Bios & Memoirs

Steven Levy has successfully gathered all the details necessary to tell the story of Google - to the present in early 2011. The most interesting sections deal with Google's experience in China, insights into the Google culture in the US and abroad, and how particular decisions were made from the beginning. The growth of Google is here, conflict along the way is presented, and the ethical and technological challenges covered. The only downside of the book - it is too early to know how Google will adjust to being a a "big company." A benefit of the Audible version is the "extra" interview section at the end. The reading of L. J. Ganser is excellent, the writing is engaging, and the book informative.

This was a delightful story which most will find informative and entertaining. Dayna and Robert Baer were CIA agents who met in the course of their work. The book begins with alternating chapters about each. Then, their paths cross and, well, things work out from there. The last portion of the book carries into their marriage. Others have provided more detail than this in their reviews so I'll not duplicate what has been said. Suffice it to say, the reader will learn some about CIA agents and how they work. They will find the stories told here very humanizing. Those looking for romance will find it here as well. The book is well written by the dynamic duo. They both read portions of the text with Richard McGonagle which yields great narration.

First, I must admit that I am a fan of Oliver Sacks and have read all of his books. My favorite remains "The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat," but this book is unique among his offerings. In this book he has a number of chapters about blindness and its meaning for individuals. He then takes a chapter to describe his own fall into blindness. As always, Sacks combines a knowledge of the literature in neurobiology, psychology and psychiatry to shed light on his personal experience. This book lacks, perhaps, the charm of his earlier books, but it is informative in a much deeper way. It might be helpful to have some background in neurobiology, but it isn't necessary to gain great benefit. The final chapter deals with what he has learned about perception in this context and to what degree to we configure our own reality and world. Very informative. The reading of Sacks and Richard Davidson is very good.