Richard Dawkins travels back over the human family tree to the dawn of life and introduces us to the other life forms that branched out along the way (including who there descendants are today, or were in the fossil record)
I must admit I lost interest before the end of the book. Once you get the idea it is more of a review of the taxonomy of life than a deeply philosophical study that many of his other books are. I would recommend it to anyone interested in biology or taxonomy though.
Wednesday, 1 June 2005
The Gold Mine
An explanation of lean manufacturing written as a novel (similar to The Goal several years before). If you, or someone you know, wants to leanr about the subject but doesn't get on with conventional text books - then this could be the book for you.
Published by the Lean Enterprise Institute - who have many more conventional books on the subject if you are interested.
Published by the Lean Enterprise Institute - who have many more conventional books on the subject if you are interested.
The Definitive Book of Body Language
From Allan & Barbara Pease (grandmasters in the art) comes a truly definitive guide to reading other people and hence improving your depth and effectiveness of communications with them.
Much more than just a guide to body signals, the book also explores the underlying psychology and physiology behind the body language signals.
A very readable book whether you are a complete novice or an expert in the craft.
The book has been reprinted many times in slightly different versions but they all contain the same material.
Much more than just a guide to body signals, the book also explores the underlying psychology and physiology behind the body language signals.
A very readable book whether you are a complete novice or an expert in the craft.
The book has been reprinted many times in slightly different versions but they all contain the same material.
Friday, 8 April 2005
Creating a Learning Culture
A rather detailed, technical book that leaders of organisations that are trying to develop their staff for tomorrow's challenges should attempt to read (or at least get someone in their organisation to read).
A snippet from the book: Delphi found that 42% of corporate knowledge is in their employee's brains, 26 in paper documents and only 20% in electronic form.
A snippet from the book: Delphi found that 42% of corporate knowledge is in their employee's brains, 26 in paper documents and only 20% in electronic form.
Wednesday, 5 January 2005
On Intelligence
From the man who invented the PalmPilot, a book about how the brain works from the perspective of pattern recognition and heirarchical feedback loops.
As in several other books I have enjoyed on the same subject it captures the idea that brain functions such as what we call 'intelligence' are not coded to specific operations in the brain but are more akin to meta descriptions of such operations. I like the analogy that a water molecule isn't wet - but a collection of them do exhibit this property.
As in several other books I have enjoyed on the same subject it captures the idea that brain functions such as what we call 'intelligence' are not coded to specific operations in the brain but are more akin to meta descriptions of such operations. I like the analogy that a water molecule isn't wet - but a collection of them do exhibit this property.
Tuesday, 1 June 2004
Schrodinger's Kittens and the serach for Reality
John Cribbin explores the strange quantum world in a way that makes you feel you might just be able to understand it. At any rate you will enjoy the stories and explanations.
The kittens of the title are the metaphorical offspring of the famous though experimental cat who is both alive and dead at the same time. The book outlines some of the possibilities opened up by the consequences of the science - and how some of them have turned out to be true.
The kittens of the title are the metaphorical offspring of the famous though experimental cat who is both alive and dead at the same time. The book outlines some of the possibilities opened up by the consequences of the science - and how some of them have turned out to be true.
Sunday, 1 February 2004
Eats, Shoots & Leaves
Bought for me as a Christmas present and I couldn't put it down.
Many others have written far more eloquently than me on this book - but I will add that it really does shed light on why the little things in life do matter!
Many others have written far more eloquently than me on this book - but I will add that it really does shed light on why the little things in life do matter!
Sunday, 1 June 2003
In the blink of an eye: how vision kick-started the big bang of evolution
Andrew Parker gives a decryption of the Cambrian Explosion in evolutionary history and makes a very good argument that it was the evolution of vision that kick-started it.
How to dunk a Doughnut
A very entertaining book that looks at the science behind such things as how to boil the perfect egg, catch a ball, the physics of sex and why some vegetables absorb more gravy than others.
A Devil's Chaplain
A diverse collection of Dawkins essays from over 25 years covering a wide range of topics. A very good introduction to some of the underlyig themes that have enlightened hs work.
Saturday, 8 March 2003
Fast Food Nation
You will never feel the same again when you eat one of the fast food meals after reading this book.
And the really disturbing thing is that the book explains why the food tastes so good and you do want to eat it (despite what is in it and what it is doing to you and the planet)
And the really disturbing thing is that the book explains why the food tastes so good and you do want to eat it (despite what is in it and what it is doing to you and the planet)
Wednesday, 2 October 2002
The Blank Slate
A seminal work on the Nature vs Nurture debate, that actually comes out to say it is around 50:50 but with much more nature than most would be prepared to admit.
