy deficit apocalypse that is upon us in the near future.

Determined

Sapolsky, Robert M.

2024-08-10

The author's attempt to make a case against "free will" by surveying what has been written about it from a variety of sources, including his own research. I got tired of it fairly quickly, although I persevered until the end. I was not convinced by the authors' conjecture, as it contradicts what we experience as conscious entities. I think the author took too many liberties from the current fascination with materialism.

Eccentric Orbits

Bloom, John

2020-04-15

Fascinating story about present day Iridium (based just a few blocks from where I live) and Motorola's attempt to build a worldwide satellite based telephone network.

Einstein's Dreams

Lightman, Alan

1994-06-05

A novel depicting Einstein's dreams about time. Each chapter deals with a description of a different conception of time. Too superficial to be interesting.

Elegant Universe, The

Greene, Brian

2005-08-07

A review of physics from relativity to quantum mechanics and strings. Greene is a good writer and offers interesting personal interpretations. But I think I'm finally tiring of this genre. Not because it does not interest me, but because to understand this stuff requires more mathematics than I currently possess. And these books are written with precious little mathematics in them to appeal to a wider audience.

Empire of Illusions

Hedges, Chris

2012-01-12

Very similar to Amusing Ourselves to Death by Neil Postman, but more general in that it deals with more than just the presentation of news as entertainment. An indictment of modern Western culture, especially U.S., regarding the transformation of literacy, critical thinking, morality and greed of capitalism.

End of Everything, The

Mack, Katie

2021-06-04

A description of how the universe will end. Mildly interesting.

End of Growth, The 

Heinberg, Richard

2015-05-04

Population is growing. Resources are becoming more scare (especially oil). The era of cheap energy is nearing an end. This is not good news for mankind and will require significant lifestyle changes.

End of Time, The

Barbour, Julian

2009-12-05

The author tries to make a case that neither time nor motion exist; that they are simply perceptions that we experience. I didn't really understand his theory, and I couldn't find any real references to his ideas. While he has some interesting ideas, which he illustrates using the separation of three particles, and cites some issues with interpreting time as a real phenomenon, his alternative explanation does not yet have enough depth to make it convincing.

End of Work, The

Rifkin, Jeremy

2002-08-29

The Third Industrial Revolution will displace millions of workers with automation. How society responds will determine the future of civilization. An excellent analysis of the problem. I'm not certain that Rifkin, or anyone, really has a solution. It will be interesting to see how it all unfolds.

Entangled Life

Sheldrake, Merlin

2023-07-15

Written by Rupert Sheldrake's son. A fascinating account of fungi and how it pervades our world, including speculation about consciousness and how fungi supports the interactions of so many living things.

Existensial Physics

Hossenfelder, Sabine

2023-04-10

Sabine Hossenfelder's take on the mysteries still extant in physics. She is a good writer, and I wish she had not abandoned physics for YouTube. But that says more about our current Western, Capitalist paradigm, then it does about Hossenfelder or physics. While I don't agree with all of her conclusions, she is a wonderful writer and everyone should be familiar with her books. See also her other book, "Lost in Math", which is also excellent.

Extended Mind, The

Paul, Annie Murphy

2021-12-31

Mediocre book about how knowledge exists out-of-body. Probably some truth to it, but not compelling or extraordinarily insightful.

Fabric of the Cosmos, The

Greene, Brian

1996-03-20

Interesting explanations of physics and what we know about the universe.

Fabric of Reality, The

Deutsch, David

2000-02-29

The author argues that the universe is to be understood as a synthesis of four strands: quantum mechanics, evolution, the theory of knowledge and the theory of computation. He argues that the view of the universe presented by these four theories is the way the universe really is, and that we simply need to accept it. For example, he argues for the interpretation, in quantum mechanics, that the universe really is composed of multiple universes. Similarly with evolution - life evolves. The theory of computation is used to investigate what is computable, what can be rendered. While he may have a point, the book provides no really new insights and is difficult to read besides.

Farewell to Reality

Baggot, Jim

2023-03-12

A criticism, by the author, of the trend toward "fairytale physics" in the current interpretation of the mysteries of quantum mechanics. A good summary of the extent that current thinking about reality is willing to go to, to explain the quandaries presented by quantum mechanics.

Faster

Gleick, James

2014-02-06

A pleasant little book with a lot of information about time and how it affects the modern world. I liked the chapter about the constraints that computers put on airlines in scheduling flights, crews and airplanes and its effect on customers.

Feeling of What Happens, The: Body and Emotion in the Making of Consciousness

Damasio, Antonio R.

2012-05-30

A very difficult book to read, whose main contribution to me is an appreciation of the complexity of understanding even the rudimentary ideas of what constitutes consciousness and the mechanisms which support it.

Field, The

McTaggart, Lynne

2015-01-07

A survey of experiments attempting to confirm the existence of anomalous phenomena such as the efficacy of prayer for healing, the ability to influence random generators via will, etc. An interesting concoction of results, but ultimately unconvincing (due to small effect – point being, even if an anomaly is confirmed, so what?).  

Finding Grace At the Center

Keating, Pennington, Clark

1996-04-23

Bob Oprish lent me this book after I told him I had attended a meditation seminar.  Really very good, especially the first 2 chapters (Centering Prayer & Cultivating the Centering Prayer, by M. Basil Pennington and Thomas Keating, respectively).  Excellent description/prescription for how to achieve a state of centered meditation. The rest of the book degenerates into Christian dogma that is hard for me to accept.  I find especially galling statements such as "All prayer is a response to God and begins with Him. To deny this would be Pelagian" (Pelagious, a 4th century monk who was censured by the Church for denying original sin and maintaining freedom of the will) and "The Imprimatur is an official declaration that a book or pamphlet is free of doctrinal and moral error.  No implication is contained therein that those who have granted the Imprimatur agree with the content, opinions or statements expressed".  Well!

Fine Balance, A

Mistry, Rohinton

2009-06-01

A view into life in India in the 1970's. It explores the spiritual through the narration of the lives of ordinary people struggling to survive in contemporary India.

Fire in the Mind

Johnson, George

2007-11-01

An overview of physics and the universe. Many other books are better.

Fire in the Soul

Borysenko, Joan

1996-12-11

A slightly sophomoric repetition of the ideas of many other authors, with little original thought. A "self-help" book more than a philosophical exploration. While it is mildly interesting, its most noteworthy aspect is the introductory fable, in which the soul is described as a light, each on its own path, which has forgotten its origin and is experiencing objective reality on its journey home; a very Unitarian-like story of a soul and its journey.

Five Billion Years of Solitude

Bollinger, Lee

2014-07-05

A book which describes the discoveries made by science relating to the probability of finding life elsewhere in the universe. The history of scientific discoveries is described, along with the ruminations of eminent scientists concerning the probabilities and reasons for not finding evidence of life to date.

Flame of Attention, The

Krishnamurti, J.

