This was a massive 17+ hour slog but it was absolutely worth it. Slightly too US-centric for me and a little dated nowadays in parts, but brilliant nonetheless. Important lessons for nations all over the world and humanity itself.
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Joshua Byrd set a goal to read 52 books in 2022
Joshua Byrd reviewed The Demon-Haunted World by Carl Sagan
Joshua Byrd reviewed Hiroshima by John Hersey
Joshua Byrd reviewed Communion by Whitley Strieber
Joshua Byrd reviewed Them: Adventures with Extremists by Jon Ronson
Review of 'Them' on 'Goodreads'
5 stars
This book was nuts and absolutely brilliant. Just like all of Ronson's other books I've read I can't recommend him enough. I especially enjoyed the part where him and Alex Jones went to a pagan Owl Burning ceremony with the secret rulers of the free world. Amazing.
Joshua Byrd reviewed Light That Failed by Anon
Joshua Byrd reviewed Into thin air by Jon Krakauer
Joshua Byrd reviewed Columbine by David Cullen
Review of 'Brief answers to the big questions' on 'Goodreads'
5 stars
Just finished this one. Love Hawking's work so much. Complex concepts boiled down so anyone can understand them. His optimism in the face of adversity too is so inspiring. Wish he was still around!
Joshua Byrd reviewed This Is Vegan Propaganda by Ed Winters
Review of 'This Is Vegan Propaganda : (& Other Lies the Meat Industry Tells You)' on 'Goodreads'
5 stars
Finished this one last night. It was excellent! Towards the end he starts talking about the challenges of discussing veganism with family and friends. It's comforting to know that even world famous vegan activists struggle with this at times. I can't recommend this book enough!
Joshua Byrd reviewed This Is Your Mind on Plants by Michael Pollan
Review of 'This Is Your Mind on Plants' on 'Goodreads'
5 stars
Just finished this one. Amazing! Fav book of the year so far. A perfect mix of information and narrative. Loved each section equally, but the history of caffeine was incredibly interesting, and mescaline gave me hope for the future.
(He regarded the pandemic as a sign we had fallen away from Mother-Father Earth, that we had lost touch with “our brother and sister animals, plants, minerals, bacteria, and viruses. That is why this pause we call coronavirus is so urgent. It is a time to replenish and regenerate the absolute energy of the mind.”)
^ this part towards the end really stood out to me
Joshua Byrd reviewed The soul of an octopus by Sy Montgomery
Review of 'The soul of an octopus' on 'Goodreads'
2 stars
This one wasn't for me. I just ended up feeling so sorry for the octopuses in this book, captured, imprisoned, dying miserable in captivity in an aquarium for profit. I keep forgetting to not read books about animals written by nonvegans. Some bits were OK.
Joshua Byrd reviewed Silent spring by Rachel Carson
Review of 'Silent spring' on 'Goodreads'
4 stars
This book was absolutely relentless. Chapter after chapter of humans decimating vast populations of wildlife in the name of progress and plunder of the natural world. Only the final chapter gave any remote hope for the future. We truly do need to wake up.
Review of 'Underland: A Deep Time Journey' on 'Goodreads'
4 stars
An epic odyssey into the underland. I especially enjoyed the Paris Catacombs, the ancient cave art, and about how to bury and protect radioactive waste for tens of thousands of years. This Macfarlane is a good writer, almost TOO good. Enjoyed it!