Category: Misc

The Secret Life of Groceries: The Dark Miracle of the American Supermarket by Benjamin Lorr

Several sections each looking at different aspect of the American Supermarket. From workers to suppliers to owners. Engaging. 4/5

Life Moves Pretty Fast: The lessons we learned from eighties movies (and why we don’t learn them from movies any more) by Hadley Freeman

A tour through mainstream 80s movies concentrating on one per chapter. Fun but covering serious topics too 4/5

The Boys: A Memoir of Hollywood and Family by Clint Howard and Ron Howard

Alternatively narrated by Ron and Clint about their family, growing up in Hollywood and acting. Only briefly covers events after the mid-1980s. Excellent. 4/5

Remote, Inc. : How to Thrive at Work . . . Wherever You Are by Robert C. Pozen & Alexandra Samuel

Lots of good advice for people suddenly working at home due to the pandemic. Tells you to think of yourself as a “business of one”. 3/5

The History of Spain: Land on a Crossroad by Joyce E. Salisbury

24 Lectures on Spanish History from the Stone age to the early 2000s. Interesting and easy to follow. Covers culture etc, not just kings and politics 3/5

For Your Eyes Only and other stories by Ian Fleming

Five short stories involving James Bond. Three straightforward Bond adventures and two others. I found them all very enjoyable. 3/5

See also: Top Audiobooks I’ve listened to

My Scoring System

• 5/5 = Brilliant, top 5 book of the year
• 4/5 = Above average, strongly recommend
• 3/5 = Average. in the middle 70% of books I read
• 2/5 = Disappointing
• 1/5 = Did not like at all

Goldfinger by Ian Fleming

The 1950s Gold Standard results in wacky smuggling operations and golf. Bond is on top of things until he’s not. But he survives anyway. 3/5

Spark: How Genius Ignites, From Child Prodigies to Late Bloomers by Claudia Kalb

Profiles of 13 great achievers from Yo-Yo Ma to Isaac Newton who found their calling at progressively greater ages. Some interesting profiles across varied fields. 3/5

Shoot for the Moon by James Donovan

The story of Apollo 11 and the space race that led up to it. Some stories I hadn’t heard before and well written but in a crowded field. 3/5

The Apocalypse Factory: Plutonium and the Making of the Atomic Age by Steve Olson

The history of the creation of Plutonium and the Hanford Nuclear Site that was built to manufacture it. 4/5

Captain Cook’s Epic Voyage by Geoffrey Blainey

The story of James Cook’s first voyage and it’s significance. Also covers the contemporary voyage by Jean de Surville. A good read that kept me interested. 4/5

Just the Funny Parts … And a Few Hard Truths About Sneaking Into the Hollywood Boys’ Club by Nell Scovell

A life as a female writer, producer and director in TV. A mix of funny stories, sexist stories and career highs and lows. 4/5

My Scoring System

• 5/5 = Brilliant, top 5 book of the year
• 4/5 = Above average, strongly recommend
• 3/5 = Average. in the middle 70% of books I read
• 2/5 = Disappointing
• 1/5 = Did not like at all

The Second World War by Antony Beevor

A single volume covering the whole conflict in reasonable detail. Covered a few areas ie China that other volumes skip. Does the job. 3/5

Handprints on Hubble: An Astronaut’s Story of Invention by Kathryn D. Sullivan

Mostly an astronaut memoir with some extra material on the Hubble development and launch. Some good anecdotes and insights into the work to make the Hubble serviceable. 3/5

The Year of Less: How I Stopped Shopping, Gave Away My Belongings, and Discovered Life Is Worth More Than Anything You Can Buy in a Store by Cait Flanders

Memoir rather than self help. Okay read but not very actionable. 2/5

Space 2069: After Apollo: Back to the Moon, to Mars, and Beyond by David Whitehouse

A “future history” of Space travel for the next 50 years (to the 100th Anniversary of the moon landings). Plausible ideas and good science. 3/5

Second Best: The Amazing Untold Histories of the Greatest Runners-Up by Ben Pobjie

A series of amusing stories about people who didn’t come first. About 50% Australian examples. High jokes/minute with okay hit rate. 2/5

To Engineer Is Human: The Role of Failure in Successful Design by Henry Petroski

A very readable book on Engineering successes and failures and what can be learnt from them (and how things should be learnt). 3/5