1993-06-09

An appeal to see the world as it is, to live life in the present moment, without preconceived notions or cultural biases. An exploration of how to structure one's life and thought so as to mitigate the confusion and pain (to some degree, by realizing what is actually happening, and why, without attempt to change it).

Flatland

Abbot, Edwin

1993-02-17

Referenced in The Holographic Universe. Fictional account of experiences of a creature which exists in 2-dimensional space. Implies existence of 4-dimensional space using analogies. Contains sociological as well as metaphysical comments.

Four Agreements, The

Ruiz, Don Miguel

2001-12-18

Be impeccable with your word.  Don’t take anything personally.  Don’t make assumptions.  Always do your best.

Freedom

Suarez, Daniel

2022-10-20

The conclusion to Daemon. Excellent fictional account of the ability of computer technology to shape the world, society, and economics. Highly recommended.

Friendship with God

Walsch, Neale

2000-04-16

The fourth in the series. In many ways, this is one of the best. It summarizes the first three and declares pretty unequivocally that we are the decision makers, that truth and love are what provides the reason/meaning of life. Unfortunately, he spoils it all by asking, indirectly, for money, in the last chapter.

From Dawn to Decadence: 500 Years of Western Cultural Life

Barzun, Jacques

2013-12-22

This was a tough book to read. Ultimately, while I would recommend it, I have to wonder if it really does provide any real insight into what the author is exploring. The book requires more than a little knowledge to be fully understood and is in many ways too pedantic while at the same time it does not give enough instruction or insight into the period of history being discussed.

Fundamentals

Wilczek, Frank

2021-08-01

A really good book that convinced me to take The Standard Model seriously (as well as Quantum Mechanics). Though our interpretation may may be flawed, the success of the theories speak for themselves in our technology.

Fuzzy Future

Kosko, Bart

2012-03-30

An examination of the possibilities of applying fuzzy algorithms to the future of sociology and technology. Most interesting chapter was the exploration of rebuilding the brain using nanotechnology: replace a tiny portion of the brain with an equivalent fuzzy neuro-circuit; continue until the entire thing is based on silicon. My personal view is that Kosko underestimates the problems. 

Fuzzy Thinking: The New Science of Fuzzy Logic

Kosko, Bart

1997-03-03

An introduction into fuzziness. Everything flows into everything else. The paradigm of true or false gives way to true to some degree and false to some degree.

Ghost in the Wires

Simon, William

2020-07-17

Moderately interesting book about Mitnick. Generally repetitive. Hard to believe it took Mitnick so long to change course (although, really, he did no harm).

Gift of Wings, A

Bach, Richard

1995-01-07

A collection of short stories written in the mid 60s to early 70s; compiled into a book shortly after Jonathan Livingston Seagull became famous.  A wonderful book which elucidates who Richard Back is and what he thinks about. Contains the seeds for his later novels. He is a true lover of flight.

Going Clear

Wright, Lawrence

2022-08-18

A history of the founding and running of the Church of Scientology. Worth a read.

God and the New Physics

Davies, Paul

2008-07-10

More ruminations about the new physics.

God Delusion, The

Dawkins, Richard

2010-05-14

A brilliant book and a must read for all who claim to "believe" the traditional faiths. The last chapter is especially good as it deals Dawkins description of what is and probably comes closest to outlining what he thinks. The rest of the book advances good but traditional arguments debunking the standard theological hocus-pocus.

Great Beyond, The

Halpern, Paul

2013-01-24

A summary of physics from the perspective of multi-dimensional theories , beginning with Kaluza-Klein and ending with String Theory and M-Theory. A readable history more than an exploration of physics.

Great Unknown, The 

du Sautoy, Marcus

2021-12-21

Survey of current state of knowledge. Author credits mathematics as the primary source of knowledge and being.

Helgoland

Rovelli, Carlo

2021-06-08

One of the best books describing the history and ideas of quantum mechanics that I have read.

Hero Within, The

Pearson, Carol S.

2002-04-04

An exploration of the six archetypes we live by: innocent, orphan, wanderer, martyr, warrior, magician. An excellent book, very well written.

Head to Head

Thurow, Lester

1993-03-13

Excellent comparison of the managerial and organizational methods used by American, Japanese and European companies and their effects on productivity and international competition. Thurow believes the 21st century belongs to Europe if only they will take it. Political philosophy, economics, communitarian capitalism.

Hidden Reality, The 

Greene, Brian

2018-02-04

A tour of modern physics and cosmology.

Hiking with Nietzsche

Kaag, John

2022-03-12

The author’s personal journey with Nietzsche.

History of Rasselas Prince of Abissinia, The

Johnson, Samuel

2010-06-07

Recommended to me by Rhonda Bitterli. An exquisite little book that illustrates my "give up now" paradigm.

Holographic Universe, The

Talbot, Michael

1993-02-02

First chapter deals with discoveries of Carl Pribram regarding functions of the brain, especially memory. Second chapter discusses David Bohm's conception of the implicate universe. Uses hologram as model for the universe. Subsequent chapters discuss telekinesis, stigmata, etc. in attempt to lend credence to holographic model.

Homo Deus

Harari, Yuval Noah

2019-05-04

Excellent book. Speculations about the future of mankind.

How I  Found Freedom in an Unfree World

Browne, Harry

2002-06-28

Harry says we should each do our own thing. We need to recognize the traps we find ourselves in then take direct action to be free of such traps. He advocates that ethical self-interest is the most direct way to happiness. He does not care for attempts to make a difference, especially when they require that such a difference be accomplished by changing someone else.

The book is a little too laissez faire for me, but has many good ideas. I also think he adopted many relationship ideas from the book Open Marriage.

How the World Can Be the Way It Is

Hagen, Steve

1996-05-01

A survey of physics, philosophy and perception.  The author appeals to us to simply see.  By this he means to see without attachment, without desire, without thought.  Just See.  Difficult to summarize, difficult to read, but it is saying that we can break out of our perceptions and experience the world as it Is, if we just let go.

How to Change Your Mind

Pollan, Michael

2019-12-28

Read this after attending a psilocybin retreat in Jamaica. An excellent review of psychedelics. Highly recommend.

How to Meditate

LeShan, Lawrence

1996-03-20

A book on how to meditate.  Recommended by Jim Green, whose class I took in March of 1996.

Hyperspace

Kaku, Michio

2012-07-14

An exploration of the efficacy of considering multiple dimensions as a unifying factor in physics. Seems to like string theory as the ultimate theory. But mostly, the book is a disappointment. Only the first and (especially) the last chapters are worth reading.

I Am A Strange Loop

Hofstader, Douglas

2020-09-10

It starts out oh-so-interesting and full of promise. It builds to a crescendo when Kurt Godel’s famous discovery is explained in relation to Bertrand Russel’s and Whiteheads Principia Mathematica. All of this is done in a readable and interesting way in an attempt to understand what consciousness really is. But after reaching its zenith, it begins a steep and inexorable decline into meaninglessness, conjecture, and simple nonsense. Read it up to and including chapter 18 and skip the rest. Ulitimately, not really worth reading because it leads to total disappointment, especially after showing such promise in the early parts.

