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Powell's Staff:
Five Book Friday: In Memoriam
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Every year, the booksellers at Powell’s submit their Top Fives: their five favorite books that were released in 2023. It’s a list that, when put together, shows just how varied and interesting the book tastes of Powell’s booksellers are. I highly recommend digging into the recommendations — we would never lead you astray — but today...
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Brontez Purnell:
Powell’s Q&A: Brontez Purnell, author of ‘Ten Bridges I’ve Burnt’
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Rachael P.:
Starter Pack: Where to Begin with Ursula K. Le Guin
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Customer Comments
DANE has commented on (86) products
J.C. Leyendecker
by
Laurence Cutler, Judy Goffman Cutler
DANE
, September 25, 2017
A gorgeous book! Hundreds of high quality full colour images of Leyendecker's illustrations as well as lots of text on his career and personal life. Especially good if you're a fan of either Collier's or The Saturday Evening Post as there are a huge number of these covers throughout the book.
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The Outsider Test for Faith: How to Know Which Religion Is True
by
John W. Loftus
DANE
, September 24, 2017
I'd heard about the "outsider test" a number of years ago and wish I'd read more about it then. Loftus lays out an incredibly simple test for believers to use ... he asks them to examine the reasons they use when they decide not believe in religions other than their own and then suggests they apply the exact same filters to the one they do believe in. Unfortunately, I've tried this out on friends myself and it hasn't worked but I still think it's a possible first step in someone's deconversion as it may just plant a seed of doubt. Loftus includes many arguments against his test that have been put forth by various apologists but not surprisingly, they all seem to skirt the issue and don't end up being at all convincing.
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Ocean Liners
by
Dan Finamore, Ghislaine Wood
DANE
, September 20, 2017
Ocean Liners is simply a gorgeous book. Full of beautiful photographs and illustrations, it has the perfect mix of text and images. Best of all, even though you'd expect mostly black and white pictures, the book is full of vibrant colour. The Victorian, Edwardian and post-war periods are covered and the chapters touch on everything from promotional materials to the architecture of the terminals to the design and furnishings onboard the ships. I've seen many books about these floating palaces but never one quite like this.
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Depeche Mode: A Biography
by
Steve Malins
DANE
, June 17, 2017
Just came across this a few weeks ago and grabbed it as I'd been a huge fan in the 80's and early 90's. Never really knew very much about the band though so I was curious. I'm giving a "3" rating only because the focus of the book is on the songs and albums themselves and not so much the lives of the band members. If you're interested in the process of songwriting or the nitty-gritty of all the behind-the-scenes stories for each album, I'm sure you'll love the book as it really is a comprehensive piece of work. Really interesting for me as I didn't know half of what was going on all those years. Enjoy!!
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Bad Science
by
Ben Goldacre
DANE
, August 29, 2015
At a time when pseudoscience, "alternative remedies" and all things "woo" seem to be growing in popularity, Ben Goldacre's "Bad Science" is a breath of fresh air. Topics include the ridiculousness of homeopathy, the shameful origins of the current anti-vax movement and the dangers of accepting "stats" at face value. The chapter on "nutritionists" was especially enlightening and by the end of it you'll be warning all your friends to steer clear of that particular group of "experts". (and as a bonus you'll learn some of the horrifying practices one particularly famous cereal-inventing nutritionist came up with!)
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Follies of Science: 20th Century Visions of Our Fantastic Future
by
Dregni, Jonathan and Dregni, Eric
DANE
, August 10, 2015
This is such a fun book! Absolutely stuffed with full-color pictures of what the future was SUPPOSED to look like. Of course, practically none of the predictions came true but that's half the fun. With sections on transportation, robots, cities and space, Follies of Science is a wonderful example of retro-futurism!
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Case of the Pope the Case of the Pope
by
Geoffrey Robertson
DANE
, July 26, 2015
Written by a human rights lawyer and judge, The Case of the Pope exposes the internal legal system of Canon Law, the Vatican's internal legal system which actually demands that church officials keep secret all allegations of child rape. With such a system such in place, it suddenly makes sense why justice for the survivors seems to be so slow in coming and why we so rarely hear of any legal prosecutions. In addition to describing this unbelievable system, Geoffrey Robertson also explains the history of the Vatican and how it navigated its way through the United Nations to ultimately achieve the unwarranted status is enjoys today.
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Trick Or Treatment The Undeniable Facts
by
Simon Singh
DANE
, July 20, 2015
With the west coast being the heart of all things "woo" in North America, Trick or Treatment should be mandatory reading for all of us. It's an excellent introduction into the history and efficacy of all sorts of "alternative" medicines and treatments. Whether or not you're a user of any of them, you'll be stunned by some of the things you'll learn.
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Faith Versus Fact Why Science & Religion Are Incompatible
by
Jerry A Coyne
DANE
, July 19, 2015
I've read a number of books related to this topic over the years but this is by far the best. In "Faith Versus Fact" Jerry Coyne puts forward the argument that religion and science are truly incompatible. Contrary to what many accomodationists try to make people believe i.e. Stephen Jay Gould's famous "non-overlapping magisteria", these two "ways of knowing" cannot actually co-exist. There may very well be believers who accept evolution and scientists who believe in a god but when examined more closely, these are simply instances of congnitive compartmentalization. Without any of the snarkiness of Dawkins or Hitchens etc, Coyne use numerous examples to support this claim. I don't think I've ever read a book that more clearly tackles this topic.
