++++++
The Shock Doctrine by Naomi Klein 8/10
If I could choose to have the rest of the country read one book this might be it, not because it perfectly sums up my personal philosophy, far from it, but because it's amazingly effective at conveying an insanely important message. Even if I didn't lurve Milton Friedman and the ideas he proposes in Capitalism and Freedom I still think this would have been the most difficult book I've ever finished. I came in mad as hell at the military industrial complex and exited even more purple with rage, the abuse of taxpayer dollars by KBR, Haliburton, et al is unfathomable. At a few points Naomi inexplicably doesn't trust the power of her facts and needlessly pours on the dramatic language that, for me, slightly bled the strength of her argument. In her mission to destroy liberal economic thought she refuses to perceive that it could, at least in theory, be uncoupled from the disaster capitalists that needlessly burn resources least their desire for a corporatist state get waylaid by possible consideration for even free market best practices. Also, she ends on a hopeful but seemingly contradictory note. That said, she is a patriot who I think did an immeasurable service for her country.
Super Freakonomics by Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner 8/10
You read and liked their first book so put down your guard and read/listen to this one too. The authors think they did a better job with the sequel and I, for my part, was open mouthed and engrossed for the majority of it. The Steves praise Malcolm Gladwell but you know they must have cursed Outliers because it stole the thunder of a couple chapters that somehow still managed to be rewarding. Overall, it was really good.
Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs by Chuck Klosterman 8/10
I was remiss in not reading this long ago, I've felt that way for awhile, but it took on a greater potency about six months ago when I got halfway through the book/collection of his magazine articles entitled "IV". Before cracking Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs it seemed like an inside joke I hadn't gotten for almost a decade, so I was taken aback by it's actual publication date of June 22, 2004. The author has fully infected the mainstream as much as the subjects he covers, and even if you were unaware he existed you've been exposed to at least one other non-Klosterman examiner of pop culture who regardless of their individual quality is a poor man's version by comparison.
Super Freakonomics by Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner 8/10
You read and liked their first book so put down your guard and read/listen to this one too. The authors think they did a better job with the sequel and I, for my part, was open mouthed and engrossed for the majority of it. The Steves praise Malcolm Gladwell but you know they must have cursed Outliers because it stole the thunder of a couple chapters that somehow still managed to be rewarding. Overall, it was really good.
I was remiss in not reading this long ago, I've felt that way for awhile, but it took on a greater potency about six months ago when I got halfway through the book/collection of his magazine articles entitled "IV". Before cracking Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs it seemed like an inside joke I hadn't gotten for almost a decade, so I was taken aback by it's actual publication date of June 22, 2004. The author has fully infected the mainstream as much as the subjects he covers, and even if you were unaware he existed you've been exposed to at least one other non-Klosterman examiner of pop culture who regardless of their individual quality is a poor man's version by comparison.
This book proves that as long as you're the best at something, no matter what it is, you'll be wildly successful. Chuck was the best at sitting on a couch, watching TV, and occasionally mixing in a well written book. All while obsessing over the inane, and building an enviable command of the English language. The part where he breaks down the Sims was a bit weak for me, but if you like/liked Saved by the Bell, The Real World, or Star Wars, and have a passing interest in music you should adore the other chapters. To those of you who I've come in contact with who read this book when you were supposed to I apologize for the watered down, poorly executed, and unknowingly already Klosterman explored methodologies and observations that I thought I was being original in propounding. If his two favorite words aren't "rudimentary" and "sycophant" I'm clueless as to what they could be.
