Best Kindle Singles: Science & Math
He meets “rig pigs” and “cement heads” hoping to make a quick fortune laboring in the oilfields; casino operators and strippers eager to relieve workers of their high wages; farmers and Native Americans who fear the pipeline’s impact on land, water, and climate; and Keystone cowboys who tout the economic benefits of the oil-rush in progress on the Plains. Tony Horwitz is a Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist who spent a decade as a foreign correspondent, mainly covering wars and conflicts in the Middle East, Africa, and Europe for the Wall Street Journal. "Boom is the very model of dauntless reporting, lucent prose, memorable portraits of a range of characters, all in a story driven by a moral dilemma with stakes that couldn't possibly be higher.”—San Francisco Chronicle.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Who would have thought that a book that describes a tour of the proposed Keystone XL Pipeline could be so enjoyable? The author takes us through his marathon drive that begins in Fort McMurray, Alberta and then goes through Saskatchewan, Montana, South Dakota and Nebraska. We learn about the lives of the predominantly male workers in the oil sand fields of Alberta. Switch to the satellite view and move north of the city to see the vast areas consumed by the oil sand extraction."
"I thought this book was particularly good explaining how the self-righteousness of some of the environmentalists opposing the Keystone XL pipeline undercuts their effectiveness, as well as the nuances of reactions to the pipeline in some of the reddest states in the country."
"This is an excellent explanation of the Keystone XL, the awful environmental devastation it poses, and those whose greed blinds them to the real issues."
"After Friday's State Department finding about the environmental impact of the Keystone XL Pipeline, I became more fascinated with the reality of what this pipeline really means for the US and the world."
"The author follows the existing and proposed route of the Keystone XL pipeline from Alberta to Nebraska, interviewing folks on both sides of the issue on the present and future effects of the project."
"If Horwitz has a strong opinion either way on the long festering XL Pipeline debate he keeps it, mostly, deep under wraps and just . So, we not only get both sides of the debate through the mouths of diverse and colorful characters, we get the people out on the fringes - in every sense of the word."
"Longer than a magazine article, but shorter than a book, this is a great example of how and why digital publishing makes sense, despite the author's complaints in the Op-Ed pages of the NY Times. He does do a good job of presenting the unvarnished opinions of people on both sides of the controversy--yes, the pipeline creates jobs, and yes, we need the oil to keep our economy going, but also, yes, it makes a hideous mess, even if it works exactly as intended with no leaks, and yes, it may be hastening climate change, which might make our other problems all pale by comparison."
For forty years, physicists searched for this capstone to the Standard Model of particle physics—the theory that describes both the most elementary components that are known in matter and the forces through which they interact. This long-theorized fundamental particle has represented the Holy Grail for physicists exploring the world of the very, very small for almost 50 years, and its discovery paves the way forward for our understanding of a range of questions about the physical universe, from why matter has (is) mass to what exactly happens in "empty" space. Newcomers may find the scientific vocabulary daunting, but set against the enormity of thought and effort put into this research by some of the world's smartest people, the challenge nevertheless rewards curious readers who wonder about the hype powering the headlines.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"However, when I bought the book at the "special price" I hadn't realized that the "Kindle single" edition is merely an expanded free sample - it is not the entire text."
"Beginning with the basics, we learn that the Higgs boson is an elementary particle--a fundamental constituent of matter out of which all things are made (there are 3 types of elementary particles: quarks, leptons and bosons, and the Higgs is a variety of boson). The special importance of the Higgs field, and its ubiquity in nature, hints at why the Higgs boson has acquired its provocative moniker: the God particle--though Randall largely downplays the particle's grand title in her work. For those looking for a more thorough account of the discovery of the Higgs boson, and also a ground-up explanation of the physics that makes sense of the particle, I would highly recommend Jim Baggot's new book called Higgs: The Invention and Discovery of the 'God Particle'."
"The verification of the existence of the higgs boson with high confidence by the LHC is one of the most important scientific findings on the 21st century so far. However, if you long to get a handle of why reality is the way it is, you'll get an appreciable amount of satisfaction from reading anything that Lisa Randall writes, because she doesn't dumb down the physics concepts."
