domenica 18 dicembre 2011
Un'etica per i laici - Richard Rorty
Rorty mette assieme Wittgenstein, Dewey, Heidegger e Vattimo per fare una sintesi sull'etica che muove gli uomini. Una sintesi che sostiene che il relativismo, inteso come discorso evolutivo mosso dalla ricerca utilitaristica, è il motore etico del mondo. E si contrappone allo strutturalismo, ad esempio religioso, che assume un realtà assoluta e vera di cui l'umanità è un sotto-ente. L'evoluzione continua del mondo e la mancanza di risposte assolute, nel senso di sempre vere, anche in ambito scientifico sembrano comprovare l'etica laica di Rorty, soprattutto in questa epoca di grandi tumulti.
Rorty puts together Wittgenstein, Dewey, Heidegger and Vattimo to theorize human ethics. A theory founded on relativism; relativism intended as an evolutionary argument among people driven by utilitarianism. A theory that is in contrast with structuralism, for example founded in religion, which instead assumes an absolute truth, and mankind is just a subsystem. The world continuous evolution, and the lack of absolute answers, meaning always true, even in physical, chemical and biological science, seems to prove the secular ethics that Rorty proposes. Particularly in these days of constantly emerging change.
Del Bello - Emanuele Severino
Un discorso filosofico sul bello, come sfondo necessario del bene e del vero a rimedio del nichilismo umano che finisce per ridurre il divenire in tecnica. Come sempre però Severino dall'alto della sua eccellenza accademica è un po' troppo complicato.
A speech on the philosophy of beauty, as the necessary context for good and truth, the remedy to human nihilism that ends up turning technical execution into the essence of change. As usual, though, Severino, arguably the absolute excellence of Italian academic studies on philosophy, is to complicated.
Perché Non Possiamo Essere Cristiani (E Meno Che Mai Cattolici) - Piergiorgio Odifreddi
Rispetto a "The God Delusion" di Dawkins c'è molto più dettaglio sull'inattendibilità della bibbia, ma molto meno analisi filosofica sulla mancanza di fondamento logico razionale dell'idea di Dio (o Dei). Ad esempio l'ultimo capitolo sembra supportare un'idea di panteismo Spinoziana, ma senza alcun approfondimento. Un po' deludente.
Compared with Dawkins' "The God Delusion" there is much more detail on why the Bible has very little historical foundation, but there is much less philosophic analysis on why there is no logic and rational foundation of the very idea of God (or Gods). For example, the last chapter seems to support Spinoza's Pantheism, but there is very limited analysis of that. A bit disappointing.
Compared with Dawkins' "The God Delusion" there is much more detail on why the Bible has very little historical foundation, but there is much less philosophic analysis on why there is no logic and rational foundation of the very idea of God (or Gods). For example, the last chapter seems to support Spinoza's Pantheism, but there is very limited analysis of that. A bit disappointing.
Quando Eravamo Giovani (Bone Palace Ballet) - Charles Bukowski
Ruvide, dirette, disperate. Queste poesie di Bukowski mi fanno amare ancora di più la letteratura del novecento. Una vera ventata di freschezza rispetto alle convolute figure retoriche della poesia dei secoli precedenti.
Rough, direct, desperate. Bukowski's poems make me love twentieth century literature ever more. A breadth of fresh air compared to the convoluted rhetoric of previous centuries.
Rough, direct, desperate. Bukowski's poems make me love twentieth century literature ever more. A breadth of fresh air compared to the convoluted rhetoric of previous centuries.
Il Patacca, un eroe romagnolo - Aristarco
Un saggio a metà fra l'etimologia di uno dei termini più diffusi e le sfaccettature di uno dei caratteri più tipici della romagnolità. Scritto con leggerezza, riesce comunque ad investigare, con empatica profondità l'assurda immortalità del patacca.
An essay about the origin of one of the most scornful terms used and the multiple faces of one of the most colorful characters in Romagna. The prose flows easily, but manages to investigate with empathic depth the absurd immortality of the most clumsy species of braggart.
An essay about the origin of one of the most scornful terms used and the multiple faces of one of the most colorful characters in Romagna. The prose flows easily, but manages to investigate with empathic depth the absurd immortality of the most clumsy species of braggart.
The Art of War - Sun Tzu
Conciso e chiaro. Adesso capisco perché i concetti di base sono stati applicati in una grande varietà di ambiti, come le strategie aziendali. Anche se trovo un po' preoccupante che ci si riferisca a concetti sviluppati oltre duemila anni fa. Viene da chiedersi quanto le motivazioni e le attitudini di base del genere umano siano cambiate.
Concise and extremely clear. Now I understand why the basic concepts of this book have been widely used across multiple domains, such as corporate strategies. Although I find a bit disturbing the fact that mankind still values so much a set of concepts developed over two thousand years ago. I wonder how much our basic motivations and attitudes have changed.
Concise and extremely clear. Now I understand why the basic concepts of this book have been widely used across multiple domains, such as corporate strategies. Although I find a bit disturbing the fact that mankind still values so much a set of concepts developed over two thousand years ago. I wonder how much our basic motivations and attitudes have changed.
The Book of Lord Shang - Shang Yang
Noioso e ripetitivo. Basato sull'ipotesi che per governare bisogna mantenere la popolazione nell'ignoranza e punirla se non vuole combattere e lavorare duramente nei campi, ma vorrebbe sviluppare una cultura più profonda. Concetti vetusti, e però tristemente applicati fino ai giorni nostri.
Boring and repetitive. Built on the assumption that good government requires maintaining the people in a state of ignorance and that they should be punished if they refuse to fight war or work hard he fields and would like to develop a deeper cultural understanding. These sound like ice-age concepts, but sadly they have been applied through to our days.
Boring and repetitive. Built on the assumption that good government requires maintaining the people in a state of ignorance and that they should be punished if they refuse to fight war or work hard he fields and would like to develop a deeper cultural understanding. These sound like ice-age concepts, but sadly they have been applied through to our days.
I Nullafacenti - Pietro Ichino
Coraggiosa denuncia. Buone le proposte per una soluzione. Ma manca una vera analisi del problema arricchita di dati. Non tanto per fare gli economisti accademici a tutti i costi, ma perché l'analisi porta ad un approfondimento e quindi, potenzialmente, all'individuazione di proposte di soluzione migliori.
To denounce this problem so bluntly was brave. The proposed solution is interesting. But the book lacks a real analysis with numbers and all. An analysis that should not be seen as an excercise of academia, but because the analysis can lead to better understanding, thus, maybe, to better proposals.
To denounce this problem so bluntly was brave. The proposed solution is interesting. But the book lacks a real analysis with numbers and all. An analysis that should not be seen as an excercise of academia, but because the analysis can lead to better understanding, thus, maybe, to better proposals.
Vaticano SPA - Gianluigi Nuzzi
Interessante cronaca delle storie losche in cui è stata coinvolta la banca del Vaticano (IOR) e le protezioni offerte dalle alte sfere della Santa Sede. Manca però un po' di analisi ed approfondimento investigativo.
Interesting story about the financial crimes that saw the involvement of the Vatican Bank (IOR) and the protection that the high layers of the Catholic church offered to their bank executives. However the book lacks a bit of analysis and investigation, it seems to be stopping one step before claiming conspiracy theories.
Interesting story about the financial crimes that saw the involvement of the Vatican Bank (IOR) and the protection that the high layers of the Catholic church offered to their bank executives. However the book lacks a bit of analysis and investigation, it seems to be stopping one step before claiming conspiracy theories.
Il Manifesto del Partito Comunista - Karl Marx, Friedrich Engels
Con le dovute cautele su un contesto diverso, riconosco nell'analisi di Marx e nel modello comunista un ideale valido a cui aspirare. Peccato sia un'utopia.
With all caveats due to a different social and economic context, I recognize in Marx's analysis and the communist model he proposes an ideal to which we could still aspire. Too bad it's a utopia.
With all caveats due to a different social and economic context, I recognize in Marx's analysis and the communist model he proposes an ideal to which we could still aspire. Too bad it's a utopia.
Freedom - Jonathan Franzen
Quando ti accorgi che alcune descrizioni e intrecci narrativi sono superflui, forse anche un po' noiosi, di quel noioso però che ti ricorda i grandi classici, come Manzoni, o Steinbeck, e non riesci a smettere di leggere, allora ti rendi conto di essere di fronte ad un grande scrittore.
When you realize that some descriptions of characters and introductions to new parts of the story are redundant, and maybe a little boring, but the kind of boredom that reminds of great classics, such as Manzoni and Steinbeck, and you can't stop reading, then you become fully conscious of what a great author you're reading.
When you realize that some descriptions of characters and introductions to new parts of the story are redundant, and maybe a little boring, but the kind of boredom that reminds of great classics, such as Manzoni and Steinbeck, and you can't stop reading, then you become fully conscious of what a great author you're reading.
Indignez Vous! - Stéphane Hessel
Quando un 93enne partigiano francese e parte del gruppo dei redattori della Dichiarazione Universale dei Diritti dell'Uomo dice al mondo che stiamo andando a scatafascio, bisognerebbe ascoltare. Ma non mi pare che a nessuno importi nulla, anzi rischia di essere trattato semplicemente come un nuovo fenomeno editoriale.
When a 93-years old French partisan and member of the group that put together the Universal Declaration of Human Rights tells the world is falling apart, we'd better listen. But nobody seem to care, actually, this risks becoming just a trendy publishing phenomenon.
When a 93-years old French partisan and member of the group that put together the Universal Declaration of Human Rights tells the world is falling apart, we'd better listen. But nobody seem to care, actually, this risks becoming just a trendy publishing phenomenon.
Accabadora - Michela Murgia
Vincitore del premio Campiello 2010... e a ragion veduta. Questo breve romanzo gode di una infinita ricchezza poetica del linguaggio che permette al lettore di navigare fra le pagine cupe di un conflitto interiore che nasce dal grande tema della morte dolce... assassinio o gesto pietoso; il finale del libro sembra propendere per la seconda opzione.
This book is the winner of premio Campiello in 2010... and for good reasons. This short novel thrive in the infinite richness of a poetic language that allows the reader to surf through bleak pages of an internal conflict that is brought about by the never-ending conundrum about assisted death... murder or pity; the last pages of the book seem to vouch for the latter option.
This book is the winner of premio Campiello in 2010... and for good reasons. This short novel thrive in the infinite richness of a poetic language that allows the reader to surf through bleak pages of an internal conflict that is brought about by the never-ending conundrum about assisted death... murder or pity; the last pages of the book seem to vouch for the latter option.
Il Sogno (La Rivolta dei Personaggi) - Francesco Degortes
Struttura narrativa molto interessante di questo racconto (più che romanzo) autobiografico. Peccato manchi un po' di simmetria e finisca con una conclusione un po' brusca.
The storyline is very interesting, great idea, for this short autobiography (not really a novel). Too bad there is little parallelism and the end is quite abrupt.
The storyline is very interesting, great idea, for this short autobiography (not really a novel). Too bad there is little parallelism and the end is quite abrupt.
Le Guerre dell'Acqua - Vandana Shiva
Poco più che un opuscolo, a tratti ripetitivo, ma come diceva qualcuno "repetita iuvant": stiamo abusando dell'acqua, risorsa preziosa e scarsa. E l'indiscriminata privatizzazione e sfruttamento delle risorse di acqua dolce non fanno che aumentarne la scarsità e rischiano di far scoppiare guerre fra popoli. Né più, né meno di quello che è accaduto per il petrolio!
A short essay. Some parts are boring repetitions of others, but as someone used to say "repetita iuvant": we are abusing of the most precious and one of the scarcest resources on earth, water. And the indiscriminate privatization and usage of water sources will only accelerate depletion and increase the risk of conflicts among people with limited supply and people that control sources. Precisely as it happened with oil!
A short essay. Some parts are boring repetitions of others, but as someone used to say "repetita iuvant": we are abusing of the most precious and one of the scarcest resources on earth, water. And the indiscriminate privatization and usage of water sources will only accelerate depletion and increase the risk of conflicts among people with limited supply and people that control sources. Precisely as it happened with oil!
The God Delusion - Richard Dawkins
Un manifesto per l'ateismo scritto in stile pungente e mai noioso. Questo è il primo libro di Dawkins che mi capita di leggere, ma mi ha sicuramente suscitato la curiosità di leggerne altri. Unica pecca, il Darwinismo viene usato come spiegazione di quasi tutti gli argomenti a favore dell'ateismo; mi sarebbe piaciuto leggere di più delle ragioni filosofiche del perché esiste una morale laica, ma il libro accenna solo in un capitolo a Kant e altri pensatori. Ma d'altra parte le scienze naturali sono il terreno di studio di Dawkins, quindi è comprensibile.
A pro-atheism manifesto written with a witty prose. This was the first Dawkins' book I have ever read, but it certainly made me curious to read more of his books. The only downside, professor Dawkins uses Darwinism to support most of his pro-atheist arguments; I would have liked to read more philosophical discussions about why an atheist moral exist, but the book only mentions Kant and few other authors in one of the chapters. But, at the end of the day, natural science is Dawkins' specialty, so I shouldn't have expected anything different.
A pro-atheism manifesto written with a witty prose. This was the first Dawkins' book I have ever read, but it certainly made me curious to read more of his books. The only downside, professor Dawkins uses Darwinism to support most of his pro-atheist arguments; I would have liked to read more philosophical discussions about why an atheist moral exist, but the book only mentions Kant and few other authors in one of the chapters. But, at the end of the day, natural science is Dawkins' specialty, so I shouldn't have expected anything different.
The Affluent Society - John Kenneth Galbraith
Un classico dell'economia degli ultimi sessant'anni. Galbraith, con la laicità che lo contraddistinse, discute le implicazioni per la teoria e la pratica economica di una nuova situazione che né gli economisti classici, né Keynes avevano dovuto affrontare, un benessere generalizzato per grandi strati della popolazione dei paesi sviluppati, ed in particolare negli Stati Uniti. A fronte di tale benessere, la crescita economica fine a se stessa passa in secondo piano rispetto alla sostenibilità a lungo termine di tale condizione. Se qualche politico avesse ascoltato Galbraith, forse non ci troveremmo nella attuale situazione di disastro economico ed ambientale, nonché in una società che sta regredendo verso grandi divari economici fra i molto ricchi e i molto poveri.
A classic economic essay. Galbraith, with the independence that always characterized him, discusses the consequences for economic theory and practice of a new situation that neither classic economists nor Keynes had to face, a generalized affluence of many clusters of population in all developed countries, in particular in the US. In this condition, Galbraith argues, economic growth is less important per se, while only being justified as a mean to long-term sustainability. If any politicians had ever listened Galbraith, maybe we would not face the biggest economic and environmental downturn of all times, nor the regression towards a society with a huge gap between the well-to-do and the poor.
A classic economic essay. Galbraith, with the independence that always characterized him, discusses the consequences for economic theory and practice of a new situation that neither classic economists nor Keynes had to face, a generalized affluence of many clusters of population in all developed countries, in particular in the US. In this condition, Galbraith argues, economic growth is less important per se, while only being justified as a mean to long-term sustainability. If any politicians had ever listened Galbraith, maybe we would not face the biggest economic and environmental downturn of all times, nor the regression towards a society with a huge gap between the well-to-do and the poor.
First As Tragedy, Then As Farce - Slavoj Zizek
New Republic lo definisce il filosofo più pericoloso dell'occidente. Ed in effetti in questo libretto questo istrionico sociologo-filosofo-psicanalista sloveno mette in luce tutte le crepe del sistema capitalistico. La sua critica culmina nella proposta del comunismo come soluzione ai problemi, ma non il comunismo di Stalin, bensì un movimento universale di eliminazione fin semantica dei confini di classe. La critica mi trova totalmente d'accordo, ma faccio una gran fatica ad intuire come applicare la soluzione da lui proposta in pratica...
New Republic defines him "the most dangerous philosopher in the West". In fact, in this short essay, the histrionic, Slovenian sociologist-philosopher-psychoanalyst unmasks all pitfalls of capitalism. His critique culminates with the suggestion that communism is the only solution, but not Stalin totalitarian regime, rather a grassroot universal movement that eliminates semantic distinction among classes. I totally agree with his critique, but I had a hard time understanding how to implement his solution in practice...