My Scoring System

• 5/5 = Brilliant, top 5 book of the year
• 4/5 = Above average, strongly recommend
• 3/5 = Average. in the middle 70% of books I read
• 2/5 = Disappointing
• 1/5 = Did not like at all

Antarctica’s Lost Aviator: The Epic Adventure to Explore the Last Frontier on Earth by Jeff Maynard

Biography of Lincoln Ellsworth “an insecure man in search of a purpose” concentrating on his various polar expeditions in the 1920s and 30s culminating in an attempt to fly across antarctic. 3/5

Extra Life: A Short History of Living Longer by Steven Johnson

The story of Medical, Public health and other measures in the last 150 years that have dramatically raised life expectancy. The reality behind some well known stories. 3/5

Dr No by Ian Fleming

Bond returns to Jamaica for a soft assignment that turns out not to be soft after all. He dodges assassins and investigates a mysterious island. 3/5

Never Lost Again: The Google Mapping Revolution That Sparked New Industries and Augmented Our Reality by Bill Kilday

A insider’s account of the mapping company Keyhole that became Google Maps. Good mix of stories and analysis. 4/5

My Scoring System

• 5/5 = Brilliant, top 5 book of the year
• 4/5 = Above average, strongly recommend
• 3/5 = Average. in the middle 70% of books I read
• 2/5 = Disappointing
• 1/5 = Did not like at all

The Great Bridge: The Epic Story of the Building of the Brooklyn Bridge by David McCullough

Another McCullough classic. Centered on designers/builders the Roebling family but covering everything about the build. 4/5

Reaching for the Moon: A Short History of the Space Race
by Roger D. Launius

Very much a short overview, but unusually covers the Soviet programme as well. Concentrates on the politics more than technical details. 3/5

From Russia with Love by Ian Fleming

The Russian counter-intelligence agency sets a trap for Bond. Interesting the first third of the book is the Russian preparations. Bond is not seen. Exciting read. 4/5

Off the Cliff: How the Making of Thelma and Louise Drove Hollywood To the Edge by Becky Aikman

Well written book about the pre-production, production and reaction to the movie. Well researched with quotes from most people involved. Enjoyable. 4/5

Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

A semi-repeat of The Martin where a lone astronaut has to science the shit out of a bad situation. This time to save humanity. I enjoyed and if you like the Martian you will too. 4/5

Accidental Presidents: Eight Men Who Changed America by Jared Cohen

Profiles of 8 VPs who became US President. A biography, circumstances of evaluation and assesment of Presidency. Plus some near-misses and Ford who misses the main list?! 3/5

Swallows and Amazons by Arthur Ransome

Set in 1930s England, a group of children aged 7-12 sail in boats, camp on islands and have adventures on a lake. Fun Children’s adventure book. 4/5

My Scoring System

• 5/5 = Brilliant, top 5 book of the year
• 4/5 = Above average, strongly recommend
• 3/5 = Average. in the middle 70% of books I read
• 2/5 = Disappointing
• 1/5 = Did not like at all

Exercised: Why Something We Never Evolved to Do Is Healthy and Rewarding by Daniel Lieberman

Uses lots of studies of exercise in non-industrial societies, Gorillas and Chimpanzees. Contrasts with industrial society. A bit of advice too. 4/5

I love Capitalism: An American Story by Ken Langone

Memoir of businessman and investor. Telling of his upbringing, various deals and stories. Enough good tales to keep my interest 3/5

Liftoff: Elon Musk and the Desperate Early Days that Launched SpaceX by Eric Berger

Very well written, lots of key people interviewed and lots of details. The author is a space specialist. Highly recommend for Space fans 5/5

The Great Halifax Explosion: A World War I Story of Treachery, Tragedy, and Extraordinary Heroism by John U. Bacon

Well written book covering the the lead-up and aftermath. Picks several people to follow so reader has a connection. Well done. 4/5

My Scoring System

• 5/5 = Brilliant, top 5 book of the year
• 4/5 = Above average, strongly recommend
• 3/5 = Average. in the middle 70% of books I read
• 2/5 = Disappointing
• 1/5 = Did not like at all

Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance by Angela Duckworth

“The secret to outstanding achievement is not talent, but a passionate persistence. In other words, grit.” . Usual pop-psych with the usual good stories 3/5

