Kimberly

Please read this book.

Revisado: 04-01-19

Here, told with dignity and humor, is a remarkable story. It is a memoir of a life in intelligence. It is a testament to how much we, as a country, have accomplished. It is a warning and a challenge.

I found this book thoroughly engaging. It is packed with facts and insights, but it is never heavy or dull. I am delighted and stunned. I’m also ordering a box of copies to give to friends.

Please, read this book

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Captivating, and full of surprises

Revisado: 01-17-19

I thought this book would be interesting. I underestimated. From the first, I was drawn in by the people and the history. I gawked at the absurd but rich patron. I cheered as Elizabeth and William solves codes together and fell in love. I was proud of their work in WWI. Then Elizabeth took on worldwide criminal syndicates, reading their secrets and testifying against them in court. What a remarkable woman, I thought. Then she began decoding intelligence traffic, reading Nazi plans and movements. She kept her path of secrecy, even when the new FBI claimed credit for her work, and when they used her decryption to scatter a network of spies she had been gathering good intel from.

The author makes very clear that this story is based on careful research, on documents and interviews, mostly.

What a marvelous blending of basic puzzle solving, history, women’s inequality, and government secrecy.

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A treasure for all ages

Revisado: 11-03-17

First, let me allay your fears. This history book is not intimidating. Although it was written for children, it is not overly simplistic. It is a delightful surprise.

The writing is easy going and approachable. At times, it is almost lyrical. The book is full of perceptive insights.

Einstein is reputed to have said that all things should be made as simple as possible, but no simpler. This approach is wonderful for history.

I’m in my fifties, and well read in history, and I loved this book. I intend giving copies to friends ranging in age from 8 to 80. It is a treasure.

The narration is clear, and done with the easy manner that fits so well with the engaging conversational style of the book.

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esto le resultó útil a 2 personas

Recognizably from the '50s, but well done.

Revisado: 08-08-17

The characters are -to be polite - out of date. (Yeah, ironic in science fiction, isn't it?) it is worth remembering, though, that choice, sacrifice, and unavoidable death are with us today. That's why, despite its weaknesses, this story still resonates.

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esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

Appearently, I'm not allowed to give six stars

Revisado: 04-12-17

I've been deeply interested in this subject for many years, but sometimes you learn interesting things from introductory courses, so I figured I would try this one. I was absolutely delighted! It is an excellent introduction to Classical Archaeology, well organized and entertaining. It is also full of diverse characters and ideas. I learned something memorable from every lecture. I strongly recommend this course for both casual listeners new to archaeology, and passionate lovers of history, mystery, and archaeology!

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esto le resultó útil a 4 personas

I can't give it six stars, but it deserves them.

Revisado: 05-19-16

This is a delightful book. It explains the relationship between avocados and keyboards, and why there is sh*t in science. Yep, really. It has no plot, so is easy to take in whatever dose you need, but it is always entertaining.

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Fascinating

Revisado: 01-19-16

I grew up with biology, so I was surprised and delighted by how much I learned from this book. The writing is clear, and sprinkled with humor. The science and history are intriguing. The conclusion is frightening, but not entirely without hope. This is a truly rewarding read.

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Meet an extraordinary man!

Revisado: 01-13-16

I knew Humbolt was a great scientist, but I did not know a tenth of his accomplishments. This is a stunning look at a man who loved biology, geology, and anthropology, as well as human rights and lyrical writing. He invented the concept of ecology, discovered climate zones, and raised awareness of long term human impact on the environment. He inspired revolutionaries such as Bolivar, scientists such as Darwin, and writers such as Thoreau. Today, Humbolt is largely forgotten, but if you read this book you will never forget this extraordinary man.

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esto le resultó útil a 53 personas

Many awe inspiring stories

Revisado: 01-04-16

This book is full of wonderful examples of animals behaving in amazing, and familiar behaviors. I love this book for its diversity of animal stories. I did not always agree with the author's positions, but still found the book to be, overall, rewarding.

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Interesting

Revisado: 11-22-15

I am not sure I agree with these ideas in full, but this was interesting.

The narration is clear and pleasant, but be warned that the Welsh words are not pronounced correctly. Probably not important, unless you do speak enough Welsh to be confused.

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