Illusions

Bach, Richard

1994-01-09

Bach postulates on what would have happened had he, a pilot giving rides in the Midwest, run into the messiah who had decided to give up "messiahing" and instead also gave airplane rides. What would he be like? What could he teach? Ultimately, this is an extremely dissatisfying book. The ending disavows the rest of the book.

Imaginary Tale, An

Nahin, Paul

2017-04-30

A semi-interesting book of the history of the square root of -1 and its associated mathematics. The best chapters are 6 and 7, but the entire book is filled with fairly complex mathematics. It helps immensely to have a good grasp of calculus and trigonometry, but the book is readable as well just for its history.

Industries of the Future

Ross, Alec

2017-07-26

An excellent read about the near future: robotics, genetics, cultural openness, empowerment of women. Losers: places like Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, probably Russia. On the fence: Ukraine, Japan, China. Light overall, but definitely worth reading.

Inevitable Illusions

Piattelli-Palmarini, Massimo

1998-04-30

A study of cognitive illusions. The three-box problem and the prisoner's dilemma problem was explained in this book.

Infamous Boundary, The

Wick, David

2003-09-29

A mediocre book castigating physicists for developing an unintuitive, incomprehensible theory. The author admits the theory works. He doesn't like it because it has no coherent interpretation, but since no other interpretation is forthcoming anytime soon, especially from this author, it seems to me that this book adds little, if anything, of value to the study of quantum mechanics.

Infinite Powers

Steven Stogratz

2020-12-02

A good book about the evolution of calculus, its uses and power.

Information, The

Gleick, James

2020-06-11

A moderately interesting book describing that information is the future of evolution.

Inflationary Universe, The

Guth, Alan

1999-04-10

This is the premier explanation for most of the problems with the Big Bang theory (ie, why is the universe so uniform).  However, the author (who is the developer of the theory) has written a most uninteresting book. I would recommend a good retelling of the story by some other writer knowledgeable about cosmology.  This was a difficult book to get through, which is very unfortunate, judging from the success and elegance of the theory. It apparently explains several problems that the Big Bang theory has, but these problems are never really addressed in a manner that was comprehensible to me. The book was just too obtuse and meandered too much.

Intensity

Koontz, Dean

1997-03-11

A study in experiencing each moment. Ultimately, the protagonist, in my view, is fundamentally untrue to his paradigm. It is not clear what Chyna, "untouched and alive" has really accomplished, other than survive. One of the few fiction books I have read.

Into the Wild

Krakauer, Jon

1999-02-24

A crazy mixed up kid forsakes civilization, goes into the wild and starves to death in Alaska. No news here. A true story.

Invention of Nature, Theodore

Andrea Wulf

2020-11-06

A fascinating book about Alexander von Humboldt, a German naturalist, creator of modern environmentalism. Explorer and scientist who predated and knew Darwin, Goethe and influenced Thoreau.

Istanbul

Madden, John

2022-03-01

Excellent, readable, fascinating, history of the origin, lives, and times, of Constantinople.

Jonathan Livingston Seagull

Bach, Richard

1994-01-09

After finishing One, I got interested in Bach's seminal work. A delightful little story about a Seagull whose great ambition is to learn how to fly better that anyone. This leads to a journey which opens the world to whatever you want it to be. It is easy to see from this book how Bach came to write One and Illusions.

Journey to Ixtlan

Castaneda, Carlos

1996-05-16

The importance of "not doing", "stopping the world", the ability to just "see".  Like all Castaneda books I've read so far, this is one too is obscure.  Perhaps the solution is to dope up while reading it, just like Carlos did early in his apprenticeship.

Jurassic Park

Crichton, Michael

1993-07-30

Moderately interesting, but definitely written to be made into a movie. It becomes a little juvenile near the end.

Just Six Numbers: The Deep Forces That Shape the Universe

Rees, David

2010-06-01

I read this book because it was mentioned by Richard Dawkins in his The God Delusion. It is an interesting excursion into 6 physical constants that determine the nature of the universe, with an explanation of how, if those constants were only slightly different in value, the universe as we know it could not exist.

Klara and the Sun

Ishiguro, Kazuo

2021-12-31

Story about artificial friends, consciousness, artificial intelligence.

Knights Cross: A Life of Field Marshall Erwin Rommel

Fraser, David

2014-06-07

An excellent book about the life of Erwin Rommel, a General well-respected by both sides of the conflict.

Left Hand of Darkness, The

Le Guin, Ursula

2018-03-01

Science fiction about a lone ambassador sent an alien world whose mission is to facilitate their entry into a growing intergalactic civilization. The inhabitants of the alien world can change gender at will. Interesting and enjoyable book.

Life 101

Roger, John & McWilliams, Peter

1994-02-20

A light but effective collection of thoughts and ideas on how to live life productively and happily. Really quite good, but it boils down to 'do what needs to be done'.

Life of Bertrand Russell, Theodore

Clark, Ronald W.

2016-06-09

I rarely start a book and not finish it. This one proved to be an exception. Pedantic, disorganized. It did not give me a feel for the life of the man nor an understanding of his work. After 300 pages, I decided to give it up and find a different author on the same subject.

Edge, Life’s

Zimmer, Carl

2022-01-13

Story of the mystery of life.

Lights Out

Koppel, Ted

2020-02-19

A study of the electric grid and its vulnerability to cyber-terrorism.

Limits to Growth: The 30-Year Update

Meadows, Donella; Randers, Jorgen; Meadows, Dennis

2012-05-09

We’re pretty much fucked.

Listening for God

Carlson, Paula & Hawkins, Peter (edited by)

1997-07-06

A collection of short stories by Flannery O'Connor, Frederick Buechner, Patricia Hampl, Raymond Carver, Annie Dillard, Alice Walker, Garrison Keillor and Richard Ro Rodriguez. While the writing (literature) is, probably, better than that of Richard Bach, finally, these writers have nothing to say about "listening for God". I should be more charitable, because it is the editors who chose these stories to be part of their book by this title; the authors themselves never knew their work would be selected. Still, there is precious little here for me. What I found of value was the discussion and interpretations of members of the book group who read this book.

Listening to Prozac

Kramer, Peter

1996-11-15

A very readable and informative book about the effects of Prozac on the psyche and mind. The author struggles with discerning where biology stops and mind begins. With psychopharmacology, it seems that psychiatrists can alter various facets of personality on demand. What does this say about our biology as opposed to our mind? How do the two interact? A most fascinating and worthwhile book.

Little Prince, The

de Saint-Exepury, Antoine

1996-07-01

The most important things in life are those unseen.  The Little Prince learns from a fox that once "tamed", the fox is unique among all other foxes.  And so it is in life.