100 Side Hustles: Unexpected Ideas for Making Extra Money Without Quitting Your Day Job by Chris Guillebeau

100 small businesses and their story. With lessons learnt from each and some themes. Told with lots of puns. 4/5

How The Internet Happened: From Netscape to the iPhone by Brian McCullough

Covering the big internet events and companies between 1993 and 2008. Mosaic, AOL, Ebay, Amazon, Yahoo, Napster and ending with the Ipod. Lots of good stories some new angles. 4/5

Diamonds are Forever by Ian Fleming

James Bond infuriates a Diamond smuggling operation run by American Gangsters. Lots of period detail and violent set pieces. 4/5

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Benjamin Franklin: An American Life by Walter Isaacson

A nice short biography that attempts to highlight neglected areas such as Franklin’s family and friends his scientific work. Fun without missing too much detail. 4/5

My Scoring System

• 5/5 = Brilliant, top 5 book of the year
• 4/5 = Above average, strongly recommend
• 3/5 = Average. in the middle 70% of books I read
• 2/5 = Disappointing
• 1/5 = Did not like at all

Inheriting Clutter: How to Calm the Chaos Your Parents Leave Behind by Julie Hall

Lots of specific advice for Children and Parents on preparing for and handling estates. Lots of good advice on defusing feuds before they start. 3/5

Shortest Way Home: One Mayor’s Challenge and a Model for America’s Future by Pete Buttigieg

Memoir of a small-city mayor who grew up gay in Indiana. Timed to come out for his presidential run in 2019. Nice enough read with a good mix of stories. 3/5

Moonraker by Ian Fleming

James Bond investigates the mysterious industrialist Hugo Drax and his nuclear missile project which is vital to Britain’s security. Exciting and well written. 3/5

Some Assembly Required: Decoding Four Billion Years of Life, from Ancient Fossils to DNA by Neil Shubin

A very accessible account of how various ways genetic information is passed down was discovered, who found it and how it works. 4/5

My Scoring System

• 5/5 = Brilliant, top 5 book of the year
• 4/5 = Above average, strongly recommend
• 3/5 = Average. in the middle 70% of books I read
• 2/5 = Disappointing
• 1/5 = Did not like at all

The Dream Machine: The Untold History of the Notorious V-22 Osprey by Richard Whittle

The story of tilt-rotor aircraft & the long history of the V-22’s development. Covers defense politics and technical matters equally well. 4/5

Broad Band: The Untold Story of the Women Who Made the Internet by Claire L. Evans

A series of stories about individuals, not just about the Internet but about women and early computing, hypertext, etc. Interesting and well written. 3/5

The Fifth Risk by Michael Lewis

Lewis interviews people involved in the Obama to Trump transition at 3 major government agencies. He profiles the people, their jobs and in most cases how the Trump people underestimated the Dept’s importance. 3/5

OK Boomer, Let’s Talk: How My Generation Got Left Behind by Jill Filipovic

Mostly a stats dump with a few profiles and accounts of struggling millennials sprinkled in. With a weird tone shift to boomer-love in the last chapter. Okay I guess 3/5

Six Days of Impossible: Navy SEAL Hell Week – A Doctor Looks Back by Robert Adams

A first-hand account of a training class in 1974/75 where only 11 of the 71 starters graduated. Fun read although some interviews with non-graduates would have provided a contrast. 3/5

Three Laws of Nature: A Little Book on Thermodynamics by R Stephen Berry

Science mixed in with some history, designed for those with minimal science. The equations were simple but numerous & didn’t work in audiobook format. Try the printed version. 2/5

Space Odyssey: Stanley Kubrick Arthur C Clarke and the Making of a Masterpiece by Michael Benson

A detailed account of the film’s making from pre-production though to the bad reviews of the first release. Covers most aspects of the film and people involved. 4/5

The Soul of a New Machine by Tracy Kidder

Pulitzer Prize winning story of a team creating a new model of minicomputer in the late-1970s. Good portraits of the team members and aspects of the tech. 4/5

My Scoring System

• 5/5 = Brilliant, top 5 book of the year
• 4/5 = Above average, strongly recommend
• 3/5 = Average. in the middle 70% of books I read
• 2/5 = Disappointing
• 1/5 = Did not like at all