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Most Good You Can Do How Effective Altruism Is Changing Ideas about Living Ethically
by
Peter Singer
DANE
, July 18, 2015
If I could give this more stars I would! "The Most Good You Can Do" is a follow-up to Singer's must-read "The Life You Can Save" and it's just as impactful. In the first book he outlines the ethical reasons why all of us here in the west should be giving more to organizations that operate in the third world. After reading it, any excuses you may have used in the past will have been soundly squashed. In this new book, he goes a step further and discusses how to give in the most effective way possible. There have been a number of books out recently on the topic of effective altruism but I especially liked this one as he starts off with stories of people who have changed their strategies and I find that real life examples are always inspiring. There really are better and worse ways to give so if you want to learn more about how to best donate your money, "The Most Good You Can Do" is the book for you!
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Zero Point The Owners Volume Two
by
Neal Asher
DANE
, July 07, 2015
This is the second book in Neal Asher's "The Owner" series and it's as good as the first. It's set in a dystopian future where our population has passed 17 billion and the world is split between the elite and the "zero assets". The action moves between Earth, a colony on Mars and a massive space station where a revolution to overthrow the world government begins. It's a definite page-turner and one of the things that makes it so interesting is fact that the flashbacks used to explain how things got so bad describe a world we're all too familiar with.
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Wonders of Life: Exploring the Most Extraordinary Force in the Universe
by
Brian Cox
DANE
, June 28, 2015
Another great addition to the "Wonders" series! First there was the "The Solar System", then "The Universe" and now "Life". As with the other two books, this one is based on the BBC program hosted by Brian Cox. If you enjoyed the series or just have a basic interest in biology and evolution, this is a great addition to your bookshelf. Gorgeously illustrated, the books covers topics such as the origins of life; the incredible variations in size and form; the development of the senses; and topics related to carbon, DNA and mutations. Fascinating stuff!!
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Yesterday's Tomorrows: Past Visions of the American Future
by
Corn, Joseph J. and Horrigan, Brian
DANE
, June 20, 2015
If you're into retro-futurism you probably already have this book but if not, add it to your list! I love seeing images of what people thought the future was going to bring and this book is full of them. It was produced for a Smithsonian exhibition back in the '80s and is a great mix of images and text. In its 150 pages, the book has chapters covering Community, Home, Transportation and Weapons. There's everything from late 19th century satirical drawings to laser weapons envisioned in the 1980's. It seems like over and over again they got it wrong but I'm still crossing my fingers for a floating city!
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Lusitania
by
Greg King, Penny Wilson
DANE
, June 02, 2015
If you're a history buff with an interest in the Edwardian era or the Lusitania ... or Atlantic ocean liners in general, you'll love this. Unlike the other books I've read on the subject, this one focuses on the passengers. The chapters take you through each day of that final crossing and by learning more about the individuals onboard, you get a much deeper sense of the tragedy.
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Being Gay is Disgusting
by
Edward Falzon
DANE
, June 01, 2015
LOVED this book! It was seriously "laugh out loud on the bus" material. Edward Falzon rather cheekily paraphrases the contents of the first 5 books of the old testament and if you're like me, you'll be utterly flabbergasted by what they contain. The level of mental gymnastics required to convert these stories into anything remotely worthy of being taken seriously must be beyond belief. My only conclusion is that anyone who takes the old testament seriously has never actually read it. There simply isn't any other explanation. Whether you're a believer or not, this book is a MUST-READ!!
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Life A Natural History of the First Four Billion Years of Life on Earth
by
Richard Fortey
DANE
, May 31, 2015
Richard Fortey's "Life - A Natural History of the First Four Billion Years of Life on Earth" is a wonderful read. The New York Times review on the front cover says, "...anyone with the slightest interest in biology should read this book" and I completely agree. I haven't taken a biology class in 30 years and apart from the documentaries I've watched, I can't say that I've had much education in the field. Although the scope of this book is daunting, it's extremely accessible. I think what makes it so good is that it's not written in a straight-forward textbook style. There's much more of a story-telling element to it. It begins with a description of Fortey's first expedition to the Arctic Circle to hunt for fossils and within a few short pages any illusions you have of the romance of exploration are dashed. So well-written though! From there he takes us down the path from single-celled organisms to the present day. A truly fascinating journey!
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Culture of Fear Why Americans Are Afraid of the Wrong Things Crime Drugs Minorities Teen Moms Killer Kids Mutant Microbes Plane Crashes Road Rage & So Much More
by
Barry Glassner
DANE
, May 08, 2015
This is one of those books I wish everyone would read and then keep on the shelf for reference. It seems like we've been overwhelmed with stories about how bad EVERYTHING is these days but the facts just don't support the claims. Glassner does an excellent job of giving all sorts of concrete examples of how the two just don't match up. For example, the media tries to tell us that crime and drug use are massive problems but the rates of both have been declining for years. We may hear the stats but we pay attention to the sensational stories instead and then react in a way that's totally inappropriate. "The Culture Of Fear" will definitely make you think twice the next time you hear a report about the next doom and gloom report-of-the-day.