"I am sure explaining high level physics to a general audience is tough, but this reads as if she herself couldn't figure out what level she wanted to hit and her compromise doesn't make it - alternating between great redundancy in stating (and restating, and...) some ideas, and impenetrability, or superficiality in treating others."
Before the Big Bang, there was a tiny fraction of a second during which a process called inflation expanded a seed much smaller than the nucleus of an atom into a fireball the size of a basketball -- the Big Bang itself.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Before the Big Bang. by John Gribbin. “Recent measurements of the “three degrees” cosmic background radiation have led to claims that they reveal the presence of ripples imprinted on the fabric of space at the birth of the Universe, more than 13 billion years ago."
"Interesting point of view... the Big Bang was NOT the beginning... it occurred after an inflation period."
"This is a clear, smart, understandable explanation of some very complex material."
"This is the most recent chapter of that story told in broad strokes without overwhelming the mathematically challenged readers with the details of the journey."
"The descriptions and explanations of our early universe were made relatively understandable."
"But, all truths started as theory leading to a long road of proofs."
"Great writer....liked it."
"It hints that humanity will in the future find what was always thought of as impossible; what was before the singularity."
Best One-Hour Science & Math Short Reads
Before the Big Bang, there was a tiny fraction of a second during which a process called inflation expanded a seed much smaller than the nucleus of an atom into a fireball the size of a basketball -- the Big Bang itself.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Before the Big Bang. by John Gribbin. “Recent measurements of the “three degrees” cosmic background radiation have led to claims that they reveal the presence of ripples imprinted on the fabric of space at the birth of the Universe, more than 13 billion years ago."
"Interesting point of view... the Big Bang was NOT the beginning... it occurred after an inflation period."
"This is a clear, smart, understandable explanation of some very complex material."
"This is the most recent chapter of that story told in broad strokes without overwhelming the mathematically challenged readers with the details of the journey."
"The descriptions and explanations of our early universe were made relatively understandable."
"But, all truths started as theory leading to a long road of proofs."
"Great writer....liked it."
"It hints that humanity will in the future find what was always thought of as impossible; what was before the singularity."
Best Kindle Singles: Travel
John Baxter was born in Australia, but has lived in Paris for 25 years, most of that time in the building which Sylvia Beach made her home while running the famous Shakespeare and Company bookshop.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"In short, this Kindle Single is a wondrous and practical evocation of Hemingway's Paris."
"If you can't make your way to Paris, read one of John's books ; and if you are going to Paris, read his books anyway, and take them with you - they are the best guides in addition to being fine literature."
"His knowledge and enthusiasm for the topic are a joy to behold and his "Hemingway's Paris: A User's Guide" is a must not only for Hemingway fans like me but for anyone who wants to know more about life in Paris during that magical time period."
"This Single is a great addition to other books about Paris by Baxter, notably Golden Moments: The Paris of the 1920s and also The French Riviera and Its Artists; Art, Literature and Life on the Cote'D'Azur."
"It took me years of walking Paris to locate these places."
"If you love Paris and Hemingway you must read this guide."
"Fabulous."
"If your were looking for a quick read , and easy understanding of where and why Hemingway located himself in Paris .....this is perfect."
Best Kindle Singles: Politics & Social Sciences
She shines a light not only on blatant discrimination, but also the more insidious, institutional behaviors that marginalize women around the world, in order to help readers of all walks of life better understand the often masked realities of sexual politics. Adichie, celebrated author of the acclaimed Americanah (Knopf, 2013), offers a more inclusive definition of feminism, one that strives to highlight and embrace a wide range of people and experiences. Her focus on women of color is also an aspect of the movement that hasn't always been given its due, and Adichie works in her own experience and life as a feminist within a more conservative Nigerian culture in an organic and eye-opening way.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"She has made people deaf to anything but stereotypes about feminism sit up and pay attention and realize, "Wow this is mostly common sense" and "I see that all the time and I never thought about how that affects" us/them."