Living Energy Universe, The 

Schwartz, Gary

Russek, Linda

2012-01-04

Everything affects everything else. Well, OK. Might very well be, but this book announces that it is so mainly using wishful thinking. The consequences of this are used to justify the possibility of homeopathy and a slew of other new-age possibilities. The problem is that the effect, even if true, is probably so inconsequential as to be insignificant, due to dilution. Appendix A is really all that needs to be read to grasp what the author is trying to say.

Longitude

Sobel, Dava

2013-11-23

Interesting story of how the longitude problem was solved by the development of accurate clocks by Harrison in the mid-1700s.

Lost in Math

Hossenfelder, Sabine

2019-03-05

An excellent critique of the current crisis in physics, in which the reliance in beauty and mathematics is leading to little or no progress. While the author is easy to sympathize with, the history of physics is a corroboration of the idea that nature is in fact mathematically beautiful and that we are justified in looking for theories with these attributes. Sabine Hossenfelder is German, so it was interesting to read this book. The slight Germanic arrogance can be discerned

Lucifer Principle, The: A Scientific Exploration Into the Forces of History

Bloom, Howard

2010-01-24

David S. Wilson, in the foreword to this book, says "I have learned from Howard Bloom and value him as a fellow traveler. I do not agree with everything he says, and I sometimes blush at the way he says it - not with the reserve of a scientist but with the brashness of a mass media denizen". That is probably the best summary of the book.

Bloom has many interesting ideas, most of which generally revolve around the concept that man is an animal with animal instincts, that social progress has ameliorated those instincts to some degree, and that this "softening" of those instincts has been subsumed by the superorganism of which the individual is a part. This superorganism can be viewed as consisting of individuals, much in the same way that individuals consist of genes. Genes have their priorities (to reproduce themselves). Man is a product of his genes. Yet man is like a gene when viewed from the perspective of the superorganism (society) of which he is a part. In the same way that to some extent, a man may override his genetic makeup but is basically of product of that makeup, so the superorganism overrides man, but is basically a product of man.

This leads to the idea, in the final chapter, that unless we find a way to live peacefully among each other, mankind as we know it is doomed to be replaced by the superorganism as evolution proceeds. The most interesting idea, to me, is that, because we are conscious and have organizing principles in which we believe, the superorganism we create (memes) are evolving of their own accord without much concern about this animal, man. Fascinating reading, even though I question some of the premises Bloom appears to take for granted regarding the efficacy of morality, democracy, conservatism, and his implied preference for maintaining top-dog-status by doing whatever is necessary to stay there.  

Magus, The

Fowles, John

2021-06-10

A novel. Fairly engrossing. Would recommend.

Many Lives, Many Masters

Weiss, Brian

1997-02-28

A psychotherapist works with a patient who is unresponsive. He decides to try hypnosis and discovers that his patient has lived many past lives and that the people in the patient's life now keep recurring in past lives as well as the present life. Weiss claims he has staked his professional reputation by writing this book, but says that he felt the truth had to be told. The book is totally unsatisfying because it consists entirely of an account of the patient's past lives and the lessons the patient learned. Weiss provides no evidence to support his belief in the reality of this patients' state while in hypnosis. There is nothing here beyond some simple writing and wishful thinking. It could just as easily have been completely made up in Weiss's mind. We are left to either believe him or not, as we choose.

Many Worlds in One

Vilenkin, Alex

2013-07-01

The first three chapters are excellent and provide a superb summary of what we know in physics. But the explanations are especially good because unlike most books for the general reader, this one builds its explanatory material rigorously, even including a smattering of mathematics (which seems to be prohibited when writing for the general masses). The material is made comprehensible because of the rigorous treatment. After the first three chapters, the author becomes much more speculative and proposes his own ideas. He seems to favor the Many Worlds interpretation of quantum mechanics, with a twist (i.e. that inflation accounts for multiple universes all extant at once).

Margins of Reality

Jahn, Robert & Dunne, Brenda

1994-08-15

An investigation into developing a theory on the role of consciousness in the physical world. Authors survey reports of anomalous experiences and put forth a theory to explain them based on quantum physics. Data is slim but statistically significant.

Matter Myth, The

Davies, Paul & Gribbin, John

1994-08-10

2024-12-02

Another commentary on the interpretation of special and general relativity, including quantum mechanics. The universe is not what it seems, we just don't quite know what it is. Perception and thought appear to have a role in shaping or creating it.

===

As indicated above, I read this book twice, 30 years apart. On the second reading, I think this is still the best book I have read about ideas in physics and philosophy of all other books listed here. It presents, in a cogent, eganging, way, the mysteries of life, computation, consciousness, that I have been fascinated with since the first time I read this book. This book was first published in 1992, and I think it is still the best book of its genre since that time. A must read for anyone interested in what we have learned since the beginning of physics and mathematics, and regarding speculations about life and consciousness. Not because it provides the answers. Because it asks the questions. We are still ignorant of the answers. It is the questions that this book inspires.

Master Algorithm, The

Domingos, Pedro

2020-12-18

A mediocre book about the future of AI.

Master and His Emissary, The

McGilchrist, Iain

2024-09-05

Excellent book, but requires a lot of effort to get throught it. Its subtitle is "The Divided Brain and the  Making of the Western World". The last two chapters are not to be missed, which serve as an excellent summary of the authors' conclusions regarding the trajectory of the "Western World".

Mastery of Destiny, The

Allen, James

2023-05-15

A book very similar to "As a Man Thinks", by the same author. A very convincing argument.

Maybe You Should Talk to Someone

Gottlieb, Lori

2020-05-04

Recommended by Josh Dow. Funny and insightful.

Meaning of Human Existence, The

Wilson, Edward O

2016-01-28

I found this book to be a mixed bag. The early chapters felt as if Wilson simply pulled the content out of his ass, simply to have something to say and to add some bulk to the book. However, beginning with part four, I felt he had some really interesting and valuable contributions to make. In part four, he writes about Instinct, Religion and Free Will, finally ending in part five with Alone and Free in the Universe. All of these chapters emphasized that science as we know it today is dominant in its interpretation. But he does not ignore the humanities and asks it to take off its blinders and join the scientific method. Overall, I found the book interesting enough, but would only recommend sections four and five.

Mere Christianity

Lewis, C. S.

1994-01-05

A rather sophomoric defense of Christianity. Although his faith and morals are no doubt deeply felt, his arguments for the literal truth of Christianity are trivial and not well stated. Not a profound book; no great insights to be learned. Tired restatements advocating a literal interpretation.

Molecule Away From Madness, A

Peskin, Sara Manning

2023-03-04

A fascinating account of a neurologist's view of the effects of certain drugs, or their deficiencies, on the human brain. A great journey into the relationships between certain chemicals and their effect on the deepest mysteries of our brains.

Most Human Human, The

Christian, Bryan

2020-01-25

A description of the Turing Test and commentary about the current state of AI.

Mountains Beyond Mountains

Kidder, Tracy

2011-03-02

The story of Dr. Paul Farmer, infectious disease specialist, who helped people in Haiti, Peru and Russia. Read it because Tammy highly recommended it. She wants to go save the world now, and do something significant.