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Stat Spotting A Field Guide to Identifying Dubious Datata
by
Joel Best
DANE
, May 07, 2015
This short n'easy read is an excellent introduction to understanding the statistics we're bombarded with every day. It's only 100 pages and you'll get through it in a sitting or two so if stats send you running for the door, don't be afraid. It's actually full of extremely important tips to keep in mind whenever you're faced with any sort of statistical reporting in the media. Topics covered include: Sources - Who Counted and Why? ... Definitions - What Did They Count? ... Measurements - How Did They Count? These all seem pretty basic but the examples he gives really drive home the point that we should never take these numbers at face value.
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Dangerous Liaisons
by
Choderlos de Laclos
DANE
, April 22, 2015
Over the years there must have been a dozen adaptations of this story but if you've never read the original, do pick up a copy of this newer translation. Composed of a series of letters between the characters, this classic novel is a wonderfully wicked snapshot of aristocratic life in 18th century France. And if you think Madame de Merteuil came to a bad end in the Glenn Close film version, wait until you see how things turn out for her here!
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Sweet Vegan A Collection of All Vegan Some Gluten Free & a Few Raw Desserts
by
Emily Mainquist
DANE
, April 21, 2015
"YUM!!" simply does not do justice to this collection of treats. In no time at all, many of these recipes have quickly become repeatables in our house. The cakes are especially delicious but there's something in here for everyone: cinnamon buns, cupcakes, cookies, tiramisu, trifle etc. Regardless of whether or not you're vegetarian or vegan, if you have a sweet tooth and like to bake this is a must-have addition to your cookbook collection!!
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This Changes Everything Capitalism vs the Climate
by
Naomi Klein
DANE
, April 13, 2015
This incredibly thorough book delves into the link between capitalism and climate change like no other I've read before. You'll go away knowing exactly how we got into the present situation and what needs to change in order for us to get out of it. The remedy might just be too hard for us to swallow though.
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Overwhelmed How to Work Love & Play When No One Has the Time
by
Brigid Schulte
DANE
, April 06, 2015
If you're looking for stories of how busy people say they are these days or if you're interested in learning about how people in other countries deal with time-management and priority-setting etc., then this will most likely be interesting for you. If you're looking for practical steps to take in order to free up more time in your own life though, you might be a little disappointed as it's definitely light in that department.
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End Of Absence Reclaiming What Weve Lost in a World of Constant Connection
by
Michael Harris
DANE
, April 04, 2015
Do you own a smartphone? Have you ever texted someone? Do you use Facebook or Twitter etc? If so, please read this book!
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The Moral Arc: How Science and Reason Lead Humanity toward Truth, Justice, and Freedom
by
Michael Shermer
DANE
, February 27, 2015
Michael Shermer has produced a whopper of a book here. Clocking in at close to 500 pages, it's a serious read. I discovered him a number of years ago when I read The Believing Brain (an absolute MUST-READ) and have kept an eye on him ever since. His newest book examines the progression of morality over the centuries and does an excellent job of showing that we ARE actually getting better as time goes by. In support of this he divides the book into sections and tackles specific examples e.g. societal views on race relations, LGBT communities and women's rights etc. If you regularly shake your head at the state of humanity, take the time to read this and I guarantee you'll feel better by the end of it!
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Star Trek Federation The First 150 Years
by
David A Goodman
DANE
, January 08, 2015
Although I've been a bit of a Star Trek nerd since I was a kid, Federation didn't quite live up to my expectations. The book is a history of the first 150 years of the Federation and is full of information and illustrations of various documents and characters. The description got me quite excited but I was a little let down once I went through it. The style of illustrations won't be to everyone's taste and the text was interesting but not overly so ie. there really isn't anything in it that a fan wouldn't already know. I guess I'm more of a "novel" person. Will be interested to see what others thought of it.
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Departure The Owners 1
by
Neal Asher
DANE
, January 07, 2015
I'd been looking for a sci-fi novel to read for a while when this jumped out at me last month. Thoroughly enjoyed it and would definitely suggest reading it. The beginning of a series of novels, The Departure is a bit Elysium-like in that it's set in a near-future Earth where the population has exploded to 12 billion and the "haves" are taking drastic steps to reduce the number of "have nots". Filled with all sorts of technology, enhanced humans, and battles, the action alternates between Earth, a new base on Mars and an orbital space station where the privileged "Committee" members live. I'll definitely be looking out for the next one!
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Rendezvous With Rama: Rama 1
by
Arthur C Clarke
DANE
, December 08, 2014
An Arthur C. Clarke classic. I first read this as a child and remember finding it difficult to follow. For years I avoided re-reading it but I finally got around to doing so and thoroughly enjoyed it. I suppose I should have known my age had played a part in making me think the story was overly complicated. Rendezvous With Rama tells the story of a near-future Earth and humanity's first contact with an alien civilization. The visitor takes the shape of a huge asteroid-sized spacecraft and what happens when we meet makes for a true page-turner. It will definitely leave you prepped for the sequel!!
