Paul Weston

In his excellent narrative style, Isaacson illuminates for us the mind of a remarkable technological visionary.

Reviewed: 11-21-23

Isaacson’s excellent narrative style, and diligent attention to the testimony of his subjects’ close associates, puts the reader in the ‘middle of the action’ in a very satisfying way. This portrait of Elon Musk, detailing the remarkable events of his early life and the thoughts and sometimes remarkable actions of his adult life, illuminates both the great technical accomplishments he has achieved and his sometimes callous treatment of associates and workers. This is done without unnecessary moral or political commentary, which leaves the reader with a more complete and satisfying picture of the complexities of Musk’s unusual mind. The reading was well done, and I recommend this audiobook highly.

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Rewarding and sensitive account of a dedicated artist’s journey through life

Reviewed: 09-30-23

Though never a special fan of country music, I had admired the few Johnny Cash performances I had heard . This book takes the reader (or listener) far beyond what can be seen in the stage performances and follows Johnny through his often troubled life. We almost walk beside him, sharing in our minds his ongoing serious troubles, while admiring his undying dedication to artistic excellence and religious faith. Overall, a memorable story which I’m happy to have found. Though some seem to worry about a ‘flat’ oral presentation in the audiobook, I rather liked it. It had a little of the quality of Johnny’s own voice.

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An historic event revealed in depth and detail in excellent prose.

Reviewed: 06-24-23

Having previously read with pleasure the account of the Wars of the Roses by Jones, I’m now looking forward to his book on the entire period of Plantagenet reign, rounding out an insightful picture of an important part of British history.

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A thought-provoking look at the variety of social structures created by human intelligence and creativity over the ages,

Reviewed: 02-21-23

The book is deeply researched, well written, and the audio-book is well narrated. As one having no academic background in Anthropology or Archeology, I found the many societies described, and their relationships to each other and to the environment, fascinating and rewarding reading.
An underlying theme of the book is that we should be willing to reexamine some time-honored assumptions about the history of human society, particularly in light of new data provided through technology that has become available to archeologists in recent decades. This puts the authors in potential conflict with some generally-accepted assumptions about the development of human society over the ages, which were derived from the writings of several enlightenment thinkers. This, in turn, leads the authors into conflict with some current conservative political positions, also derived from those enlightenment ideas. So it was disappointing to see that a number of reviewers instantly shut down their minds when upon sensing a possible political message, and immediately labelled the book ‘woke’ propaganda. That is a true injustice to this important book, which contains rich food for thought about humankind’s place on this planet.

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A rewarding read, by a distinguished author.

Reviewed: 01-17-23

Goldworthy has here given us yet another deeply researched historical account in his uniquely readable style. I particularly enjoy his illuminating discussions in the many cases where differing historical accounts of an event exist, The reader is given insight into both what is known, and equally importantly, what is not known.
Because there exists so much romanticized fiction about these two historical figures, this carefully researched and thoughtfully written book gives the reader valuable insight into the great deal that is actually known about them. The truth is, perhaps, more interesting than the fiction.

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Another great biography from Walter Isaacson

Reviewed: 09-12-22

Walter Isaacson has given us several remarkable biographies of men and women of genius, but here he gives us Leonardo da Vinci, whose intellect and creativity remain unparalleled in both volume and range of subject. As in each of the books, Isaacson’s research is meticulous, comprehensive, and presented in a captivating, thoughtful, narrative style filled with rewarding insights on every page. The inclusion of the accompanying graphics in PDF was very much appreciated, especially where the text refers in detail to particular important paintings.
Molina’s performance is excellent.
Very highly recommended.

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The fascinating story of the ideas, people, and collaborations that led to present-day computing machines.

Reviewed: 11-05-21

As one who was, in mid-twentieth century, a fascinated observer of the early attempts to create ‘artificial intelligence’ I found this book hard to put down.
Isaacson puts before us, in intelligible and very readable narrative, the people, ideas and key collaborations which led, over a number of decades, to the creation of present-day computing machines.
His research of the events related is both accurate and remarkably detailed. It beautifully ties everything into a continuous story and brings to life a number of individuals known to us now only as names from history.
While as pure history the book is of the highest caliber, it goes further. Isaacson shows that, despite our tendency to attach a single famous name to a development, time and again important concepts came to practical reality through collaboration of a group of people with complementary skills, and that when such collaboration was lacking success also was lacking.

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Well conceived, well written, and well performed.

Reviewed: 01-26-21

This book comes to us through a monumental effort by the two editors, who searched more than two thousand years of Zen literature for the most illuminating examples of women’s power within that male-dominated tradition. One hundred Koans were selected (vaguely similar to the parables of Christian tradition, but the tales end in mysteries whose deeper meanings are best found through focussed meditation). For each of these selections an explanatory reflection by a practicing Zen teacher was elicited.
The book thus combines the knowledge and wisdom of more than a hundred established teachers of Zen, and offers rich food for thought, possibly for years, even for a curious outsider such as myself.
Highly recommended for anyone wishing for insight into Zen thought and practice, and especially the role therein of women throughout the centuries.

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Page turner with a message

Reviewed: 01-30-20

With a fascinating plot, this well-written and expertly performed story with never a dull moment speaks to the combined power of truth, love, and independence of spirit. Well worth the reading.

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A marvelous journey through the time and space of Albert Einstein

Reviewed: 01-19-20

Isaacson’s meticulously researched and skillfully presented biography is here enhanced still further in Edward Herrmann’s insightful narration. We are taken on a rewarding journey through Einstein’s life from its very beginning to its very end. The narrative is never bogged down by unnecessary commentary from the author or by persons in the story, nor is there needless descent into the technicalities of Einstein’s theoretical contributions to the history of physics. The reader travels along beside Einstein through a long and eventful life, and is sympathetically shown equally the triumphs, foibles, and occasional failures of the 20th century’s greatest scientific genius.
Highly recommended.

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