New Republic defines him "the most dangerous philosopher in the West". In fact, in this short essay, the histrionic, Slovenian sociologist-philosopher-psychoanalyst unmasks all pitfalls of capitalism. His critique culminates with the suggestion that communism is the only solution, but not Stalin totalitarian regime, rather a grassroot universal movement that eliminates semantic distinction among classes. I totally agree with his critique, but I had a hard time understanding how to implement his solution in practice...
A Tale of Two Cities - Charles Dickens
Una saga familiare intricata e a volte un po' frammentaria, ma sullo sfondo di una rivoluzione francese realisticamente cruda. Sicuramente un'opera immortale per l'investigazione intimistica della tragedia degli anni del terrore giacobino, ma che mi ha anche fatto ricordare che il periodo letterario ottocentesco, fra il romanticismo e il realismo non fu certo uno dei miei preferiti, con enfatiche e strazianti descrizioni di situazioni e ambienti drammatici.
An intricate family saga, sometimes a little fragmented and hard to follow, but with a cruelly realistic French revolution in the background. Undoubtedly a masterpiece, for the ability to investigate the intimate details of the Jacobin terror years, but also a book that reminded me that the nineteen century, between romanticism and realism, was definitely not one of my favorite literary eras; too much emphasis on heartbreaking descriptions of dramatic situations and contexts.
An intricate family saga, sometimes a little fragmented and hard to follow, but with a cruelly realistic French revolution in the background. Undoubtedly a masterpiece, for the ability to investigate the intimate details of the Jacobin terror years, but also a book that reminded me that the nineteen century, between romanticism and realism, was definitely not one of my favorite literary eras; too much emphasis on heartbreaking descriptions of dramatic situations and contexts.
The Principles of Mathematics - Bertrand Russell
Questo saggio è considerato uno dei contributi fondamentali alla logica che sostiene le fondamenta della matematica pura. Mi ci è voluto quasi un anno per leggerlo tutto e forse ne ho capito la metà. Nonostante ciò è stato un grande esercizio per il mio misero cervello, che non appartiene di certo alla schiera dei geni alla Bertrand Russell.
This essay is considered one of the fundamental contribution to the logical apparatus that supports mathematics. It took me almost a year to read it all, and maybe I understood half of it. Nonetheless, it was a great intellectual exercise for my poor little brain, which is certainly far away from the league of geniuses that Bertrand Russell belonged to.
This essay is considered one of the fundamental contribution to the logical apparatus that supports mathematics. It took me almost a year to read it all, and maybe I understood half of it. Nonetheless, it was a great intellectual exercise for my poor little brain, which is certainly far away from the league of geniuses that Bertrand Russell belonged to.
New York Stories: Landmark Writing from Four Decades of New York Magazine
Interessante carrellata di articoli tratti dal New York Magazine che permettono di costruire un mosaico variopinto della città che ha dettato molti dei cambiamenti sociali, culturali ed economici degli ultimi cinquant'anni. Il tutto condito dal fatto che a scrivere questi articoli siano autori del calibro di Tom Wolfe, Jimmy Breslin, Gloria Steinem e molti altri. Il formato ad articoli raccolti in capitoli per argomento permette anche ai più pigri di leggere al ritmo che più gli si addice
This is a very interesting collection of articles selected among the thousands the New York Magazine published. They walk the reader through the colorful maze of social, cultural and economic changes that New York City spread across the globe in the past fifty years. The read is made even more interesting by the caliber of the authors that contributed to the New York Magazine, such as Tom Wolfe, Jimmy Breslin, Gloria Steinem and many more. The format, which clusters articles in multiple chapters by topic enables even the laziest reader to set his or her own space
This is a very interesting collection of articles selected among the thousands the New York Magazine published. They walk the reader through the colorful maze of social, cultural and economic changes that New York City spread across the globe in the past fifty years. The read is made even more interesting by the caliber of the authors that contributed to the New York Magazine, such as Tom Wolfe, Jimmy Breslin, Gloria Steinem and many more. The format, which clusters articles in multiple chapters by topic enables even the laziest reader to set his or her own space
Three Cups of Tea - Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin
Un libro scritto bene come tanti altri. Una storia straordinaria! Un uomo votato a migliorare il mondo. Se Greg Mortenson non riceverà il Premio Nobel per la Pace nei prossimi dieci anni sarà una grande ingiustizia. Leggetelo, ma soprattutto compratelo, ogni euro, dollaro, yen, renmimbi, sterlina, ecc. che spenderete servirà a contribuire alla causa più importante per il futuro del mondo: l'istruzione dei bambini in aree del mondo svantaggiate.
A book that is as well written as many others, but an extraordinary story! A is singlehandedly improving the world we live in. If Greg Mortenson does not get the Nobel Price for Peace in the next ten years it will be unjust. Everyone should read this, but most importantly everyone should buy it; every euro, dollar, yen, renminbi, pound, etc. that you spend will contribute to the most important cause for the world future: education of children, also in disadvantaged areas of the world.
A book that is as well written as many others, but an extraordinary story! A is singlehandedly improving the world we live in. If Greg Mortenson does not get the Nobel Price for Peace in the next ten years it will be unjust. Everyone should read this, but most importantly everyone should buy it; every euro, dollar, yen, renminbi, pound, etc. that you spend will contribute to the most important cause for the world future: education of children, also in disadvantaged areas of the world.
Dracula - Bram Stoker
Non ero sicuro mi sarebbe piaciuto. Il genere horror non è certo il mio preferito. Però devo ammettere che Stoker mi ha fatto ricredere. Il libro ti tiene sulle spine in ogni momento e l'intreccio di diari che finisco per mischiarsi con l'intreccio di storie dei personaggi che si trovano a confronto col malefico conte è piuttosto intrigante.
I was uncertain about this novel. Horror is not my genre. But I must admit that Stoker made me change my mind. The story keeps the reader on one's toes from beginning to start and the intricate story telling based on multiple memories and journals, which blend with the twisting stories of multiple characters that face the evil count is very intriguing.
I was uncertain about this novel. Horror is not my genre. But I must admit that Stoker made me change my mind. The story keeps the reader on one's toes from beginning to start and the intricate story telling based on multiple memories and journals, which blend with the twisting stories of multiple characters that face the evil count is very intriguing.
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow - Washington Irving
Racconto breve, ambientato in una remota contea dello stato di New York a fine '700, a metà fra storia fantastica e horror. La vera parte interessante sono le descrizioni dei personaggi fortemente caratterizzati, direi stereotipizzati, e degli ambienti interni ed esterni, ricche di dettagli...... nonché il fatto che questo è il primo "libro" elettronico che abbia letto.
This a short story, set in a remote county of State of New York at the end of the 18th century. Middle way through fantasy and horror. Descriptions of characters, almost stereotypical, and of the surrounding environment are the most interesting part of the story...... and, the fact that this was the first e-book that I read.
This a short story, set in a remote county of State of New York at the end of the 18th century. Middle way through fantasy and horror. Descriptions of characters, almost stereotypical, and of the surrounding environment are the most interesting part of the story...... and, the fact that this was the first e-book that I read.
Perché le donne non sanno leggere le cartine e gli uomini non si fermano mai a chiedere? - Allan & Barbara Pease
Uomini e donne sono biologicamente diversi. E non solo negli aspetti esteriori e nel sistema riproduttivo, ma anche (e forse soprattutto) nel modo in cui funzionano i loro cervelli. Questo libro, ricco di riferimenti a ricerche nel campo della neurologia, biologia e psichiatria spiega bene che è inutile pretendere che uomini e donne siano capaci di fare bene le stesse cose... e da anche qualche simpatico consiglio su come migliorare la vita di coppia non aspettandosi che il compagno o la compagna comprendano immediatamente tutti i nostri atteggiamenti!
Men and women are biologically different. And not only because of the shapes and forms of their bodies and because of their sexual organs, but also (and probably most importantly) in the way their brains work. This book, full of interesting references to neurological, biological and psychiatric researches, explains well that it is counterproductive to ask men and women to be good at doing exactly the same things... and it provides a few funny tips on how to improve the relationship with your significant other, without pretending that she or he understands at a glance everything you do, say and think!
Men and women are biologically different. And not only because of the shapes and forms of their bodies and because of their sexual organs, but also (and probably most importantly) in the way their brains work. This book, full of interesting references to neurological, biological and psychiatric researches, explains well that it is counterproductive to ask men and women to be good at doing exactly the same things... and it provides a few funny tips on how to improve the relationship with your significant other, without pretending that she or he understands at a glance everything you do, say and think!
The Catcher in the Rye - J.D. Salinger
Tradotto in italiano col titolo "Il Giovane Holden". Questo breve romanzo trascina il lettore nel flusso di coscienza di un adolescente confuso, arrabbiato, alienato, ribelle... Un ritratto delle frustrazioni adolescenziali assolutamente senza tempo.
This classical novel drags the reader into the stream of consciousness of an angry, alienated, rebel adolescent... A portrait of teenage confusion that withstands the test of time.
This classical novel drags the reader into the stream of consciousness of an angry, alienated, rebel adolescent... A portrait of teenage confusion that withstands the test of time.
Qualunque cosa succeda - Umberto Ambrosoli
Una storia di oltre trent'anni fa, un avvocato onesto ucciso da un banchiere delinquente colluso con mafia e politica...quindi di un'attualità sconcertante. Il figlio lo ricorda in modo molto umano in questo libro. Dovrebbe essere una lettura obbligatoria in ogni scuola.
A thirty-years old story, a honest lawyer that was killed by a criminal banker that was allied with mafia and politics... so, sadly a contemporary issue. His son remembers him in this fine book. Every school kid should read it.
A thirty-years old story, a honest lawyer that was killed by a criminal banker that was allied with mafia and politics... so, sadly a contemporary issue. His son remembers him in this fine book. Every school kid should read it.
Death of a Salesman - Arthur Miller
Morte di un commesso viaggiatore, per dirla all'italiana. Un classico del teatro drammatico contemporaneo statunitense e forse l'opera più conosciuta di Miller. La lezione di un uomo consumato dalla ricerca inutile della felicità per se e per i propri figli in un successo materiale effimero ed irraggiungibile è quanto mai moderna.
A classic dramatic play written by Arthur Miller. The lesson of a man destroyed by his obsession for ephemeral success for himself and his sons is ever more valid nowadays.
A classic dramatic play written by Arthur Miller. The lesson of a man destroyed by his obsession for ephemeral success for himself and his sons is ever more valid nowadays.
Giorni di Ghiaccio (Agosto 2008. La Tragedia del K2) - Marco Confortola
Un alpinista in cerca di rivincita e alla ricerca del vero significato della sua grande passione per la montagna, la montagna maledetta per eccezione, il K2; gli ingredienti sarebbero perfetti per una grande storia di montagna. Invece, il libro si consuma in poche pagine, dedicando la maggior parte del racconto ai ventanni che anno portato a quel momento, che è stato allo stesso tempo zenit e nadir per l'autore. Alla fine il libro non fa giustizia né alla vita di Marco Confortola alpinista prima del K2, né a quei giorni tragici sul Chogori (Grande Montagna).
An alpinist searching for revenge and for the true source of his life-long all-absorbing passion for mountains, and the epitome of dangerous mountains, K2; the ingredients are perfect for an epic alpinism story. Instead, the book ends quickly and the majority of pages are dedicated to summarize the twenty years that lead to that very moment, which was equally zenit and nadir for the author. Eventually the book doesn't do justice either to Marco Confortola's alpine adventures before K2, or to those tragic days on Chogori (the Big Mountain)
An alpinist searching for revenge and for the true source of his life-long all-absorbing passion for mountains, and the epitome of dangerous mountains, K2; the ingredients are perfect for an epic alpinism story. Instead, the book ends quickly and the majority of pages are dedicated to summarize the twenty years that lead to that very moment, which was equally zenit and nadir for the author. Eventually the book doesn't do justice either to Marco Confortola's alpine adventures before K2, or to those tragic days on Chogori (the Big Mountain)
Così Parlano le Stelle - Margherita Hack, Eda Gjergo
Simpatica l'idea di strutturare una lezione sui fondamenti della fisica e dell'astrofisica in un dialogo fra la geniale Margherita Hack e una giovane e curiosa studente. Il risultato è un po' sotto alle aspettative. Qualche concetto è spiegato in modo complicato per i miei arrugginiti ricordi di fisica:), forse si poteva fare meglio se il pubblico destinatario era quello dei ragazzi. E soprattutto ci sono alcune pagine, che, anziché spiegare concetti, si dilungano nell'elencazione dei tipi di elementi fondamentali della materia, di quale sia il loro spin, etc. Mi aspettavo qualcosa di più ricco dalla mitica Margherita.
The idea of structuring a lesson on the basics of physics and astrophysics as a dialogue between one of the best scientific minds in Italy, Margherita Hack, and a young a curious student, is great. The result is a little below what I expected. Some of the concept are not easily digestible, it might be because of my rusty knowledge of physics:), but I thought they could have been explained better. And most importantly there is a part of the book that indulges too much in listing the basic elements of matter, their spin, and other characteristics, instead of giving scientific explanations. I really expected something better from the brilliant Mrs. Hack.
The idea of structuring a lesson on the basics of physics and astrophysics as a dialogue between one of the best scientific minds in Italy, Margherita Hack, and a young a curious student, is great. The result is a little below what I expected. Some of the concept are not easily digestible, it might be because of my rusty knowledge of physics:), but I thought they could have been explained better. And most importantly there is a part of the book that indulges too much in listing the basic elements of matter, their spin, and other characteristics, instead of giving scientific explanations. I really expected something better from the brilliant Mrs. Hack.
Il Diritto di Morire - Umberto Veronesi
Un argomento grande, grave, tragico come la morte assistita avrebbe forse meritato una riflessione filosofica più approfondita. Ma Veronesi ha il grande pregio di affrontarlo anche dall'alto dell'esperienza personale di oncologo che ha visto tante persone al tragico crocicchio fra quantità e qualità della vita. Questo gli permette di proporre coraggiosamente le sue opinioni e raccomandazioni pratiche.
Topics as big, as controversial, as tragic, as euthanasia and physician assited suicide are, would have deserved a more in-depth phylosofical discussion. However, Veronesi has the great merit of tackling the topic from the advantage point of the personal experience he has, having had countless oncology patients that face the terrible choice between quantity and quality of life. This allows him to courageously state opinions and give practical suggestions.
Topics as big, as controversial, as tragic, as euthanasia and physician assited suicide are, would have deserved a more in-depth phylosofical discussion. However, Veronesi has the great merit of tackling the topic from the advantage point of the personal experience he has, having had countless oncology patients that face the terrible choice between quantity and quality of life. This allows him to courageously state opinions and give practical suggestions.
Utopia - Thomas More & La Città del Sole - Tommaso Campanella
Questi due saggi, raccolti in un volumetto che ho scovato un paio d'anni fa in una libreria a Roma al prezzo di soli €3,50, immaginano a distanza di un secolo (mi sa che Campanella qualcosa abbia compiato) l'utopia, ovvero il non-luogo... il non esistente. Due forme di governo al tempo considerate ideali per la pacifica convivenza fra le persone. Due forme di governo accomunate da un comunismo ante-litteram degli strumenti produttivi e dei beni di consumo (insomma, anche Marx da qualcuno era stato ispirato) e da un rifiuto di qualsiasi valore della moneta e dei minerali preziosi, perché comunque nessuno deve preoccuparsi di accumulare ricchezza ove la comunità provveda al fabbisogno di tutti. Lascio stare qui ogni commento specifico al testo e al significati politici; altri lo hanno fatto molto meglio di me. Solo una cosa vorrei notare, che utopia è un non-luogo, non solo perché non è conseguibile in un dato momento storico, ma è un non-luogo perché è statico. Mi spiego meglio, le due utopie tollerano discriminazioni verso le donne e la condizione di schiavitù, cosa che ai giorni nostri nella maggior parte dei paesi occidentali non sono più parte della cultura. Quindi l'utopia non è raggiungibile, non solo perché è impossibile allineare tutti gli individui verso un singolo ideale, ma anche perché tale ideale muta continuamente con l'evoluzione dell'uomo e del mondo che gli sta attorno.
