It’s that time again....time to go over my autumn reading list.  I’ll bet you’re just squirmin’ in your seat with anticipation.  There are few things more boring for the listener than someone telling about a book or movie, but the fear of boring someone has never stopped me before, so here I go.

A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson:  Undoubtedly one of the best books I have ever read.  It is absolutely a short history of nearly everything.  He covers the beginning of the universe, life and the possibilities of how it came to be, the scientists and hobbyists that have attempted to understand and explain it during recorded history.  I wouldn’t venture to say it is 100% accurate, but who cares.  It is 100% entertaining and at least 90% educational.  The only warning I would give is that if you are a staunch believer in creationism, you might not find it as delightful as I describe.

On Intelligence by Jeff Hawkins:  Jeff Hawkins, the inventor of the Palm Pilot, sets out to explain the function of the human brain.  Actually he has developed a theory on how the brain works and attempts to explain this theory in layman’s terms.  The purpose of his theory is to aid the development of intelligent machines.  It is obvious that Hawkins has spent many hours researching and developing this work, but unless you are just as enthusiastic as he, you might find parts to be slightly sleep provoking.  I did enjoy the first half of this work; however it seemed a little repetitive toward the end.  Would I recommend it to you?  Not unless you are studying to be a neuroscientist.

The Assault on Reason by Al Gore:  I honestly thought An Inconvenient Truth was an outstanding work by our former Vice-President.  It is thought provoking and entertaining as well as timely and foreboding.  In my opinion it was anything BUT a political piece.  The Assault on Reason is a purely political piece.  While I don’t dispute the fact that each example of the Bush administration’s failed politics is probably true, I can only hope that the intent of the current administration wasn’t as evil as Mr. Gore perceives.  It is time Americans started thinking for themselves and resist the dogma presented by politicians and the media.  We definitely need to focus on the challenges ahead of us, but pandering to the desires of the current crop of politicians will not take us one step closer to the solutions we seek.  This is an excellent book if you are interested in understanding Al Gore’s perception of the current state of the union.

A Ball, a Dog and a Monkey by Michael D’Antonio:  This is the story of the origins of the space race between the Soviets and the USA.  In 1957 when the USSR launched Sputnik, the first manmade satellite to orbit the earth, the USA was taken by surprise.  Sputnik II found us in the same predicament.  D’Antonio spins a number of tales about the people directly involved with not only the budding space ventures but those reporting it through the media and a few that were simply casual observers caught up in the moment.  If you are a space buff, this is a good book to touch up your knowledge base with info that one would have to really dig for.

Red Moon Rising by Matthew Brzezinski:  Matthew Brzezinski provides us with tremendous insight into the Soviet space program during the Sputnik era.  For the first time I have a better understanding of the ideas behind the Soviets’ pursuit to be the first in space.  This is a much darker story than D’Antonio presented in A Ball, A Dog and a Monkey.  Brezenski enlightens us to the workings of the inner sanctum of the presidium and how the struggle to be the next communist leader drove Khrushchev to push the space race.  The “Chief Designer” Korolev, solely responsible for the Soviet success, was an unknown factor to the rest of the world.  The Soviets’ drive for an intercontinental ballistic missile to show dominance over the west turned out to be the key to space.  President Eisenhower wasn’t interested in anything other than balancing the budget.  Lyndon Johnson, however, was determined that the US would be the dominant figure in space and he did everything in his power to make it happen.  I’m glad I read this book.

1984 by George Orwell:  After reading about the Soviet Union, it only made sense to follow up with this classic.  I, like so many others, had been guilty of reading only part of this nightmarish tale of socialist life.  It is definitely one of the great books of the 20^th century.  Winston Smith, the unlikely main character, could be me or you given the wrong set of circumstances.  Living a life of constant mistrust in society’s leaders, Winston sets out carefully looking for the truth that he knows exists somewhere.  Tired of being fed a steady diet of propaganda and knowing he is unlikely to succeed, he decides to secretly live the life he yearns.  Unfortunately there are no secrets from the Thought Police.

Animal Farm by George Orwell:  Of course this is the only book to read right after 1984.  However I can’t imagine why this was considered standard fare for high school students.  Reading this as an adult is so much more meaningful because you know each of the characters on Animal Farm.  It applies to corporate America just as it does to socialism.  If you have ever read Animal Farm, read it again.  It is truly an entertaining, if not enlightening, book about human tendencies.

    I hope I didn't bore you and I only wish that you would suggest a few books for me to read as well.  And to The Sister, I have started Visits from the Afterlife, but have not finished it as of yet.  But I will.