"Why was there no warning that it would be tiny?"
"I assumed the book would expand a bit on the things she discussed in her talk, but the book felt word for word her lecture."
"I think this relates more to other cultures than the US, where we experience many of the same issues but it does not address many other factors we see in modern American culture."
"It's short and simple, so it definitely is a good start for whoever feels curious about this topic and wants to understand more."
"This is a very short book, but it is excellent."
"Excellent talk about gender, roles and expectations."
"Excellent speech by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie."
Best Kindle Singles:Sports & Outdoors
After nearly twenty years of chasing oblivion, a fight in a bar reveals to a newly sober Mishka Shubaly that he is able to run long distances. The charms of Shubaly's writing are many: his adoring metaphors for drinking reveal it as his true unrequited love; his self-examination has Thoreau-like depth; and his exposition transforms the pedestrian into the sublime. What's more, Shubaly is earnestly obstinate, yet capable of change; a nihilist, and yet he seeks meaning; a walking contradiction and a joy to spend time with on paper.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Good perspective on the power of running."
"In most cases such as Mishka's, life itself becomes un underdeveloped experience leaving a 32 year old young man, functioning at a much younger age level if at all. Food, sugar, smoking, shopping, sex, you name it, ...whatever ones addicition, Mishka has shared an amazing personal experience that truly should be applauded with extreme admiration and used as a model proving the power of the mind."
"The first half felt a lot like A Million Little Pieces by James Frey. I read A Million Little Pieces just before the whole 'debacle' between James Frey and Oprah Winfrey erupted. I firmly believe that exercise (any form, doesn't have to be running) is extremely good for you, both mentally and physically."
"It is a triumph that is real, viable and believable and gives us hope that there is a light at the end of whatever tunnel we might be in."
"This book was a quick read."
"But I am almost hesitant sometimes to pick up a novel or even a decent sized book these days for fear that I wont be able to finish. That a once, almost hopeless, addict could rise and up and publish such high quality work, is a testament to how our world is changing."
"But it also does not give any hint, tips, l life lesson, or teach you how to get away from alcoholic. I am amazed and truly respect how he remains positive and his sense of humour most of the time. Sometimes it may seems that he doesn't really care much about his well-being concerning alcoholic, but somewhere along the story, there is pain in those jokes."
Best Kindle Singles: Parenting & Relationships
But when her second child is born with albinism, a rare genetic condition whose most striking characteristics are white blonde hair, pale skin and impaired vision, she discovers that the very definition of normal is up for grabs.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I enjoy learning new stuff and Hana did a great job presenting in an enjoyable easy to read format."
"Good book."
"This book is a mother's story of adapting to her daughter's diagnosis of albinism."
"Wish it were longer because it's so good."
"This was different kind of book."
"great book only one first couple of pages."
"The download shows every other page (odd number pages)."
Best Kindle Singles: Religion & Spirituality
For any caregiver who ever needed to feel renewed, Kathryn Leigh Scott offers a compassionate acknowledgment of the love, patience, and determination it takes to do the right thing for yourself and for those you love. Kathryn Leigh Scott is an author, actress, and volunteer spokesperson for the national CurePSP foundation.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"The book is well written without any extra."
"Luckily there had been a LTC in effect, which I had a slight ordeal in getting it to kick in, and with that we’d gotten a 24/7 home attendant to take care of the “patient.” Even so, I had to keep my eyes open to see if everything was being done right, leaving little or no time for me to do my writing and read/review books, and the other things I love doing, as I had no one else to look to for assistance. My dear became able to ambulate using a rollator, and do everything else without any assistance whatsoever so the extend we no longer had need of the home attendant we had."
"cancer free my mom found a jobe working in her church, and i finally got a job with working with salvation army i felt a sense of hope of being able to work and make friends and knowing through hope and my faith in god that things would go on and we would be ok what can i say kathryn's books are informative but most of all and inspiration for those who feel lonely and depressed but hope as well so i five star for you deserve so well deserved."
"It was a very quick read and tell about a wife that caregives for her husband newly diagnosed with a neurodegenerative disease."