These two essays, edited in a single volume that I picked up a couple of years ago in a bookstore in Rome for just €3,50, were written a century a part (I'm guessing Campanella copied quite a bit from More) and tell the story of utopia: the "not" "place"... the non existing. Two forms of government that the authors considered ideal at that time in history to ensure people could peacefully prosper. Two forms of government that have a lot in common, in particular the ante-litteram communist idea of shared production factors and goods and services to consume (Marx probably got a few ideas from these two gentlemen) and the little to no value attributed to money and precious metals, because, when the community provides for everyone, none has to worry about accumulating wealth. I do not want to comment the essays and their political message; many others did that much better that I could. One thing though is stuck in my mind after reading them. Utopia does not exist, not only because it cannot be achieved in a certain moment in history, but also because it's static. In other words, the two worlds that More and Campanella imagine tolerate discrimination against women and slavery, two conditions that developed countries today try to battle as much as they can. So utopia cannot be achieved, not only because you cannot align every individual towards a standard ideal form of community, but because that ideal is constantly changing along with mankind and the surrounding environment evolution.
These two essays, edited in a single volume that I picked up a couple of years ago in a bookstore in Rome for just €3,50, were written a century a part (I'm guessing Campanella copied quite a bit from More) and tell the story of utopia: the "not" "place"... the non existing. Two forms of government that the authors considered ideal at that time in history to ensure people could peacefully prosper. Two forms of government that have a lot in common, in particular the ante-litteram communist idea of shared production factors and goods and services to consume (Marx probably got a few ideas from these two gentlemen) and the little to no value attributed to money and precious metals, because, when the community provides for everyone, none has to worry about accumulating wealth. I do not want to comment the essays and their political message; many others did that much better that I could. One thing though is stuck in my mind after reading them. Utopia does not exist, not only because it cannot be achieved in a certain moment in history, but also because it's static. In other words, the two worlds that More and Campanella imagine tolerate discrimination against women and slavery, two conditions that developed countries today try to battle as much as they can. So utopia cannot be achieved, not only because you cannot align every individual towards a standard ideal form of community, but because that ideal is constantly changing along with mankind and the surrounding environment evolution.
Une Brève Histoire de l'Avenir - Jacques Attali
Interessante esperimento intellettuale in cui l'economista, sociologo, futurologo... Jacques Attali disegna gli scenari per il mondo dei prossimi 50 anni partendo dalle lezioni del passato. Cicerone avrebbe apprezzato! Sta tutto in piedi fino all'Iperimpero e all'Iperconflitto, poi si perde un po' nella transizione all'Iperdemocrazia. Forse perché i primi segni delle prime due ere sono già chiari, mentre la terza non riesco a vederla. Mi sembra tutto troppo dipendente dalla buona volontà dell'uomo. O forse dopo un periodo di conflitti pesante, come durante la seconda guerra mondiale ci saranno alcuni decenni di prosperità e poi si tornerà ad autodistruggersi, ovvero l'Iperdemocrazia non sarà permanente... magari sono io troppo pessimista. Manca poi qualcosa di rivoluzionario nell'Iperdemocrazia, mi sembra di rileggere Adam Smith che vedeva un ruolo preponderante del mercato, ma anche un ruolo fondamentale dei servizi pubblici per eliminare le esternalità e del settore non-profit. Per uscire dal tunnel in cui l'umanità si è cacciata mi sembra serva qualcosa di più... non nel corso della mia vita.
Jacques Attali, economist, sociologist, futurologist... creates an interesting intellectual experiment. He describes the future scenarios for the next 50 years of humankind, by starting from lessons learned in the past. Cicerone would have been proud of him! It all makes sense for the first two eras, the Hyperempire and the Hyperconflict, but then the logic is a bit weaker when he transitions to the Hyperdemocracy. Maybe because I can recognize signs of the first two eras and not yet the third. It sounds too much dependent on humankind's goodwill. Or maybe after wars and conflicts of various king, as after World War II, we'll have a period of prosperity and then we'll self-destruct again: i.e. the Hyperdemocracy won't last... then, it might be me being too pessimistic. Also in the Hyperdemocracy I would have expected something more revolutionary; I felt like I was reading again Adam Smith, who saw perfect market mechanisms (prices) regulate all exchanges and eliminating all opportunities for extra (monopolistic) profits, as well as a fundamental role of public services and charities to eliminate externalities. To come out of the tunnel humankind dug ourselves into, I believe we need something radically different... not in my lifetime.
Jacques Attali, economist, sociologist, futurologist... creates an interesting intellectual experiment. He describes the future scenarios for the next 50 years of humankind, by starting from lessons learned in the past. Cicerone would have been proud of him! It all makes sense for the first two eras, the Hyperempire and the Hyperconflict, but then the logic is a bit weaker when he transitions to the Hyperdemocracy. Maybe because I can recognize signs of the first two eras and not yet the third. It sounds too much dependent on humankind's goodwill. Or maybe after wars and conflicts of various king, as after World War II, we'll have a period of prosperity and then we'll self-destruct again: i.e. the Hyperdemocracy won't last... then, it might be me being too pessimistic. Also in the Hyperdemocracy I would have expected something more revolutionary; I felt like I was reading again Adam Smith, who saw perfect market mechanisms (prices) regulate all exchanges and eliminating all opportunities for extra (monopolistic) profits, as well as a fundamental role of public services and charities to eliminate externalities. To come out of the tunnel humankind dug ourselves into, I believe we need something radically different... not in my lifetime.
Le Petit Prince - Antoine De Saint-Exupéry
Potente allegoria questo libretto scritto dal poeta e aviatore francese. Il linguaggio spoglio, fintamente fanciullesco, apre una finestra sulle assurdità del mondo attraverso gli occhi di un bambino, il Piccolo Principe appunto: dalla frenesia per gli affari, all'alienante e disumana ripetitività di alcuni lavori manuali - forse Saint-Exupéry aveva visto Tempi Moderni di Chaplin -, alla vanesia individualità di molti adulti. Un elenco basilare, ma che coglie tutte le brutture di una razza, quella umana, che non sembra imparare dalla sua storia, vista la crisi ambientale-economica-sociale dei nostri giorni.
This short novel written by the French poet and aviator is a powerful allegory. The very basic language, ostensibly kids' language, helps to look at the world aberrations through the eyes of a child, the Little Prince: from businessmen frenzy, to alienating and un-human repetition of some hand-jobs - maybe Saint-Exupéry had watch Chaplin's Modern Times -, to pointless vanity of many individuals. A basic list of human nature characteristics, but they are enough to capture the ugliest facets of mankind, which does not seem to learn from historical errors... if one had to judge by the current environmental-economic-social crisis.
This short novel written by the French poet and aviator is a powerful allegory. The very basic language, ostensibly kids' language, helps to look at the world aberrations through the eyes of a child, the Little Prince: from businessmen frenzy, to alienating and un-human repetition of some hand-jobs - maybe Saint-Exupéry had watch Chaplin's Modern Times -, to pointless vanity of many individuals. A basic list of human nature characteristics, but they are enough to capture the ugliest facets of mankind, which does not seem to learn from historical errors... if one had to judge by the current environmental-economic-social crisis.
The World Without Us - Alan Weisman
Giornalista scientifico per Harper's, New York Time Magazine e varie altre testate, Alan Weisman compie un interessantissimo esperimento teorico in questo saggio: immagina cosa succederebbe al mondo se la specie Homo Sapiens si estinguesse da un giorno all'altro. Il libro spiega brevemente l'ipotesi e poi, non senza ironia, scandaglia i vari ambienti in cui l'uomo vive: città, mare, zone equatoriali ed immagina come la flora e la fauna potrebbero riappropriarsi di ecosistemi modificati progressivamente dall'uomo dalla sua apparizione in Africa 130,000 anni fa. Weisman intervista scienziati esperti in vari campi per concludere che questa conversione sarebbe per lo più molto nell'ordine di qualche centinaio di anni, ma non mancherebbero strascichi poco simpatici e a lunghissimo termine del nostro passaggio. Il fatto di avere letto questo saggio a qualche mese di distanza dall'Origine delle Specie di Darwin e da Gaia di Lovelock non fa che corroborare la mia idea che la nostra sparizione sarebbe perfettamente in armonia con la storia infinita dell'evoluzione del pianeta terra!
Scientific journalist for Harper's, New York Time Magazine and other magazines, Alan Weisman carries out a very interesting theoretical experiment in this essay: he imagines what would happen to planet earth if Homo Sapiens vanished... tomorrow. The book briefly describes the hypothesis, then, often with a healthy dose of irony, scans all parts of the earth where we live in: cities, seas, equatorial lands and imagines how flora and fauna would take back ownerships of all ecosystems progressively modified by men since we appeared in Africa 130,000 years ago. Weisman interviews scientists with experience in a variety of fields and concludes that soon after we are gone, often in a matter of tens or hundreds of years, the face of earth would change profoundly; nevertheless he stresses that some nasty impacts of our passage would last much longer. As I read this essay a few months after reading Darwin's The Origin of Species and Lovelock's Gaia, I'm even more convinced that mankind extinction (sudden or slow) is in perfect harmony with the infinite evolution of planet earth!
Scientific journalist for Harper's, New York Time Magazine and other magazines, Alan Weisman carries out a very interesting theoretical experiment in this essay: he imagines what would happen to planet earth if Homo Sapiens vanished... tomorrow. The book briefly describes the hypothesis, then, often with a healthy dose of irony, scans all parts of the earth where we live in: cities, seas, equatorial lands and imagines how flora and fauna would take back ownerships of all ecosystems progressively modified by men since we appeared in Africa 130,000 years ago. Weisman interviews scientists with experience in a variety of fields and concludes that soon after we are gone, often in a matter of tens or hundreds of years, the face of earth would change profoundly; nevertheless he stresses that some nasty impacts of our passage would last much longer. As I read this essay a few months after reading Darwin's The Origin of Species and Lovelock's Gaia, I'm even more convinced that mankind extinction (sudden or slow) is in perfect harmony with the infinite evolution of planet earth!
L'impero di Cindia - Federico Rampini
Era nello scaffale da tre anni. Alcuni l'avevano tacciato di superficialità. Altri l'avevano santificato. Né l'uno né l'altro. Federico Rampini è un giornalista capace. E come tale scrive con maestria. Ci sono due pecche. Come altri giornalisti, Rampini tende ad enunciare una tesi all'inizio di un capitolo e poi portare una serie di fatti di cronaca a riprova della propria tesi e non invece ad sviscerare gli aspetti più analitici come farebbe un economista, ma d'altra parte è un libro divulgativo... L'altra pecca, secondo me più grave, è il bilanciamento dei contenuti. Il titolo farebbe pensare ad un'analisi che fonda Cina e India. Ma su oltre trecento pagine di narrazione, escluse conclusioni ed introduzione, solo ottanta sono riferite, in modo inevitabilmente superficiale, all'India, mentre il resto è un'accurata analisi del fenomeno Cina.
It had been sitting on a shelf for three years. Someone had told me it was superficial. Someone else had called it a masterpiece. Neither. Federico Rampini is a talented journalist. And as such he writes skillfully. There are two pitfalls though. As other journalists, Rampini tends to describe his thesis at the beginning of a chapter and then to corroborate it with a long series of facts, rather than to analyze theoretically every possible angle, as an economist would do, but, then, the purpose of the book is to communicate to the layman, not to scholars... The other, and I believe more serious, pitfall consist of bad balance of content. Seeing the title, the reader would expect an analysis that mixes China and India. Instead, of the over three-hundred pages, excluding conclusions and introduction, only eighty are dedicated to India, while the rest is an accurate analysis of China; the result is a rather superficial analysis of India.
It had been sitting on a shelf for three years. Someone had told me it was superficial. Someone else had called it a masterpiece. Neither. Federico Rampini is a talented journalist. And as such he writes skillfully. There are two pitfalls though. As other journalists, Rampini tends to describe his thesis at the beginning of a chapter and then to corroborate it with a long series of facts, rather than to analyze theoretically every possible angle, as an economist would do, but, then, the purpose of the book is to communicate to the layman, not to scholars... The other, and I believe more serious, pitfall consist of bad balance of content. Seeing the title, the reader would expect an analysis that mixes China and India. Instead, of the over three-hundred pages, excluding conclusions and introduction, only eighty are dedicated to India, while the rest is an accurate analysis of China; the result is a rather superficial analysis of India.
Vado in Senegal - Carlo Giorgi
Ogni occasione per me è buona per compare un libro. Anche la fiera "Fa' la Cosa Giusta". La fiera del consumo critico e degli stili di vita sostenibili che si tiene a Milano ogni anno a marzo (http://www.falacosagiusta.org/). Come due anni fa compro un libro. Quella volta di economia da una bancarella seriosa. Questa volta di viaggi, da un venditore probabilmente senegalese, o meglio "abbronzato" come direbbe il nostro presidente del consiglio... che vende libri e giornali per Terre di Mezzo (http://www.terre.it/gruppo/index.html). E' un diario di viaggio scritto da Carlo Giorgi, che di Terre di Mezzo è il direttore. Di un viaggio eco-sostenibile fra autobus improbabilmente affollati e treni impossibilmente lenti, in un'Africa lontana dalle lotte per il petrolio della Nigeria, le guerre etniche della costa Orientale e le guerre per i diamanti degli stati centrali. Ma sempre in bilico fra ricerca di riscatto, piccoli lavoretti, organizzazioni non governative e disperazione di chi è disposto a rischiare la pelle sui barconi per le Canarie, o sugli sgangherati fuoristrada per le coste della Libia.
Every occasion is good to buy a book. Event the "Do the Right Thing" fair that takes place every year in March, in Milano, to promote environmentally sustainable food, textile, furniture, travel.... I bought a book when I went two years ago and I bought one this time. Two years ago it was a book about economics and I bought it at a very tidy stand. This time around I pick it up from one of those loud guys from Senegal that roam around selling books and papers printed by "Terre di Mezzo". It's a travel journal written by Carlo Giorgi, who's the chief editor of Terre di Mezzo. An environmentally sustainable journey through crazily loaded buses and unsettlingly slow trains. Far from stereotypical fights for oil in Nigeria, ethnic wars in Eastern Africa, diamond wars in Central Africa. But always caught in between small steps towards economic independence, local craftsmen and women, NGOs and desperate young people that are willing to risk their life on shaky boats towards Canary Islands or half-destroyed 4WD driving to the coasts of Libya.
Every occasion is good to buy a book. Event the "Do the Right Thing" fair that takes place every year in March, in Milano, to promote environmentally sustainable food, textile, furniture, travel.... I bought a book when I went two years ago and I bought one this time. Two years ago it was a book about economics and I bought it at a very tidy stand. This time around I pick it up from one of those loud guys from Senegal that roam around selling books and papers printed by "Terre di Mezzo". It's a travel journal written by Carlo Giorgi, who's the chief editor of Terre di Mezzo. An environmentally sustainable journey through crazily loaded buses and unsettlingly slow trains. Far from stereotypical fights for oil in Nigeria, ethnic wars in Eastern Africa, diamond wars in Central Africa. But always caught in between small steps towards economic independence, local craftsmen and women, NGOs and desperate young people that are willing to risk their life on shaky boats towards Canary Islands or half-destroyed 4WD driving to the coasts of Libya.
The Origin of Species - Charles Darwin
I testi scolastici mi hanno sempre lasciato la voglia di approfondire argomenti che erano riassunti ed estratti da studi ben più approfonditi di grandi scrittori e scienziati. L'opera omnia di Darwin era sicuramente uno di questi argomenti. Pubblicata nel 1859, questa ricerca sull'origine degli esseri viventi di qualsiasi classe, genere, specie è da considerare al pari degli studi di Galileo, Keplero, Newton per come hanno mutato profondamente non solo una specifica scienza, ma l'intero modo di pensare dell'umanità. La lettura è facile, ma piuttosto tediosa, lungo le quasi 700 pagine (nell'edizione che io avevo a disposizione); infatti, Darwin fonda la sua teoria su prove dettagliatissime, ma ciò richiede descrizioni minuziose di organi e organismi di ogni tipo. Dovrebbe essere una lettura obbligatoria nelle scuole di tutto il mondo, contro l'oscurantismo religioso che abbaglia ancora tanti paesi... anche nei cosiddetti paesi sviluppati!