Mr. g

Lightman, Alan

2012-02-12

A gem of a book describing the creation of the universe, from the point of view of the creator.

My Stroke of Insight

Taylor, Jill

2009-08-09

Probably one of the better contenders for understanding and sympathizing with the commonly expressed views of touchy-feely proponents such as Deepak Chopra and Wayne Dyer and others. While this book does not provide a concrete, definitive theory into what shapes consciousness, it also does not make stuff up. While it delves into mysticism and spiritualism, it still confines itself to what is known and what the author experienced. The author urges us to explore but does not categorically state non-sense through appeals to "quantum theory" as is so prevalent now that other authors have discovered that physics and mathematics is trying to describe, methodically, the intersections of consciousness and energy and matter. Well worth reading.

New Science of Life, A

Sheldrake, Rupert

1993-04-05

The structure of pre-existing systems affects the genesis of subsequent similar systems by a cumulative influence that acts across time and space so as to conserve form. The book is hard going in style. The appendix explains the hypothesis just as well and is more interesting.

Night Soldiers

Furst, Alan

2021-12-08

Historical fiction, Eastern European boy becomes tool of NKVD, goes to Spain before WW2, betrayed, goes to France just prior to German invasion.

Notes on Complexity

Theise, Richard

2024-02-15

An analysis of how complex systems behave, with an emphasis on the complexity exhibited by life. I don't remember much about the book now that I am making an entry, but I do remember that I liked it and found it worthwhile.

Nothing by Chance

Bach, Richard

1995-09-09

Bach goes barnstorming in his 1929 biplane throughout the Midwest in the late 1960's.  We only get a glimpse of who Richard Bach really is, but already in the late 60's, he is exhibiting his belief that what one believes influences what transpires.

On Intelligence

Hawkins, Jeff

2018-11-01

Hawkins begins his book by criticizing the woeful state of AI, presents a theory which seems far ahead of anything the AI technologists have been able to muster, but ends with the optimistic conlusion that machines will soon be able to “think” and “learn” without grappling with what that means, or how that works. He may be right that consciousness does not require “a special sauce”, but his transition to assuming that machines will learn, by themselves, after some sufficient training, seems, to me, farfetched.

One

Bach, Richard

1994-01-01

Bach mentions that he read an "odd little book of physics" (The Parallel Universe Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics), and bases an intriguing and thought provoking novel on this idea. Well worth reading and thinking about, especially chapter 10.

One, The

Pas, Heinrich

2023-03-03

An argument by a particle physicist for monism. Fundamentally, says the author, "all is one". An argument with which I resonate, but certainly do not comprehend.

Open Marriage

Oneill, Nena and George

2001-06-26

An exploration into the concepts of open marriage.  A well written, thoughtful book about relationships.

Origin Story

Christian, David

2019-02-26

A must read that summarizes the evolution of the universe, from The Big Bang to billions of years in the future, when entropy has worked its final solution. In between, most of the story consists of the history of mankind, from some 200,000 years ago, until the near future (since that is what is best known). But the beauty of the book is in its synthesis and amalgamation of the the rest of the story of evolution. This book inspired me to attempt my own, painting a picture of human technological knowledge, called Timeline.

Other Europe, The: Eastern Europe to 1945

Walters, E. Garrison

2013-02-26

The author concludes (in 1985) that the yearning for independence by the Eastern European countries from Communism has not been extinguished. The book also provides a picture of the extreme amount of factionalism and disunity extant among the large varieties of small national groups, most of which don’t like each other for various regional, linguistic and religious reasons. The basic picture is that Eastern Europe is an almost hopeless, politically unstable, mess. (The event after the fall of the Soviet Union show this to be an accurate picture. Czechoslovakia has dissolved into an array of countries; neighbors intermixed who cannot live together.)

Our Mathematical Universe

Tegmark, Max

2015-05-31

It's hard to decide what to think about this book. The author attempts to make a case for mathematics being the ultimate nature of reality. In that quest, he postulates 4 levels of universes, essentially proposing that anything than can happen does happen, and that we just find ourselves in this particular “place” and “time”. I'm not sure he made his case, nor am I sure that I entirely agree with his final chapter, in which he embraces that life and consciousness are simply the end result of evolution and an epiphenomenon of the way “matter” is arranged. In some ways, the book is full of contradictions. Overall, I think it is worth reading, as this is an author who pushes the boundaries. I just hope he does not evolve into another Deepak Chopra.

Out of My Mind

Bach, Richard

2001-12-05

Richard Bach again, advocating simplicity and imagination.

Passionate Mind, The

Kramer, Joel

2002-07-27

A reprise of Alan Watts and Gangaji.

Patient H.M.

Dittrich, Luke

2019-10-05

Very interesting book about a famous lobotomy performed in the early 1900s which provided scientists with a trove of information about brain plasticity and memory. Also relevant because of what is/was allowed then (and even today, in different ways) in the face of total ignorance when well meaning people want to “help”. Often, it is as much about fame and curiosity (perhaps more often) as it is altruism.

People of the Lie

Peck, M. Scott

2006-07-12

Author claims that evil is something that exists, that has some sort of substantiality to it. I still harbor suspicions about that, but the book is well worth reading, especially the last two chapters, which summarize the author's views regarding what to do about evil and how it infects organized groups, countries, corporations.

Phi: A Voyage from the Brain to the Soul

Tononi, Giulio

2019-04-15

An attempt to make subjective experience a part of science. He postulates that there is a measure of ‘something’, described by ‘phi’, which is necessary for mind to exist. Hard book to read.

Plato at the Googlepex

Goldstein, Rebecca

2024-05-10

The origin of Western philosophy starts with Plato. This book examines his ideas in a modern context. Very good and worth reading.

Polyamory: The New Love Without Limits

Anapol, Deborah

2001-02-01

An introduction to polyamory.  Actually, an almost  worthless book.  As an introduction, it is totally  inadequate.  As a supplement, it is totally unnecessary.  Much better to read Open Marriage instead.

Player Piano

Vonnegut, Kurt

1994-12-09

Machines have taken over almost all of the work. Engineers and managers have jobs but the common folk are in the "army" or in the 'Reconstruction and Reclamation Corps' (a gov. job!). There is nothing to live for. An engineer rebels, hoping to preserve what is good and to give man back his place.

Power of Now, The

Tolle, Eckhart

2003-01-21

Read it. Found it to be of little effect.

Power vs. Force

Hawkins, David R.

2005-02-11

Kinesiology can determine the "truth" of things (although truth is relative and is to be interpreted from a contextual point of view, which is influenced by one's level of spiritual development). The testing of the method should be easy enough (and the method seems too simple), but contains some interesting ideas. The references provided by the author are very credible and very current. This idea needs to be tried and tested. Lots of worthy material in this book, after the getting past the first couple of chapters without letting incredulity overpower a skeptical mind.

Practicing Radical Honesty

Blanton, Brad

2001-03-27

More virtues about telling the truth.  A few good ideas in the early chapters.  The rest is so much drivel.

