Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Review: The Lions of Lucerne


The Lions of Lucerne
The Lions of Lucerne by Brad Thor

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



Everything I've heard people tell me about Brad Thor is true. This was an exciting, thrilling read. Great twists and turns (even if not completely fooled by them, they were still fun). Can't wait to read the next one.



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Saturday, July 16, 2011

Review: The Logical Leap: Induction in Physics


The Logical Leap: Induction in PhysicsThe Logical Leap: Induction in Physics by David Harriman

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Harriman presents his application of Rand's theory of concepts to an elaboration and defense of a theory of induction, particularly in physics. He draws interesting and novel connections between concept-formation, abstraction, and induction. He makes some strong and controversial claims about induction and certainty, some of which I am still mulling over. The basic format is to present the theory in outline and then, using the history of science, to show how induction in physics has worked. His presentation is clear and concise. His narrative is clean, without much of the distracting polemics sometimes seen in some followers of Rand and Peikoff. There is some controversy about some of the details of the history he presents. Having little expertise or experience in this area, I am not competent to judge this. If the criticisms are accurate, this would surely be a fault of the book. It would demonstrate carelessness or sloppiness. Nevertheless, I do not think these alleged faults, on their own, undermine Harriman's central claims about induction. He is not after all engaged in the history of science as such, but using that history as a way of illustrating the theory of induction. I say this not to excuse such possible errors, but only to put them into context. Even with these possible faults, I'd recommend the book to those interested in Rand, epistemology, or the history of science.



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Saturday, July 09, 2011

Review: HUNTER: A Thriller


HUNTER: A Thriller (A Dylan Hunter Thriller)HUNTER: A Thriller by Robert Bidinotto

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Hunter, the first novel by Robert Bidinotto, is an exciting, action packed thriller. Think Batman meets Jason Bourne (sort of). The plot of the book centers around the actions of a vigilante who is avenging the victims of a porous legal system by taking out the brutal criminals who have thus far escaped justice. It also raises interesting philosophical questions about justice, the legal system, and punishment. Oh, and it's a love story, too. I'm looking forward to more Dylan Hunter novels.





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