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Luck in the Shadows Nightrunner 01
by
Lynn Flewelling
DANE
, December 01, 2014
If you're a gay fan of sci-fi or fantasy, there just aren't that many books out there with queer characters. I've always been much more of a sci-fi reader myself but a friend suggested I try the Nightrunner series so I gave it a shot. Six books later, I have to admit that I'm totally hooked. These books are so much fun! Wizards and sorcerers, castles and queens, adventures and espionage, this series has it all! What was even better though was seeing the relationship develop between the two main characters. I've never come across a queer storyline like this before. It starts out with the barest of hints in book 1 but builds from that point on. Trust me, you will not be disappointed!
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Waking Up: A Guide to Spirituality Without Religion
by
Harris, Sam
DANE
, November 30, 2014
Words like "spirituality" often make atheists cringe but in "Waking Up" Sam Harris succeeds in stripping away the religious/new age connotations. He makes it completely clear that he has no time for talk of deities and holy books but also makes the case for there being something bigger or deeper than what most of us experience on a day-to-day basis. We tend to spend our time chasing momentary pleasures or filling the hours with busy-work but Harris tells us there is ample evidence to suggest there is something deeper within us that we can all access if we are just willing to take the time. Definitely food for thought.
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Smoke Gets in Your Eyes & Other Lessons from the Crematory
by
Caitlin Doughty
DANE
, November 14, 2014
Talk about a subject most people know next to nothing about! Today it seems that we do everything we can to avoid the topic of death. I don't think it was ever really discussed in my home and I've never even known anyone who had a job related to it. Caitlin Doughty's book is absolutely fascinating ... do you have any idea when/why embalming started? And throught-provoking ... why is it that we're kept at arms-length from dead bodies? You're definitely going to learn A LOT from Smoke Gets in Your Eyes. I know I did!
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Whatever Happened to Pudding Pops?: The Lost Toys, Tastes, and Trends of the 70s and 80s
by
Gael Fashingbauer Cooper and Brian Bellmont
DANE
, November 13, 2014
I just received this as a gift and absolutely loved it! If you were a kid in the 70's, this is a must-read. Well, I'm a bit nostalgic so I may be overly enthusiastic here. The book is a mini-encyclopedia of all things 70's ... toys, fads, tv shows, foods etc. Items get about a page each worth of write-up and most have little pictures. I have to admit, there were many that I don't remember at all but there were way more that brought back happy memories e.g. The Man From Atlantis, Slime, Sno-Cones Machines etc. Each section ends with a note regarding the present status of the item e.g. extinct or still going strong is some way, shape or form.
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Organized Mind Thinking Straight in the Age of Information Overload
by
Daniel J Levitin
DANE
, November 10, 2014
Although definitely not a quick n'easy read, Levitin's "The Organized Mind" is worth the time. Everything you ever wanted to know about how our minds organize memories and information in general. There are parts you my skim through (I know I did), but there is some fascinating information in the book. The section on medicine is especially worth your time as it clears up what you need to consider when you hear statements like "there's a 10% chance ..." Take a read! You'll learn something for sure!!
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News A Users Manual
by
Alain De Botton
DANE
, October 18, 2014
Do you find "the news" infuriating? Or do you not even really think about it? Either way, this new book from Alain de Botton is an absolute must-read! What exactly is "the news"? Who picks the stories? Why are they almost always negative? What is the point of hearing a 1-minute slice of an obviously much larger story? etc. Alain's book will give you plenty of reasons to think twice about something we've all come to take for granted.
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Arctic Summer
by
Damon Galgut
DANE
, October 09, 2014
Being a hardcore non-fiction reader, it's not often that I pick up a novel. Having just written a paper on E.M. Forster though, I was intrigued when I came across Damon Galgut's book. I wasn't expecting to enjoy it but I was pleasantly surprised. Rather than a book filled with "just the facts", it was really quite interesting to read about Forster's life in this manner. Realizing it most likely isn't completely "accurate" didn't take away from the experience. If anything, using historical figures made it all the more clear just how difficult life must have been for gay men and women at the turn of the 20th century.
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Out in Paperback
by
Ian Young
DANE
, October 05, 2014
Be warned! If you know nothing about queer pulp fiction, this book may start you off on a dangerous new path. I never knew these books existed until I read Out In Paperback and now I'm practically addicted to searching for new additions to my collection. I naively thought queer pocketbooks first made their appearance in the 70's or 80's but by was I wrong! Try '40's or 50's and some of the covers are not to be believed! Ian Young's guide is short n'sweet and could easily be twice the length but it'll definitely get you started!
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The Armageddon Factor: The Rise of Christian Nationalism in Canada
by
Marci McDonald
DANE
, August 02, 2014
Canadians can sometimes be a little smug when we look to our southern neighbour and ask how on earth they could allow religious fundamentalists to rise through the political ranks. We need to bite our tongues and educate ourselves though. The Canadian religious extremists may be a little behind their U.S. counterparts but make no mistake, they're just as ambitious. Marci Mcdonald's thoroughly researched book is bound to send shudders through the spines of Canadians. Let's hope it plays a part in turning the tide.
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Answers for Aristotle How Science & Philosophy Can Lead Us to A More Meaningful Life
by
Massimo Pigliucci
DANE
, July 28, 2014
I've been listening to Massimo Pigliucci's podcast for years now so was very excited to read this book. There has been a great deal of back n'forthing between scientists and philosophers in the past couple of years over the question of whether or not philosophy is relevant today so I wasn't surprised to see this come out. Philosophy certainly can't answer ALL the questions but it certainly has a place and a few brilliant scientists (who shall remain unnamed but you know who they are) need to accept this. And seeing as we're each responsible for finding our own meaning in life, this is even more true than ever. Definitely worth a read!!