Predictions

Modis, Theodore

1993-11-09

A moderately interesting book concerning natural growth. Apparently, economic cycles follow a 52-56 year cycle; products follow natural growth curves (an S-curve), characterized by a slow start, rapid growth and natural decline. Data are presented to predict and buttress various product and sociological growth factors.

Preparing for the 21st Century

Kennedy, Paul

1993-06-13

Basically similar to Lester Thurow's Head to Head except that the emphasis is more on population growth and its effect on the world economy, along with the attendant technological changes. Harder to read than Thurow; agrees w/him that Europe has the potential for owning the 21st century if it can manage to unite. 

Prozac Nation

Wurtzel, Elizabeth

1996-03-20

A great book examining the pitfalls of America’s over-reliance on drugs.

Quantum Healing

Chopra, Deepak

1996-01-20

Typical Chopra. He has discovered quantum mechanics, notices that it is essentially mystical, and uses it to feed people's need to comprehend the mystery of consciousness. While the first few chapters are worth reading, he adds nothing to comprehension and finishes the book in a whimper of speculation about creating "bliss" to heal oneself.

Quiet

Cain, Susan

2019-11-05

Excellent book advocating for meditation and a retreat/removal from popular modern culture.

Quest for Consciousness, The

Koch, Christof

2018-12-18

A good book, but very technical. It provides a good overview of the current state of brain research and its underlying research initiatives.

Radical Honesty

Blanton, Brad

2001-03-12

The virtues of telling the truth.  Too bad the author is such a condescending, arrogant, megalomaniac.

Reality is Not What it Seems

Rovelli, Carlo

2018-04-12

Another overview of physics, including some history, finally ending up with an interpretation for quantum mechanics. Carlo Rovelli is the proponent of the relational interpretation of quantuim mechanics.

Reality+

Chalmers, David

2023-03-25

Speculations from philospher David Chalmers (of the "hard problem of consciconsciousness") about artificial intelligence/consciousness. While somewhat intereting to read from the likes of David Chalmers, whom I have a lot of respect for, his speculations about the the possibility of consciousness arising from material computers does not convince me.

Rebel, The

Camus, Albert

2011-05-30

A very dense book, which I find impossible to summarize. It extols the rebel, and individual who dedicates himself to justice, but recognizes limits. It does this by exploring the excesses of revolutionaries, from Marquis de Sade, to the Jacobins in the French Revolution, to the distortions of Marxism in Communism.

Recovering the Soul

Dossey, Larry

1996-02-24

A much more satisfying book than Deepak Chopra's similar Quantum Healing. Deepak's has a whiff of insincerity. In 3 sections, explores Beyond the Brain: The Evidence; Science: The Proofs; God: The Synthesis. Advocates acceptance of a non-local view of mind, body and soul; ie there is no "out there" which is clearly separate from "in here".

Retreat of Western Liberalism, The

Luce, Edward

2018-02-13

An analysis of the current state of liberal democracy in the age of Trump. Excellent read. Provides valuable perspective about the forgotten, exploited class in America, and its reaction to being ignored by the elites of both parties.

Rigor of Angels, The

Egginton, William

2024-09-15

Excellent book about the conclusions of authors from various disicplines (Borges, Kant, Schrodinger) about the nature of the experience/reality (and quantum mechanics). The concluding chapters were the most eloquent, in my view.

Rise and Fall of the Third Reich, The

Shirer, William

1984-02-01

A must read to understand what was going in in 1930’s Germany.

Robot: Mere Machine to Transcendent Mind

Moravec, Hans

2010-06-12

The first half of the book provides an excellent history of the advances made in robot technology.  After that, the author speculates on the advances to come. In my view, he is exuberantly over-optimistic, bordering on ludicrous. He finishes with a great last chapter in which he theorizes about ultimate advances in mind and consciousness, from the point of view of quantum mechanics. This last chapter is definitely worth reading, in spite of the overly-optimistic ruminations in the middle.

Sapiens

Harari, Yuval Noah

2019-03-04

An excellent book detailing the history of mankind. Not to be missed.

Scientology: The Fundamentals of Thought

Hubbard, L. Ron

1997-03-13

An extremely interesting book whose precepts remind me a lot of the techniques used by Lifespring. While the philosophy is interesting and warrants investigation, the most interesting aspect for me was the last chapter, which described how a "preclear" was to be "audited" so that the "preclear" would understand and thus live a better, more fulfilling and productive life. Scientology claims it is doing this for the benefit of mankind. Lifespring claims the same thing. What strikes me as puzzling is that both seem to be making a good living at it. Despite my personal criticism, this book is well worth reading and thinking about.

Schrodinger's Kittens

Gribbin, John

1995-08-21

Just a rehash of the experiments leading up to the development of quantum mechanics. Last chapter presents Gribbin's interpretation of John Cramer's "transactional interpretation". I would not recommend this book for learning about the various interpretations nor for it's description of the relevant experiments.

Seat of the Soul, The

Zukav, Gary

1996-08-16

By the author of The Dancing Wu Li Masters.  This is a significant departure for Zukav, whom I considered to be a technical writer (he did a superb job writing The Dancing Wu Li Masters). This book is Zukav's interpretation of a shifting paradigm which is supposedly taking place now; mankind is shifting from a 5-dimensional to a multi-dimensional personality. The 5-dimensional personality is one which attains its awareness from the five senses, while the multidimensional personality is open and aware of various spiritual sources which it uses to develop itself and know its purpose.

The basic premise is that man does indeed have a soul, that choice and intention define, shape and create one's reality. Although the book is highly readable and contains many ideas worth thinking about, a large portion of it consists of pure speculation presented as fact. Still, the idea that love, reverence, compassion and trust; that awareness of spirit, provides purpose and knowledge, provides authentic power as opposed to external power, is convincing and worthwhile. Regardless of the speculations, the book provides much to think about and apply in one's life.

Self-Aware Universe, The

Goswami, Amit

1996-10-12

The basic premise is that consciousness, not matter, is the ground of all being. Both the world of matter and the world of mental phenomena are determined by consciousness. The author posits the idea that "material objects and mental objects are both objects in consciousness. In an experience there is also the subject, the experiencer....the consciousness of the subject in a subject-object experience is the same consciousness that is the ground of all being."

The book begins with very readable and convincing review of why the current paradigm cannot make sense, backed up by a description of quantum mechanics which lends credence the author's premise. Finally, however, the book begins to speculate on the nature of unitive consciousness. This is all very interesting and certainly worth thinking about, but what is still missing is the hard evidence required by the scientific method. But the author makes clear that the Newtonian paradigm, while not wrong, is incomplete in describing the nature of man or the universe.

Seven Brief Lessons on Physics

Rovelli, Carlo

2019-04-01

Another review of what we know about current physics.

Short History of Nearly Everything, A

Bryson, Bill

2020-03-02

A very readable book, mixed in parts, but overall, highly recommended.

