Review: A Dangerous Man

A Dangerous Man by Robert Crais
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved it; though it does seem to be that this series is more and more Joe Pike and Elvis Cole, rather than Cole and Pike. Cole is more or less along for the ride at this point. But I still love it.

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Review: Early Modern Philosophy: Descartes and the Rationalists

Early Modern Philosophy: Descartes and the Rationalists by James D. Reid
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This course is a very good introduction and overview of the rationalist tradition in early modern philosophy. The lecturer finds the right balance of explaining the ideas, providing the historical and philosophical context, and making it relevant. As a general level course, subject matter experts won't get too much out of this, but those new to early modern philosophy or looking for a refresher (like me) will find it useful.

The course covers, as one would expect, Descartes, Spinoza, and Leibniz; but also Anne Conway, Elisabeth of Bohemia, and Malebranche. Typically, the focus in early modern philosophy texts is on metaphysics and epistemology, but I appreciated that Reid includes these thinker's moral theories as well. They were not just interested in knowledge -- they were also interested how this knowledge can and should effect the way act and live.

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Review: A Closed and Common Orbit

A Closed and Common Orbit by Becky Chambers
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this, more than the first book in this series. The first book was good, but had some issues that the second book doesn't have. The plotting was much tighter, the character development and character connection better as well. I really enjoyed the way the story was told and how it came together.

Without being didactic, it is an interesting exploration of the ethics and rights of AI; but also touches on deeper existential issues of the purpose of our lives.

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Review: The Ancient Olympics

The Ancient Olympics by Nigel Spivey
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A solid and interesting look at the ancient Olympics. Well-researched with attention to primary sources. I learned a lot but think the organization and structure could have been better, or clearer. It wasn't obvious to me why this or that chapter or section was where it was and how it fit into a whole. It could be a good supplement for a course on the Olympics--though I am not sure it would be a could primary text. (It's not long or dense but took me a while to get through for reasons unrelated to the book itself)

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