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Being an Indian living in the UK and especially in the academic I come across students from every part of the the world. The common thread to our discussion remains to be English language however, the way we speak is so vastly different. This is what made me excited about this book and read it.
The book is an interesting journey into the history of English language but at the same time the author focuses on our tendencies to adapt and in turn change the face of the language. He also focuses on why and how do we adapt to accents to enhance our position in the marketplace. It's an interesting book however, gets boring after a while as the author goes onto the repetition mode. Some 50 pages can easily be cut out of it. The conclusion chapter is a nice read also.
Overall rating: 3 out of 5
Book info:
Title: A Plum in Your Mouth: Why the Way We Talk Speaks Volumes About Us
Author: Andrew Taylor
Publisher: HarperCollins Entertainment
ISBN: 978-0007221332
Friday, 29 August 2008
A Plum in Your Mouth: Why the Way We Talk Speaks Volumes About Us
Saturday, 23 August 2008
Notes to myself: My struggle to become a person
A demonstration of a western mind's struggle and its different approach to conceptual philosophy. A book that you can finish reading in a day but can affect you for the rest of your life. The author takes a great deal of effort in analyzing how all of us create our own view of world without any attempt to ever change it.
A relaxing, empowering and challenging read for marketers, investment bankers, philosophers and anthropologists alike.
Rating: 5 out of 5
Book info:
Title: Notes to myself: My struggle to become a person
Author: Hugh Prather
Publisher: Bantam
ISBN: 978-0553273823
Mars and Venus in bedroom
Ever wondered:
- Why women carry big purses when men carry wallets only?
- Why men like video games and women like romantic dinners?
- Why men think 'love starts with sex' opposite to women 'sex starts with love?'
- Why women have to go to every part of the super market when men die to get out as soon as possible?
It all starts in bedroom. The book is not about any sexual techniques, instead it touches some of the roots in our modern day sexual behavior. It can be a great read for any marketer wishing to segment the market, based on gender behavior differences. It is also an extension of John Gray's series 'Men are from Mars, women are from venus'. A great read...
Overall rating: 4.5 out 5
Book info:
Title: Mars and Venus in bedroom: A guide to lasting romance and passion
Author: John Gray
Publisher: Harper paperbacks
ISBN: 978-0060927936
Wednesday, 20 August 2008
Our Inner Ape: A Leading Primatologist Explains Why We Are Who We Are
When I got hold of this book, I thought it was going to be another popular scientific exploration but what a surprise. No doubt, it is written with that idea of popular science, this book is different.
The book focuses on our behavioural tendencies and compares them with two types of apes: Bonobos and Chimps. It goes on to discuss our tendencies on empathizing and sexuality and use of sexuality in quarrels as well as reconciliation. Half way through it makes you feel we are not really that different from these Apes and then takes a perspective which shows how we have got best of both worlds: the sexual orientation from Bonobos and aggressive attitudes from Chimps. It is so cleverly written that it makes you feel this is a novel with short stories woven within rather than a scientific book.
Great read.
Overall rating: 4.5 out of 5.
Book info:
Title: Our Inner Ape: A Leading Primatologist Explains Why We Are Who We Are
Author: Frans de Waal
Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Riverhead Books; Reprint edition (Aug 2006)
Language English
ISBN-10: 1594481962
ISBN-13: 978-1594481963
Tuesday, 19 August 2008
The Black Swan
Have just finished reading 'The Black Swan'. Interesting book however, the author seem to be hell bent over proving bell curve wrong. In doing so, I believe he misses on making a balanced argument on his own 'black swan' concept. The idea of forecasting techniques and forecasters being wrong is agreeable but Dan Gilbert in his book 'Stumbling on Happiness' does a better job of explaining the same. The concept is quite simple. Focus on the large event (highly improbable) which may change your life forever. The author takes examples from Stock Market and surely black swans may happen in such volatile environment however, its difficult to see this happening in a normal person's life. Furthermore, if you wait for black swan to happen I feel it might be too late. The bell curve can't just be put aside is my opinion.
Overall, it's an interesting read. 4 out of 5.
Book info:
The black swan: the impact of the highly improbableBook 2160/Completed: 2/23/2008 Author: Taleb, Nassim. Published: New York : Random House, c2007. Subject covered : Forecasting, Randomness, Uncertainty, Chance.