On the Shelf for February 2020.
Do you want to read with me and compare notes?
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Arrowsmith by Sinclair Lewis
This novel covers the growth of medical research in America. This motif is relayed in fictionalized form and won Lewis a Pulitzer Prize… which he ironically refused to accept. It’s a classic tale capturing how medicine transitioned from an anecdotal profession into a science- and knowledge-driven enterprise.
A History of the English Language by Albert C. Baugh
This academic work is a classic in the fields of language studies (linguistics). I’ve always been curious about the nature of language and particularly its history. This work tells how the English language evolved from a variety of ancient languages into its modern forms.
Godel, Escher, Bach: An Eternal Golden Braid by Douglas R. Hofstadter
This non-fiction work also won a Pulitzer Prize. It exposits the nature of symbolic logic – denoting human thoughts by written symbols. It’s a favorite among computer programmers and mathematicians, like myself.
The Idea of History by R.G. Collingwood
This classic treatise on the writing of history (historiography) comes recommended by historians. How exactly are items included in history collections and how is the telling of history formed?
Technology: Critical History of a Concept by Eric Schatzberg
This book covers three thousand years of the history of technology. Relevant questions are addressed – like, why do humans aim for efficiency so much and why are we so good at it?
Extreme Programming Explained: Embrace Change by Kent Beck
At work, I’m exploring the concepts of test-driven development in computer programming. This work by pioneer Kent Beck helped advance these concepts and is still “extremely” relevant via the craze of agile development.
Nudge: Improving Decisions about Health, Wealth, and Happiness by Richard H. Thaler [audiobook]
This acclaimed work in economics covers how we make decisions and how we can help others make better decisions. This academic field (decision theory) is quite in vogue at the moment.
We Will Rise: A True Story of Tragedy and Redemption in the American Heartland by Steve Beaven
This is noticeably intellectually lighter reading than most of my books. I like sports and like to have something light to read while working out. Though the topic is emotionally tough (the tragic loss of a college basketball team), it’s essentially a story of overcoming evil through human determination – a topic suitable for the treadmill.