The Mattering Instinct by Rebecca Newberger Goldstein (2026)

I learned a lot from this book, which presents an interesting theory worth sharing. I especially liked the biographical sketches of the philosophers and scientists in the context of their ideas. However, a glaring weakness involves the author's utilizing shrill, political language and whiny outrage regarding historical injustices. This tone also appears in her selection and description of the archetypal biographies within the "mattering map cartography."

In this volume, Goldstein explores the "mattering instinct," the biological and psychological drive for humans to feel their lives have objective significance. The book introduces a "mattering map," a conceptual framework for how individuals and societies assign value and status to different human endeavors. Through sketches of historical figures, she illustrates how this drive for significance has shaped scientific progress, philosophical inquiry, and social hierarchies throughout history.

It was painful to navigate the harsh rhetoric and gushing exaggerations, though I appreciated the sound philosophical analysis and the history of the core ideas. My expectations were high since the book was so over-hyped, so I am a little disappointed.

3/5 Stars.

Judas Unchained by Peter F Hamilton (2006)

This book provides a thrilling and satisfying addition to the story. The characters are compelling, and their nobility during these struggles remains gripping. I found the falling action and the characters' facing their challenges to be rewarding.

In this narrative, the Commonwealth must finally expose the "Starflyer," a malevolent alien entity that has spent centuries infiltrating human society. As the war against the MorningLightMountain swarms reaches a tipping point, the protagonists must navigate high-stakes political intrigue and massive space battles to save humanity. The plot resolves the mystery of the Dyson Alpha barrier and the immediate threat posed by the Prime aliens.

I enjoyed this volume enormously. The resolution of the complex plot lines and the growth of the characters make the book a standout.

5/5 Stars.

A night without stars by Peter F Hamilton (2016)

I enjoy the science fiction trope of individuals' possessing futuristic technology while attempting to assist a primitive society. Hamilton offers careful, well-presented political angles on this phenomenon. However, the society in this story is a depressing dystopia. The futuristic humans' attempting to rescue this civilization from the existential threat of "the fallers" provides a bleak narrative, as the protagonists seem incapable of navigating the local politics.

In this story, the planet Bienvenido is isolated from the rest of the Commonwealth and faces an infestation by "the fallers"—hostile shape-shifters that consume and replace human beings. A small group of high-tech astronauts from the Void must intervene, but they find themselves trapped between the alien threat and a suspicious, totalitarian human government. The struggle highlights the difficulty of applying advanced knowledge to a society defined by fear and oppression.

Despite the grim tone, I love the universe, the writing, the plot, and the vivid details. The strength of the world-building compensates for the frustrating political dynamics.

4/5 Stars.

Pandora's Star by Peter F Hamilton (2004)

I am surprised I did not read these novels twenty years ago, as they languished in my backlog for a significant time. This story checks the requirements of the space opera tropes I enjoy most. The narrative features awe-inspiring technology, a mysterious behind-the-scenes power, and inscrutable space aliens with weird motivations. Furthermore, the inclusion of AIs with unknown powers, space battles, and close combat creates a rich experience.

I appreciate the characters, the writing, the plot, and the settings. I am willing to suspend disbelief of the FTL, "rejuviation," and wormhole technologies despite their "bad" science. 5/5 Stars.

Wreck Jumpers 3 by Jason Anspach and Nick Cole (2025)

I enjoyed the first two books in this series, as the colorful characters and close combat are hallmarks of this pair of authors. However, the deep integration of this setting into the politics of the Galaxy's Edge series is disappointing. I hoped these stories would remain independent of that complicated political environment.

The antagonists in this third volume are powerful opponents, and the authors establish a framework for a larger series as shadowy entities engage in a broader conflict. The plot is strong, though the behind-the-scenes power politics are less effective. The core action remains fun despite the increasingly tangled broader story line. 4/5 Stars.

Tank Farm Dynamo by David Brin (1983)

David Brin recently blogged about how SpaceX Starship tankers could replace Space Shuttle external tanks in low earth orbit to provide structure and materials for a large space station. This 1983 story explores the same concept. As a founding member of the L5 Society, I remember an in-person meet-up at MIT where we discussed the celestial mechanics of inserting shuttle tanks into a stable orbit. Those discussions focused on using the tanks as dwellings and utilizing the residual hydrogen and oxygen for water and breathable air.

I enjoyed revisiting the delta-v and celestial mechanics required to calculate the thrust needed by the magnetic dynamo in this story. The technical details are well-conceived, but the characters and politics are also great. This work remains an excellent example of hard science fiction that anticipates future engineering challenges. 5/5 Stars.

The Voyage of the Space beagle by A E van Vogt (1939)

After reading two disappointing books, I retreated to golden age science fiction. I selected this volume from a stack of books I inherited during a house move. I did not like A. E. van Vogt during my personal "golden age" (ideal age to read sci-fi)  in the 60s, and I did not like this book either.

While the narrative contains fun tropes and interesting politics, the science is terrible and the setting is ridiculous. I appreciate the homage to Darwin and the original Voyage of the Beagle, but the author's execution is poor. Because the writing lacks technical substance, this book remains a disappointment. 2/5 Stars.

Code of the Woosters by P G Wodehouse (1938)

Three people I respect said this book is very funny and I would enjoy it.  I have a different sense of humor and put this book down after getting to page 176.  I found less than 1% of the gags to be funny. 1/5 Stars.

Misspent Youth by Peter F Hamilton (2008)

I did not like this book. The narrative lacks science, awe, wonder, and mystery. Instead of the space opera or high-stakes conflict found in Hamilton's other works, this story focuses on a drama involving hormonal teenagers and fashion models. I did not care about these characters or the trivial plot. Because the book prioritizes silly drama over meaningful world-building, it fails to engage. 1/5 Stars.

The Second World Wars by Victor Davis Hanson (2017)

I enjoy Hanson's writing, and although The Second World Wars languished in my backlog, it exceeded my expectations. I anticipated a dry history of names and dates; instead, I found an analysis of the abstract aspects of warfare and history. Hanson faces criticism for his generalizations—particularly regarding the impact of hoplite warriors—and I question some of his specific analyses in this volume as well.

The book is organized into thematic sections rather than a chronological timeline, covering Air (aircraft and air power), Sea (the navy and maritime strategy), Land (ground forces), People (leadership and personnel), and Tools (production and economics). These divisions allow for a deep comparison of how different powers approached the same logistical and strategic problems. Because this structure highlights the broader mechanics of global conflict, the narrative remains consistently engaging.

Despite those potential flaws, the book is well-researched, well-edited, and approachable. The sections on production capabilities and economics provide the most interesting insights, as these factors are often neglected in political histories. This book is a strong recommendation for anyone interested in global conflict and "total war." 5/5 Stars.