I started and finished A Sense of Direction in one evening; I couldn't really stop thinking about it, so I couldn't put it down. I found it...
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This is one of those books that let me know just how ignorant I am. Nasar weaves in and out of stories that explain not only what different personalities thought but how they got there and why they were interested in going there in the first place. I especially liked the chapter on Beatrice Webb (Potter). This is good storytelling and great information.
I had come across the name Lucretius a few times when reading essays by Christopher Hitchens, but I had no real concept of what his epic poem, "On the nature of things," meant to the world. Now, I do, thanks to Stephen Greenblatt who weaves together my favorite things: bibliophiles, history, science and so on into a riveting tale that I am the better for knowing.
Loved it! Steven Johnson's book ties Joseph Priestly to many of the founding minds of our Republic. I very much appreciated reading this account of science (such as it was) and how it was valued by the founding fathers.
As the title indicates, be prepared for some contentious views. I've been reading Hitchens for a few years now and though I don't always agree with him I have never failed to come away with a bit better perspective. I first came to Hitchens because I was researching Thomas Paine, a personality that Hitchens claims would be one of his heroes, if he had heroes that is. These essays touch on numerous subjects from literature to history to politics and (almost) never fail Hitchens own standard of 'never be boring.' Read these and you will be better for it.
Ehrman's latest work is an excellent introduction to the authorship of some of the more questionable books in the New Testament. The book is packed with references for further study. One of the more impressive points Ehrman makes in this book is that scholars, just like the rest of us, often believe something because they've heard it rather than because they've investigated it for themselves. Ehrman has once again delivered an interesting and thought provoking volume on biblical scholarship.
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Daniel Hatch has commented on (14) products.
Grand Pursuit: The Story of Economic Genius by Sylvia Nasar
Daniel Hatch, January 16, 2012
This is one of those books that let me know just how ignorant I am. Nasar weaves in and out of stories that explain not only what different personalities thought but how they got there and why they were interested in going there in the first place. I especially liked the chapter on Beatrice Webb (Potter). This is good storytelling and great information.The Swerve: How the World Became Modern by Stephen Greenblatt
Daniel Hatch, January 2, 2012
I had come across the name Lucretius a few times when reading essays by Christopher Hitchens, but I had no real concept of what his epic poem, "On the nature of things," meant to the world. Now, I do, thanks to Stephen Greenblatt who weaves together my favorite things: bibliophiles, history, science and so on into a riveting tale that I am the better for knowing.The Invention of Air: A Study of Science, Faith, Revolution, and the Birth of America by Steven Johnson
Daniel Hatch, September 27, 2011
Loved it! Steven Johnson's book ties Joseph Priestly to many of the founding minds of our Republic. I very much appreciated reading this account of science (such as it was) and how it was valued by the founding fathers.Arguably: Essays by Christopher Hitchens by Christopher Hitchens
Daniel Hatch, September 25, 2011
As the title indicates, be prepared for some contentious views. I've been reading Hitchens for a few years now and though I don't always agree with him I have never failed to come away with a bit better perspective. I first came to Hitchens because I was researching Thomas Paine, a personality that Hitchens claims would be one of his heroes, if he had heroes that is. These essays touch on numerous subjects from literature to history to politics and (almost) never fail Hitchens own standard of 'never be boring.' Read these and you will be better for it.Forged: Writing in the Name of God--Why the Bible's Authors Are Not Who We Think They Are by Bart D Ehrman
Daniel Hatch, September 24, 2011
Ehrman's latest work is an excellent introduction to the authorship of some of the more questionable books in the New Testament. The book is packed with references for further study. One of the more impressive points Ehrman makes in this book is that scholars, just like the rest of us, often believe something because they've heard it rather than because they've investigated it for themselves. Ehrman has once again delivered an interesting and thought provoking volume on biblical scholarship.1-5 of 14next