She: Understanding Feminine Psychology

Johnson, Robert

2002-07-13

The myth of Eros and Psyche through the eyes of Robert Johnson. A short read, pleasant enough. A woman’s essence is joy and love (if she’s properly adjusted).

Siddhartha

Hesse, Hermann

1996-04-21

The story of a young Brahmin's search for the meaning of life.  An excellent book, which has much to teach about peace and acceptance.  Still, although I identified with Siddhartha through most of the book, in the end, I could not accept his truth fully - there must be something more.  So I find myself on the same path as his friend Govinda; the search must go on.

Silent Spring

Carson, Rachel

1974-01-08

We are still not listening. Nor do I expect that we ever will. Our immediate desires, ignorance, and greed trump knowledge and concern for the survival of the planet and life in general every time.

Six Easy Pieces

Feynman, Richard

2019-03-17

An excellent lecture, given in the late 1960s, concerning our current understanding of physics. Some great insights into the nature of what we currently know about the universe and how it works. The last chapter is about the incongruities exhibited by quantum mechanics.

Slouching Toward Utopia

DeLong, J. Bradford

2023-03-05

A book recommened to me by Josh Dow (of Mycomeditaions fame). Excellent analysis of Capitalism and its promise as well as foibles. In the end, I don't think Capitalism has much of a future, nor much to offer to mankind in the long term.

Sophie's World

Gaarder, Jostein

1998-06-21

A brief survey of philosophy starting with Democritus and ending with Marx and Sartre, followed by a very brief mention of the Big Bang. It held a lot of promise in the first third of the book, as the author struggled with the problem of understanding who he is,  but finally it degenerates into a not very interesting novel.

Soul of a New Machine, The

Kidder, Tracy

1995-02-02

The story about the development of the Data General minicomputer. An excellent read. People work not because of the money, but because they love what they do.

Sparrow, The

Russell, Mary Doria

1999-03-10

A terrific and readable story about the discovery of extraterrestrial beings and the expedition sponsored by the Jesuits to learn about them, circa 2040. The book examines one participant's faith, an alien culture's social constructs, and contrasts them to explore the author's and our own beliefs about God, religion and meaning.

Spiral Staircase, The

Armstrong, Karen

2009-07-25

A former Catholic nun writes about her life. It is not the best book I've ever read, but, having said that about the book, that gives it a certain cachet. The writing style is almost conversational, but not simplistic. An extremely good read.

Spiritwalker

Wesselman, Hank

1997-02-15

The author claims that, partially through volition, partially because of "grace", he has been in contact with "spirits", by acquiring the ability to be a "shaman", and that because of this contact he has learned mankind's future. That future is one in which mankind has reverted to being a hunter-gatherer, living in small isolated communities, where technology has disappeared. This was apparently caused by severe climatic changes which precipitated a rise in the mean water level by 300-600 feet in a matter of decades, thus destroying ports, communications and energy resources. Many died of starvation. Technology became useless as energy, distribution facilities and infrastructure crumbled. The author claims to have been able to "observe" and be part of the consciousness of a descendant who lives 5000 years into the future, who, by the way, was also able to have a glimpse of the current state of technology by being a part of the author's consciousness. The author seems to think that reporting this experience in good faith is sufficient for curious, thinking people to believe him.

Startdust Revolution, The

Berkowitz, Jacob

2013-05-30

A description of the advances in cosmology made in this century, including the origin of elements, their relative distribution, their prevalence as  constituents of life, and abrupt advances in the discovery of exoplanets. A good book for getting a basic understanding about where elements come from and how they relate to life itself, as well as a perspective for awareness of how recent the basic advances have been.

Stupid White Men

Moore, Michael

2003-02-08

A lucid, factual and truthful assessment of the hypocrisy and imperialism that is the Baby Bush presidency specifically, and the American mind-set in general.

Surviving Schizophrenia

Torrey, E. Fuller

2002-12-20

There is some vitriolic disdain expressed for anyone who tends to denigrate in any way his preferential view of psychiatry. I don't have enough training in psychiatry or anti-psychiatry to agree nor disagree. However, the defensiveness is suspect to me. Perhaps some anti-psychiatrists have gone too far in their criticisms, but Professor Torrey's reaction is too closed and overtly defensive.

Otherwise, I think this is a good book to read to get an understanding of the various issues facing the family and the patient of schizophrenia.

Tale of Two Cities, A

Dickens, Charles

1993-04-20

A moving story of self-sacrifice. Good example of classical fiction as opposed to modern fluff.

Tao of Pooh, The

Hoff, Benjamin

1993-04-12

A cute little book which provides a crude and basic understanding of Tao. It's a nice reminder, but for more substance it is best to read Alan Watts.

Teachings of Don Juan, The

Castaneda, Carlos

1994-07-10

An exploration of the reality induced by the teaching of a Mexican mystic via the use of natural drugs. Castaneda claims he is defeated by fear (1 of the 4 enemies) before he can complete the training. Implies that an non-ordinary reality actually exists, but chose not to pursue it because it may have undermined his belief in this one.

That Used To Be Us

Friedman, Thomas; Mandelbaum, Michael

2017-09-20

While in general, I agree with the authors, I think it is too late. America has begun an inexorable decline that must culminate in a new world that

may no longer include it as the primary super-power it has been between 1945-2000.

Theory of Almost Everything The: The Standard Model

Oerter, Robert

2007-12-01

Excellent overview of current physics. But a lot of the book is spent on the "particle zoo", the standard model -- which is still too obtuse for me to understand.

Three Body Problem, The 

Liu, Cixin

2018-01-22

Science fiction from China. Very good.

Three Musketeers, The

Dumas, Alexander

1993-05-11

It's really four musketeers, the adventures and misadventures of. Constance Bonacieux is poisoned by Lady Winter, the evil devil. Richelieu promotes D'Artagnan for his intemperate bluff, who reconciles with his arch-enemy. All-in-all, a pretty miserable piece of literature, as far as realism and prose are concerned.

Three Roads to Quantum Gravity

Smolin, Lee

2015-07-11

An inscrutable book. The thing I got from it is that space and time are most likely discrete.

Through Our Enemies' Eyes

Anonymous

2003-01-14

The author does an excellent job of analyzing the motivations and goals of Osama bin Laden and his al-Qaeda network. He even spends a significant portion of his book outlining the reasons for bin Laden's views and how American foreign policy contributed and continues to contribute to the perceptions of America as being arrogant, one-sided in it's policies and hypocritical. In the end, however, the author misses the point. His views on how to deal with bin Laden are precisely the reason why America is perceived as the Great Satan. The author himself is nothing but a mouthpiece for American arrogance and world-domination, which is precisely what Islam and many exploited cultures are fighting against in the American psyche.

Thus Spake Zarathustra

Nietzsche, Friedrich Wilhelm

2022-10-15

An interest in Nietsche's philosophy prompted me to read this book. I don't remember much about it, but I do remember that it was a worthwhile read.

