Three Questions for a Frantic Family by Patrick Lencioni (2008)

Our family is no longer frantic; this book would have been fantastic during the decades our family was frantic. Interestingly, the business concepts behind their application to families shines through, making the book worthwhile, so I am glad I did (eventually) read it.  I still have a bunch more Lencioni books to read. 4/5 Stars.

Back Spin by Harlan Coben

Fun! 4/5 Stars.

Red Team Blues by Cory Doctorow (2023)

Although I don't particularly appreciate his writing style or the character affectations, the plot is a fun, pulp escapist story.  The cybercrime, blockchain, & crypto-currency technologies are all well presented.  Some of the forensic accounting is a little off. I enjoyed the book, shall read the next few in the series. 4/5 Stars.

Ideas, Opinions, Liberty, and John Stuart Mill

I was educated as an engineer in the 20th century.  I learned "steam tables thermodynamics," differential equations, electric fields (antenna equation), and engineering (electrical, mechanical, biomedical). I did not learn about literature, sociology, arts, languages, philosophy, or civics (political science).  However, I read quite a bit in a broad range of topics.  And the history of ideas, including polemics and civics is interesting to most folks.

This interesting essay by Richard Reeves has prompted me (finally!) to read On Liberty. In particular, Reeves summarizes concepts in the second chapter:

Mill believed that the pursuit of truth required the collation and combination of ideas and propositions, even those that seem to be in opposition to each other. He urged us to allow others to speak—and then to listen to them—for three main reasons, most crisply articulated in Chapter 2 of On Liberty.

First, the other person's idea, however controversial it seems today, might turn out to be right. ("The opinion … may possibly be true.") Second, even if our opinion is largely correct, we hold it more rationally and securely as a result of being challenged. ("He who knows only his own side of the case, knows little of that.") Third, and in Mill's view most likely, opposing views may each contain a portion of the truth, which need to be combined. ("Conflicting doctrines … share the truth between them.")

These ideas are foundational to good science and engineering.  They are also at the heart of The Enlightenment that enabled human progress. I am frequently disappointed that our society and public discourse do not naturally embrace these concepts.  I am optimistic that we can indoctrinate future generations to honor and embrace these values.

Maître du monde de Jules Verne (1904)

I used to read more French books and I am a fan of Jules Verne.  It takes me a while to get back into the language but Verne's vocabulary and style are not hard.  The story is interesting because of the Trillion dollar Tech giants today and the rise of leaders such as Putin. I do not recommend the book. 3/5 Stars.

Wayward Galaxy 6 by Jason Anspach & Nick Cole (2023)

Hilarious, silly, fun, light, entertaining, mindless mayhem 4/5 Stars.

Shards of Earth by Adrian Tchaikovsky (2021)

Odd and interesting world building by the author with some decent awe, wonder, and politics. There is a little too much arbitrary magic for plot contrivances but it's not bad. 3/5 Sars.

Die Verwandlung von Franz Kafka (1912)

Diese Geschichte ist schrecklich. Ich verstehe nicht, warum Kafka so viel Aufmerksamkeit erhält. 1/5 Sterne.

Three Signs of a Miserable Job by Patrick Lencioni (2007)

Another great book by Patrick Lencioni!  Short, direct, clear, and actionable.  I have added all three simple methods to my daily work:  Recognition for everyone; constant updates of our team's impact and the relevance of our work for the company, customers, and making the world a better place.  And, perhaps the hardest in a big tech company, is asking everyone to help define their own, individual daily, on-going success measures.  Fantastic. 5/5 Stars.

The Apocalypse Troll by David Weber (1998)

I enjoyed the Honor Harrington series; so I sometimes dip into David Weber's other books.  This one was fun, 3/5 Stars.