Book Review – Able Nguyen

March 31, 2009

Mind Wide Open by Steven Johnson

This is a magnificent book. I am lucky to have been able to listen to it via audiobook.

There were a few “dry” spots in the book, but for the most part I couldn’t stop listening to it. Dry because the topics mentioned were complex and in depth; nevertheless, Steven Johnson’s superb writing ability was able to make it enjoyable and entertaining.

This is a book about you, me, everyone… with a brain. It explains how we act and why, using modern neuroscience and psychology. He even references and sometimes challenges theories created by the father of Psychoanalytic Psychology, Sigmund Freud.

It’s more evident to me that we are nurtured nature, but that’s a whole different story/debate.

Final Thoughts: It’s a good read/listen. I give it a 4.5/5.

February 2, 2009

The Law of Attraction by Michael Losier

I found this book to be informative, easy to comprehend, and practical. It is short and to the point. The ideologies presented are profoundly interesting. Along with the Law of Attraction, Mr. Losier briefly mentions NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming). And how they can be used to change and shape our lives.

Although very interesting, I discovered that I have fortunately been using the Law of Attraction since I could remember ever wanting anything. Let me elaborate, it seems the “Law of Attraction” is a more scientific way of explaining these ways of thinking:

Keep your mind on the goal and don’t let anything make you doubt yourself.
Have a positive attitude at everything you want, stay confident.
The cup is half full, fill it up… it’s not half empty.
Surround yourself: with things you value, positives, people that are in tune with your wants.

As previously mentioned, I have always had a positive outlook on everything, therefore the Law of Attraction was not something that was extremely radical or new to me. It was just a different way of viewing things.

However, I did come to the realization that when I changed the exercises around a little, they were helpful in shaping the ways in which my children think and view life… you know how kids are always questioning if they are doing things correctly… diffidence.

Anyways, for those of you out there that need a little reminder or motivation on how you should think when you have a goal in mind then this is book is a “must read.” But on a general basis, this book is a “should read.” It brings up very interesting topics… some of which are denounced by the scientific community.

I give it 4/5 stars.

January 16, 2009

A Short History of Nearly Everything

A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson.

a-short-history-of-nearly-everything

I read this book to compare Bill Bryson’s view of “everything” against Steven Hawkins’ “A Brief History of Time.”

But there was no way to compare the two books. To my dismay this book was 20% about the universe’s exciting mysteries and 80% about the drama that we went through to uncover some of the universe’s mysteries.

So if you are looking for a book about science, DO NOT READ THIS BOOK, it will be a waste of your time. Its all histrionic stories of our past struggles as a race.

Review Thoughts: I give this book a 2/5 stars. Do not read it.

*With that said if the book were titled differently… maybe: Historical Drama, tales of our ancestors; I would give it a 5/5.

-Thuan

August 10, 2008

A Briefer History of Time

I vaguely remember when Stephen Hawking’s first version of this book came out, but I do remember reading it. It was an easy read; the concepts were explained in ways that made understanding them a cinch.

Now with, A Briefer History of Time, Mr. Hawking out does himself by making the scientific concepts even easier to understand.

Even with science not being my most knowledgeable subject, the book was profoundly easy to understand and intuitively concise. The reading was so enjoyable that I finished the book in a couple days. I love how the book is structured, chronologically; it is riveting to see our concept of God and the universe changed over time.

Moreover, it’s up to date! It includes an explanation of the widely accepted unified “string theory” and our more modern technical achievements (i.e. satellites, telescopes, etc). It doesn’t stop there; this book has sufficient illustrations that help with conceptualizing and discerning the truth…

Review Thoughts: Rating (5/5). It’s a must read, even if you have read the older version.