S. Olsen

Interesting

Revisado: 06-30-15

What did you love best about Owning the Earth?

I love books that make you look at the world from a different angle. This book showed the powerful impact of property ownership through cultures, countries and time and weaved together the driving force of ownership impact on governments (or changes in government) and history.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Owning the Earth?

I actually enjoyed the conclusion that brought the ideas of the book together. It changed the way I look at the world, by breaking out these ideas that are so fixed in my mind to show the progress and change in them over time.

Any additional comments?

The book is well written and easy to follow and as you jump through countries and time to bring forward a comprehensive understanding of property ownership. That sounds a little boring but I never found it boring, the analysis and story were so well done that it kept me intellectually curious to the end. I as I said before it really helped me to see and understand the world a little different.

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esto le resultó útil a 2 personas

Great Research and questionable conclusions

Revisado: 10-09-14

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

Yes, I believe it is good to hear from all different sides of an argument. The book included some very interesting research to help shed light on the challenge of inequality. The first half that covered more of the research I very much enjoyed. The second half where he drew conclusions from his work and made a number of value judgements frustrated me. But the research alone is worth it and the reader was excellent.

Would you be willing to try another book from Thomas Piketty and Arthur Goldhammer (translator) ? Why or why not?

Maybe, not right away.

Was Capital in the Twenty-First Century worth the listening time?

This is questionable. The book is very long and although it continued to present new ideas as it progressed, I became fatigued and was waiting for it to end while still wanting to get to the finish line.

Any additional comments?

I want to explain what frustrated me because much of the book was really good. Toward the end he started to draw inferences and include many value judgements that went into his recommendations with as much force as the research. He also started to present facts and give a few reasons or possible explanations for the results and then would simply say but the best solution is x without any reasons why he chose one explanation over another except that it fit his case. I felt the research was interesting but he seemed to force it into a single solution to make a stronger case for very high individual tax rates and a global tax on wealth. Describing that we have inequality and showing the growing problem was a lot easier than giving single solutions. Especially when those solutions left out a lot of analysis on the strengths and weaknesses of the recommendations. Yet that was the push towards the end to explain the recommendation without really proving the his solution was best. Still, whether you agree or not with him, he presents a a thought out, researched opinion that I think adds to the general discussion.

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Pinker's best book!!

Revisado: 04-17-12

If you could sum up The Better Angels of Our Nature in three words, what would they be?

Change your perceptions.

What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?

Pinker wove a powerful history together that shatters the perception that violence is increasing. He also carefully explores what factors lead to violence giving an optimistic view of what has and still can be accomplished to achieve peace. Although you have to commit to a book like this it will be rewarded. There are few new ideas out there and most books tend to add a little new research and reuse and repackage what we have already heard. This book is a bold, fresh, well written and read masterpiece that will not only present a new way of looking at the world, but will make it your new way of looking at the world.

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Better than I expected

Revisado: 04-17-12

Would you be willing to try another book from Ayn Rand? Why or why not?

Not right away.

Any additional comments?

I had avoided this book because of all the politics behind it. After watching the movie I decided to go back and fill in the details. The book was surprisingly well written with a good story even if the diatribes are a little repetitive and long at times. I usually only read unabridged but think I would make an exception in this case. With all of that the book made an impression on me that is hard to shake and I have to recommend it to any that are interested. I think it might surprise you as well.

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Very insightful

Revisado: 04-17-12

Any additional comments?

This book connected with me and I am guessing with many on this site. All those that would be just as happy staying home and reading a good book as attending a great party. In a world that favors the extrovert it was refreshing to outline the strengths of the introvert. Good research, well written, nicely read and recommended to all those that might feel inclined to apologize for being introverted or for having a spouse, child or coworker that falls in that category.

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Just as interesting as the first.

Revisado: 12-02-09

I thought this book was very interesting and well read. The authors know how to take on interesting everyday topics and change the way you look at them. I especially appreciated the positive view of the future. It seemed that the book showed through many examples of how we were able to find solutions to some of the complex problems in the past and even took on practical solutions to one of the biggest mounting problems of our day--Global Warming. Great read, I am sure you will get something out of it.

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Great material

Revisado: 05-14-09

I am not a linguist and the lists of words did not interest me, but hearing the history through the angle of the language was very interesting. The infusion of foreign words in the language shows how great an influence the force or movement was on the minds of the english people. A good introduction and an enjoyable listen.

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Only ok

Revisado: 12-18-08

There were some great ideas presented with some interesting clues into where the next great break throughs in science might come. The reader was competent.

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Malcom's best book yet.

Revisado: 12-18-08

This was a great listen. Both the audio and context was excellent. It was one of those books you will be discussing with your friends.

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Worth the read.

Revisado: 12-18-08

Great material. Was a personal call to action. The reader isn't my favorite. He seems upset or condescending which is the opposite of the context he was reading. Good audio quality just not my favorite tone.

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