All in Exceptional
Edward O. Wilson's THE MEANING OF HUMAN EXISTENCE
This is a profoundly entertaining and thought-provoking book.
Felipe Fernández-Armesto’s “OUR AMERICA: A HISPANIC HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES”
I have to believe that the resulting “blended” view of where we came from will be a natural outgrowth of the increasing diversity of U.S. society. For some that will only happen when the current generation of white traditionalists dies off and is replaced. I hope we don’t have to wait that long. Books like this certainly help!
Ed Catmull and Amy Wallace’s “CREATIVITY INC: OVERCOMING THE UNSEEN FORCES THAT STAND IN THE WAY OF TRUE INSPIRATION”
This “management of creativity” is a fascinating topic since it touches on so many things. In Catmull’s own case the journey started with personal interests in animation, Disney, and engineering.
Tim Wu’s MASTER SWITCH: THE RISE AND FALL OF INFORMATION EMPIRES
The lessons of history (telephone, telegraph, FM radio, networks, cable TV, etc.) and how companies with the complicity of government try to shut off competition are incredibly important given current battles to save net neutrality.
Melvyn Bragg's THE ADVENTURE OF ENGLISH
If you’re interested in history and how languages evolve, this book is for you. Bragg treats English like an evolving organism that absorbs and transforms itself as it grows.
Lisa Jardine's INGENIOUS PURSUITS: BUILDING THE SCIENTIFIC REVOLUTION
Late 17th Century London and the Royal Society provide the setting for this book. It concentrates on the “great men” who created modern Western science.