I ran into this book with very high expectations. I had been given several recommendations, regarding Morrie`s wisdom. The topic is of course, dealing with death and the meaning of life. This is an issue everyone must sooner or later confront.

Frankly, I found most of the book contained unnecessary filler. Albom starts almost every chapter, with an update on Morrie`s failing health condition. I was a little too squeamish for most of the disease descriptions. Then at the end of a chapter, there would be a sentence or two regarding life`s lessons. The first fifty pages did not contain any of Morrie`s insights, which is twenty-five percent of the book.

There were several good observations and conclusions, regarding how to live life. But most readers will not find anything new. This book would be of great value to a younger person. I am sure I would have given the book a five star rating, if I was still eighteen years old.

Stockman has been situated in high office postings, on both Wall Street and Washington. From both of these unique vantage points, Stockman has collected many thoughts and observations. This book is a compilation of his; ideas, opinions, and conclusions, regarding the economy and politics.

Here is the most important factor, the prospective book reader must consider. Stockman bends every issue through the prism of laissez-faire economics. He explains how America transformed from a free market society, into an era of crony capitalism. From his standpoint, there were two deciding factors, that opened the floodgates. First was the resetting of the gold price, under FDR`s New Deal. Next was President Nixon. Nixon officially removed the USA from the gold standard. The result of these two drastic changes to the US money supply, would later allow America to descend into the present situation. Stockman believes the USA, will eventually end up in a fiscally bankrupt state of affairs. The quote, "the way forward is so radical it can`t happen", seems to sum up the essence of Stockman`s book. The USA has changed so drastically, that any free market proposals would be politically impossible.

The book is over seven hundred pages. Yet almost every turn of a page, revealed some eye popping statistic, or jaw dropping revelation. Get ready to make a lot of notes in the margin. Stockman details all sorts of both business and government misdeeds. He is also non-partisan, which is refreshingly rare in the current US political landscape.

This book is highly recommended, to anyone with an interest in politics and or economics.

This book is a very basic introduction to fundamental economics. There is nothing fancy or high minded about Bastiat`s ideas. All of Bastiat`s presentations, will make perfect sense to the reader.

Bastiat`s main focus is in regards to trade protectionist policies. He attempts to explain, how trade tariffs affects the entire society. In most other cases, only the protected industry is considered in a protectionist policy. Bastiat believes the consumer should be held front and centre, in regards to all economic policies. What is best for the consumer, is usually best for the entire society. In almost all trade restriction policies, the consumer`s plight is never considered.

This book was written in the 19th century. The monetary units sighted by Bastiat, are now completely out of date. However, the reader will soon notice, not much has changed in regards to trade protectionism. Central governments continue to make, the same silly flawed arguments in favour of trade barriers.

This book is recommended to anyone looking to understand the affects of trade and trade policies, have on a nations standard of living.

This collection of aphorisms can best be described as, bullet points from Taleb`s other books. His ideas have been boiled down, into a list of maxims. The author identifies many critical errors, in other people`s thought process. This of course, makes for very interesting reading.

What brings down the rating, is Taleb`s bitter denunciations. There are certain groups of people, that Taleb does not like. And he makes no bones about telling you his opinions. In one reference, he compares academics to the profession of prostitution. Well you have been warned. Taleb has very sharp and sometimes poisonous evaluations.

This book has many provocative insights. However, the reader has to be prepared, to brush off many of the harsh pointed criticisms.

This book is a great resource, for anyone looking to improve their public specking skills. Carnegie explains things in an easy straight forward manner. There are also all sorts of examples and comments, from various historical figures. Many of the people cited in the book, existed in the 19th century. Abraham Lincoln is one example. Some people may find this sort of reference, to be somewhat dated. Many others will soon realize, that public specking is a timeless skill.

The goal of the book is to sharpen the individual`s ability to communicate. This not only applies to public specking, but many other areas as well. Carnegie bases his lessons on hard fought experience. These are not theoretical ideas.

There are a couple of drawbacks to the book. An index would certainly help for future references. The book itself, is also a small size pocket book. It is therefore difficult, to make notes in the margin.

