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An Uncommon Book about Annoyingly Common Topics.

Revisado: 03-25-25

As with his podcasts and shows, Mr. Pakman's writing is engaging and witty. I'm glad that he decided to narrate the book himself because of the consistency of the book with the aforementioned mediums of communications. Mr. Pakman has an awesome mustache that he stores his opinions in. The Stash 'Stache was getting full, thus the timeliness of this book. Mr. Pakman is somewhat of an anomaly amongst 'left of center' politics communicators in his perfect balance of giving the topics the gravity they deserve but is still not deeply serious in himself, and less so - delivery style. There's (IMHO) the perfect amount of levity to dread ratio that keeps one engaged and not just disheartened. I'm consistently pleased with Mr. Pakman's ability to speak about and expound on aspects that aren't just an expression of personal opinions. He reports on the simple truths and logical steps in analyzing or interpretations of the information available. I'm not an irrational optimist nor am I an abject doomer which is why David's work appeals to me and others - given the following he has garnered through his work. I think that there is less of a [for lack of a better phrase] personality cult around Mr. Pakman compared to others. The other communicators who have a lot charisma and enthusiastic presence are still speaking on the same truths, so I don't necessarily have an issue with that style. But it's the transparency and more of an appealing style and delivery of facts and information that bring all readers to David's lawn. Mr. Pakman is far from morose and Laodicean in his intent. It's merely what our current reality is that lends more of a languid tone to the book as a whole. What sets the author apart from some ""leftist"" commentators is the simplicity and sheer readability of his presentation style. He's far from condescending or wonky when it comes to the audience he's addressing, which is sometimes done inadvertently from a few academics and authors of similar works. There's also no over simplification or ban on 3 syllable words. His fluidity of prose is an example of: a) not pandering, or b) not pumping jargon into every page, striking the balance of respect for the audience and the intimate knowledge of who is speaking to. Another writer on "the left" who masterfully walked that line was the late, great David Graeber, although the styles and topics explored aren't very similar. But, I think that's the thing that gets lost in the editing process along with over-thinking and second guesses. Which brings this back to the overall delivery style that Mr. Pakman uniquely developed through working on the process, listening to his audience and (my favorite) his truthful resilience of falling on his face. The openness and candor when acknowledging mistakes or outright misreading of a situation is so refreshing. And that is why people are interested in what he has to say -and- why they stay interested in his work. It's hard to develop a cult of personality when you are unafraid to clearly, loudly, and responsibly own your errors and admitting your faults. Not that it happens often, but David is not a equivicator. This readiness to accept his mistakes is also due to his availability to the broader population. There's more than a few ways to reach out to David directly, and he doesn't restrict the commentary to like minded people; he invites all to connect with him to ask questions, offer constructive criticism, and often hostile criticism. He takes his job seriously, he feels responsible for his words, he is a focused and dedicated presenter. But, he is wonderfully relateable in his humility and will be the first to admit missteps. He has a sense of humor - not like a clown - but like a person who has worked on themselves and has the courage to examine their life. Mr. Pakman is human, all too human. And this book is a fantastic display of humanity; his, ours... for better or worse. This book is the result of honing his own style while not being (self) obsessed with how smart he is. There are no frivolous flourishes nor is there missing words here. I am a little dissapointed that I didn't hear anout Troth Centriol, or the Tesslers, or even Obamna. It's not just a book on politics, nor just slam dunking leathery inflated orange spheres (sports equipment or presidents). It's a clear eyed examination of where the USA stands in early 2025; what happened, how we arrived here, what we can do, and where we go from here. Thanks for your efforts and work. You will always have a open spot on my bookshelf, audio or physical.

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1925, 2025, ?

Revisado: 03-17-25

It's right in front of our faces. It's happening right here, right now. Why? How? It's all in this book. Naïveity, Passiveness, Paralysis, Submission. It didn't have to be this way. Future historians will judge us as the most gullible generation and rightly so. We could have stopped this a long while ago, but hey - isn't america great... again?

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Death to Kings and Autocracy

Revisado: 03-09-25

Whether they rule for the love of power or they challenge Manhattan parking fees. All kings must die. Make America King-less Again. Golden toilets lead to guillotines.