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Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience
by
Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
DANE
, July 27, 2014
You may not be able to pronounce the author's name but don't let that put you off. Flow is an extremely readable and fascinating book. You've probably heard the term "getting in the zone" ... well, this will explain exactly what that means and why it's so beneficial to discover your own zone. Being fully immersed an activity to the point of losing track of time is something most of us have experience at one time or another. This book explores this phenomena and suggests reasons we should seek it out.
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50 Simple Questions for Every Christian
by
Guy P. Harrison
DANE
, July 26, 2014
Another winner from Guy P. Harrison. This time he turns his skeptic's eye towards religion and has come up with 50 reasons Christians often supply for believing in a deity. One by one he shows how flawed each is. Best of all though, he's not at all "in your face" about it ie. he specifically goes out to NOT offend believers ... unlike some atheist writers. We need both approaches and for those interested in a softer version, this is the book for you.
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50 Popular Beliefs That People Think Are True
by
Guy Harrison
DANE
, July 25, 2014
Guy Harrison's books are always excellent and "50 Popular Beliefs That People Think Are True" is a perfect example. His book takes a skeptical look at beliefs ranging from alien abductions to homeopathy to famous conspiracies. Each of his sections explains a popular belief, explains why there is actually no evidence for it, suggests logical reasons for why it's actually believed and then adds suggestions for further reading. A wonderful book to have in your collection that you can quickly reference when a friend brings up a wacky belief!
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50 Great Myths of Popular Psychology Shattering Widespread Misconceptions
by
Scott O Lilienfeld
DANE
, July 23, 2014
There are so many aspects of human psychology that, for one reason or another, we just believe are true. The fact is though, many of them are simply myths. Scott Lilienfeld's book will straighten out your thinking on many of these. Using only 10% of your brain? Worried you have "repressed" memories? Thinking about hypnosis? Think again!
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World Since 1945
by
T E Vadney
DANE
, July 20, 2014
A true example of big things in small packages. This isn't a new book so you won't find events from the past 20 years in it BUT if you're wanting to get up to speed on 20th century history in general, look no further. "The World Since 1945" is incredibly well-researched and unlike most history books, it doesn't focus on only North America and Europe. Instead, it reviews key historic events from all over the world. The fact the book is still being used by university professors today shows what a quality piece of work it is.
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The Righteous Mind: Why Good People Are Divided by Politics and Religion
by
Jonathan Haidt
DANE
, July 19, 2014
Extremely thought-provoking and ultimately very satisfying. If you're anything like me you just feel certain you have it right and those on the opposite end of the political spectrum have it wrong. You're probably also extremely frustrated that they can't see reality for what it is. Well, this book will ease that frustration and help you understand WHY people at the two extremes feel and think so differently. If you're anything like me, you'll have a major "ah-ha" moment!
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You Are Not So Smart
by
David McRaney
DANE
, July 14, 2014
"You Are Not So Smart" should be on everyone's bookshelf! But not just sitting on the shelf ... scanned on a regular basis in order to constantly remind ourselves that we're not very good at making decisions. We almost always think that our decisions are good ones but the fallacies and biases explained here will make you think again. In short, easy-to-read sections, David McRaney lays out over 40 problems we all face when making decisions. Chances are, you'll grudgingly admit that you can think of examples in your own life for each of them.
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Empty Mansions: The Mysterious Life of Huguette Clark and the Spending of a Great American Fortune
by
Dedman, Bill and Newell, Paul Clark
DANE
, July 13, 2014
If you're fascinated by eccentic characters or extraordinary family fortunes, then this will be a must-read. I'd never heard of the Clark family until this but apparently, they were right up there with the Vanderbilts and Rockefellers. A string of empty mansions across the country led the author to investigate this surprising story and the result is a wonderful page-turner. Huguette's 100+ years will leave you shaking your head in disbelief.
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Oldest Living Things In The World
by
Rachel Sussman, Carl Zimmer, Hans Ulrich Obrist
DANE
, July 12, 2014
A gorgeous piece of work. Rachel Sussman takes the reader around the world on a tour of the planet's oldest organisms. Utterly mind-blowing - lifespans that go into the thousands of years! A fantastic way to put some perspective into your life!!
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by
Brian Herbert, Kevin J Anderson
DANE
, April 27, 2014
Mentats of Dune is the newest in a series of prequels written by Frank Herbert's son. I read the original Dune series as a teenager and although the writing styles are very different, Dune purists should put aside any preconceptions and give them a try as they're exceptionally entertaining. There are actually two sets of prequels: one set in the recent "Dune" past and the other taking place thousands of years earlier during the Machine Wars. Fast-paced, full of action and intrigue, these books are wonderful at telling the story of the origins of everything from the Bene Geserrit Sisterhood to the Mentats to the feud between the Houses Harkonnen and Atreides. If you haven't tried them yet, do pick up a copy!
