CMC

A very good book, 3rd time

Revisado: 11-03-20

I have gone through this book written and audible three times. Repeated reading is recommended by some very good sources. The first time or two, the author did seem a bit egotistic. Perhaps he is, but on the third reading, I notice that he puts himself in the same group as normal people—see chapter 11.
Taleb tells us that between any two points in our life, trading, science, engineering, etc many paths exist. We see someone who is successful. We do not see how many tried a similar journey and failed. The number in the latter group is very large. We do not consider this when making similar decisions. The random nature of life fools us into thinking that we can be successful when we are still at the start. We do not know how much of a factor, luck played in the part of the successful traveler and the unsuccessful traveler.
It is easy to develop a superstitious pigeon dance that we think leads to success. It may only be a superstition—like wearing a coffee stained tie to work. Read the book or listen to it, more than once. Listening is better...I think.

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Excellent study for scientific and business people

Revisado: 10-26-19

In the course of my life, I have had technical people report to me. When we made a poor decision, we often were expensive in our error. The idea of a pre-mortem instead of trying to figure out why an expensive project failed is a good idea. This work is critical for all technical people in development and practical engineering. Much of the technical errors could possibly be eliminated if we really knew the contents of a fast answer instead of a slower answer.
If you are in engineering, this is a good book for you. If you need to sell a new idea to management, the discussion on framing is important.
I found my first reference to Kahneman and Tversky in Mlodinow’s work The Drunkard’s Walk. This adventure in Behavioral Economics has been beneficial to a retired engineer and physicists. I’m thankful for the work of this team.
This was about my third or fourth time through the material. At least twice through this book. It is outstanding.

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A good teaching book on the markets

Revisado: 08-16-19

In this book we learned about the markets about 100 years ago. The activities of the traders then seem to be similar to the traders now. Their patterns of action seem to be similar to the patterns of action now. As Won listens to the book he lets us know how we should behave if we are in the markets now. The author seems to be knowledgeable of the markets. If you listen carefully to the book many good lessons will be learned. The book is cited by many. Since it has lasted nearly a century and continues to be cited, it is likely a solid book. A prudent investor should read Or listen to it. This listening was my second time through the book.

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An excellent book

Revisado: 08-16-19

This book is well written. It is well narrated; it teaches us a great deal about history. It lets us know that humans haven’t changed much in 200 years. Also it lets us know that elections were rambunctious, and likely they will continue to be rambunctious. Our current times are not as bad as they seem to be. The book actually gives us hope for the future. It was a worthwhile lesson.

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Excellent Transistor History

Revisado: 08-30-14

For the one who works with computers and semiconductors, this books lets you see some of your roots. I needed to put my iPod on about 1.5X or 2X to bring the speed to where it did not seem plodding. The content was wonderful.

We learn of the men who helped bring us the transistor age. I liked to learn of Bardeen and Brattain. There are two of my heroes. Shockley was a very smart man, but he did not seem to enjoy his life. The book is written in such a way that you see the humanness of the characters. One also sees that it takes more than one person to solve a difficult problem. The genius' perspective is insufficient alone. Many people think a loner can solve any problem. Usually it takes many to actually solve the problem. Here we see the many.

The initial ideas on how the transistor worked were actually in error. Only over time, did the inventors understand what was occurring. They thought they had a surface device, but it was actually a bulk silicon device. Such insight is only gained in books like this.

I read technical papers as well. One learns why the initial papers were focused on the surface and not the bulk silicon. To learn a bit about those authors helps.

Innovation is a team sport. Too many people wonder why the genius cannot solve all problems alone. This book shows this clearly. The good team works. Any missing member hurts. Any lone member cannot solve the problem. It takes a team. The book shows this clearly as well. The loner may have a great idea, but cannot execute it. The team may have a wrong idea, but executes a workable solution.

The main characters are men. The women in the story are pushed a bit to the side, yet their impact is strong for those who will look and understand. There are many lessons to learn in watching people solve problems.