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Read in 2025.

Revisado: 01-26-25

Well... the author certainly knew that it was a matter of time. And... I don't know what to say. This book was just devastating for me, I was aware of the issues before this book, but the precise facts and the mechanization of the time line are all here of which I wasn't aware of. It only took a genocide to decide to read this. If you want to know exactly how it came to this, please read. 🇵🇸 🕊🇵🇸

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Brilliant.

Revisado: 12-11-24

Why did I like this? Because the facts and history are presented as is - no winks or 'hey, I'm a slick guy, didya get that?'. Allusions aren't needed. The subtle points aren't subtle. They're right there. But if one were to have no knowledge or lucky enough to not remember the last 8-9 years, this book would be a mystery. And that the storyline were gesturing towards a big empty field, trying to point *something* out. So the obvious points are not so obvious and subtleties are obfuscation. The only big neon arrow that gives up the game is the title and cover. Everything seems like it's left to the reader to decipher, but it's blatant in it's through lines and the names that keep popping up. The book doesn't really have a stance - if you were naïve enough to not to draw one. There's no lessons in the takeaway, other than the old gem 'there's nothing new under the sun'. I'd say that this book isn't a 1:1 companion to the documentary "HyperNormalisation" but they complement and support each other's message. The Gipper really tipped the domino that started the slow chain reaction that has naturally led to the 2024 catastrophe. And I believe that that both of these (the doc and this book) aren't the result of cherry picking and massaging of facts to fit the modern news cycle, but more like a retrospective that is and was obviously heading to where we are. It's a polite way of saying "many, many, many people said this was going to happen, here's the big points and... we told ya so." I love the font on the cover, it screams late 70-80's 'sophisticated conservative'. The whole book is just an engrossing read. There were a few times I had to go back to re-listen because I thought "no way... (xyz) didn't directly say/do (abc)." But alas, (xyz) most certainly (abc)'d. And the dots are all there, all connected. There's a room out there covered in pins and red yarn and centered around some shadowy "Pepe Silva" character - this book was written in that room. This book is the result of 1000 Charlie's chain smoking and pecking at typewriters. It only took from 1980 until the final draft hit the editor's desk. Quite impressive. On all fronts. Welcome to the Machine, where the new boss is the old boss, and fool me twice - I won't get fooled again.

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Points Well Made, Thesis is Proven and Proven and...

Revisado: 04-21-24

I think that for such a narrow scope, while meticulously documented and cited, is not a thrilling page turner. I'd absolutely recommend this to anyone who even marginally agrees with the title and tone of the title and the person being profiled. It's a fun read and there are some legitimate gems that come in multiple ways, and I was surprised and a little impressed with the style of presentation. But this is a one-off read. [I re-read almost every Audible title I have, at minimum 3 times, so I might be a different listener than most]. And I prefer *long* books, so I listened to this in a single day - so again, I might be an outlier. But, for an entertainment, easily digestible prose, and short nature really hits those criteria well. It's a nice schadenfreude break from the day to day news. Short, simple, well cited, and narrated well. A perfect one and done audio book.

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If you're looking for Husserl's Ideas...

Revisado: 12-10-23

This is a really well read narrated version, the production is great. The reader has clear, enunciated phrasing and speaks with a conversational rhythm. It takes talent to engage, keep your attention and just to actually read Husserl. Great narration, perfect production.

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Much Misunderstood, Deeply Dubious