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Cartographia Mapping Civilizations
by
Vincent Virga
DANE
, March 22, 2014
An absolutely beautiful coffee table book for any cartophile! Filled with gorgeous color images of ancient and not-so-ancient maps, it's divided into geographic chapters and will definitely absorb a number hours!!
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The Infographic History of the World
by
D'Efilippo, Valentina and Ball, James
DANE
, March 21, 2014
This is a must for any lover of history and "infographics". Covering all sorts of topic from the big bang to the size of today's modern armies, this excellent book is the perfect addition to any fact- or trivia-loving reader!!
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A Manual for Creating Atheists
by
Boghossian, Peter
DANE
, March 16, 2014
Peter Boghossian's Manual for Creating Atheists is an excellent "how to" book for anyone interesting in planting the seeds of doubt into the heads of believers. His approach is one that the reader may not have tried before so is well worth investigating. Rather than question an individual's belief in a specific deity or religion, Boghossian suggests the target should instead be "faith". If you ask the right questions you may just get your subject to begin to see that faith is not a way of "knowing" anything. Once this is achieved, a crack may just appear in their belief and with time, it may come crumbling down. An approach I shall definitely take myself the next time someone tells me they "just know" something.
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Think Why You Should Question Everything
by
Guy P Harrison
DANE
, March 02, 2014
Another excellent book from Guy P. Harrison! If a copy were on every bookshelf in the country and if that copy were re-read once a year, I think we might be living in a much better world. Harrison explains exactly what skepticism is i.e. NOT cynicism, NOT closed-mindedness and why it's so incredibly crucial. In a time when the news comes in 10-second sound-bites, alternative medicines materialize on an almost daily basis and psychics/ghosts/bigfoot are treated seriously on television, it seems we need now more than ever to evaluate claims with a critical mind. He explains why we tend to believe fantastic claims and then lays out and debunks over 20 examples. "Weak skepticism is perhaps the greatest unrecognized global crisis of all. Every day, people waste time, throw away money, suffer, and even die because they failed to think like a scientist." This may sound dramatic but if you really think about it, he's right! Imagine if all that time, money and effort were redirected to reality!!
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Voyagers of the Titanic Passengers Sailors Shipbuilders Aristocrats & the Worlds They Came From
by
Richard Davenport Hines
DANE
, March 01, 2014
There are more than enough Titanic books out there for even the most ardent collector/reader so while this one isn't necessarily a "must", it does stand out from the crowd a little in that its focus is more on the stories of those who sailed on the doomed ship rather than the ship and sinking itself. Divided into sections for first, second and third class stories, "Voyagers of the Titanic" definitely gives you a better view of life during those 5 days at sea.
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Death of the Liberal Class
by
Chris Hedges
DANE
, February 28, 2014
With the rise of the extreme right in recent years, it's understandable to ask, "what's happened to the liberal class?" I've been personally stumped by this question so grabbed this book when I saw it. While Hedges makes many valid points as he covers the last century, to say his writing style is dramatic would be an understatement. While definitely a good piece of work, his over-the-top language does give the reader some cause for doubting his predictions.
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Titanic in Photographs
by
Daniel Klistorner and Steve Hall and Bruce Beveridge
DANE
, February 01, 2014
I know there are a million Titanic books out there but this one is quite special. If you haven't looked at it yet, do so, It's a nice size with a high quality cover and wonderful paper stock inside. The authors/contributors are all experts and the book is absolutely overflowing with excellent pictures ... many that I've never seen. (apparently, many have never even been published before this) The pictures span the entire timeframe from before construction to images from the Carpathia. There's even a section of colour illustrations that were used in the original advertising. All in all, it's a great addition to a collection or the perfect one-off item.
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Why Evolution Is True
by
Jerry A Coyne
DANE
, January 31, 2014
With so many people still not believing in evolution, these books sadly have to keep coming. Jerry Coyne's Why Evolution Is True does an excellent job of laying out the basics, defining terms and explaining all the numerous lines of evidence. One of the most important points he makes early on is that there's a vast difference in the definition of the word "theory" depending on whether you're a scientist or a layperson. Even if you're a science-educated 100% acceptor of evolution, I'm sure you'll learn a thing or two. And the more we know, the better responses we can provide when faced with doubters.
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Library A World History
by
James W P Campbell, Will Pryce
DANE
, December 29, 2013
This may be a little expensive but it's well worth every dollar. An absolutely gorgeous book full of photographs and histories of the world's most incredible libraries. Starting with ancient times, the chapters go through the centuries and cover the globe. A definite "must" for the shelves of any library or book-lover.
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Leonard Maltins 151 Best Movies Youve Never Seen
by
Leonard Maltin
DANE
, December 28, 2013
I've been an avid film-go'er for decades now and although I always knew I'd probably missed some gems, this book opened my eyes to just how many had snuck by me. There were literally dozens of films I'd never even heard of. I tracked down 20 or so of them and was almost always pleasantly surprised. As an added bonus, each film description includes information regarding why we may have missed seeing it originally ie. it's amazing how often the marketing/distribution machine is to blame. A great addition to any cinephile's library!!
