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The title (and I guess the cover page) actually caught my eyes and I must say it was a fun read (though with patches which get you bored). The book is about European contact to the US continent including the Vikings, Spanish, English and various others. It breaks the myth of 'the arrival of pilgrims' and Tony Horwitz writes it like a mystery novel which at times is gripping. The discussion on Spanish conquistadors is mind blowing and it provides such a contrast to today's 'health and safety' minded society. Worth a read if you are interested in American history or history in general and its lessons.
Overall rating: 4 out of 5
Title: A Voyage Long and Strange: Rediscovering the New World
Author: Tony Horwitz
Publisher: Henry Holt & Company
ISBN: 978-0805076035
image source: (http://www.syndetics.com/index.aspx?type=xw12&isbn=9781410405586/LC.GIF&client=oriop)
Monday, 13 October 2008
A voyage long and strnage: rediscovering the new world
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Sunday, 5 October 2008
Blink
A few months ago, a friend of mine who is a professor in one of the Indian Institute of Managements suggested me to read this book titled 'Blink: The Power of thinking without thinking' (abbreviated here as 'Blink'). This is a Malcom Gladwell's 2005 book (perhaps many of the readers of this blog would be aware that Malcom Gladwell is in the list of top-50 thinkers of the world as per the Times).
Interestingly, in the list of top 50 thinkers, Gladwell who is on no. 18, is just below the Editor of the Harvard Business Review Thomas Stewert and 13 positions above Edward De Bono (who is ranked 40th).
While reading this book I found Gladwell as a super story teller and a succinct and argumentative journalist turned management thinker. Blink is definitely a good read book and I would strongly recommend for MBAs and practising managers. In fact, I feel that it would be a good food for brain for any professional and not just managers.
The entire book is full of stories and slices of lives of people who in Gladwells' opinion are 'extraordinary' since they apparently think and do things without thinking. Right from a person who could spot a perfectly carved statue as fake to a psychratist who can predict the longetivity of marriages between couples, professionals who can taste various kind of food items and judge the quality of ingredients and also a policeman who could judge whether the person in front is having a gun or not; all these stories are indeed riveting. Many of these unsung heroes may not be known in popular media but yes their ability to implement certain tasks are worth appreciating.
For those who are fans of Derren Brown would not perhaps enjoy the Blink since Gladwell does not create any magical impact by his personal contribution. Gladwell's own analysis and contribution in 'suggesting' to readers on 'how to think without thinking' does not come out clearly in my view.
I could certainly relate to Gladwell's experiences since I had similar kind of experiences in some situations. Especially, police treating someone differently depenening up0n how you look/dress.
In my view, what is more important is to tame (not 'control) and develop our senses. How we deal with our consciousness, sub-consciousness and unconsciousness is pertinent in order to think and to be able to take decisions. Eventually, 'Knowledge is Consciousness'.
Title: Blink: The Power of thinking without thinking
Author: Malcom Gladwell
Publisher: Back Bay Books
ISBN: 0-316-01066-9
Overall rating: 4 out of 5
Interestingly, in the list of top 50 thinkers, Gladwell who is on no. 18, is just below the Editor of the Harvard Business Review Thomas Stewert and 13 positions above Edward De Bono (who is ranked 40th).
While reading this book I found Gladwell as a super story teller and a succinct and argumentative journalist turned management thinker. Blink is definitely a good read book and I would strongly recommend for MBAs and practising managers. In fact, I feel that it would be a good food for brain for any professional and not just managers.
The entire book is full of stories and slices of lives of people who in Gladwells' opinion are 'extraordinary' since they apparently think and do things without thinking. Right from a person who could spot a perfectly carved statue as fake to a psychratist who can predict the longetivity of marriages between couples, professionals who can taste various kind of food items and judge the quality of ingredients and also a policeman who could judge whether the person in front is having a gun or not; all these stories are indeed riveting. Many of these unsung heroes may not be known in popular media but yes their ability to implement certain tasks are worth appreciating.
For those who are fans of Derren Brown would not perhaps enjoy the Blink since Gladwell does not create any magical impact by his personal contribution. Gladwell's own analysis and contribution in 'suggesting' to readers on 'how to think without thinking' does not come out clearly in my view.
I could certainly relate to Gladwell's experiences since I had similar kind of experiences in some situations. Especially, police treating someone differently depenening up0n how you look/dress.
In my view, what is more important is to tame (not 'control) and develop our senses. How we deal with our consciousness, sub-consciousness and unconsciousness is pertinent in order to think and to be able to take decisions. Eventually, 'Knowledge is Consciousness'.
Title: Blink: The Power of thinking without thinking
Author: Malcom Gladwell
Publisher: Back Bay Books
ISBN: 0-316-01066-9
Overall rating: 4 out of 5
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