School textbooks always left me with the desire to go well beyond the summary and extracts of world-renowned authors and scientists. Darwin masterpiece was one of the topics that I wanted to explore more in depth. Published in 1859, this research on the origin of animals and plants of any genera and species is to be considered at par with studies done by Galileo, Kepler and Newton, because it not only changed how we look at a specific science, but profoundly shifted how humanity thinks of itself and its history. Darwin's writing is very easy and well organized, but some paragraphs are really boring, along the 700 pages (at least that was the number in the edition I had); in fact, Darwin bases his theory on very detailed evidence, but to do so he has to describe organs and organisms so specifically that I had to re-read some sentences three or four times. Regardless, this ought to be a mandatory reading for school pupils around the world, against the religious obscurantism that dominates many countries... even those we categorize as developed!
School textbooks always left me with the desire to go well beyond the summary and extracts of world-renowned authors and scientists. Darwin masterpiece was one of the topics that I wanted to explore more in depth. Published in 1859, this research on the origin of animals and plants of any genera and species is to be considered at par with studies done by Galileo, Kepler and Newton, because it not only changed how we look at a specific science, but profoundly shifted how humanity thinks of itself and its history. Darwin's writing is very easy and well organized, but some paragraphs are really boring, along the 700 pages (at least that was the number in the edition I had); in fact, Darwin bases his theory on very detailed evidence, but to do so he has to describe organs and organisms so specifically that I had to re-read some sentences three or four times. Regardless, this ought to be a mandatory reading for school pupils around the world, against the religious obscurantism that dominates many countries... even those we categorize as developed!
Cities (Groundwork Guide) - John Lorinc
Nel 2008, per la prima volta nella storia del mondo, la popolazione urbana ha superato la popolazione rurale. In questo breve pamphlet, il giornalista canadese John Lorinc articola le sfide future di questo cambiamento epocale; dalla sostenibilità ambientale, a quella economica, a quella sociale. Lettura semplice e veloce, ma manca di approfondimenti su scenari futuri che intreccino la vita nelle città con possibili mutamenti più ampi in termini di tele-lavoro e tele-studio, scambi commerciali sempre più basati sul trasferimento a grandi distanze di idee, piuttosto che di beni materiali e uomini. Infine Lorinc, mentre esplora a fondo le problematiche che dovranno affrontare le grandi metropoli, non spiega come quelle sfide impatteranno aggregati urbani di media e piccola dimensione, di cui tanti paesi, soprattutto europei, sono ricchi.
In 2008, for the first time in human history, the urban population surpassed rural population worldwide. In this short essay, Canadian reporter and news editor John Lorinc analyzes the future challenges of this historical shift; from environmental sustainability, to economic and social sustainability. The book is easy to read, but the author does not explore future scenarios that correlate life in large cities with wider-reaching changes of teleworking, virtual-classrooms and trade based on ideas, rather than movement of people and goods. Eventually Lorinc, while broadly analyzing the challenges that confront large metropolis, does not explain how those will impact cities of medium to small size, which exist in so large numbers, especially in Europe.
In 2008, for the first time in human history, the urban population surpassed rural population worldwide. In this short essay, Canadian reporter and news editor John Lorinc analyzes the future challenges of this historical shift; from environmental sustainability, to economic and social sustainability. The book is easy to read, but the author does not explore future scenarios that correlate life in large cities with wider-reaching changes of teleworking, virtual-classrooms and trade based on ideas, rather than movement of people and goods. Eventually Lorinc, while broadly analyzing the challenges that confront large metropolis, does not explain how those will impact cities of medium to small size, which exist in so large numbers, especially in Europe.
Allegro ma non troppo (con) Le leggi fondamentali della stupidità umana - Carlo Maria Cipolla
Questo libretto (un'ora di lettura) mette assieme i due argomenti distintivi di uno dei più insigni storici dell'economia in Italia, Carlo Cipolla. Il primo saggio propone spunti provocatori, tra il serio e il faceto, della storia economica e politica del medioevo, fra pepe, crociate e cinture di castità. Il secondo enuncia e spiega le leggi fondamentali della stupidità. Il primo è sicuramente più godibile. La discussione sulle leggi fondamentali della stupidità rischia di risultare un po' scolastica, mancando di raccomandazioni su cosa fare per contrastare i pericoli della tendenza alla stupidità, comunque fa molto riflettere sulla situazione di alcuni paesi, soprattutto il nostro, dove banditi e sprovveduti si sono certamente mossi in massa sotto alla bisettrice!
This short book (one hour reading) combines the two distinctive topics of one of the best Italian economic history scholars, Carlo Cipolla. The first essay suggests provocative ideas, some of them with great irony, about middle-age economic and political history, among pepper, crusades and chastity belts. The second outlines and explains the fundamental laws of stupidity. The first essay is definitely more enjoyable. The discussion around stupidity laws reads too much like a scholarly exercise, as it lacks recommendations on how to limit the effects of stupidity; nonetheless it made me think of the situation of certain countries, especially my own, where bandits and helpless have moved en-mass well under the bisectrix!
This short book (one hour reading) combines the two distinctive topics of one of the best Italian economic history scholars, Carlo Cipolla. The first essay suggests provocative ideas, some of them with great irony, about middle-age economic and political history, among pepper, crusades and chastity belts. The second outlines and explains the fundamental laws of stupidity. The first essay is definitely more enjoyable. The discussion around stupidity laws reads too much like a scholarly exercise, as it lacks recommendations on how to limit the effects of stupidity; nonetheless it made me think of the situation of certain countries, especially my own, where bandits and helpless have moved en-mass well under the bisectrix!
The Conscience of a Liberal - Paul Krugman
Se il premio Nobel per l'economia 2008 si professa apertamente liberal, ovvero socialista nell'accezione europea del termine, beh, allora è un ulteriore conferma che sono dalla parte giusta! Il libro che non ti aspetti da Krugman; invece di analizzare meccanismi puramente economici, si tuffa in una disamina socio-politica degli ultimi 80 anni di storia americana. Ne scaturisce un manifesto di pensiero che sostiene che solo con un'adeguata rete di protezione sociale e sanitaria ci può essere una crescita economica equa; un new New Deal come lo chiama l'autore. Sicuramente giusto, almeno dal mio punto di vista, però da Krugman mi aspettavo anche qualche spunto innovativo in più, su come risolvere i problemi di un sistema economico allo sbando.
If the 2008 ecomics Nobel prize winner openly professes to be a liberal, call it a socialist in European terms, well, maybe that confirms that I'm on the right side of the arch! This is the book you don't expect from Krugman; instead of pure and deep economic analysis, he dives into socio-political discussions of the last 80 years of American history. What comes out is a political manifesto that argues that only with adequate social and healthcare safety nets, economic growth can be equitable; a new New Deal as the author calls it. Undoubtedly right, at least from my point of view, nonetheless I was expecting Krugman to come up with some more innovative ideas on how to tackle the deep-rooted crisis of a whole economic model.
If the 2008 ecomics Nobel prize winner openly professes to be a liberal, call it a socialist in European terms, well, maybe that confirms that I'm on the right side of the arch! This is the book you don't expect from Krugman; instead of pure and deep economic analysis, he dives into socio-political discussions of the last 80 years of American history. What comes out is a political manifesto that argues that only with adequate social and healthcare safety nets, economic growth can be equitable; a new New Deal as the author calls it. Undoubtedly right, at least from my point of view, nonetheless I was expecting Krugman to come up with some more innovative ideas on how to tackle the deep-rooted crisis of a whole economic model.
Saggio Sull'Intelletto Umano - John Locke
Leggere di filosofia, per un ignorante in materia come me, è un po' come ascoltare una lingua straniera avendola studiata a malapena sui libri, all'inizio si coglie appena il senso del discorso, poi, mano a mano si capiscono sempre più le singole proposizioni e parole. Così è stato per questo saggio di Locke (o meglio per questa versione in italiano che ho letto), in cui il grande filosofo inglese sostiene che la mente umana non ha nulla da pensare se prima l’esperienza non le ha fornito le idee su cui riflettere, è una tabula rasa su cui l'esperienza diretta permette di formare idee. L’esperienza è il fondamento di ogni conoscenza umana, nonché il metro, con cui essa deve giudicare le conoscenze che di volta in volta ha acquisito.
Reading a philosophy essay, for someone that never studied the subject, is like listening to a foreign language for the first time. At the beginning, you barely get the meaning of the overall conversation, then you progressively grasp single sentences and then words. That's how I felt while I was reading this Locke's essay (or rather an Italian version), where the great British philosopher explains his idea of the human mind at birth as a blank slate filled later through experience.
Reading a philosophy essay, for someone that never studied the subject, is like listening to a foreign language for the first time. At the beginning, you barely get the meaning of the overall conversation, then you progressively grasp single sentences and then words. That's how I felt while I was reading this Locke's essay (or rather an Italian version), where the great British philosopher explains his idea of the human mind at birth as a blank slate filled later through experience.
Viaggiatori viaggianti. Da Bob Marley a Che Guevara. Giro del mondo in nove racconti - Andrea Semplici
Idea interessante di questo giornalista viaggiatore. Narra dei propri viaggi sulle tracce di personaggi famosi, come appunto Bob Marley e Che Guevara, oppure di personaggi fantastici, come Sandokan e Corto Maltese. Nella narrazione le impressioni di viaggio si mescolano con surreali incontri coi personaggi di cui segue le tracce. Lettura velocissima, consigliata a tutti quelli affetti da nomadismo acuto come me!
Interesting idea that this journalist and traveler develops. He narrates of travels he made following the steps of famous people, such as Bob Marley and Che Guevara, or of novel characters, such as Sandokan and Corto Maltese. The stories mix his own travel emotions and surreal encounters with the famous people, whose steps he is following. Very quick reading, recommended to all those affected by acute nomadism like me!
Interesting idea that this journalist and traveler develops. He narrates of travels he made following the steps of famous people, such as Bob Marley and Che Guevara, or of novel characters, such as Sandokan and Corto Maltese. The stories mix his own travel emotions and surreal encounters with the famous people, whose steps he is following. Very quick reading, recommended to all those affected by acute nomadism like me!
Bar Sport - Stefano Benni
Il classico libro di cui ho sempre sentito parlare, ne ho intravisto qualche paragrafo, ho letto il 'cugino' "Il Bar Sotto il Mare" molti anni fa, ma non ho mai avuto occasione di leggere completamente. Un classico della letteratura umoristica italiana. Benni è superbo nel costruire assurdi stereotipi trasformando il surreale in reale, anziché il contrario, perché questi personaggi sembrano davvero estratti da un bar di provincia. Però, come per "Il Bar Sotto il Mare", alla lunga il surrealismo di alcune situazioni mi stanca. Forse se ne accorge anche l'autore dato che il romanzo è piuttosto corto. Decisamente non è il mio genere.
The typical book that everyone talks about, I glanced at a couple of paragraphs from time to time, I read its 'cousin' "Il Bar Sotto il Mare", but never had the chance to go through the entire novel. When it came out in 1976, it quickly became a classic of Italian comic literature. Benni is superb in describing absurd stereotypes transforming surreal into real. Because the characters seems really extracted from suburbia's bars, but then their funny sides come out on steroids from Benni's pencil. However, as for "Il Bar Sotto il Mare", after too many pages of surreal characters and situations, I got tired. Maybe the author knows it too, since the book is very short. Definitely not my genre.
The typical book that everyone talks about, I glanced at a couple of paragraphs from time to time, I read its 'cousin' "Il Bar Sotto il Mare", but never had the chance to go through the entire novel. When it came out in 1976, it quickly became a classic of Italian comic literature. Benni is superb in describing absurd stereotypes transforming surreal into real. Because the characters seems really extracted from suburbia's bars, but then their funny sides come out on steroids from Benni's pencil. However, as for "Il Bar Sotto il Mare", after too many pages of surreal characters and situations, I got tired. Maybe the author knows it too, since the book is very short. Definitely not my genre.
Gaia: A New Look At Life On Earth - James Lovelock
La Terra non è un insieme di elementi discreti, ma un sistema autoregolantesi, in cui ogni componente biologico, ogni reazione chimica, ogni processo fisico è parte di una fisiologia complessa. Questa - più o meno - è la controversa ipotesi che James Lovelock presentò nel libro pubblicato nel 1979. L'ipotesi da allora ha fronteggiato aspre critiche, è stata raffinata, ha acquistato maggior seguito ed oggi costituisce il fondamento di azioni a salvaguardia dell'ecosistema terra. Affascinante, anche se a tratti complessa, la spiegazione dell'ipotesi che Lovelock riesce a mettere in piedi nelle poche pagine di questo libro. Preoccupante, ma a quanto pare sempre più verosimile, l'idea che Gaia sia in grado di assorbire anche l'inquinamento prodotto dall'uomo e ritrovare un nuovo equilibrio; un nuovo equilibrio che non è detto sarà più adatto alla sopravvivenza della nostra specie.
The Earth is not a combination of discrete elements, but a self-regulating system, where every biological component, every chemical reaction, every physical process is part of a complex physiology. This is - more or less - the controversial hypothesis that James Lovelock formulated in his book published in 1979. Since then, the hypothesis faced harsh criticism, was tuned, acquired credibility and nowadays is a key pillar of actions aimed at protecting our planet ecosystems. Fascinating, but at times fairly complex, the explanations that Lovelock is able to provide in the few pages of this book. A bit worrying, but increasingly likely, the idea that Gaia is able to absorb excess human pollution and find a new balance; unfortunately we can't be sure that the new equilibrium will include human beings.
The Earth is not a combination of discrete elements, but a self-regulating system, where every biological component, every chemical reaction, every physical process is part of a complex physiology. This is - more or less - the controversial hypothesis that James Lovelock formulated in his book published in 1979. Since then, the hypothesis faced harsh criticism, was tuned, acquired credibility and nowadays is a key pillar of actions aimed at protecting our planet ecosystems. Fascinating, but at times fairly complex, the explanations that Lovelock is able to provide in the few pages of this book. A bit worrying, but increasingly likely, the idea that Gaia is able to absorb excess human pollution and find a new balance; unfortunately we can't be sure that the new equilibrium will include human beings.
Chosen Prey - John Sandford
Uno dei pochi romanzetti thriller che ho letto negli ultimi anni, ad interrompere la serie infinita di saggi. Parte di una saga ideata dal giornalista e vincitore del Premio Pulitzer John Camp (aka John Sandford), narra di un serial killer che strangola giovani donne bionde e che alla fine viene scovato dall'ispettore di polizia Lucas Davenport, eroe di turno della serie di romanzi. I capitoli incentrati sull'indagine hanno lo stesso ritmo serrato di una puntata da un'ora di un serial TV (tipo Criminal Minds or roba simile), ma si sviluppano su 300 pagine. Noiosissimi invece (e per fortuna pochi) i capitoli incentrati sul serial killer e i suoi tormenti psicologici, troppo lenti e distonici rispetto all'adrenalina del resto del libro.
One of the few thrillers I've read in the last few years, amid dozens of economic, political and sociology essays. Part of a saga invented by journalist and Pulitzer Prize winner John Camp (aka John Sandford), the novel tells the story of a serial killer that strangles young blond girls and eventually is caught by inspector Lucas Davenport, the unmistakable hero of the saga. The chapter that narrates investigations have the same rushed pace of a TV series' one hour episode, but are 300 pages long; so kudos for that! The chapters that describe the tormented life of the serial killer are instead very boring; they're too slow and not in line with the adrenaline rush of the rest of the story.
One of the few thrillers I've read in the last few years, amid dozens of economic, political and sociology essays. Part of a saga invented by journalist and Pulitzer Prize winner John Camp (aka John Sandford), the novel tells the story of a serial killer that strangles young blond girls and eventually is caught by inspector Lucas Davenport, the unmistakable hero of the saga. The chapter that narrates investigations have the same rushed pace of a TV series' one hour episode, but are 300 pages long; so kudos for that! The chapters that describe the tormented life of the serial killer are instead very boring; they're too slow and not in line with the adrenaline rush of the rest of the story.