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Son of Heaven Chung Kuo 01
by
David Wingrove
DANE
, December 11, 2013
David Wingrove's Chung Kuo series has got to be one of the best collections I've read in years. Originally released in the 1990's, the series has been expanded and re-released. Son of Heaven is the new book #1 and serves as a prequel to the original story. In it, all the countries of Earth have been conquered by China and the entire population is housed in a mammoth city that covers most of the land surface. The political system has reverted to the ancient Chinese imperial one with each continent being ruled by one of seven emperors. The novels are full of revolutionary intrigue and complicated plots and coups. A definite must-read!!
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The Songs Of Distant Earth
by
Arthur C Clarke
DANE
, December 10, 2013
One of Arthur C. Clarke's best stories. In Songs of Distant Earth, colonists on a distant planet meet some of the last humans to have left earth before its destruction hundreds of years in the past. En route to establish their own colony, they make a brief pitstop and have a profound impact. It's a wonderful story and will satisfy any fan of Clarke's books.
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Interview with the Vampire
by
Rice, Anne
DANE
, December 09, 2013
Forget Twilight or True Blood (although I do love the latter), this is the book that started it all. If you have never read it (and love vampire stories), you're in for a treat. Followed up with two excellent sequels, this is a true classic. Whatever people may say about her now, Anne Rice knows exactly how to transport you back to 18th century New Orleans and Paris. You won't put it down!
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You Couldn't Ignore Me If You Tried: The Brat Pack, John Hughes, and Their Impact on a Generation
by
Susannah Gora
DANE
, November 29, 2013
If you were a teenager growing up when these films were in the theatres, this is must-read material. Of course, the holy trinity of 16 Candles, Breakfast Club and Pretty in Pink takes centre stage but there are also chapters about St. Elmo's Fire, Ferris Bueller's Day Off and Say Anything. The Brat Pack played a huge role in the '80's movie scene and this book is full of interesting stories about what went on behind the scenes of these classic films!
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Visual Miscellaneum A Colorful Guide to the Worlds Most Consequential Trivia
by
David McCandless
DANE
, November 28, 2013
A fantastic book of fascinating trivia expressed through every sort of graphic image you can imagine! Everything from "Books You Should Read" to "When Condiments Go Bad" to "Global Media Scare Stories". An absolutely gorgeous piece of work!
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Why Evolution Is True
by
Jerry A Coyne
DANE
, November 27, 2013
It's tragic in a way that this book had to be written but that's the world we live in ... at least for now. Evolution is not "just" a theory and is not debated amongst scientists. It's as much a fact as gravity. Hopefully this book will add to your bag of evidence the next time someone disagrees.
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Writings On An Ethical Life
by
Peter Singer
DANE
, November 22, 2013
"Peter Singer may be the most controversial philosopher alive; he is certainly among the most influential." - The New Yorker. Unfortunately, the "controversy" is almost certainly due to a misunderstanding of his arguments. After reading a number of his books, I can only assume that his critics simply haven't taken the time to read them in their entirety. Writings on an Ethical Life is an extremely thought-provoking collection of essays covering topics ranging from abortion to vegetarianism. This is the perfect introduction to his work and guaranteed to make you re-think some of your core beliefs.
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Childhood's End
by
Arthur C Clarke
DANE
, November 17, 2013
A true science fiction classic, Childhood's End is one of Aurthur C. Clarke's first novels. Based on a short story he wrote in the 1940's, the novel tells the story of a race of aliens called the Overlords who visit Earth and over the course of several decades, slowly improve life for everyone. All is not what it seems though and eventually, we learn their ultimate reason for being here. Typical of many of Clarke's stories, it's a utopian tale with a twist.
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Demon Haunted World Science As A Candle
by
Carl Sagan
DANE
, November 12, 2013
An all-time classic. Demon-Haunted World is a must-read by Carl Sagan. I remember watching Cosmos as a boy and being completely amazed by his explanations of science and astronomy. I stumbled across him again as an adult when I was learning more about critical thinking and pseudo-science. This book often comes up in interviews and discussions as core item for any bookshelf. It contains essays on various topics but they share a common theme: science is critical. From an explanation of our fanatic devotion to sports teams to the ethics of abortion, this book is sure to give you several things to consider!
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Wonders of the Universe
by
Brian Cox
DANE
, November 11, 2013
Another of the "Wonders" books. If you've never given much thought to gravity or light, this is a great book. Based on the amazing BBC series, Wonders of the Universe does a great job of explaining some of the fundamental forces that are responsible for everything around us.
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Cult of Lego
by
John Baichtal, Joe Meno
DANE
, November 05, 2013
Did you grow up in the 70's playing with LEGO? If you're like me, it was your favourite toy! (and probably a parent's favourite babysitter!) I had no idea a "cult" of LEGO existed until I found this book. Fantastic!!!
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Wonders of the Solar System
by
Brian Cox, Andrew Cohen
DANE
, November 02, 2013
Based on the BBC series, this book is a fantastic voyage through our solar system. From the massive canyons and volcanoes of Mars to the methane lakes of Titan, you'll learn all about our amazing neighbours. Fully illustrated, this book is a must-have for any astronomy geeks out there!
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Believing Brain From Ghosts & Gods to Politics & Conspiracies How We Construct Beliefs & Reinforce Them as Truths
by
Michael Shermer
DANE
, October 25, 2013
Michael Shermer is the man behind Skeptic Magazine so when I saw this book I immediately picked it up. So glad I did as it's an excellent overview of exactly why we believe. His chapters cover everything from the supernatural to conspiracy theories. Once we know the mechanism's behind these irrational beliefs, we're armed to more successfully guard against them.
