Re-posting from Goodreads - First Reads

This is my first review on Goodreads. I was very lucky to win a copy of “iWoz” as part of the First Reads giveaways. I may not have read this otherwise, but I really enjoyed it and am glad I won! Perhaps my biggest impression, what I remember most, is that I learned a lot about electrical engineering and how computers are put together and function. Wozniak presents a very logical layout of the development of electronics, and how he met technological needs – often in an overnight marathon (though after writing out or printing on paper beforehand, until it was all memorized). He had the vision to anticipate what people would want to use in the future. His sense of humor is always present, though some of his pranks did not seem to be such good ideas. The dial-a-joke and other phone-related hacks were amusing, though these are probably not going to be around much longer. He is an example of what one might do when they have more money than they know what to do with, like creating a music festival from scratch, but also giving to other philanthropic causes.
The Apple I and especially the Apple II computers seemed to be his biggest accomplishment, and he explains why these were a success, while other products (like the Apple III) were not. He also tells what it was like to work for different companies (such as HP), and to start one (for making a universal remote control). His experience with anterograde amnesia was interesting, as a biological rather than technological problem. I thought he made it clear that he is very honest, yet still with human flaws, like not being able to keep a marriage together. He seems like a very good person in any case, and has used his knowledge and production for good. Now, too, the record may be set straight on a few legends surrounding Apple and the Home Brew Computer Group. This was an easy-to-follow book (at one point the reader is reminded this is a “family” book), and it is well-paced, probably thanks in large part to Gina Smith. It is always interesting to hear people tell their stories, and this gives a solid background on the foundations of much of the technology we use today.

I was very lucky to win this in a First Reads giveaway! This book happens to be about many of my interests: fish biology, bird watching, snorkeling, conservation of nature. This is a beautiful book that I think would appeal to many readers, not just people interested in fish. The authors arrange the book in river-time, a calendar of what happens in and around the rivers of the Pacific northwest. It follows the example of Roderick Haig-Brown, and brings to mind Aldo Leopold’s Sand County Almanac, but is its own work, a fresh look at this part of the world and the river life there. There is so much in this book; I know I will return to it over and over again, to gain a better understanding of the authors’ incredible insight. They know these rivers from years of close observation, and their passion and dedication comes across, which is very inspiring for anyone interested in conservation. The photography, both black-and-white and color, captures the different events of the rivers at different times of years, showing the great diversity in not only species but also behavior of fishes, and their interactions with the greater landscape. I don’t think I could pick a favorite picture. Please check it out! Thanks!

 

I love jazz, and am a big fan of Duke Ellington, so I was very lucky to win this book in the Goodreads First Reads giveaway. Nixon and Ellington seem an unlikely combination, but this book shows how diplomatic the latter was; he really was friends with everyone. Edward Allan Faine did his research for sure, and every detail you can think of is included at least once somewhere in the book. As a result, there are several appendices and notes, though of much more interest are the photographs from the big event. Perhaps the book could have been “Jazz at the White House,” since all events remotely jazz-related up to April 29, 1969 are covered to some extent, though this one seems to have been not only the biggest and best quality, but also the most important socially. The Medal of Freedom was not just a political move on Nixon’s part; many – and not just in the jazz community – knew it was long-overdue. The best parts, in my opinion, were the descriptions of the concert itself and the jam session, which read like extended liner notes. I would have loved to have been there, for the music alone, but Faine’s text gives a good sense not just of the performances but also some background of the compositions and the non-Ellington writers involved. Any kind of personal reaction from one of the attendants, whether during, before or after the main ceremony, was insightful and often amusing. Much detail is given on Willis Conover’s role in the event. The man with the famous voice determined and presented much of the musical program, and also widely promoted it on air for the following five years. There have been a lot of great jazz performances in Washington since then, even in the past few years alone, but this was a special one, in an important era in the United States. Thanks to Edward Allan Faine for the giveaway, and for illustrating a great day in jazz history.

 

I didn’t know exactly what to expect in “The Dude and the Zen Master,” though a relaxed conversation between two old guys (young at heart) smoking cigars up in the mountains might have been just that. This is a nice little book, and while it is largely a single transcribed conversation, it is organized in a way that covers many topics, using Lebowski-isms as starting points. A common thread throughout the dialogue is “row, row, row your boat” – gently and merrily down the stream. Bernie Glassman has a strong background in math and engineering, yet has the ability to explain any topic in simple terms. Perhaps this is why his responses to Bridges often seem a little indirect? As a Zen master, he leads retreats to uncomfortable places, in order to bear witness to the suffering humanity is capable of bringing about. In turn he has also performed all over the world as a clown, to bring laughter to unhappy places. Jeff Bridges, who made the Dude a character we all know, draws from his work experience as an actor, and from his career as a musician. He has shown that he likes to connect with everyone involved in the making of a film, so they can all do the best job possible. Bridges’ family values are equally clear: his mother dedicated time to each of her children, and his love and respect for his siblings and especially his wife are important in his life. The similarities and differences between Bridges and the Dude are of interest. He is funny about his “heads,” made from leftover pottery clay. These he gives to friends, though they usually like to hang out together. The Head For Peace initiative is a good one, however. Glassman’s thoughts on peace are somewhat surprising. Here he also mentions Judaism, so it is insightful to see how one person can possess multiple faiths. One topic that comes up is how they each deal with situations, good and bad. They offer suggestions, but thankfully don’t act like they have all the answers. One of the Zen Master’s tricks, which Bridges has since adopted, is to put on a red clown nose when things get too serious. The dude abides, or the dude is not in. Such dude-isms speak for themselves. That’s my opinion, man. Thank you Goodreads for the First Reads book and opportunity to read the reflections of two friends sharing ideas.