RaveLibrary JournalWith his book, Scharf (astrobiology, Columbia Univ.; The Copernicus Complex) has put together an elaborate view of \'information\' ... Scharf’s book lacks a truly unifying argument, especially with regard to moral rights and wrongs, but it is a fascinating study of information and its types.
Angus Fletcher
MixedLibrary JournalThe author skillfully draws attention to a number of inventions from global contexts and language backgrounds ... A surprising element is the book’s real-life application of the inventions, or, how does this work for one in real life? The missing piece in Fletcher’s book is its lack of explicit statement-of-worldview under-girding the analysis. Specifically, the focus on the brain and literary allusions as well as references to deity as evidences of invention seems to portray there is no truth to the statements under examination. That being said, readers will be impressed by Fletcher’s scope and inclusion of literary invention ... for those readers who like to consider the history of literature, yes, but also those who like to think about the technical aspects of literary devices used across that history.
Cade Metz
RaveLibrary JournalThis fast-paced account of people and places brings into context the historical roots of Internet giants Google, Facebook, Apple, and Amazon, and how their paths to success were not always guaranteed ... Competition is a recurring theme throughout this well-written narrative, as Metz brings to life personalities that dominated start-ups and other tech companies ... An informative, enjoyable work that connects the history of technology to our current world of gadgets and devices. With vivid detail, Metz has crafted an accessible narrative that will keep readers turning the pages.
Jay Parini
RaveLibrary JournalParini weaves a brilliant narrative touching on Borges’s singular writing style, the effects of aging on the author (Borges was around 70 and blind when Parini met him), and the workings of a perpetually active mind as seen through the lens of Borges’s literary reality. The resulting portraiture of the two men further boasts passages of somewhat oddly placed profanity and allusions to the lives of other writers and poets such as Walt Whitman. Parini’s cook even makes an appearance, comfortably fitting into a narrative reflecting Borges’s ficto-historical sensibility ... Essential for Borges’s legions of fans, as well as those who enjoy literary memoirs by experimental writers whose works play a bit more loosely with the facts.
Thomas Rid
PositiveLibrary JournalWith this latest work, Rid...offers a history of the political control of information, usually in the form of disinformation ... Covering a lot of ground in this dense but thorough account, Rid further includes primary sources that brilliantly show how \'information wars\' have been waged throughout history ... A fascinating read for those who appreciate learning about history within a complex political context.
David Daley
PositiveLibrary Journal... an inspirational polemic about political involvement from a plethora of people in different areas. This work has a clear bias toward certain political positions, which may be its weakness. Its strength, however, is displayed through the examination of activist work that brings to light the common humanity of society\'s marginalized populations ... Overall, this account shows the significance of more people getting involved in public service after the 2016 election ... Best suited for civically engaged readers interested in a populist vision for political activism.
Clive Thompson
RaveLibrary JournalTechnology journalist Thompson...delivers again with this well-written narrative ... [Thompson] brilliantly reveals several examples of how [coders] in their respective relationships. Throughout, Thompson also does a great job exploring the various drivers that permeate the industry ... This engaging work will appeal to readers who wish to learn more about the intersection of technology and culture, and the space in which they blur together.