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How to Become a Really Good Pain in the Ass A Critical Thinkers Guide to Asking the Right Questions
by
Christopher W Dicarlo
DANE
, October 14, 2013
Excellent introduction to critical thinking. Tackles the big questions in a way that will definitely make you think twice about them. If this were required reading in junior high schools, we might be living in a slightly better world.
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Missionary Position Mother Teresa in Theory & Practice
by
Christopher Hitchens, Andrew Sullivan, Thomas Mallon
DANE
, October 13, 2013
Like many people no doubt I believed that Mother Teresa was misguided but probably doing some good in the world. This book completely blew that idea out of the water. Don't ever let anyone praise her again .... what she did was utterly horrific and everyone needs to know.
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Nailed Ten Christian Myths That Show Jesus Never Existed at All
by
David Fitzgerald
DANE
, October 12, 2013
So many people today, believers and non-believers alike, just tend to assume that whether or not he was divine, Jesus must have at least lived. This is not the case and David Fitzgerald's book does an excellent job of laying out all the reasons that suggest he was never anything more than a myth.
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Being Gay is Disgusting
by
Edward Falzon
DANE
, October 11, 2013
Anyone who shoots off quotes from the bible obviously hasn't read it. This book wonderfully sums up all of the horrible, twisted lessons and commands in that collection of bronze-age texts. Excellent ammunition for the next time you're confronted with anyone who claims to live by the bible's teachings.
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God & the Folly of Faith The Incompatibility of Science & Religion
by
Victor J Stenger
DANE
, October 10, 2013
A great addition to your shelf. Stenger clearly lays out why science and religion are not at all compatible.
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God Is Not Great How Religion Poisons Everything
by
Christopher Hitchens
DANE
, October 09, 2013
An absolute MUST for anyone's shelf!
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Decoding the Language of God: Can a Scientist Really Be a Believer?: A Geneticist Responds to Francis Collins
by
George C. Cunningham
DANE
, October 08, 2013
George Cunningham's excellent debunking of Francis Collins' theism.
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50 Reasons People Give for Believing in a God
by
Guy P Harrison
DANE
, October 07, 2013
An excellent concise explanation and debunking of 50 popular reasons give for believing in deities.
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Animal Liberation
by
Peter Singer
DANE
, October 06, 2013
A classic must-read for everyone ... whether you're a vegetarian, vegan or meat-eater ... you need to know what's really going on.
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Life You Can Save How to Do Your Part to End World Poverty
by
Peter Singer
DANE
, October 05, 2013
EVERYONE needs to read this book! I realize it's a terrible cliche to say the following but it honestly did change my life. I read it in one sitting after having returned from a trip to Tanzania and the two events combined to form an attitude-changing perfect storm. We've all been accosted by the binder-toting charity folks on the sidewalk and we've all had the evening phone calls asking for donations but this is completely different. Singer lays out in a crisp, clear logical way exactly why we should do more than we currently are. You'll find his arguments incredibly persuasive ... every person who I've passed it along to has made a drastic change in his or her view on charity.
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Meaning Of Things Applying Philosophy To Life
by
A C Grayling
DANE
, October 04, 2013
The Meaning of Things is a collection of short essays on topics ranging from Civility to Virginity to Leisure. Especially interesting for an American audience will be the one on Nationalism. All in all, a good introduction to Grayling's writings.
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The Philosophy Book: Big Ideas Simply Explained
by
DK Publishing
DANE
, October 03, 2013
Like all DK publications, The Philosophy Book is packed with information. Starting with the ancient Greeks and ending in the present day, this overview gives brief write-ups on every philosopher you can imagine. With lots of illustrations and links for further reading, this is a great introductory choice for anyone looking for a basic guide to philosophy.
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Short History Of Nearly Everything
by
Bill Bryson
DANE
, October 02, 2013
One of my absolute favourite books. I rarely put a highlighter to text but this one is full of marked-up pages. Even if you don't think you're a "science" person, you'll love this book. It really is the "history of nearly everything". Should be required reading in high schools!!
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Magic of Reality How We Know Whats Really True
by
Richard Dawkins, Dave McKean
DANE
, January 01, 2013
I wish this book had been on the school shelves when I was in junior high school. It would have completely changed the way I looked at science. Oh well, my loss but this generation's gain. EVERY parent, uncle, grandmother etc. should be ensuring the young adults in their lives read a copy of The Magic of Reality.
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Being Gay is Disgusting
by
Edward Falzon
DANE
, August 04, 2012
A great book full of useful facts you can use when debating someone who thinks either 1) the bible is the basis for our morals or 2) that christians follow the bible's teachings. (thankfully for all of us, they don't)
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Magic of Reality How We Know Whats Really True
by
Richard Dawkins, Dave McKean
DANE
, January 01, 2012
Although this book is technically written for teens, I enjoyed it as it does a fantastic job of explaining some areas of science that I was a little unclear about. For me, it's been a good starting point for more reading. However, for young readers, it's an absolute MUST-READ. Should be on every teen's bookshelf as well as in every school library and science class.
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