Revisado: 03-12-23

The headline is in reference to all the "I'm not physicist, BUT..." reviews here. I don't claim to be anything but a profoundly curious 'res cogitans'. Unfortunately, the language of Tegmark's ideas and hypotheses are relayed in (hopefully) easy to grasp vernacular. Making a big idea into an accessible text is a hallmark of a good science communicator. I think that in the effort to disseminate such new and extremely nonintuitive concepts, the specificity and precision are sacrificed in order to further the development of the idea. The structure and reiterating of the basics in a linear way is reminiscent of a graduate thesis. It's a boon to the pendant in a 'covering all the bases' so they can't say... well...much of what some reviewers are saying. Front to back this text is an academic argument for Tegmark's ideas. By the way some reviews are written, this isn't recognized. Whether you understand the concept or not is your failure in analysis. Dousing a fire because you got burned on a stove isn't a helpful action. Yes, there are similarities in the heat of a stove and the heat of the fire, but the processes in which the heat is created and concentrated are 'apples and pears'. Max even said that this huge realization first started taking shape in the early 90s and he's just now started writing about it. This isn't the push-pin-red-yarn-Pepe-Silva thing that some allude to. He's been percolating and refining his ideas for awhile and it is not the authors fault that some readers object to something that is not objectionable. Tegmark is constantly recommending books, papers, specific scientists who can augment the understanding. Numerous web addresses are spelled out because the site contains the exact information he has used to come to the conclusion that the whole book is aimed at. If you like weird ideas and are reading this because it's a fascinating trip, you will probably enjoy it. If you don't mind owning up to your own limitations of understanding, this book is so worth it. If you like to puff out your chest and object to things you don't understand as pseudoscience, maybe skip this one. Yes, this is a book with a tale to tell, and the author holds "whacky" and seemingly simple ideas. But just because you object to one aspect (that you cannot understand, B-U-T) does not merit a bad review.

It's akin to seeing a Jackson Pollock piece and thinking, jeez my kid is a better artist. But actually believing such absurdity is why everyone isn't a scientist - BUT...

Tegmark is a graduate of prestigious universities and holds a number of degree... but please, go on about Egyptian Dieties and your unpublished book. If you ever write it, do publish and submit it to academic journals.

tl;dr This is a wild ride of a book, if you need a moment to reflect and think, then take a break. But do continue because with each successive chapter, the clarity reveals itself - if you are open to seeking it.

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A Strong Base for a 4 volume series

Revisado: 12-21-22

As a white male in his 30's, I am obligated to take interest in the Great War or Second World War. I developed a strong interest in the Great War. I've amassed a modest library to the subject, including "The Good Soldier Švejk", (an unfinished satirical dark comedy novel set in the Eastern Front by Czech writer Jaroslav Hašek published in 1921–1923). As well as all the popular books and memoirs associated with the event, not to mention the 6 (!) part podcast series "Blueprint for Armageddon" by Dan Carlin and his team at Hardcore History. (Do yourself a favor and look for those at Hardcore History <dot> com. This is an independent plug for HH. I am not associated, etc.) So while the Western Front receives its due, new information and research are closing that knowledge gap of the Eastern Front. I don't know how the Audible algorithm waited so long to suggest this book because I bought it instantly. And then found out that this was merely the first of four books AND the other three are on Audible as well! And in turn, bought the rest of the series, sight unheard so to speak. With an opener as strong as this, I can personally say: it is consistent in the quality and the research. Performance? No. Narrating? No. Roger Clark breathes soul and emotional heft in the words on a page. The text is by NO means dry or in need of sprucing up less than purple prose. Mr. Clark is fantastic and in my opinion, rather talented. The talent matches the grand scheme of the conflict. At times it seems like the author and narrator were working side by side, each feeding of the other. It's not often that you find the perfect narrator for the specific subject, but Mr. Clark has read other fantastic Great War books, so the non-Anglo names are pronounced sufficiently and help smooth the flow of the book. (Sometimes mispronounced words or names are funny in general, but more often annoying when you are familiar with the content.) I could go on, but I have three books that I am itching to read. 10/10 Everything is better than great.

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Goldsworthy, Perkins, Post Production

Revisado: 12-10-22

They are all incredibly talented in their respective fields. There's genuinely nothing I could add in the review that hasn't been said better. I would like to highlight the absolute powerhouse of talent on display here. (Also - accolades to the producers, audio editors, and tech's as well. Deft ears and clarity in execution that only the best are capable of; unnoticeable ambiance and perfect cuts. Not until it's pointed out that you are aware of it. And if you have keen ears you can hear the pages of the book ruffle and being turned during the reading. It's in the far background and is the kind of subliminal mind trick that makes you feel like you're having a book being performed and you're front row, center.) If you like to experience talented people being talented, check this out. Regardless of topic, the combination of skill on all levels, you'll be interested in something that you didn't think you would like. It's as perfect as anything can be perfect.

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