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An incredible and innovative book full of wisdom, humor, purpose, and the kind of writing that makes you feel like the author is sitting by your side telling you the story. I was sad for it to come to an end. So it goes.

A readable mix of familiar Sci Fi and Adventure elements that are done better elsewhere. The set-up is compelling and there are some well-conceived and executed story lines, but the most "alien" part of story didn't come together for me: It didn't mesh well with the other story-lines and made things drag a bit at the end. I wasn't initially interested in reading more, but now a few months later, and seeing that this is an early work from the author, I might take a chance on the sequel.

Incredible story of WWII-era espionage centered on the notorious double-agent Kim Philby, who spent 30 years as one of the most influential spies in both British and American intelligence all the while working directly for the Soviets. The real-life spy stories are exciting and well-told, and in them it's easy to see the origins of fiction like James Bond and "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy". There is a parallel story about the danger of the "old boy" network, where authority, influence, and trust is given based on social standing, and maintaining appearances is often more important than doing what's right.

I enjoyed this overall, but perhaps not as intended. It's a vivid portrayal of a kind of person I've often known but never quite understood: the classically trained musician who seems imprisoned and tortured by music while professing to love it. It's several sad stories told well — of lifelong performance anxiety, of inhibiting perfectionism, of being an outsider — but perhaps the saddest story is that of the person who might be happy if they could understand just one thing, yet you know they never will. I never bought in to the "time" theme, and the attempts to weave physics in were strained, but I found much to learn from and admire here.

A compelling, well-told story built on a deep understanding of science -- not just the content, but its people, culture, and relationships with government and policy. The book moves briskly in many places, but drags in some. Good characters with complex relationships explore familiar themes in the outbreak genre: competing scientific theories, competing policy positions, iconoclasts against the establishment, truth against mob mentality, and ultimately humankind versus itself.

A fun, if uneven read. It's at its best when focused on the stories and characters that fill the author's life of gambling, hustling, winning, and losing. It's at its worst when the author tries too hard to be the victim who does right by everyone even while being wronged. You probably wouldn't expect — or maybe even want — a fully honest self-accounting from a man who's lost so much, but his is a unique story and there is a good deal of truth here, including some the author may not see himself.

An immensely satisfying story about human advancement and hubris that gave me everything I'm looking for in good sci fi. It's an exciting story filled with twists and turns that touches on deep, familiar ideas in profound and novel ways. There's lots to think about, characters to care about, and story lines to look forward to. The kind of book that gets me looking into the rest of the author's catalog.

The fascinating life of John von Neumann, as told through his direct impact on the foundations of mathematics, quantum mechanics, the atomic bomb, game theory, the invention of the computer, and the early theory of artificial intelligence. Von Neumann was at once a timeless genius and a product of his time, driven both by the power of pure logic and his life experiences in pre-war Europe, and his impact on the narrative of his time through his scientific work and his influence on American military policy is remarkable. As with many stories of genius, the book downplays von Neumann's personal shortcomings, which seem a stark contrast to his brilliance in understanding the nature of science and society. But it is a great read and a fascinating story of science, history, and a truly unique figure.

The origin story of Pro Football Focus, the trailblazing sports analytics company that began as one Englishman's obsessive hobby and turned into a game-changing hundred-million dollar enterprise. The book covers the rise from passion project to start-up to success, and includes lots of interesting connecting stories about impactful people in the ever-evolving space of NFL analytics, like mathematician Eric Eager and NFL coaches like Zac Robinson and Bobby Slowik. It's the first book by a Minnesota Vikings beat reporter, and reads like it: It's unpolished and choppy, and the lack of a consistent timeline is a bit confusing. But if you're looking to learn more about modern NFL analytics, or like a good start-up story, it's worth it.

Some compelling elements, but as a murder-mystery there's a bit too much "Why are they doing this?" and, ultimately, an unsatisfying conclusion.

If you've ever marveled at the effectiveness of IKEA instructions or complained that it wasn't your fault you couldn't remember how to operate the new washer/dryer, this book is for you. Endlessly thought-provoking and relevant, The Design of Everyday Things lays out Norman's theory of "human-centered design", which puts the user and their experience — their actual, not idealized nor proscribed, experience — at the center of the design process. A simple mantra is this: "It's not human error; it's bad design."

Everyone will find value in this book, but it's given me much to think about as a teacher and instructional designer: making knowledge discoverable, feedback and feedforward, affordances, forcing functions, and more. I'll return to these ideas, and this book, many times.

An engaging and well-researched story where "parallel" histories are bridged by a quantum portal, and the unwitting visitor creates opportunities to reflect on both worlds. The story drags a bit a bit in the middle, and the embedded courtroom drama is a bit derivative, but a satisfying story, and a pleasant read full of science and ideas to think on.

I can see how "Influence" may have once been viewed as the definitive study of the "science" of influence and persuasion, but its dependence on a steady stream of questionable behavioral science experiments and dubious after-the-fact interpretations ("I offered my college students a bonus test point if they got their parents to complete a survey and the 92% response rate proves the principle of kinship unity!") makes it hard to take seriously. There's value and insight here, but a good summary of the book would probably be a better place to extract it.

My third and final read of the Dresden Files. Past familiar and into predictable, with an increased emphasis on the adolescent masculinity of the first two and less of a coherent mystery at the core to keep things moving.