Reported by Jeanne
As often happens with Nevermore, a particular book will
prove so intriguing that several different members will read it. Such is the
case with Alan Turing: The Enigma
by Andrew Hodges. This was the basis for the recent movie The Imitation Game. Our current reader says that while the book
isn’t a thrilling page turner, it is a compelling book which is enjoying. He finds it interesting to contrast the view
of mathematics as almost a philosophical construct rather than being something
practical. In fact, it seemed those who
were looking for practical applications were seen as “sell-outs” in some
quarters. He appreciates that while math
is discussed, the book is NOT a dry collection of formulas. The book is a
biography, after all, and while mathematics played a major role in Turning’s
life there were indeed other considerations.
One part he’s found particularly interesting so far is a section in
which a young Turing wonders about the morality of codes and secrets. Another member pointed out that a U.S.
Secretary of State had once shut down the entire cryptographic department in
1929 because “Gentlemen do not read other gentlemen’s mail.” How things have
changed!
The Malaria Project by Karen M. Masterson describes how the
U.S. government undertook to create a malaria vaccine. After half a million soldiers were infected
with the disease, researchers were diligently searching for something to
prevent further infection. Experiments
were done using animals and then humans.
Not all the humans were able to give consent: mental patients were a part of the testing as
well as prisoners. In fact, Nathan
Leopold of Leopold and Loeb, one of the two wealthy young men who murdered a
boy in a sensational case, was one of the prisoners. Our reviewer thought this was a thorough
examination of an important topic.
The next book up was Ralph Peer and the Making of Popular
Roots Music by Barry Mazor. While many Bristolians think of Peer simply
as “that guy who was here in 1927,” this book shows what a wide ranging effect
Peer had on popular music. He began his
career selling records around the country which gave him great insight as to
what kinds of music people wanted to hear, something that would serve him well
when he became the person seeking out new talent. The innovations in technology which allowed
for better recording helped spur Peer’s success. Our reviewer was impressed with both the book
and with Peer. He noted that readers who
are country and folk music fans will be astonished at the number of careers
Peer influenced, but those less well versed may get lost in some of the names.
The Ultimate Worst Case Survival Handbook by Joshua Piven is just the thing to
pack the next time you think you may be caught up in an elephant stampede. Need to perform the Heimlich maneuver?
Instructions include human, dog, and cat.
If you’re in your car and end up in the water, this book will tell you
how to escape. The new edition even
prepares you for the new danger du jour:
zombie attacks. Our reviewer had
been listening to the audio version of this book and found it to be a
delightful blend of useful facts and humor.
She says it was the perfect thing to listen to while working around the
house because of the brief sections. She
also advises that we keep a shovel on hand for those zombies, because it’s a
dual function weapon. You can whack and hack with it!
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