Rachel J.

Often Unrealistic, Heavily Biased

Revisado: 09-08-21

This book feels great - until you realize he never discusses the downside to any of these suggestions. You'll quickly find yourself questioning the assessments he makes regarding possible biomimicry tech. Possibly the most glaring one is the suggestion to use energy from hydrogen gas because the only byproduct is water. That's a lovely thought until you remember that it's a highly combustible and extremely unsafe gas. There's a number of Healthcare suggestions that generate goosebumps on physician skin. At some point there was the suggestion to consume parasitic eggs as a treatment. Centuries ago, patients with parasites were treated with mercury. It killed the parasite, but often the patient as well. Just because something MIGHT work as a treatment does not mean it is safe, and there are often much safer alternatives.

Narrator choice was odd and lent to some confusion. Author is Australian and works a lot in US under those laws. For some reason they chose an English narrator so I had to keep reminding myself where a lot of these inventions were being trialed and the legal barriers to implementing them. I'm not sure why they made that choice for narration.

The final straw is the winding story-telling. Some stories are cute, but they were so often unrelated to anything else other than "One time I encountered this animal" that they quickly felt tedious and annoying.

Some great ideas in here, but the overwhelming bias and refusal to acknowledge risks of biomimicry inventions or benefits to using current tech makes it hard to stomach. I got about 80% of the way through before I finally gave up. I would suggest you not even start.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Eternally uplifting

Revisado: 08-31-21

This is an absolutely beautiful essay that will give you pause and make the practice of mindfulness and awareness seem simple and obvious. It is so brief and so beautifully read that I would encourage people to listen to it every now and again to remember how to love this world and this life. We do not get to choose if we wake up in the morning, but we can choose to celebrate every morning we are alive, and choose to be alive.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

Monotonous delusions of grandeur

Revisado: 08-19-21

I gave this two stats instead of one because it has done wonders for my insomnia - within minutes of starting this audiobook waves of fatigue overwhelm me. He laid claims to many inventions for which he had neither proof nor basis in reality, yet he never mentions having found a cure for insomnia- how humble.

Tesla's repeated claims of inventions that are "nearly ready" and will be "given to the world in a few years" quickly become tedious. He portrays himself simultaneously to have great physical prowess and powers of senses greater than any other human and also frequently being at death's doorstep and in weakened states. He fluctuates in his self-image as frequently as he does in topic - this is at best the random ramblings of a man's diary and there is thread of a story to follow. The monotonous narration is abysmal but appropriate given the original author.

Let me be clear: I believe Tesla was a proper genius, but he fell into that trap of "mad" genius, self obsessed and plagued by delusions of grandeur in response to his recognition of his genius. I wonder if psychiatrists speculate any mental disorder - his vacillating energy and delusions seem to be similar to a person with bipolar disorder, or possibly a unique form of obsessive-compulsive disorder that causes him to pursue fantastical whims to ludicrous ends. At any rate, there is clearly some break with reality and his autobiography makes him sound like an absolute bozo. I had a lot more respect for him before reading his autobiography.

I would NOT recommend this unless you are in desperate need of sleep. There should be a warning not to drive or operate heavy machinery while listening to this audiobook.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Fantastic story from a mediocre writer

Revisado: 08-18-21

I really wish this had been written by someone with a little more writing experience. It is an incredible journey and needs to be told, but some of the "descriptions" leave a lot to be desired. There are several points where people are described as "a guy" and objects are described as "stuff" that really detracts from the experience. would still recommend.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

Fun book

Revisado: 08-02-21

A cute book, listened to this with my husband during a long drive. We enjoyed it. Very movie-esque with some of the moments. Author does a good job building fun and relatable characters. Narrator was phenomenal with the voices, we really enjoyed his performance

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña

esto le resultó útil a 1 persona

Timeless Advice

Revisado: 08-02-21

This is my third time reading this book but first time listening. A leader whom I greatly admire tells everyone to read this book before meeting with him. Every time I read it I'm reminded how to lead well and reminded of my own (numerous) faults. I often utilized these "tips" when interacting with my spouse, for whom I have great and effortless affection, but I failed to use them in my other relationships or in daily interactions. Dale Carnegie does a great job making these tips to great leadership feel effortless. It has significantly improved my relationships, both personal and professional. I would typically describe myself as "socially awkward" or "socially anxious," but I even feel like I am improved in "small talk" because I take a genuine interest in the interests of others, and I realize I don't need to say a whole lot to make them happy!
I intend to reread (or, re-listen) every year to keep this sharp until it feels natural.

Has calificado esta reseña.

Reportaste esta reseña