Mani Sporche - Barbacetto, Gomez, Travaglio
Qualcuno la chiama la cultura del sospetto. Io preferisco pensare sia la cultura della trasparenza. 910 pagine di nefandezze della classe politica degli ultimi 8 anni. Da Previti che, imputato contemporaneamente a Milano e Brescia, giustifica la sua assenza ad un'udienza del processo milanese per motivi di salute e nello stesso giorno giustifica la sua assenza ad un'udienza del processo bresciano, perché doveva recarsi all'udienza milanese. A D'Alema che al telefono con l'amministratore delegato di Unipol, Consorte, dice "facci sognare", a proposito della tentata scalata a BNL. Una faticaccia leggere tutte quelle pagine, però ne vale assolutamente la pena. Dovrebbe essere introdotto nelle scuole come testo di storia. Se la storia deve essere maestra di vita, forse vale la pena imparare dagli errori più recenti, piuttosto che da eventi accaduti duemila, o tremila anni orsono!
Somebody could blame these journalists of fostering a culture of suspicion. I'd rather see it as the culture of transparency. 910 pages that narrate some of the nastiest behaviors of the Italian politicians of the past 8 years. From Cesare Previti, who, accused of corruption and other crimes in two legal proceedings in Milano and Brescia, says he cannot attend a session at the court in Milano, because he is sick, and the same day, he says he cannot attend a session in Brescia, because he is attending the one in Milano. To Massimo D'Alema that while chatting on the phone with Unipol's CEO, Consorte, about the attempted hostile takeover of BNL, says "make us dream". It was hard to read all of those pages, but well worth the pain. This should become a history textbook in Italian schools. If history can teach us something, we'd better learn from recent mistakes and not from events that occurred two or three thousand years ago.
Somebody could blame these journalists of fostering a culture of suspicion. I'd rather see it as the culture of transparency. 910 pages that narrate some of the nastiest behaviors of the Italian politicians of the past 8 years. From Cesare Previti, who, accused of corruption and other crimes in two legal proceedings in Milano and Brescia, says he cannot attend a session at the court in Milano, because he is sick, and the same day, he says he cannot attend a session in Brescia, because he is attending the one in Milano. To Massimo D'Alema that while chatting on the phone with Unipol's CEO, Consorte, about the attempted hostile takeover of BNL, says "make us dream". It was hard to read all of those pages, but well worth the pain. This should become a history textbook in Italian schools. If history can teach us something, we'd better learn from recent mistakes and not from events that occurred two or three thousand years ago.
Istanbul (Memories and the City) - Orhan Pamuk
Guardavo distrattamente la televisione, quando sono apparse le immagini di bellissimi palazzi antichi, e un po' decadenti, sulle rive di un fiume (o forse mare, o lago). Il basso volume dell'audio non mi ha permesso di sentire di che luogo si trattasse, ma l'ho indovinato immediatamente, erano inquadrature di yalis, ville costruite nel 18°, 19° e 20° secolo sulle rive del Bosforo. L'ho indovinato grazie alle foto sbiadite e alle superbe descrizioni che ne fa Orhan Pamuk in questo libro. Brillante narrazione che incrocia le impressioni di Orhan Pamuk appassionato residente di Istanbul e Orhan Pamuk individuo che nasce e diventa adulto nei quartieri di Istanbul. Non avevo mai letto nulla di Pamuk (premio Nobel per la letteratura nel 2006), ma questo libra ha sicuramente stimolato la mia curiosità... raccomando la lettura a chiunque ami perdersi nei vicoli delle grandi città.
I was watching TV. At some point the channel started to broadcast images of old, a little decadent mansions straddled along a river (or a seaside, or maybe a lake). The audio was very low, so I could not hear the description, but I suddenly recognized the place. They were yalis, mansion built at immediate waterside in Istanbul and the nearby Bosphorus. I could only recognize the place, because of the blanking pictures and the superb description that Orhan Pamuk writes in this book. Brilliant story that criss-crosses the images the passionate Istanbul resident Orhan Pamuk remembers of its city and the personal episodes that the individual Orhan Pamuk recalls of his young age spent in Istanbul. I had never read anything written by Pamuk (literature Nobel prize winner in 2006) before, but this book certainly fired up my curiosity... I recommend the book to those who love to get lost in the small alleys of large cities.
I was watching TV. At some point the channel started to broadcast images of old, a little decadent mansions straddled along a river (or a seaside, or maybe a lake). The audio was very low, so I could not hear the description, but I suddenly recognized the place. They were yalis, mansion built at immediate waterside in Istanbul and the nearby Bosphorus. I could only recognize the place, because of the blanking pictures and the superb description that Orhan Pamuk writes in this book. Brilliant story that criss-crosses the images the passionate Istanbul resident Orhan Pamuk remembers of its city and the personal episodes that the individual Orhan Pamuk recalls of his young age spent in Istanbul. I had never read anything written by Pamuk (literature Nobel prize winner in 2006) before, but this book certainly fired up my curiosity... I recommend the book to those who love to get lost in the small alleys of large cities.
Goodbye Europe - Francesco Giavazzi and Alberto Alesina
Quando due dei 4-5 più importanti economisti italiani degli ultimi 20 anni scrivono nell'introduzione di un libro: "L'Europa deve adottare con urgenza riforme su ampia scala per rendere i suoi mercati e le sue istituzioni (come le università e le banche) molto più simili a quelli degli Stati Uniti;..." ti viene il dubbio che abbiano sbagliato mestiere a fronte dei crack finanziari che fra il 2007 e il 2008 si sono verificati negli Stati Uniti. Il resto del libro invece mette in luce problematiche sicuramente fondamentali per il rilancio delle economie europee, spesso la soluzione sembra essere "più mercato perché è l'unico modo per dare i giusti incentivi agli attori", forse un po' troppo sbrigativa. Invece condivido totalmente il problema che in Europa ci sono troppi interessi particolari protetti... ma d'altra parte anche le grandi banche e corporations americane non scherzano... cari professori, temo che a due anni dalla prima edizione, sia il caso di rivedere alcune parti del libro!
When two of the 4-5 most brilliant Italian economists of the last 20 years write in the introduction to their book: "Europe must urgently large scale reforms to make its markets and institutions (such as universities and banks) much more similar to those in the United States;..." you feel like they got their forecasts entirely wrong, especially looking at the financial disasters that started in 2007 and is still taking place in the United States. As you read the book, however, the issues they highlight make a lot of sense; European countries and the EU need to make dramatic changes if they want to spur economic growth. Too often the book gives the same answer though: "more free markets, because that is the only way to provide the right incentives for all actors"; it sounds a bit too simplistic to me. Instead I fully agree when they talk about the one too many lobbies that slow down changes that would benefit the society as a whole... but again large American corporations and financial institutions are no strangers to this lobbying... dear professors, I'm afraid, after two years from the first edition of the book, you'll have to revise your thoughts!
When two of the 4-5 most brilliant Italian economists of the last 20 years write in the introduction to their book: "Europe must urgently large scale reforms to make its markets and institutions (such as universities and banks) much more similar to those in the United States;..." you feel like they got their forecasts entirely wrong, especially looking at the financial disasters that started in 2007 and is still taking place in the United States. As you read the book, however, the issues they highlight make a lot of sense; European countries and the EU need to make dramatic changes if they want to spur economic growth. Too often the book gives the same answer though: "more free markets, because that is the only way to provide the right incentives for all actors"; it sounds a bit too simplistic to me. Instead I fully agree when they talk about the one too many lobbies that slow down changes that would benefit the society as a whole... but again large American corporations and financial institutions are no strangers to this lobbying... dear professors, I'm afraid, after two years from the first edition of the book, you'll have to revise your thoughts!
The Starfish and the Spider: the Unstoppable Power of Leaderless Organizations - Ori Brafman and Rod A. Beckstrom
Interessante lavoro in cui i due autori, partendo da un'ottica di business, e poi espandendo ad implicazioni su organizzazioni che hanno un ruolo nella società civile (Alcolisti Anonimi, cellule terroristiche) e non solo nell'ambito commerciale, discutono di come le organizzazioni decentrate, senza un leader, ma con un catalizzatore (stelle marine), che duplicano in ogni parte le proprie caratteristiche siano in grado di assorbire meglio gli shock e di promuovere innovazione, rispetto ad organizzazioni gerarchiche (ragni). Lungi dal raccomandare l'eliminazione di organizzazioni gerarchiche, il libro fa invece una interessante operazione tassonomica mettendo assieme una serie di concetti, come il potere delle reti, la saggezza delle masse che aleggiano nell'aria da alcuni anni. Inevitabilmente questo porta il libro a ripetere alcuni concetti già visti in altri recenti libri, tipo Tipping Point di Malcolm Gladwell, o The Wisdom of Crowds di James Surowiecki, ma comunque vale la pena leggerlo.
Interesting piece of work that starts from a business perspective and then dives into society and politics (AA and terrorism) to analyze decentralized organizations without a leader but with a catalyst, organizations that duplicate some characteristics across all units (like a starfish), which are more successful that hierarchies (like spiders) when it comes to withstand shocks and promote innovation. Far from recommending the elimination of hierarchies from all corners of society and business, the book is an interesting taxonomic effort that puts together a series of concepts that we have all been hearing for a few years, such as the power of networks and the wisdom of crowds. Inevitably this implies that some parts of the book repeat concepts that we read in other recent books, like Malcolm Gladwell's Tipping Point, or James Surowiecki's The Wisdom of Crowds; nonetheless it makes for a fairly interesting reading.
Interesting piece of work that starts from a business perspective and then dives into society and politics (AA and terrorism) to analyze decentralized organizations without a leader but with a catalyst, organizations that duplicate some characteristics across all units (like a starfish), which are more successful that hierarchies (like spiders) when it comes to withstand shocks and promote innovation. Far from recommending the elimination of hierarchies from all corners of society and business, the book is an interesting taxonomic effort that puts together a series of concepts that we have all been hearing for a few years, such as the power of networks and the wisdom of crowds. Inevitably this implies that some parts of the book repeat concepts that we read in other recent books, like Malcolm Gladwell's Tipping Point, or James Surowiecki's The Wisdom of Crowds; nonetheless it makes for a fairly interesting reading.
For Whom the Bell Tolls - Ernest Hemingway
Uno dei capolavori di Hemingway. Modernità del linguaggio, semplicità, frammentazione e allo stesso tempo vivacità dei dialoghi che rendono viva la possibile difficoltà di farsi capire, dai contadini (diventati guerriglieri), di un giovane americano catapultato oltre le linee nemiche durante la guerra civile spagnola. Rispetto ad Addio alle Armi, però alcuni capitolo sono più lenti e non potrebbe essere altrimenti, dato che in quattrocento pagine si raccontano tre giorni di guerriglia. Soprattutto nelle parti in cui il protagonista, Robert Jordan, si ripiega su se stesso riflettendo sulla crudeltà della guerra, sull'inatteso innamoramento con la giovane e bella Maria, sul futuro che sembra sfuggirgli di mano, occorre molta attenzione per non rileggere la stessa frase più volte...
One of Hemingway's masterpieces. Modern language, simple-fragmented-vivid dialogues that bring to life the potential communication hurdles that a young American attached to the anti-fascist guerrilla during the Spanish Civil War might have faced. However, the narrative is slower compared to Farewell to Arms, which I loved so much. Especially the chapters where, young Robert Jordan, is confronted with the contradictions of war, doubts of newly and unexpectedly found love, and a bright future that might soon slip away. I had to concentrate a lot to avoid reading some paragraphs many times... Still a great, and very intimate, novel about war.
One of Hemingway's masterpieces. Modern language, simple-fragmented-vivid dialogues that bring to life the potential communication hurdles that a young American attached to the anti-fascist guerrilla during the Spanish Civil War might have faced. However, the narrative is slower compared to Farewell to Arms, which I loved so much. Especially the chapters where, young Robert Jordan, is confronted with the contradictions of war, doubts of newly and unexpectedly found love, and a bright future that might soon slip away. I had to concentrate a lot to avoid reading some paragraphs many times... Still a great, and very intimate, novel about war.
The Shock Doctrine - Naomi Klein
Naomi Klein sostiene una tesi: le crisi, generate da disastri politici, sociali, economici e naturali, sono state sfruttate (e spesso indotte) dagli economisti propugnatori del liberismo sfrenato (in particolare da quelli della scuola di Chicago), dalle multinazionali e dai loro alleati politici, per spazzare via le strutture economiche e sociali esistenti nei paesi colpiti ed introdurre mercati totalmente non regolati che hanno finito per aumentare le differenze fra super-ricchi e classi medie e povere. Il libro propone numerosi esempi a sostegno della tesi, descrivendo nel dettaglio tutte le situazioni tragiche verificatesi negli ultimi 30 anni in: Cile, Argentina, Bolivia, Brasile, Uruguay, Polonia, Russia,... Iraq e USA. Il lavoro di ricerca è notevolissimo. E l'autrice dimostra con chiarezza la veridicità della sua tesi, ove sostiene che le politiche liberiste (a la Friedman) si sono spesso associate ad una restrizione della democrazia ed hanno generato grandi profitti per pochi eletti e per grandi multinazionali, anziché portare le opportunità di crescita economica generalizzata che avevano promesso. Tuttavia il libro è anche un po' noioso, perché gli esempi sono tutti a sostegno della medesima tesi, e dopo il terzo esempio... abbiamo capito. Inoltre, l'analisi dà per scontato che alcune cose siano un male assoluto, senza investigarne le implicazioni. Ad esempio il voto contrario della Francia alla costituzione europea viene presentato come una vittoria contro il liberismo sfrenato; e ciò mi pare riduttivo, considerando ad esempio il ruolo che lo spirito cooperativo dell'Unione Europea ha giocato nel risollevare Spagna, Portogallo e Grecia, gli ultimi paesi occidentali ad uscire dalla dittatura.
Naomi Klein has a thesis: country crisis generated by political, social, economic and natural disasters were exploited (and often prompted) by free-market economists (in particular those with ties with Friedman's Chicago School), multinational corporations and their political allies to wipe-out existing economic and social structure and introduce totally unregulated markets that enriched the already super-rich and starved the other classes people. The book does a great job at describing in details all the examples, when, in the last 30 years, this happened: Chile, Argentina, Bolivia, Brasil, Uruguay, Poland, Russia, ... Iraq and USA. Great piece of research. And she also has a point, when she argues that Friedman's free-market theories were applied often in association with political brutality and generated deep socio-economic divides in most countries and a lot of money for corporation, instead of bringing about the promises of prosper economic growth for all. However the book can be a bit boring, as after reading about the first two or three case studies... we got the point and would like to move on. The analysis also tends to label as evil a number of things that contributed to economic and social prosperity of the world. For instance, arguing that the vote against a European constitution in France was a victory for those that rebel against free-market purists, is a bit narrow-minded, especially when considering the role European Union cooperation played in resurrecting countries like Spain, Portugal and Greece, the latest Western European nations to come out of dictatorship.
Naomi Klein has a thesis: country crisis generated by political, social, economic and natural disasters were exploited (and often prompted) by free-market economists (in particular those with ties with Friedman's Chicago School), multinational corporations and their political allies to wipe-out existing economic and social structure and introduce totally unregulated markets that enriched the already super-rich and starved the other classes people. The book does a great job at describing in details all the examples, when, in the last 30 years, this happened: Chile, Argentina, Bolivia, Brasil, Uruguay, Poland, Russia, ... Iraq and USA. Great piece of research. And she also has a point, when she argues that Friedman's free-market theories were applied often in association with political brutality and generated deep socio-economic divides in most countries and a lot of money for corporation, instead of bringing about the promises of prosper economic growth for all. However the book can be a bit boring, as after reading about the first two or three case studies... we got the point and would like to move on. The analysis also tends to label as evil a number of things that contributed to economic and social prosperity of the world. For instance, arguing that the vote against a European constitution in France was a victory for those that rebel against free-market purists, is a bit narrow-minded, especially when considering the role European Union cooperation played in resurrecting countries like Spain, Portugal and Greece, the latest Western European nations to come out of dictatorship.
