Things Fall Apart - Chinua Achebe (4.5 of 5 Egwugwus)

Things Fall Apart was an assigned reading for my World History class at the University of Utah. The assignment for the book was writing a three-paged analysis of the religious system of the Umuofia and the rise and fall of the protagonist Okonkwo, but don't worry...I'll spare you the literary frills.

I admit that I tend to enjoy assigned books less than those I discover on my own. This was an exception. I am not surprised that this novel by the Nigerian author Achebe has been republished and reprinted across the globe several times since 1959. It depicts the beginning of European colonization in the African tribal community of Umuofia by missionaries. Like Broken Spears it provides an intriguing native perspective of European colonization.

The book begins by establishing a picture of normal tribal life. Okonkwo is a driven man who desires economic, religious, and political power. You see his interaction with his own family and the tribe. His own drive eventually causes his own downfall. While he is exiled from the community, European missionaries establish themselves in Umuofia. When he comes back he stages an ineffective rebellion.

The fresh African voice of the author was that which enjoyed most about the book. I can't exactly pin down the differences, but the voice seemed more direct, and simple in its description of the unfolding events. I was also very impressed by Achebe's ability to expertly describe the culture of native Africa. I would highly recommend this book to those interested in African history or European colonization.

Blink - Malcolm Gladwell (3.5 of 5 Thin Slices of Cheese)

Who wouldn’t be excited by the opening chapters of Blink? It begins with stories of fake statues, scientists that can predict divorce, speed dating analysis and even simulated war games in Iraq. I was completely caught up these stories detailing the brain’s powerful ability to “thin slice” daily experience. Gladwell describes how the brain filters non-essential information, allowing us to make well-informed judgments about how to respond to various situations. The author’s argument is that there are certain situations where it is good to rely on these snap judgments while there are others that are not.

Nevertheless, I saw that the greatest downfall of Blink was that it didn’t feel like it was going anywhere. It began with exciting possibilities, but the narrative seemed to break down into a never ending catalog of stories. I think Gladwell could have done the same amount of work in half the pages. By the end of chapter four I was fully convinced that his thesis was correct. By the end of the book however, I was beginning to wonder if he was compensating for something. If you have doubt concerning the powers of the unconscious to affect the way we consciously think and act, read Blink. If you’ve already spent some time studying cognitive psychology, read the first few chapters and move on.

Zoom - Vijay Vaitheeswaran (4 of 5 Tesla Roadsters)

Zoom's subtitle is "The Global Race to Fuel the Car of the Future." The book is a brief overview of the issues related to the impending oil crisis. Much of the book is spent documenting the history of the development of the car industry. Vait starts by setting up a comparison between the gas-guzzling Detroit steel companies like GM with the Japanese Toyota. He argues that in order for these stale American companies to match the successes of the foreign imports, they will need to adapt a more practical business model that focuses on improving fuel economy through hybrid and electric cars.

He dabbles in United States foreign policy. He brings up some of the controversial moves that the US government has made in securing its rights to the oil reserves in the Middle East, and how those moves will make us weaker politically as oil becomes scarce. He naturally sees renewable energy as the all-purpose solution to breaking the OPEC monopoly.

The last section of the book outlines his method for making the transition from Detroit steel to electric cars (By the way, if you haven't heard of the Tesla Roadster, go look it up. I know what I want for Christmas...). He believes that a moderate approach is best, balanced between government funding and private investment. He also advocates a general oil tax that will increase gradually over the next 20 years, which will wean the US off of Middle East oil.

Zoom seemed a little superficial at times, but that's to be expected from an overview text of this kind. I enjoyed it. Check it out.

The Broken Spears - Miguel Leon-Portillo (2 of 5 Bad Omens)

I read Broken Spears for my World History class up at the University of Utah. It is a composite of several indigenous accounts of the conquest of the Aztec Empire by Cortez and the Spaniards. The claim of the book is that for the past 500 years, the only record of the downfall of the empire was told by the Spaniards. Leon-Portillo argues that the record was highly skewed in the conquerers's favor. While this is probably true to some extent, I don't think anyone from the 21st Century thinks that Cortez wiped out a civilization with flowers.

The book is extremely repetitive. Each detail of the conquest is told at least two or three times. At the end there is another complete summary of the story. Maybe Leon-Portillo thought that this approach was supposed to leave no rock unturned. I felt it did nothing more than bore the reader. I would suggest that the author give only one account, and let the native voice carry the weight of keeping the reader's interest.

If you're obsessed with the history of Central America, you'll love this book. If you're not, well, read it anyway because of its historical importance... Well, read the introduction and the conclusion and skim the rest.

The Wealthy Barber - David Chilton (3.5 of 5 Crew Cuts)

I finished The Wealthy Barber this past week. It is a continuation of the personal finance kick that I've been on for the past six months or so. It combines many practical tips for growing wealthy slowly over the course of a lifetime with personal narrative. The main character of the novel recognizes that his finances are somewhat unstable, and decides to go to his father for advice. His father forwards him on to the town barber. For the next six months he and a couple of friends go to the barber for a haircut and a personal finance lesson.

The humor of the narrative gives the book an endearing quality. But, I admit the slapstick humor got a little old by the end. The wise cracking old men at the back of the shop wore on me. I don't believe I learned anything new. The core principle is "Pay yourself first" 10% of every pay check. This will ensure that regardless of what you do with the rest of your money, you should enjoy a comfy retirement. You'll also find tips for investing, buying vs. renting, and general frugality. There is also a heavy emphasis on minimizing your taxes.

The Dresden Files - Jim Butcher

Hello all! I haven't actually reviewed/recommended anything in a while, so I thought I'd recommend these. The Dresden Files is a series of books by Jim Butcher (Storm Front, Fool Moon, Grave Peril, Summer Knight, Death Masks, Blood Rites, Dead Beat, Proven Guilty, White Night, Small Favor, and the upcoming Turn Coat.)
The book are about a Wizard, Harry Dresden, who works in Chicago as a private detective and sometimes a consultant for the police. They have a wicked sense of humor, an intriguing protaganist, and great one liners.
Each one has a different plot, and I'm recommending them all, (Although, I'd have to mention I went from liking the books to LOVING the books around book 4) but I should probably at least tell you a little about Storm Front to get you all started.

Here's the summary from www.jim-butcher.com

Harry Dresden is the best at what he does. Well, technically, he's the only at what he does. So when the Chicago P.D. has a case that transcends mortal creativity or capability, they come to him for answers. For the "everyday" world is actually full of strange and magical things -- and most of them don't play well with humans. That's where Harry comes in. Takes a wizard to catch a -- well, whatever.

There's just one problem. Business, to put it mildly, stinks. So when the police bring him in to consult on a grisly double murder committed with black magic, Harry's seeing dollar signs. But where there's black magic, there's a black mage behind it. And now that mage knows Harry's name. And that's when things start to get... interesting.

Magic. It can get a guy killed.

I'm telling ya, y'all should read these, or check out the one season of Dresden Files that the SciFi Channel produced before they canceled it (those JERKS!!!) The tv show captured some of the magic of the books, but why mess with the original!
Check them out!!!