Numerous examples from various studies to illustrate his points that challenge 'modern' thinking that we are all equal - we are not. On the other hand that doesn't mean we don't all have something to bring to society.
Numerous examples from various studies to illustrate his points that challenge 'modern' thinking that we are all equal - we are not. On the other hand that doesn't mean we don't all have something to bring to society.
Saturday, 1 June 2002
The Mind Made Flesh
A collection of Nicholas Humphrey's essays on the evolution of the mind touches on a wide range of apparently unrelated themes but his style serves to make each of them entertaining and enlightening.
A good book to read on a long journey.
A good book to read on a long journey.
Thursday, 1 February 2001
Get Anyone to do Anything
A rather overhyped superficial book that summarises the work of others rather than offering much that is original. Nonetheless, it does offer insights into approaches that will bring results (most of the time) in certain situations.
Saturday, 1 April 2000
Why do buses come in threes?
An enjoyable light read that opens the lid on teh mathematics of everyday life.
One of the examples - which is the best day of the week to buy a lottery ticket for a Saturday lottery?
The answer is Friday - if you buy it earlier in the week you are more likey to be run over by a car (1 in 10m) before you can collect your prize (1 in 14m)!
One of the examples - which is the best day of the week to buy a lottery ticket for a Saturday lottery?
The answer is Friday - if you buy it earlier in the week you are more likey to be run over by a car (1 in 10m) before you can collect your prize (1 in 14m)!
Sex, Drink and Fast Cars - The creation and consumption of images
Stephen Bayley explores the meaning of cars and looks at how these meanings are exploited by designers, advertisers and marketeers.
He looks at how the designs and associated meanings have evolved over the years.
I guarantee you will never look at the other cars in the traffic jam in the same way after reading thi sbook.
He looks at how the designs and associated meanings have evolved over the years.
I guarantee you will never look at the other cars in the traffic jam in the same way after reading thi sbook.
Wednesday, 1 March 2000
Fermat's Last Theorem
Simon Singh writes more of a history of a mathematical puzzle than about the puzzle itself (though he does explain that too in a clear and understandable way)
Unweaving the Rainbow
Richard Dawkins sets out in this book to arge that understanding the origin and evolution of life doesn't mean you have to wonder at it any less.
In fact he makes a very good argument for wondering at the beauty of it even more.
In fact he makes a very good argument for wondering at the beauty of it even more.
Saturday, 8 January 2000
Designing Feedback
A rather obscure book, that focusses in just on the design of management performance measures. You might think you already know all there is to know on teh subject but I am confident that everyone will find something new in here.
In summary the messages are:
Measures should have their origins in customer needs
Measures should provide feedback to all those in the organisation who can make a difference
Measures need to be balanced and appropriate to the level of their audience
Report performance trends as well as externally benchmarked absolute results
In summary the messages are:
Measures should have their origins in customer needs
Measures should provide feedback to all those in the organisation who can make a difference
Measures need to be balanced and appropriate to the level of their audience
Report performance trends as well as externally benchmarked absolute results
Friday, 1 January 1999
How the Mind Works
Steven Pinker explains what the mind is, how it evolved and how it allows us to see, feel, interact and ponder the mysteries of life (such as what the mind is)
A thoughtful and provocative book.
A thoughtful and provocative book.
Monday, 1 June 1998
Brainchildren
A broad range of essays from Dennett. Perhaps not teh best introduction to this great thinker but if you have enjoyed his other works then you will also like this too.
He explores can machines think, what would need to be different if they were to think, and what might such developments look like.
He explores can machines think, what would need to be different if they were to think, and what might such developments look like.
Thursday, 1 May 1997
The Origins of Virtue
Matt Ridley explores how despite being constructed by 'selfish genes' we are built to be social, trustworthy and co-operative.
Why did virture come about?
Why did virture come about?
Saturday, 1 June 1996
How to Write Sales Letters That Sell
I got hold of this book years ago but that doesn't diminish its value. The lessons I learnt here have stuck with me though writing all sorts of documenst that need to get someones attention (and even more importantly get them to DO SOMETHING)
This link is to a newer edition
This link is to a newer edition
Kinds of Minds
Daniel Dennett explores what we know, what we don't know, and what we will probably never know about human and animal minds.
What makes human minds different from those of animals and how did our cognitive process machine evolve to the stage it is now?
What makes human minds different from those of animals and how did our cognitive process machine evolve to the stage it is now?
Monday, 1 January 1996
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