Les Trois Mousquetaire - Alexandre Dumas
Dopo averne visto mille versioni fra cartoni animati e film, alla fine sono riuscito a leggere la versione originale di questo classico. Storia per ragazzi, un dignitoso intrattenimento estivo, soprattutto visto che l'ho letto in lingua originale così da impegnare qualche giorno in più. Ma null'altro da segnalare. Descrizioni fin troppo ricche e pompose di ogni singolo personaggio, che danno una forte caratterizzazione, ma lasciano poco spazio alla fantasia.
After watching thousand different version in movies and animation, eventually I managed to read the original version of this classic. A nice reading for kids, a decently entertaining for the summer holidays, especially since I read it in French, so that it occupied a few extra days. But nothing else worth of note. Description of characters are too detailed and pompous, which provide strong characterization, but leave too little room for fantasizing.
After watching thousand different version in movies and animation, eventually I managed to read the original version of this classic. A nice reading for kids, a decently entertaining for the summer holidays, especially since I read it in French, so that it occupied a few extra days. But nothing else worth of note. Description of characters are too detailed and pompous, which provide strong characterization, but leave too little room for fantasizing.
Religion and Science - Bertrand Russell
Qual è la relazione fra i dettami delle fedi religiose, in particolare di quella cristiana, e l'approccio induttivo della scienza? E soprattutto che impatto hanno avuto le scoperte scientifiche, soprattutto da Galileo ai nostri giorni, nello scardinare molte delle convinzioni propugnate dalla religione? Queste sono le domande a cui risponde il filosofo Bertrand Russell in questo breve e godibilissimo saggio. Talmente intrigante, per un neofita della filosofia come me, da indurmi a comprare subito un altro libro di Russell
What is the link between religious doctrines, especially Christian, and the inductive approach of science? And most importantly, what impact did scientific discoveries had, especially after Galileo, on religious constructs? These are the question that philosopher Bertrand Russell answers in this short and greatly enjoyable essay. So intriguing, for a philosophy newbie like me, that I promptly bought another of Russell's essays.
What is the link between religious doctrines, especially Christian, and the inductive approach of science? And most importantly, what impact did scientific discoveries had, especially after Galileo, on religious constructs? These are the question that philosopher Bertrand Russell answers in this short and greatly enjoyable essay. So intriguing, for a philosophy newbie like me, that I promptly bought another of Russell's essays.
La storia non è finita (Etica, politica e laicità) - Claudio Magris
Raccolta di editoriali scritti dal professor Magris per il Corriere della Sera, godibilissimi per lo stile asciutto, non sempre condivisibili per la nettezza delle opinioni che non sembrano lasciare adito a possibili discussioni, soprattutto quando si parla della morale cattolica, come della Morale. Nondimeno vale la pena leggerlo, non fosse altro per la seguente frase: "La nazione, la patria, l'identità, non sono un idolo immobile, nascono, vivono e si trasformano nel tempo: i popoli non sono eterni, come proclamava Stalin, ma passano come le foreste e gli dèi. Le patrie muoiono e rinascono; nel '43 è morta un'Italia e ne è nata un'altra, erede di tutta la sua storia. Oggi gli Stati nazionali, anche l'Italia sono destinati, pur tra tante difficoltà e resistenze, a integrarsi in una patria più grande, l'Europa - un'Europa federale, decentrata, tutelatrice delle singole peculiarità, ma unita. E' un processo travagliato ma liberatorio, che non cancella ma potenzia il patriottismo autentico; il federalismo, opposto a ogni rancoroso secessionismo, nasce per unire le compagini esistenti, non per disgregarle...". Illuminante per un tifoso del transnazionalismo, della cooperazione e delle interdipendenze fra localismi e globalismi come me.
A collection of articles written by professor Magris for the Corriere della Sera; greatly enjoyable for the lean and simple style, not always enjoyable for the sharpness of opinions that do not leave room for debate, especially when catholic moral principles are presented as the Principles. Nevertheless worth reading, if nothing else for the following sentence: "Nation, homeland and identity are not immovable idols, they are born, they live and transform over time: people are not eternal, unlike Stalin used to say, they fade away like forests and gods. Homelands die and are re-born; in 1943 an Italy died and another was born, inheriting all of its history. Today, Countries' destiny, also Italy's, is to integrate into a much larger motherland, Europe, despite difficulties and resistance. A federal Europe, decentralized, able to defend peculiarities, but united. It is a difficult process, but an enlightening one, that does not displace real patriotic feelings; federalism is the opposite of raucous secessionism and was born to unite existing components, not to dismantle them..." This is absolutely brilliant for a fan of trans-nationalism, cooperation and interdependencies between local and global, like I am.
A collection of articles written by professor Magris for the Corriere della Sera; greatly enjoyable for the lean and simple style, not always enjoyable for the sharpness of opinions that do not leave room for debate, especially when catholic moral principles are presented as the Principles. Nevertheless worth reading, if nothing else for the following sentence: "Nation, homeland and identity are not immovable idols, they are born, they live and transform over time: people are not eternal, unlike Stalin used to say, they fade away like forests and gods. Homelands die and are re-born; in 1943 an Italy died and another was born, inheriting all of its history. Today, Countries' destiny, also Italy's, is to integrate into a much larger motherland, Europe, despite difficulties and resistance. A federal Europe, decentralized, able to defend peculiarities, but united. It is a difficult process, but an enlightening one, that does not displace real patriotic feelings; federalism is the opposite of raucous secessionism and was born to unite existing components, not to dismantle them..." This is absolutely brilliant for a fan of trans-nationalism, cooperation and interdependencies between local and global, like I am.
La Storia dell'Alpinismo - Gian Piero Motti (a cura di Enrico Camanni)
Due volumi, un'opera omnia sulla storia non di uno sport, ma di un modo di vivere. Dalle prime esplorazioni scientifiche sulla cima del monte bianco ai grandissimi del 19° e 20° secolo, alla fine del 20° secolo con la trasformazione indotta dall'affinamento della tecnica di arrampicata e alla specializzazione. Una lettura doverosa per tutti gli appassionati. Bellissimi soprattutto i ritratti dei miti Winkler, Gervasutti, Piaz, Cassin, Cozzolino, Bonatti, Buhl, Messner, etc. Un po' più noiosa l'introduzione che indaga i risvolti psicologici della disciplina, o forse più che noiosa, fastidiosa per un alpinista molto amatoriale come me, perché costringe a guardarsi dentro! Chiusura di Camanni sugli anni '80 e '90 completa e ben documentata, ma senza la passione dei capitoli precedenti. Un must per tutti gli appassionati.
Two books, the must have on history of this discipline and its philosophy. It tells the stories of first explorations that took scientists to the top of Mont Blanc and of the legends of 19th and 20th century; it closes off by introducing the transformation that started to take place with specialization and thorough technical and athletic training between the 1980s and the 1990s. Gian Piero Motti wonderfully depicts the great legends of Winkler, Gervasutti, Piaz, Cassin, Cozzolino, Bonatti, Buhl, Messner, etc. The introduction is a bit more boring, when the author discusses the psychological side of mountaineering; or maybe, rather than boring, it is annoying for an amateur climber and mountaineer like me, because it obliged me to look deep inside! Camanni closes with a chapter on the 1980s and 1990s; it is comprehensive and well documented, but it does not have the passion of the precedent chapters. Anyway, a must for all amateurs.
Two books, the must have on history of this discipline and its philosophy. It tells the stories of first explorations that took scientists to the top of Mont Blanc and of the legends of 19th and 20th century; it closes off by introducing the transformation that started to take place with specialization and thorough technical and athletic training between the 1980s and the 1990s. Gian Piero Motti wonderfully depicts the great legends of Winkler, Gervasutti, Piaz, Cassin, Cozzolino, Bonatti, Buhl, Messner, etc. The introduction is a bit more boring, when the author discusses the psychological side of mountaineering; or maybe, rather than boring, it is annoying for an amateur climber and mountaineer like me, because it obliged me to look deep inside! Camanni closes with a chapter on the 1980s and 1990s; it is comprehensive and well documented, but it does not have the passion of the precedent chapters. Anyway, a must for all amateurs.
Proibito Parlare - Anna Politkovskaja
Un paese in ginocchio, dopo 70 anni di regime comunista, caduto dalla padella nella brace è oggi in mano ad un gruppo ristretto di oligarchi che fra mafia e transazioni finanziare senza scrupoli hanno relegato la maggior parte della popolazione nella povertà. Il tutto sugellato da un presidente, ex capo dei servizi segreti, che si è circondato di amici e protegge il potere dei pochi sottraendo libertà e democrazia di giorno in giorno. In tutto questo, poche voci fuori dal coro sono ammesse in Russia. Anna Politkovskaja era una di queste, è stata barbaramente uccisa, molto probabilmente da quella stessa polizia segreta che il presidente Putin controlla da vicino. Sopprusi e violenza continuano, non solo nella lontana Cecenia dove impazza lo scontro fra terroristi musulmani e "federali" mietendo vittime civili, ma anche a Mosca. Il tutto nel silenzio assoluto delle grandi "democrazie" occidentali che si piegano ai voleri del gas e del petrolio russo. Solo la Corte Europea fa qualcosa, ma con scarsi risultati e con mille ostacoli più o meno espliciti che il governo russo cerca di frapporre fra la Corte e i suoi cittadini. Speriamo che arrivino altre 10, 100, 1000 Anna Politkovskaja!
A country brought to its knees after 70 years of communism, which ends up even worse, under control of few oligarchs who between mafia and crony capitalism relegated the majority of the population to poverty. All of that reinforced by a president, former head of secret services, that with his friends and protects oligarchies and shrinks liberty and democracy for the average citizen. Few people have the strength to raise their voice against this regime. Anna Politkovskaja was one of those and she was brutally killed, most likely by the same secret police that the president has well under control. Violence continues, not only in remote Cecenia where terrorist and federal forces kill more civilians than one another members, but also in Moscow. And all happens while the big western democracies bend over to get access to Russian oil and gas. Only the European Court of Justice does something, but with scarce results due to thousands of more or less explicit obstacles that the Russian government creates for his citizens that want to appeal to the court. Hopefully we'll have 10, 100, 1000 more Anna Politkovskaja
A country brought to its knees after 70 years of communism, which ends up even worse, under control of few oligarchs who between mafia and crony capitalism relegated the majority of the population to poverty. All of that reinforced by a president, former head of secret services, that with his friends and protects oligarchies and shrinks liberty and democracy for the average citizen. Few people have the strength to raise their voice against this regime. Anna Politkovskaja was one of those and she was brutally killed, most likely by the same secret police that the president has well under control. Violence continues, not only in remote Cecenia where terrorist and federal forces kill more civilians than one another members, but also in Moscow. And all happens while the big western democracies bend over to get access to Russian oil and gas. Only the European Court of Justice does something, but with scarce results due to thousands of more or less explicit obstacles that the Russian government creates for his citizens that want to appeal to the court. Hopefully we'll have 10, 100, 1000 more Anna Politkovskaja
Pensieri - Blaise Pascal
Affascinante disquisizione iniziale su infinito e infinitesimo e sulla natura finita dell'uomo rispetto a ciò. Purtroppo tale introduzione diventa ben presto il sostegno alla sottolineatura della debolezza e predisposizione al peccato dell'uomo e di come una stretta morale religiosa sia l'unica via di salvezza. Ciò porta poi al finale dove la condanna al lassismo di una chiesa guidata dai Gesuiti si oppone all'elogio del rigore Giansenista a cui Pascal aderisce. Lo stile fatto di frammenti e scorci rende la lettura davvero dura. Ma le scintille della genialità di Pascal che emergono ovunque ne fanno una lettura indispensabile.
Amazing the initial philosophical discussion on the infinite universe and on how small men are compared to that. But soon that becomes a proposition to support the evil and weakness of mankind and how religious moral rectitude is the only way forward. That leads to the final condemnation of Jesuits from the point of view of Jansenists. The fragmented style and the increasing focus on religion makes the book very hard to enjoy. However Pascal's continuous glimpses of geniality make it a must.
Amazing the initial philosophical discussion on the infinite universe and on how small men are compared to that. But soon that becomes a proposition to support the evil and weakness of mankind and how religious moral rectitude is the only way forward. That leads to the final condemnation of Jesuits from the point of view of Jansenists. The fragmented style and the increasing focus on religion makes the book very hard to enjoy. However Pascal's continuous glimpses of geniality make it a must.
L'Affaire Moro - Leonardo Sciascia
Anche noi in fondo abbiamo il nostro 11 settembre (o forse ne abbiamo più di uno in quella stagione buia fra il 1969 e gli anni ottanta). Ma il rapimento, i cinquantacinque giorni di prigionia e infine l'uccisione di Aldo Moro sono caratterizzati da altrettanti inequivocabili equivoci. La sorprendente incapacità di condurre indagini efficienti, a fronte di un dispiego pomposo di forze, e il sospetto che i servizi segreti (italiani e americani) quanto meno traggano vantaggio e fomentino la vicenda per allontanare lo spettro del compromesso politico fra DC e Partito Comunista. Sarà perché il tutto iniziò il 16 marzo... ma rileggere di questa sporca vicenda mi ha colpito molto nonostante siano passati trentanni. E chi altro se non il grande Sciascia, peraltro deputato e membro della Commissione di Indagine istituita dal parlamento, poteva raccontare con tanta maestria quei cinquantacinque giorni, portare a galla i sospetti, leggere fra l'intrico di parole che Aldo Moro scrisse a famiglia e presunti amici del partito. Un documento storico che non dovrebbe mancare dalla biblioteca di nessun italiano dotato di coscienza critica.
Somehow we had our own September 11th (or maybe we had more than one in those dark years between 1969 and the beginning of the '80s). But the kidnapping, prison and killing of Aldo Moro is characterized by the same intricate suspects. The surprising stubbornness of investigators, despite the spectacular show of force, and the suspect that secret services (both Italian and American) take advantage and fuel the drama to fight the historical political alliance between the Christian Democrats (DC) and the Communists (PCI). Maybe it is because it all started on March 16th... but reading those dirty facts struck me hard, despite they occurred thirty years ago. And who else, if not a great author like Sciascia, at that time member of parliament and of the special commission charged with investigating the facts, could have mastered the story like this, bring up unmentionable suspects and give life to the thousands of words that Moro wrote in his letters to family and so-called friends in his party. An historical document that should be in the library of every Italian with a desire to assess critically the official version.
Somehow we had our own September 11th (or maybe we had more than one in those dark years between 1969 and the beginning of the '80s). But the kidnapping, prison and killing of Aldo Moro is characterized by the same intricate suspects. The surprising stubbornness of investigators, despite the spectacular show of force, and the suspect that secret services (both Italian and American) take advantage and fuel the drama to fight the historical political alliance between the Christian Democrats (DC) and the Communists (PCI). Maybe it is because it all started on March 16th... but reading those dirty facts struck me hard, despite they occurred thirty years ago. And who else, if not a great author like Sciascia, at that time member of parliament and of the special commission charged with investigating the facts, could have mastered the story like this, bring up unmentionable suspects and give life to the thousands of words that Moro wrote in his letters to family and so-called friends in his party. An historical document that should be in the library of every Italian with a desire to assess critically the official version.
The Undercover Economist - Tim Hartford
Il libro si legge in due giorni, è davvero una lettura piacevole, ma ha due lacune! Se siete laureati in economia e durante gli anni di università avete prestato attenzione alle lezioni di macroeconomia, microeconomia, scienza delle finanze e mercati finanziari invece di guardare la bionda nel banco a fianco, i primi capitoli non aggiungeranno nulla al vostro bagaglio di conoscenze. I capitoli successivi che applicano le teorie economiche a problemi pratici (spesa sanitaria, ecologia, aste pubbliche, paesi sottosviluppati, ecc.) diventa molto più interessante, ma l'autore liquida gli argomenti presentando il suo punto di vista, che non è necessariamente quello di altri economisti e quindi, lasciando, a mio avviso, alcune domande aperte.
The book goes by in two days, it makes for a very funny reading, but it has two drawbacks! If you graduated in economics or business and during university you paid attention to lectures during macroeconomics, microeconomics, public finance and financial markets classes, instead of looking at the blond girl sitting next to you, the first chapters of the book do not add much to your knowledge. The following chapters, where the author applies economic theory to practical problems (healthcare expenditure, environment, public auctions, poor countries, etc.), are much more interesting, but the author talks about them very briefly and he takes a specific stance that not all economists would agree with, thus, in my opinion, he leaves some open questions.
The book goes by in two days, it makes for a very funny reading, but it has two drawbacks! If you graduated in economics or business and during university you paid attention to lectures during macroeconomics, microeconomics, public finance and financial markets classes, instead of looking at the blond girl sitting next to you, the first chapters of the book do not add much to your knowledge. The following chapters, where the author applies economic theory to practical problems (healthcare expenditure, environment, public auctions, poor countries, etc.), are much more interesting, but the author talks about them very briefly and he takes a specific stance that not all economists would agree with, thus, in my opinion, he leaves some open questions.
Il Tempo di Cambiare - Paul Ginsborg
Democrazia rappresentativa, democrazia partecipativa, e democrazia deliberativa... Politica e società civile... Famiglia, familismo, società e stato... Paul Ginsborg si interroga sulle componenti fondamentali del mondo moderno e su quali sono le possibili direttrici di cambiamento per renderlo effettivamente moderno e capace di rispondere alle sfide del ventunesimo secolo. Libro impegnato di un autore impegnato, quindi mai banale , ma neppure pesante, davvero un grande invito a tutte le persone ad uscire dal proprio bozzolo di individualismo e contribuire in modo positivo alla crescita della società intera.
Representative democracy, direct democracy and deliberative democracy... Politics and civil society... Family, familism, society and state... Paul Ginsborg asks relevant questions about all those fundamental components of the modern world and about the opportunities for change, in order to make it actually modern and capable of responding to 21st century challenges. A savior's book, thus never banal, but neither just for a saviors' readership. An important invitation for all people to come out of their individualism and contribute to growth of the entire society.
Representative democracy, direct democracy and deliberative democracy... Politics and civil society... Family, familism, society and state... Paul Ginsborg asks relevant questions about all those fundamental components of the modern world and about the opportunities for change, in order to make it actually modern and capable of responding to 21st century challenges. A savior's book, thus never banal, but neither just for a saviors' readership. An important invitation for all people to come out of their individualism and contribute to growth of the entire society.
Gulag - Anne Applebaum
Un lato oscuro della storia della ex Unione Sovietica. Gulag, una parola che evoca nefandezze di ogni genere, ma di cui pochi hanno scritto o letto in dettaglio, al contrario di quanto invece è avvenuto per i campi di sterminio nazisti. Anne Applebaum mette assieme un capolavoro di ricerca giornalistico storica. A volte un po' pesante da leggere, ma non lascia spazio ad alcuna lacuna. Da come si sia arrivati a creare i gulag, a quale fosse la vita al loro interno, alla fine dei campi di lavoro forzato sovietici. Di più si lascia aperto il dubbio di quanto in realtà la Russia contemporanea sia effettivamente scevra da scelte simili ...
The dark side of Soviet Union history. Gulag, a word that reminds the dreadful things that happened, but few recounted or read about in detail. Just the opposite of what happened with Nazi camps. Anne Applebaum pulls out a masterpiece of history and journalism research. It's hard reading at times, but worth the effort, there is no gap. It starts from the inception of the labor camp systems, it describes life in the camps and outlines the death. Only one question remains opened: is the new Russia avoiding all of those life-threatening choices that the Soviets did...
The dark side of Soviet Union history. Gulag, a word that reminds the dreadful things that happened, but few recounted or read about in detail. Just the opposite of what happened with Nazi camps. Anne Applebaum pulls out a masterpiece of history and journalism research. It's hard reading at times, but worth the effort, there is no gap. It starts from the inception of the labor camp systems, it describes life in the camps and outlines the death. Only one question remains opened: is the new Russia avoiding all of those life-threatening choices that the Soviets did...
Wikinomics (How Mass Collaboration Changes Everything) - Don Tapscott and Anthony D. Williams
Apertura, compartecipazione, condivisione ed approccio globale. Queste sono le quattro forze che determineranno la strategia delle aziende nel ventunesimo secolo, o almeno questo sostiene Don Tapscott. Ma se forze economiche, sociali, demografiche e tecnologiche sono pronte a sconvolgere i confini tradizionali di aziende nel mondo dell'intrattenimento, dell'alta tecnologia, del farmaceutico, dell'industria dell'informazione, eliminando i costi di transazione ed annullando gli effetti della proprietà intellettuale quale sarà il futuro? come potranno essere ridefiniti i confini delle strutture aziendali per assicurare crescita e lavoro per le presenti e future generazioni di dipendenti? forse le generazioni future saranno equipaggiate per una vita lavorativa in un universo fluido di ruoli e di collaborazione, ma, come diceva Keynes, nel lungo periodo saremo tutti morti. La trasformazione sarà quindi dolorosa e richiederà l'individuazione di modelli di condivisione dei guadagni di produttiività diversi da quelli odierni, probabilmente qualcosa a metà fra il libero mercato e le cooperative. Di sicuro la sfida è immensa e una mentalità aperta ed intraprendente saranno fondamentali per affrontare il cambiamento indotto dall'abbattimento dei Walled Garden eretti dalle tradizionali aziende monolitiche.
Openness, peering, sharing and acting globally. These are the four forces driving industry change in the twenty-first century, or at least according to Don Tapscott. But if economic, social, demographic and technological forces are crumbling the traditional boundaries of entertainment, hi-tech, pharma and information industries, slashing transaction costs and eliminating the effects of IP, what will the future hold? how could company boundaries be re-defined to ensure development and job opportunities for present and future generations of salaried workers? maybe future generations are equipped for a fluid workplace with ever-changing roles and collaboration, but, as Keynes used to say, in the long-run we'll all be dead. Hence the transformation will be painful and will require identifying new models to share productivity gains, models that will be deeply different from those we know; probably something in between pure market mechanisms applied at the individual level and co-ops. For sure the challenge is immense and an open and entrepreneurial mentality will be fundamental to tackle the change spurred by the discarding of Walled Gardens that traditional monolithic companies had erected.
Openness, peering, sharing and acting globally. These are the four forces driving industry change in the twenty-first century, or at least according to Don Tapscott. But if economic, social, demographic and technological forces are crumbling the traditional boundaries of entertainment, hi-tech, pharma and information industries, slashing transaction costs and eliminating the effects of IP, what will the future hold? how could company boundaries be re-defined to ensure development and job opportunities for present and future generations of salaried workers? maybe future generations are equipped for a fluid workplace with ever-changing roles and collaboration, but, as Keynes used to say, in the long-run we'll all be dead. Hence the transformation will be painful and will require identifying new models to share productivity gains, models that will be deeply different from those we know; probably something in between pure market mechanisms applied at the individual level and co-ops. For sure the challenge is immense and an open and entrepreneurial mentality will be fundamental to tackle the change spurred by the discarding of Walled Gardens that traditional monolithic companies had erected.
The End of Poverty (Economic Possibilities of our Time) - Jeffrey Sachs
Gli Stati Uniti spendono il 4.06% del proprio prodotto interno lordo per le forze armate, la Francia il 2.6% e il Regno Unito il 2.4%, eppure sono oltre 20 anni che hanno preso l'impegno di allocare lo 0.7% del proprio PIL al finanziamento dei paesi in via di sviluppo e nessuno di loro c'è andato neppure vicino! Il Prof. Sachs, mettendo assieme la teoria e il suo coinvolgimento diretto in attività di aiuto ai paesi poveri, indica la strada per raggiungere i Millenium Development Goals stabiliti dalle Nazioni Unite e eliminare la povertà estrema (non la povertà in assoluto) entro il 2025. Si è vero, chiede ai paesi sviluppati di spendere più soldi, ma dimostra che il piano è eseguibile e che è un dovere economico e morale per tutti noi. L'unico aspetto a cui avrebbe potuto dedicare più attenzione è l'impatto sul consumo di risorse naturali; domande come: possono i paesi Africani utilizzare OGM e pesticidi per incrementare le rese agricole senza curarsi delle conseguenze? dovrebbero andare di pari passo con le questioni relative alla crescita del reddito pro-capite, dell'accesso a cure sanitarie e all'istruzione. Comunque la si pensi, è un piacere leggere i pensieri di un grande economista, ma dotato di grande passione umana per ciò di cui si occupa.
The USA spend 4.06% of gross domestic product for armed forces, France spends 2.6% and the UK spends 2.4%. The same countries have committed to allocate 0.7% of GDP for more than 20 years, to finance developing countries, thus help alleviate poverty, but they have not even come close! Professor Sachs, molding theory and first hand experience in managing economic development plans of poor countries, shows the way to reach the Millenium Development Goals set by the United Nations and to eliminate extreme (not all) poverty by 2025. It is true, he is asking rich countries to spend more money, but he also shows that the plan can be implemented and it makes sense from an economic and moral point of view for all of us. The only small pitfall of the book is that it dedicates little time to the environmental impact of economic development; questions like: can African countries use OGM and chemicals to increase agriculture productivity without caring for environmental consequences? should go hand-in-hand with growth of per-capita income, access to healthcare and education. Regardless of what you think, it is a pleasure to read how such a great economist is humanly passionate about the topic: INSPIRING.
The USA spend 4.06% of gross domestic product for armed forces, France spends 2.6% and the UK spends 2.4%. The same countries have committed to allocate 0.7% of GDP for more than 20 years, to finance developing countries, thus help alleviate poverty, but they have not even come close! Professor Sachs, molding theory and first hand experience in managing economic development plans of poor countries, shows the way to reach the Millenium Development Goals set by the United Nations and to eliminate extreme (not all) poverty by 2025. It is true, he is asking rich countries to spend more money, but he also shows that the plan can be implemented and it makes sense from an economic and moral point of view for all of us. The only small pitfall of the book is that it dedicates little time to the environmental impact of economic development; questions like: can African countries use OGM and chemicals to increase agriculture productivity without caring for environmental consequences? should go hand-in-hand with growth of per-capita income, access to healthcare and education. Regardless of what you think, it is a pleasure to read how such a great economist is humanly passionate about the topic: INSPIRING.
Angels of Death (Inside the Bikers' Global Crime Empire) – William Marsden and Julian Sher
Hells Angels, Nomads, Bandidos, Mongols… questi nomi non vi dicono niente? Leggete questa accuratissima inchiesta giornalistica e scoprirete il mondo oscuro delle bande di motociclisti, che, lungi dal rispecchiare quell'alone di leggenda datogli da film come "Easy Rider", sono alcune delle organizzazioni criminali più violente e potenti al mondo, con interessi nel traffico di droga che vanno ben oltre agli Stati Uniti per coprire Australia, Canada e Nord Europa. Il libro è molto lungo, ed in alcuni punti risulta un po' noioso per i dettagli sulle inchieste giudiziare, ma in generale riesce a mantenere la suspense di un thriller, pur trattandosi di cronaca giornalistica.
Hells Angels, Nomads, Bandidos, Mongols… these names don't ring a bell? Read this very accurate investigation and you'll be taken straight into the obscure underworld of motorcycle gangs, which, far from the legendary aloe generated by movies like "Easy Rider", are some of the most violent criminal organizations in the world, with interests spanning drug trafficking well beyond the US, to reach Australia, Canada and Northern Europe. The book is very long, and sometimes turns boring, because of too much detail around judicial cases, but overall the authors managed to instill thriller suspense into a journalistic investigation.
Hells Angels, Nomads, Bandidos, Mongols… these names don't ring a bell? Read this very accurate investigation and you'll be taken straight into the obscure underworld of motorcycle gangs, which, far from the legendary aloe generated by movies like "Easy Rider", are some of the most violent criminal organizations in the world, with interests spanning drug trafficking well beyond the US, to reach Australia, Canada and Northern Europe. The book is very long, and sometimes turns boring, because of too much detail around judicial cases, but overall the authors managed to instill thriller suspense into a journalistic investigation.
The Tipping Point (How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference) – Malcolm Gladwell
La legge dei pochi, the stickiness factor ed il potere del contesto… cosa trasforma semplici idee in trends mondiali? Malcolm Gladwell con la sua prosa affascinante guida i lettori attraverso molteplici esempi di come nuovi trends si trasformano in vere e proprie epidemie! Nonostante la tesi interessante spiegata in questo libro, però, non l'ho apprezzato come avevo apprezzato l'altro saggio di Gladwell, Blink. Forse perchè prima di questo avevo appena finito di leggere "Freakonomics" e il libro di Gladwell non ha lo stesso rigore scientifico che ho apprezzato così tanto nella ricerca di Levitt... ma forse i due sono complementari.
The law of the few, the stickiness factor and the power of context … what does turn a simple idea into a worldwide trend? Malcolm Gladwell with his fascinating prose drives readers through example of how to make trends tip into true epidemic. Despite the interesting thesis of this book though, I did not like it as much as the other Gladwell book that I read, Blink. Maybe because I had just finished "Freakonomics", and Gladwell lacks the scientific rigor that I appreciated so much in Levitt… but maybe the two of them are complementary.
The law of the few, the stickiness factor and the power of context … what does turn a simple idea into a worldwide trend? Malcolm Gladwell with his fascinating prose drives readers through example of how to make trends tip into true epidemic. Despite the interesting thesis of this book though, I did not like it as much as the other Gladwell book that I read, Blink. Maybe because I had just finished "Freakonomics", and Gladwell lacks the scientific rigor that I appreciated so much in Levitt… but maybe the two of them are complementary.
Freakonomics (The Hidden Side of Everything) - Steven D. Levitt, Stephen J. Dubner
Una sola parola: LEGGETELO! Il più interessante saggio economico che abbia letto negli ultimi 3 anni. Una serie ininterrotta di deduzioni controintuitive per spiegare in modo razionale fenomeni sociali che impattano la società contemporanea: dalla criminalità, allo spaccio di droga a mille altri temi. Levitt assieme a Krugman merita l'attenzione come uno dei geni della ricerca economica moderna.
One tip: READ IT!!! This is definitely the most interesting economics essay I have read in three years. An unexpected series of counterintuitive deductions that shed light on social phenomena that impacts our contemporary societies: from criminality, to drug dealing, and dozens other themes. Levitt, along with Paul Krugman, well deserves to be looked as one of the geniuses of modern economic research.
One tip: READ IT!!! This is definitely the most interesting economics essay I have read in three years. An unexpected series of counterintuitive deductions that shed light on social phenomena that impacts our contemporary societies: from criminality, to drug dealing, and dozens other themes. Levitt, along with Paul Krugman, well deserves to be looked as one of the geniuses of modern economic research.
Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee: An Indian History of the American West - Dee Brown
Il fatto che gli europei siano stati gli invasori-distruttori nel confronto con i nativi americani è ormai assodato ed accettato quasi da tutti. Sotto questo punto di vista, il libro aggiunge la precisione del racconto ed il dettaglio su personaggi e nazioni specifiche, che può interessare un appassionato come me, ma probabilmente non il lettore medio. Il vero grande valore aggiunto è nella caratterizzazione della disperazione delle popolazioni native, abituate a vivere e a prosperare in armonia con la natura, e che chiedevano solo di mantere una parte dei propri territori originali ed i propri usi e costumi, e che invece sono stati sterminati, deportati e, per sopravvivere, costretti ad accettare un modello di vita a loro alieno. Leggetene anche solo poche pagine, l'orgoglio e la sensibilità emotiva di personaggi come Tatanka Iyotake (Toro Seduto), o Cochise vi colpirà.
European immigrants were the invaders and destroyers in the war against Native Americans: this is nowadays a widely accepted fact. From this point of view, the book adds a lot of well-documented details on single nations and their leaders, which can be of interest for someone that is fond of this history like me, but probably not for the average person. The real big value added of the book is the description of what a desperate destiny the Native Americans encountered. These people used to live in harmony with nature and only asked for the entitlement of a part of their homeland where they could continue living their traditions. Instead they were exterminated, deported and, in order to survive, forced to accept a lifestyle that was not in their chords. I encourage you to read even just some pages of this book, pride and sensibility of great personalities like Tatanka Iyotake (Sitting Bull) and Cochise will strike you.
