Book Review: Timequake by Kurt Vonnegut

“Timequake” by Kurt Vonnegut is a mind-bending book that was first published in 1997. The book explores the concept of “free will” and what it means to be human under the influence of relentless march of time. Vonnegut expounded dark humor and deep insights in the manner of “automatic writing”. Although, the book’s writing is done within the theme of “timequake”. A thought experiment, that is, everyone has to relive the same ten years of their lives over again because there happens to be a glitch in the universe.

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Book Review: Stoner by John Edward Williams

Stoner is an academic novel written by John Edward Williams. It was first published in 1965. The book happens to be his third novel, first two being – Nothing But the Night (1948) and Butcher’s Crossing (1960). The novel, Stoner, follows the life of William Stoner, a working-class student who becomes a professor of English literature at the University of Missouri. It explores his struggles both at personal as well as professional front as he navigates through his career and relationships.

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Book Review: A Universe from Nothing by Lawrence M. Krauss

A Universe from Nothing: Why There Is Something Rather than Nothing is a voyage to the forefront of cosmology. The book is written by acclaimed physicist Lawrence M. Krauss and was published in 2012. Krauss has beautifully blended his observational prowess, theoretical ingenuity, and technological advancements while framing the concepts and notions in his book. The idea that the universe emerged from random quantum fluctuations is, indeed, fascinating.

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Book Review: The Naked Sun by Isaac Asimov

The Naked Sun is a captivating and enjoyable murder mystery that remains highly readable, even after several decades. It was published in 1957. And it is the second instalment in Asimov’s ‘Robot’ series, succeeding The Caves of Steel, which was released three years prior. Asimov here presents a plethora of thought-provoking concepts, by exploring the boundaries of science, space, technology, psychology, and societal dynamics.

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Book Review: The End of Faith by Sam Harris

The End of Faith: Religion, Terror, and the Future of Reason is a brilliant piece written by Sam Harris in 2004. Samuel Benjamin Harris (1967) is an American philosopher, neuroscientist, and an author. This book presents a stark difference between “faith” and “reason”. A profound stuff that is needed to be heard. Similar motif was also seen in Richard Dawkins’ famous book, The God Delusion. Why do religious ideas often look up to a unique level of respect? These ideas, are also exempted from scrutiny in many societies. While other…

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Book Review: What Is Life? with Mind and Matter by Erwin Schrödinger (II/II)

In this post, we will be covering the second segment of Schrödinger’s famous book, What Is Life? with Mind and Matter. We have already talked about the first portion – What Is Life? Now, here, we will be focusing on Mind and Matter. (If you haven’t read, I’d recommend to go through the previous post – What Is Life? by Erwin Schrödinger. It will help in better understanding of his ideas. Thanks 🙂 In this series of the lectures, Schrödinger has tried to blend physics, evolutionary theory, and philosophy.

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Book Review: What Is Life? with Mind and Matter by Erwin Schrödinger (I/II)

Erwin Schrödinger (1887-1961) was one of the renowned physicists and pioneer of quantum mechanics. He also had a deep interest in philosophy and metaphysics. What Is Life? with Mind and Matter by Erwin Schrödinger is a series of lectures. The lectures were delivered by him in 1943 and 1956 at Trinity College, Dublin. First part of the book explores the topic – What is life? The book on the same was first published in 1944. While the latter part is all about, Mind and Matter, the book on the same…

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Book Review: A Mathematician’s Apology by G. H. Hardy

G.H. Hardy (1877-1947) was a prominent British mathematician who made significant contributions in various branches of mathematics, particularly in number theory and analysis. He collaborated with Indian mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan and played an important role in recognizing and nurturing his exceptional talent. “A Mathematician’s Apology,” is a collection of his essays intended to peep into the mind and understand the perspective of a working mathematician.

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Book Review: Thus Spoke Zarathustra by Friedrich Nietzsche

Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche (1844–1900) is known for his provocative and unconventional ideas. He often expressed views that were in direct opposition to prevailing religious, moral, and societal norms, particularly when it came to his criticisms of Christianity. He challenged many deeply ingrained beliefs and values of his time. His rejection of Christian morality and emphasis on individual will and self-assertion align with certain aspects of pagan thought and provide a philosophical foundation for those seeking to break free from Christian historical and social dominance.

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Book Review: The Blind Watchmaker by Richard Dawkins

I am a big fan of Richard Dawkins works. I have already read his four books, namely, The Selfish Gene, The God Delusion and Brief Candle in the Dark. And I find them remarkable in the sense that he perfectly chooses his words to prove the clarity of his thoughts. As a science educator, his ideas are impeccably backed up with obvious logics. Which promotes scientific and logical understanding to the fundamental questions of persistent false belief held in the face of strong contradictory evidence.

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Book Review: Passion for Mathematics by Clifford Pickover

Recently, I came across the works of Clifford Pickover. I finished reading Surfing Through Hyperspace and I found it extremely interesting, and so I decided to try another book from his vault – Passion for Mathematics. This book is equally fascinating. I liked the presentation of the content. Firstly, the various mathematical ideas are introduced with diagrams and puzzles, which helps in understanding the notion better. Secondly, quotes are sprinkled here and there to give the subject some poetic effect and depth to abstract concepts. Thirdly, the brain teasers and…

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Book Review: The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks is a beautiful book written by Rebecca Skloot in 2010. It is about a poor African American woman who came down with a rare cervical cancer in 1950s. After giving birth to her fourth child, Henrietta grew suspicious of a lump in her cervix. To clarify things, she went straight to Johns Hopkins Hospital. The doctor took a biopsy by extracting sample cells for examination. Although she couldn’t survive, after a few sessions of x-ray therapy and radium treatment. She died at the age…

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Book review: Surfing Through Hyperspace by Clifford A. Pickover

Surfing Through Hyperspace: Understanding Higher Universes in Six Easy Lessons by Clifford A. Pickover hovers around the concept of fourth dimension. In simple words, it’s a walkthrough of higher dimensions.   Clifford A. Pickover is an American author, editor, and columnist in the fields of science, mathematics, science fiction, innovation, and creativity. A futurist and science writer, Pickover likes to contemplate realms beyond our 3-dimensional reality. Interestingly, he puts his ideas down on paper for readers like us to experience his visualizations.

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Book Review: The Sixth Extinction by Elizabeth Kolbert

In The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History, Elizabeth Kolbert explores the current state of biodiversity loss and the role that human activities have played in causing it. Kolbert is an American journalist and author. She is the editor of “The Best American Science and Nature Writing 2009” and the author of “The Prophet of Love: And Other Tales of Power and Deceit,” “Field Notes from a Catastrophe,” and “The Sixth Extinction,” for which she won the Pulitzer Prize for general nonfiction in 2015. The Sixth Extinction provides a detailed analysis…

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