Taleb is a very intelligent and a well read individual. That is the good news. Taleb does however, have a negative side. Throughout the book, you can expect to find an in your face arrogance. He also enjoys frequent rants, about groups of people he does not like. Even if you agree with Taleb`s opinions, he will at times grate on your nerves.

The material content of the book is exceptional. To quote a line from the concluding chapter, "everything gains or loses from volatility". Something that losses from volatility is fragile. Anything that gains from volatility is antifragile. That is the basic idea, on which the book is based. Taleb then backs up his thoughts, with all sorts of historic and scientific examples. There is no set pattern to Taleb`s data. The reader can expect to figuratively speaking, be thrown in all directions.

One can look forward to an entertaining read, despite Taleb`s swagger. This book receives a very high recommendation.

First let me clarify the three star rating. If you are unfamiliar with Jim Rogers`s earlier material, this book will be a five star rating. On the flip side, if you are accustomed to any of Roger`s previous economic outlooks, you will notice some overlaps.

Rogers`s perspective is always grounded on both an historic, and hands on analysis. This not only makes for an informed economic assessment, but also an entertaining read.

There are a few over all themes, that Rogers points out. Asia is a rising world power. America has several core problems, that will lead to a lessening in power. Rogers compares America`s decline, to other previous world empires. Rogers also stresses the importance of societies, that save and invest. This of course, is in complete contrast to the current US economy. In the US, spending and borrowing is publicly promoted.

The three best chapters were in regards to; bankruptcy, supply and demand, and creative destruction. These of course are very basic economic concepts. Yet for some unknown reason, these core economic understandings are understood by very few people. Rogers`s always explains economic principles, in a down to earth and easy to understand format.

Over all, most readers would probably enjoy a lot more details. The book is a rather short read. You may also find, some of the doting father stories to be somewhat unnecessary. But I am willing to bet, you will be glad you read this book.

Mlodinow`s objective; is to explain how the unconscious part of our thinking process, influences human behaviour. The analytical or conscious part of our thinking, is actually quite small. The larger but lesser known unconscious mind, has a large significance on our thought patterns.

Mlodinow starts off by identifying the two different aspects of thinking. Part one is called, The Two-Tiered Brain. Then he goes onto list all sorts of examples. The unconscious mind helps form our; memories, social biases, group interactions, evolution, unrealistic optimism, and much more. The reader soon realizes, what is involved with so many of our basic understandings.

This book is very helpful. The reader will come away with a changed perception, in regards to how people think. The book is also fast flowing, and easy to read.

This story revolves around the character George Bowling. He is a forty-five year old middle class insurance salesman. Like so many other people in their forties, he suddenly starts reminiscing about his long lost youth. This was a time before the war. Bowling feels there was an innocence to British life, that has now been lost. He grew up in a small country town, and somehow everything was idyllic. This past utopian lifestyle, appears to be in complete contradiction with his current station in life.

Bowling decides to take a week long trip, and visit his hometown. In particular, he wants to visit some old fishing holes. He has great memories of fishing, throughout his youthful experience. Bowling`s goal is to recapture, all those wonderful youthful experiences. Well things do not turn out, exactly as planned.

This novel delivers on two particular fronts. First, Orwell describes the essence of life in Britain before The Great War. Second, the reader will also pick up, the English mind set of the late 1930s. Everyone is still living with the mental scars of WWI. Yet at the same time, they are forced to realize another war with Germany is looming. Orwell`s character George Bowling, is being swept along by a changing world. This is the story of an all too human reaction, many people have in their midlife.

This novel is fun to read, and highly recommended.

This book is all about staying grounded in the present moment. Many people exist, while being trapped into future expectations. A lot of other people constantly lament, about their past decisions. When in reality, we can only really live one day at a time.

Living in the present moment sounds easy enough. But in fact, most people have no idea, how to control their time management. Kabat-Zinn outlines all sorts of methods, to increase our daily awareness. I believe most readers will pick and choose, what suggestions best work with their own personality.
Even just being aware; of how our perceptions of the past, present and future moments interact, is a very helpful insight into our daily lives.

Most readers should find this book, to be a valuable resource.