European immigrants were the invaders and destroyers in the war against Native Americans: this is nowadays a widely accepted fact. From this point of view, the book adds a lot of well-documented details on single nations and their leaders, which can be of interest for someone that is fond of this history like me, but probably not for the average person. The real big value added of the book is the description of what a desperate destiny the Native Americans encountered. These people used to live in harmony with nature and only asked for the entitlement of a part of their homeland where they could continue living their traditions. Instead they were exterminated, deported and, in order to survive, forced to accept a lifestyle that was not in their chords. I encourage you to read even just some pages of this book, pride and sensibility of great personalities like Tatanka Iyotake (Sitting Bull) and Cochise will strike you.
The Clash of Civilizations and the Remaking of World Order - Samuel P. Huntington
Non sono un esperto di affari internazionali, per cui non sono in grado di dire se le teorie di Huntington siano adeguate a descrivere le complesse dinamiche politiche e sociali nel mondo attuale; tuttavia ho trovato il libro di una chiarezza assoluta (anche appunto per un non esperto) e ricco di descrizioni precise di eventi attuali a supporto delle teorie proposte. Ho avuto la sensazione che ci fosse qualche contraddizione fra la teoria generale per cui i conflitti del mondo contemporaneo sono generati da differenze fondamentali fra civilizzazioni ed invece alcune pagine in cui lo stesso Huntington indica anche motivazioni di puro predominio economico fra i driver delle guerre. Ma la differenza io penso stia in quel "anche", lo scontro di civiltà non è l'unico driver dei conflitti fra nazioni, ma è un elemento importante. Ed ho adorato il messaggio finale: "è pericolosi e non è moralmente giusto voler imporre la civilizzazione occidentale come universale", sicuramente non è giusto usarla come pretesto per scatenare guerre, "piuttosto bisogna favorire l'incontro fra culture e cercare un terreno comune fra quel sottile sottostrato di valori che accomunano l'umanità in quanto tale" e che non hanno nulla a che fare con lo spiccato individualismo, il liberismo economico, la tradizione cristiana, etc. etc. della civiltà occidentale.
I am not an expert of foreign affairs, thus I am not qualified to judge if professor Huntington theories are adequate to describe the complex political and social dynamics of current world affairs; nevertheless, I found the book extremely well written and clear (even for a non-expert) and rich with descriptions of current events that we all hear about, to support the theory. I had the feeling that prof. Huntington contradicts himself when he describes the drivers of wars and conflicts that arose in the last 20 years, because he often includes pure economic hegemony as a factor and not just the clash of civilization. But I believe the key difference is in that "not just, ... but also": i.e. the clash of civilization is not the only driver of clash, but an important one. Most of all I loved one of the conclusions, when the author says: "it is dangerous and morally wrong to try to impose Western civilization as universal civilization", for sure it is not right to apply this idea to go to war, "rather we need to favor dialogue among multiple cultures and try to find commonalities within that thin layer of values that are share because we are all humans", values that have nothing to do with individualism, liberalism, Christianity, etc. etc., which characterize us as Westerners.
I am not an expert of foreign affairs, thus I am not qualified to judge if professor Huntington theories are adequate to describe the complex political and social dynamics of current world affairs; nevertheless, I found the book extremely well written and clear (even for a non-expert) and rich with descriptions of current events that we all hear about, to support the theory. I had the feeling that prof. Huntington contradicts himself when he describes the drivers of wars and conflicts that arose in the last 20 years, because he often includes pure economic hegemony as a factor and not just the clash of civilization. But I believe the key difference is in that "not just, ... but also": i.e. the clash of civilization is not the only driver of clash, but an important one. Most of all I loved one of the conclusions, when the author says: "it is dangerous and morally wrong to try to impose Western civilization as universal civilization", for sure it is not right to apply this idea to go to war, "rather we need to favor dialogue among multiple cultures and try to find commonalities within that thin layer of values that are share because we are all humans", values that have nothing to do with individualism, liberalism, Christianity, etc. etc., which characterize us as Westerners.
Sotto il culo della rana (Under the Frog) - Tibor Fischer
Romanzo di debutto di questo autore inglese di origini ungheresi. E' il racconto delle dissolute esperienze giovanili di due giocatori di pallacanestro nella Budapest dell'immediato dopoguerra soffocata dall'Unione Sovietica, ma è soprattutto una spassosissima lettura con un ritmo comico ed incalzante, e allo stesso tempo riflessivo e triste. Il ciclo di maturazione del protagonista, dalle presto frustrate speranze giovanili ("sono sotto il culo di una rana, in fondo a una miniera di carbone"), al brusco risveglio della tragica rivoluzione del '56, sono superbamente descritte.
Debut novel of this English author with Hungarian parents. It is the story of the dissolute lives of two young basketball players living in Budapest immediately after World War II under Soviet Union domination, and most importantly it is a very entertaining reading with a funny and relentless rhythm, and, at the same time, a pondering and sad tone. The main character's experiences, from early frustration of young ambitions ("I am under a frog's ass, at the bottom of a coal mine"), to sudden awakening to maturity during the tragic 1956 revolution, are described superbly.
Debut novel of this English author with Hungarian parents. It is the story of the dissolute lives of two young basketball players living in Budapest immediately after World War II under Soviet Union domination, and most importantly it is a very entertaining reading with a funny and relentless rhythm, and, at the same time, a pondering and sad tone. The main character's experiences, from early frustration of young ambitions ("I am under a frog's ass, at the bottom of a coal mine"), to sudden awakening to maturity during the tragic 1956 revolution, are described superbly.
Il baco del Corriere - Massimo Mucchetti
Chi ha cercato di rubare informazioni dal PC del vice-direttore del Corriere della Sera Massimo Mucchetti? Ma soprattutto quali informazioni cercava di rubare? Senza occuparsi direttamente di una vicenda giudiziaria che ha ormai assunto dimensioni ben più ampie, quella delle intercettazioni e degli hackeraggi gestiti dal Tiger Team di Telecom Italia, Massimo Mucchetti svela tutti i "segreti" contenuti nell'hard disk del suo PC. Dalla defenestrazione di Luigi Albertini, storico direttore antifascista, "licenziato" nel 1925, al patto di sindacato che controlla attualmente il Corriere, al sistema di scatole cinesi dei gruppi Telecom-Pirelli e Fiat-Ifil, svela non poche incongruenze (alcune sconfinanti nella truffa) del sistema capitalistico irrimediabilmente incompiuto. Lettura da appassionati della finanza, ma che fa intravvedere problematiche ben più ampie di un paese che si proclama democratico.
Who tried to steal information from Massimo Mucchetti's (the Corriere della Sera deputy-chief editor) PC? But most importantly what kind of information was the hacker looking for? Without entering in the intricacies of a judicial proceeding that went far beyond the scope the Corriere's issue, with the Tiger Team of Telecom Italia hackers that is now accused of spying phone conversations and infiltrating other companies information systems, Massimo Mucchetti reveals all the "secrets" that his hard drive archived at the time of the hacker attack. Starting from the story of Luigi Albertini, chief editor and managing director of Corriere della Sera in the 1920s, fired because of his anti-fascist ideas in 1925, Mucchetti describes the current ownership structure of Corriere della Sera, the chain of command and stakeholder structure of Telecom-Pirelli and Fiat-Ifil groups, thus revealing the inconsistencies (if not full-blown frauds) of our market economy that is left undone and without remedy. The book requires a bit of interest for the intricacies of finance, but in between the lines the reader can clearly see the broader challenges of our "democratic" country.
Who tried to steal information from Massimo Mucchetti's (the Corriere della Sera deputy-chief editor) PC? But most importantly what kind of information was the hacker looking for? Without entering in the intricacies of a judicial proceeding that went far beyond the scope the Corriere's issue, with the Tiger Team of Telecom Italia hackers that is now accused of spying phone conversations and infiltrating other companies information systems, Massimo Mucchetti reveals all the "secrets" that his hard drive archived at the time of the hacker attack. Starting from the story of Luigi Albertini, chief editor and managing director of Corriere della Sera in the 1920s, fired because of his anti-fascist ideas in 1925, Mucchetti describes the current ownership structure of Corriere della Sera, the chain of command and stakeholder structure of Telecom-Pirelli and Fiat-Ifil groups, thus revealing the inconsistencies (if not full-blown frauds) of our market economy that is left undone and without remedy. The book requires a bit of interest for the intricacies of finance, but in between the lines the reader can clearly see the broader challenges of our "democratic" country.
In praise of SLOW - Carl Honoré
Qual è la prima cosa che tutti facciamo appena svegli la mattina? Andare in bagno, farsi il caffé, spegnere la sveglia e farsi un'ultima dormitina??? NO, guardiamo l'ora! così comincia la riflessione di Carl Honoré sulla frenesia del mondo, sull'incapacità di trovare il ritmo giusto per cibo, sesso, divertimento, lavoro, educazione dei figli e così via. E' il secondo libro che leggo su questo argomento e ancora non sono riuscito a rallentare del tutto, ma in fondo l'obiettivo è quello di trovare il "tempo giusto", non di eliminare completamente la velocità dalla nostra vita. In un mix di anedotti ed esperienze vissute in prima persona Carl Honoré realizza un saggio di piacevolissima lettura che fornisce molteplici spunti per cambiare le nostre quotidiane abitudini.
What is the first thing we do, when we wake up? Go to the washroom, have a coffee, turn off the alarm and sleep those extra five minutes??? NO, we look at the clock to see what's the time! This is the hint, a sadly real one, that Carl Honoré uses to start his essay on our over-speed world, on the inability to find the right rhythm for eating, leisure, sex, work, educating children and so forth. This is the second book I read on this topic and I have not yet managed to dwindle my frenziness, but on the other end, the real objective is to find the "tempo giusto", and not to completely eliminate speed from our lives. With a mix of anecdotes, and first-hand experiences, Carl Honoré wrote an essay that makes a very pleasant reading and provides multiple tips on how to change our daily behavior.
What is the first thing we do, when we wake up? Go to the washroom, have a coffee, turn off the alarm and sleep those extra five minutes??? NO, we look at the clock to see what's the time! This is the hint, a sadly real one, that Carl Honoré uses to start his essay on our over-speed world, on the inability to find the right rhythm for eating, leisure, sex, work, educating children and so forth. This is the second book I read on this topic and I have not yet managed to dwindle my frenziness, but on the other end, the real objective is to find the "tempo giusto", and not to completely eliminate speed from our lives. With a mix of anecdotes, and first-hand experiences, Carl Honoré wrote an essay that makes a very pleasant reading and provides multiple tips on how to change our daily behavior.
The Long Tail - Chris Anderson
Di nicchie, di quanto siano grandi le opportunità di business nel servire le piccole medie imprese, di personalizzazione di prodotti e servizi se ne parla da tanto tempo, il pregio di questo libro è di sistematizzare la descrizione di una serie di fattori che stanno rendendo sempre più facile produrre e distribuire contenuti, servizi e prodotti nella "coda lunga" del mercato. Chris Anderson si focalizza soprattutto sui media, dove il fenomeno (iTunes, Amazon, Netflix) è più dirompente dato che il costo di produrre, archiviare e distribuire bit addizionali è vicino allo zero, ma accenna anche ai possibili sviluppi futuri su mercati più tradizionali. Quello che è poco esplorato, a parte un accenno nel capitolo finale, è una guidance per chi si trova ad operare nella long tail del mercato. Comunque leggetelo, scoprirete che c'è una long tail per tutto, anche per la farina...
The business community has been talking about niche marketing, opportunities in the SMB space, personalization of product and services, for a long time, the differentiating element of this book is that it systematically describes a series of factors that will make easier and easier to produce and distribute content, products and services in the "long tail" of the market. Chris Anderson focuses its dissertation mainly on media, where the phenomenon (iTunes, Amazon, Netflix) is smattering, given the close to zero marginal cost required to manufacture, archive, and distribute new bits. However the author discusses also future developments in more traditional markets. One thing is only surfaced in the last chapter, a guidance for all those that are targeting the long tail. Anyway, I recommend this reading, you will find out that long tails are everywhere, even in the flour market...
The business community has been talking about niche marketing, opportunities in the SMB space, personalization of product and services, for a long time, the differentiating element of this book is that it systematically describes a series of factors that will make easier and easier to produce and distribute content, products and services in the "long tail" of the market. Chris Anderson focuses its dissertation mainly on media, where the phenomenon (iTunes, Amazon, Netflix) is smattering, given the close to zero marginal cost required to manufacture, archive, and distribute new bits. However the author discusses also future developments in more traditional markets. One thing is only surfaced in the last chapter, a guidance for all those that are targeting the long tail. Anyway, I recommend this reading, you will find out that long tails are everywhere, even in the flour market...
A short history of tractors in Ukrainian - Marina Lewycka
Abbastanza divertente, lo stile mi piace un sacco, è di quelli che ti prendono e si fanno leggere in due giorni, ottimo considerando che è il primo romanzo di questa scrittrice. Ma la storia, molto meno surreale di quello che il titolo farebbe supporre, è noiosetta, il plot pesantemente ripetitivo. Un ottantaquattrenne ucraino emigrato in Inghilterra dopo la seconda guerra mondiale si sposa con una trentacinquenne biondona ucraina in cerca di soldi e passaporto, il resto è tutta una ripetizione dei casini che ne scaturiscono e dei goffi tentativi che le due figlie Nikolaj fanno per tirarlo fuori dai guai.
Moderately funny. I liked the style a lot. It is the kind of writing that you get caught in and you cant stop reading until you have finished, which takes not more than 2 days. This is particularly good considering this is the first novel of Ms. Lewycka. But the story, not as surreal as the title would suggest, is rather boring, the repetitiveness of the plot almost turns into dullness. An eighty-four years old Ukrainian, who migrated to England after World War II, gets married with a thirty-five years old blondie from Ukraine, who is looking for money and a UK passport. The remaining part of the story is just a repetition of messy situations that come out of the strange couple and of the goofy efforts that Nikolaj's daughters put in place to solve the problem.
Moderately funny. I liked the style a lot. It is the kind of writing that you get caught in and you cant stop reading until you have finished, which takes not more than 2 days. This is particularly good considering this is the first novel of Ms. Lewycka. But the story, not as surreal as the title would suggest, is rather boring, the repetitiveness of the plot almost turns into dullness. An eighty-four years old Ukrainian, who migrated to England after World War II, gets married with a thirty-five years old blondie from Ukraine, who is looking for money and a UK passport. The remaining part of the story is just a repetition of messy situations that come out of the strange couple and of the goofy efforts that Nikolaj's daughters put in place to solve the problem.
Le Voci del Bosco - Mauro Corona
Se pensate all'immagine dell'orco delle favole, beh quello è Mauro Corona. Stereotipo dell'uomo rude di montagna. Barba, capelli lunghi e sparpagliati, abbigliamento trasandato, ma comodo da lavoro, sguardo torvo, taciturno, ma al contempo schietto e con un cuore grande, probabilmente lui si definirebbe un po' cirmolo e un po' ulivo... Ma quando inizierete a leggere questo libro scoprirete un animo profondo e di una sensibilità inusuale, e d'altra parte non potrebbe essere altrimenti è un alpinista!
Lettura quantomeno strana questa in cui gli alberi diventano uomini e gli uomini diventano alberi. Se non siete esperti di flora - come non lo sono io - scoprirete che nei boschi alpini si nascondono molte più piante, molte più anime, di quelle che noi immaginiamo scrutando distrattamente i fianchi delle montagne che paiono ricoperti da soli abeti. Quando lo avrete aperto non potrete smettere di leggere e di cercare magari di associare voi stessi e le persone che conoscete a qualche pianta, in meno di una giornata lo avrete letto, ma vi resterà dentro a lungo.
Lettura quantomeno strana questa in cui gli alberi diventano uomini e gli uomini diventano alberi. Se non siete esperti di flora - come non lo sono io - scoprirete che nei boschi alpini si nascondono molte più piante, molte più anime, di quelle che noi immaginiamo scrutando distrattamente i fianchi delle montagne che paiono ricoperti da soli abeti. Quando lo avrete aperto non potrete smettere di leggere e di cercare magari di associare voi stessi e le persone che conoscete a qualche pianta, in meno di una giornata lo avrete letto, ma vi resterà dentro a lungo.
Iscriviti a:
Post (Atom)