D. Zimmerle

fun parent prep for "the Talk" with young adults

Revisado: 01-29-23

text and narration covey absurdity of market economy theology...with effortful hope for future implied.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Army veteran, activist, senator, badass woman

Revisado: 11-02-21

Senator Duckworth demonstrates mental and physical fortitude to get things done. Inspiring memoir, even though I'm a few years older than Tammy and don't have as many years to make a difference. I hope to convince my 20-something daughters to read or listen.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Missing some important angles

Revisado: 08-19-21

The story is very relevant, and using Amazon as a touchstone for the topic works well to show how the country's been divided into actively growing areas, and stagnant areas, and it's human impact.

However, McGillis misses key parts of the story, that makes the book annoyingly lopsided. Two examples, of many:

The author did not investigate why people prefer online shopping, and before that large box stores like Walmart or Target, and before that, department stores like Sears or JCPenney's that moved in and knocked out local stores in the early 20th century. A key element of the story is how people who are being impacted by the changes described were also the main driver behind those changes. This is an ironic part of the story, that should have been covered in the book. As a result, the narrative reads as if Amazon came in and crushed the competition, somehow forcing people to buy from Amazon instead of the local competition. The reality is quite different. Having lived through the age of department stores that had overpriced merchandise and poor selection, or local stores with the same problem, it's not surprising that people pick a big box store, and when Amazon came in and made the selection wider, and the shopping easier, than the big box store, people switched to that mode of shopping.

The entire analysis misses the driver behind the success of Amazon, or Uber, or any any number of other new technology companies ... namely that they exploited weaknesses, poor service, and other problems, in the industries they displaced. and, for the narrative of the story, the people who switched their buying from the previous type of service to the current type of service are the same people who are being impacted by the eroded earning power and poor job prospects.

similarly, the author makes the point that the concentration of a relatively small number of high paid jobs, In a few communities, has left many regional cities behind. This is an important point, but also misses the practical reality of attracting talent for companies. There's more to living in Seattle than the presence of other high-tech companies. Companies want to locate where there is a progressive reputation, real or imagined, to support a diverse workforce that they need to attract the top talent. Additionally, many professionals are dual career families, and need to be in regions where both spouses can find strong employment. Many of the regional cities have gone the opposite direction, becoming less progressive, less supportive of diversity, and therefore less attractive to business.

The bottom line is the book was on the right track to make a good set of points, but the unwillingness to explore the drivers behind these changes, and to portray all of the changes as if happening unstimulated, destroyed the points that book was trying to make.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 10 personas

depressing, complete explanation of economy

Revisado: 11-16-19

with perceived opportunities for a few elites. author IS a product of that culture so doesn't realize there ARE opportunities for non-elites... it makes me sad to reflect on how we are poisoning our kids'lives with perfectionism and work...

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

succinct guide

Revisado: 09-18-19

to more satisfying conversations and more productive, authentic, supportive relationships. Includes coaching and exercises for self-validations

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

truely conflicted brotherly relationship

Revisado: 07-26-19

listened for the voice talent even after I didn't want to finish the harsh, too true story

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

beyond cynical

Revisado: 07-19-19

offensive. stuck it out for voice talent... great reading. creative writing as well but not my preferences

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

A Master of action storytelling has lost his touch

Revisado: 05-14-19

The hallmark of Forsyth's books has always been his attention to detail. You always felt like he had researched the topic because he brought nuanced tidbits to the narrative that made it feel real. Unfortunately, this book does not live up to that standard. The author makes repeated technical mistakes on both cybersecurity and physical systems. Simple research, and reading a few books on the topic, would have added substantial detail. For example, cybersecurity penetrations typically involve human factors. An air gap is really an air gap. There's no way you can sit in London and hack your way through an air gap someplace else. The only way to do it is to get somebody to take the software on a flash drive across the air gap or connect the isolated system to the internet. The sad part about this, is that the real story, recruiting or tricking a human participant, would be a lot more interesting the sterile "hacker at a distance" approach that Forsyth used.

This is one of several similar mistakes throughout the book. As a result it's not realistic, and you keep getting jarred by a lack of understanding on how these sophisticated systems work.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

strongly written book with great narration

Revisado: 08-20-18

the book provides unique Look at battles that are very familiar to American readers from a different point of view and a well-written narrative that approaches the point of a dramatization of the Events. Book is easy to follow and is interesting throughout.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

classic book by a great author

Revisado: 06-20-17

I read the book soon after it's release in the 70s. It is one of FF's best books. Released in 74, it is now something of a period piece, with the characters jet setting around Europe, sending telexes and waiting for contact in pre-arranged hotels. definitely recommended for lovers of the intricate tales of international intrigue, written by someone who had actually experienced it as a running journalists.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona