Chip L.

A broad and helpful overview of a vast and important body of work that most people have never heard

Reviewed: 11-23-24

I’m a 50 year old Orthodox Christian and I’ve heard of the Apocrypha my whole life but never knew anything about it. This was exactly the taste I was craving to understand a little about that whole other world of holy writings. Historically, intellectually and spiritually, this is a rewarding read!

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Wonderful introduction to an historical experience the Christian faith

Reviewed: 08-20-24

Some books are all about faith; some are all history; some are educational. But this book weaves it all together. The author seamlessly ties together an historic narrative of God’s people from the time of Abraham until the Second temple, with the teaching and experience of the people who lived with Jesus and with his Apostles. They shaped the early Christian faith and Church, and Dr. DeYoung explains how they were shaped by the ancient experience of God. I loved the historical grounding but I especially appreciate the depth of faith and belief that comes through as the author explains spiritual beings that were 100% real to ancient people and can still be real in faith and modern experience of the Church. I enjoyed this book on many levels.

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Tour de force!

Reviewed: 05-24-24

I learned a lot about the arc of his life. But the barrage of names and places is pretty hard to follow in audio format. If you’re reading for retention of specifics the book would be a better format.

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2 people found this helpful

Engaging narrative of an intimate group of scientists who changed the world

Reviewed: 01-25-24

I really enjoyed listening to this book. It’s more history than science, but for a non-specialist it’s about the right amount of technical detail. The historical and biographical narrative is fascinating and engaging. In amazing detail for such a short book (14 hours on audio, I believe), it tells the story of the lives and work of a handful of scientists — who knew and worked with each other — and who took the world from essentially NO understanding of matter and energy to an ability to use it to build a nuclear bomb (a development that they each seem to have regretted their role in). It’s 53 chapters, well broken up in excellent chunks and historical vignettes, so it’s easy to follow. The book resonated for me as a paradigm of scientific evolution — slow back and forth, followed by periodic major shifts and breakthroughs, followed by new questions and debates, all caught up in world events and prevailing forces. It was written in German but I never would have guessed that, the translation is excellent.

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A coherent, unified narration of 5000 years of history

Reviewed: 03-28-23

I really like Jonathon Clements because his history books articulate a few persistent historical themes/ patterns that he used throughout the book. The resulting narration becomes more than just random facts, and more like a story. (Given his academic chops I assume it’s historically accurate.)

This “story” of China is not as compelling as his similar book on Japan, but I imagine that’s simply due to the far-greater challenge of a unified telling of Chinese history given its vastly more diverse time, people, lands, etc.

I don’t speak a word of Chinese, so the apparently botched pronunciations (see other reviews) didn’t bother me a bit. His enunciation was clear and consistent so I knew what he was saying.

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Will make me a better Shark Tank watcher!

Reviewed: 02-15-23

The book is definitely worth the “read” (I listened to it on Audible) for the insight it provides into the highly disciplined, creative, and productive mind of Peter Thiel, So I thoroughly enjoyed it. Full stop.

That said, when I finished and started thinking about how to apply his tests for uniqueness of opportunity and potential for monopoly, etc., I realized there’s a limited set of yes/ no decisions that I have to make with such discipline. I’m not working on my own start-up and I’m not an investor judging other people’s ideas. So I guess I’ll use this newfound wisdom to be a better Shark Tank watcher!

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Extraordinary and easy-to-follow

Reviewed: 02-09-23

This book is a tour de force! Starting with prehistoric tribes and carrying all the way through modern times, this book explains Japanese history and society in the most straightforward and accessible manner. I read a fair amount of history books and rarely does an author do such a masterful job of fitting the pieces together in terms that a non-specialist can understand. For example, Clements comforts the reader by acknowledging in several places that sometimes obscure and opaque antiquated references in Japanese art and writing are impossible to decipher, even for modern Japanese readers and historians-- a confession that makes the amateur feel like it is possible to get a good understanding of Japan's history and art without understanding every detail.

I sampled a lot of history books on Japan before commiting to this one and I really believe it is the best one out there! Enjoy ...

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I REALLY dislike Harry...but this is a great book

Reviewed: 02-08-23

OK, first of all, I have to say: I can't stand the Duke OR Duchess of Sussex. They epitomize everything I dislike about the modern, whiny, entitled, woke culture.

That said, this is an incredibly well-written book, making even matter-of-fact moments come to life with literary and historical references, clever language, flashbacks/ flashforwards, and just genuinely relatable story-telling. I knew the ghostwriter was good based on other works, but I really did not expect him to be able to convey Harry's story in such a seemingly authentic voice, while still offering rich and entertaining prose.

The book is a staggering 250+ chapters, each conveying a vignette, arranged essentially chronologically as it occurred in real life between 1984 and today. Along the way, one gets a vivid image of Harry, his brother, father, grandparents, mentors, friends, girlfriends, hardships, joys, highs, lows, and boredoms -- all told with the grandeur and gusto of a member of the British aristocracy, traipsing the palaces of Europe and hobnobbing with ... yes ... royalty.

Harry's narration is skillful. He makes one imagine -- but not believe -- that he could actually have penned these words. But the vast vocabulary and numerous references to Shakespeare and other literary techniques betray the reality: viz., Harry's ghostwriter did the heavy lifting on this tome. In fact, more than once I wondered if the ghostwriter wasn't mocking Harry with a veiled allusion to Hamlet ... that fated prince, haunted by the death of his parent, whose obsession damns his entire family. Is that not Harry? He has thoroughly betrayed his brother, his father, his grandmother, his grandfather, and sadly, I believe, his mother. Worst of all, like Hamlet, he's ruined himself. Did the ghostwriter see this sadness and highlight it for the audience ... in Harry's soliloquy? How utterly sad!

Harry wanted the world to understand "his reality." Well, this book does convey that reality. And in 1000 years before ... and maybe at least 100 years hence ... we'll likely not get another so graphic and detailed understanding of what it's like for a prince "to be or not to be." His life, resentments, jealousies, passion, insecurities, hatred, are all laid bare here.

And, in the end, I still very much dislike the Duke of Sussex. But at least now, I have a much better understanding of why ...

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More metaphysics than physics

Reviewed: 12-13-22

Tyson is the real deal for sure but this book is a dizzying barrage of facts, figures, and metaphors — and aimed more at explaining his point of view on society than explaining science. I hate to say “disappointing” because I like his writing and narration, but anyone looking for a book on science will not be impressed.

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Wish it could be updated today

Reviewed: 05-22-21

This book is a fascinating read (listen). Told as a tightly woven evolutionary narrative, it covers the history of crypto up until 2000 in easily accessible language and concepts. Even as someone who has worked in Silicon Valley since the 1990s, I had never even heard some of the stories that are included here. My only regret is that Steven Levy wrote it in 2000, and not in 2020. I would love to read his take on the succeeding 20 years.

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5 people found this helpful