Time Reborn

Smolin, Lee

2023-08-05

An interesting book, but ultimately disappointing. I don't think time is a thing. I think it is something that emerges from our consciousness because our consciousness contains memory, and interprets the incessant change we experience, as time.

Tipping Point, The

Gladwell, Malcom

2019-01-03

A story-like account of why some things become extremely popular. Sometimes I had the feeling the author just made stuff up. Not a bad book, and an easy read, but I have to wonder if it’s worth the time.

To See Differently

Trout, Susan

1997-07-24

Pat Moore lent me this book. The author provides the following guidance: 1) The essence of our being is love. 2) Health is inner peace. 3) Healing is letting go of fear. 4) Giving and receiving are the same. 5) We can let go of the past and of the future. 6) Now is the only time there is and each instant is for giving. 7) We can learn to love ourselves and others by forgiving rather than fault finding. 8) We can choose and direct ourselves to be peaceful inside regardless of what is happening outside. 9) We are students and teachers to each other. 10) We can focus on the whole of life rather than  the fragments. 11) Since love is eternal, death need not be viewed as fearful. 12) We can always perceive ourselves and others as either extending love or giving a call for help.

Turing’s Cathedral

Dyson, George

2020-01-07

A readable, interesting tour of the history of Alan Turing and his associates at Princeton. The dawn or the computer is vividly described, along with the personalities and history of the protagonists. One of the best books I have ever read concerning the history of computers and the people who built them: mathematics, physics, logic, engineering. Fascinating book.

Unbearable Lightness of Being, The

Kundera, Milan

2006-02-12

A novel about the lives and loves of Tomas, Tereza and Sabina in the throes and aftermath of the Russian occupation of Czechoslovakia. A masterful study of humanity, or lack thereof. And a great movie too.

Uninhabitable Earth, The

Wallace-Wells, David

2020-12-15

An overview of the state of knowledge about climate change. We’re basically fucked, but this book is a bit to repetitive to be readable.

Universe of Consciousness, A: How Matter Becomes Imagination

Edelman, Gerald; Tononi, Giulio

2019-05-13

A hard to read but fascinating book about information, brain and consciousness. Highly recommended.

Universe From Nothing, A

Krauss, Lawrence

2013-04-06

An examination of how physics might explain the origin of the Big Bang.

Universe Within, The

Shubin, Neil

2013-04-01

A very readable and interesting book that ties together concepts from physics, paleontology and evolution to provide an overview of the interconnectedness evident in the structure of the universe.

Unquiet Mind, An

Jamison, Kay Redfied

1997-06-09

An excellent book about the author's struggle with manic-depressive illness and a personal statement to the effectiveness of lithium in treating it. The author is a psychologist/psychotherapist who specializes in treating patients with the same disease. This book provides an excellent insight from an educated person who has experienced the disease first hand. Very readable and interesting. Thought provoking.

Venice

Madden, John

022-03-01

Excellent, readable, fascinating, history of the origin, lives, and times, of Venice.

Until the End of Time

Greene, Brian

2022-12-10

A very readable but forgettable rumination of the quest to find meaning in the face of the vast expanse of the universe.

Visions

Kaku, Michio

2000-05-21

A survey of what the next 20-50 years of technology is likely to spawn. Emphasis is on microbiology, quantum mechanics and computer technology. The first half of the book is interesting, but then it deteriorates into speculation and loses focus. Overall, this book can be skipped.

Vital Question

Lane, Nick

2024-08-16

A comprehensive survey of the origin and maintenance of life. The author delves deeply into chemistry, which is fascinating, but requires an education that I do not have. Still, the book is very interesting and well worth reading. The authors' summary at the end is exceptional. Life IS energy. While the book did not educate me sufficiently, it did provide a glimpse into the mystery that is life.

Voices of Silence: Lives of the Trappists Today

Bianco, Frank

1996-08-21

One of the most moving, relevant and intriguing books I have read in a long time. The author's life intertwines with the lives of the monks he is researching. The meaning of the monks' lives is made relevant to the concerns of ordinary people leading ordinary lives. The message is the same and timeless: service to God and man using the vehicle of love leads to the discovery of meaning and purpose in life.

Waking Up

Harris, Sam

2021-01-09

A study of the scientific underpinnings of spirituality. A must-read for curious people.

Water Will Come, The

Goodell, Jeff

2018-11-05

Yes, it will. And people need to acknowledge it sooner rather than later.

Waiting for Godot

Becket, Samuel

1999-12-20

An existential view of life. Two guys are waiting for Godot. Nothing happens.

What is Life?

Pross, Addy

2013-10-12

Interesting mainly for its clear elucidation of the complexities extant in explaining not only what life is, but how it could even have come about. Nevertheless, the author makes an attempt at a theory, essentially equating abiogenesis and evolution as one continuous process, thereby “explaining” that life could arisen as a natural process. “All” that is required is that first replicating molecule. While this is an excellent book and discusses profound questions, it did not completely answer them. Somehow, it still requires a “leap of faith” to accept that abiogenesis occurred, especially after the author provides such excellent arguments for why life and its genesis is such a difficult proposition, given the complexity. To his credit, he attempts to explain the complexity by claiming that it was once simple and that life optimizes for “dynamic kinetic stability” which explains why it, although it is far from equilibrium, persists in the face of the Second Law of Thermodynamics.

When Nietzsche Wept

Yalom, Irvin

2014-02-27

I rarely read fiction, but this was a superb novel. Engrossing from beginning to end. Although it is fiction, it closely parallels historical events. Very highly recommended.

Where Does the Weirdness Go?

Lindley, David

1997-07-22

Yet another survey of quantum physics. An excellent explanation, perhaps better than Dancing Wu Li Masters, but not quite as interesting to read. The author favors the Copenhagen Interpretation, which does not appeal to me, but it certainly is the current interpretation of choice, from a purely objective point of view.

While I Was Gone

Miller, Sue

2000-06-02

A novel about a woman’s search for herself and flirtation with an affair.

Who Is Jesus?

Crossan, John Dominic

2001-12-06

A description of the life and times of Jesus.  The author is a former priest who left to marry.  Jesus’ idea lives on due to its own mastery, not because Jesus is supernatural.

Wholeness and the Implicate Order

Bohm, David

2009-10-20

Bohm argues for an interpretation of quantum mechanics such that the universe is considered an undivided whole. This requires that quantum mechanics be interpreted as having hidden variables.

Why People Believe Weird Things

Shermer, Michael

2012-11-05

A mildly interesting book debunking some beliefs like UFOs, holocaust deniers, etc. The analysis was spotty. Mostly a conversation the author wants to have to advance his skepticism. While not an unwarranted reason to write a book, the book itself is of marginal value.

World As It Is, The

Hedges, Chris

2012-02-25

Vintage Chris Hedges: a compendium of the issues as seen through the eyes of a thinking, rational person with a keen sense of fairness.

Your Inner Fish

Shubin, Neil

2013-04-14

An excellent survey of paleontology, including the best explanation for the evidence for evolution I have seen.

Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance

Pirsig, Robert

1989-04-01