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A good perspective on history

Revisado: 08-30-14

Hayek drives this point home of how centralized governments evolve over time. His path of argument is tainted by the National Socialist party in Germany and the Communist party in Russia in the first half of the 20th century. The book is well read and should be finished. I have the paper book, but I have never been able to finish it. My commute to work allows me to read (listen to) books like this.

The book discusses the challenges as any government tries to centralize its functions. No government wants to be remembered as incompetent. Most try to do their best to help the people. A few Caligula's come, but hopefully they are few. Each government sees many ways they can improve the lives of the governed. In this effort, they try to improve the status of each person to the best methods of their thinking patterns.

In some manner, the government needs to restrict less productive activities compared to more productive activities. This requires some bounds on the governed. It can be setting the amount of grain sold, or the classes taught in schools, or the amount of refinery capacity--due to building permits, etc. This restricts the freedom of citizens in some degree. Some nations restrict the amount of doctors, pharmacists, dentists to prevent over saturation of a job market. Taxation, a necessary evil, also restricts where money is invested in an economy.

One can see this "bounding" effort will grow into many areas over time. Each such effort is intended for good, but it is a bound or restriction that is enforced by the governments power. Each such effort must have some error in it. Government philosophy changes. One encourages open growth, one encourages "planned" growth. Laws must be refined to help. Experts in law are generated over time. These experts see the law and its framework only. Even if the government wants to do its best, it is forced by the nature of the situation to become more restrictive. The second law of thermodynamics is in play as well.

The nature of people who have a new idea for societal improvement becomes more forceful over time. They are certain of the rightness of their ideas and methods. They insist on implementing their ideas for the best of the nation. Only the more determined will become governmental leaders. They will choose people of their own philosophy to help them.

Hayek drives this point home and its outcome. He does his work well. Listen to the book and consider his thinking pattern. Recognize he has his own philosophy as well. The book is a classic.

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A good historical perspective

Revisado: 08-30-14

What made the experience of listening to Reflections on the Revolution in France the most enjoyable?

In our times, we have developed a way of thinking about the past that is unique to ourselves and our time. As I listen to Edmund Burke's ideas and words, one gains an insight of how people thought about the events in France in that time.
One also gains a perspective of how a person thinks about the times as he sees the problems develop after a revolution. We have seen issues like this when one fights and wins a war, but does not know how to win the peace. We have recently seen revolutions that do not know how to build a new government.
Edmund Burke's book helps us know we humans have not progressed much in our thinking in over 200 years. We are still the same set of creatures as then. It is good to review such histories and momentous occasions. We have more technical solutions, but we have no solutions for the hearts and minds of populations.
The story is well read. The perspective can make you angry at times or sad at times. This is what a good book should do. I hope you enjoy it as well.

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Material is good for a new and older Christians.

Revisado: 08-10-12

My earlier review below needs some updating. I am listening to the book a second time now. I find the author’s beginning is much deeper than I recall. Mortimer Adler and C S Lewis speak fo multiple readings of a book that is worthwhile. They are correct. The author is very deep in his words. Sometimes he covers a subject very quickly. Only the second listening reminds a person of the depth of the meaning of his words.

Dallas W. Is well read. His references show a great depth of reading. The reader/listener may need to stop and think about what was said. At a minimum, I would suggest a re-read of chapters 1 and 2 to understand what the book has tried to say. It is a very good book.

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?
The book primarily discusses the Sermon on the Mount and its implications for daily Christian living. It tries to bring more out of the sermon than a casual reading gives.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?
The author brings out many non-obvious points. I like the way he integrates the whole sermon into one flow of thoughts. Normally many folks see it is many separate sayings. The concept of one flow of thoughts is very good.

Did the narration match the pace of the story?
Narration made the authors style seem dogmatic. I am not certain that this is the authors personal style, but it may be.

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esto le resultó útil a 1 persona