Art for Dummies – Thomas Hoving
If you’ve always wanted to find out more about art but felt intimidated by the over-educated art world, then you’ve found the answer. Art For Dummies is the book that will have you and everyone you know clamoring outside the doors of your local museum. Thomas Hoving, former director of New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art, is credited with revolutionizing the Met, doubling its size during his tenure, and bringing art to the masses. Let him bring art to you as well.
STAFF THOUGHTS:
From a past director of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC, who flew his own single engine airplane all over the US, comes this Dummies Book. It is a great first read about art. Hoving was also the first Director of a major museum to use banner to attract more visitors. You really will need to read his other, more well know book, Making the Mummies Dance. A wonderful guy with a varied reputation.
Boston’s Gun Bible – Boston T. Party (Kenneth Royce)
While Boston recognizes that gun/gear prices have changed, and that a few new worthy products have emerged, he does not feel that the title yet deserves a completely revamped edition. Good basics never change, and BGB is thorough about those.
STAFF THOUGHTS:
Considered to be a cornerstone book of it’s time. Tons of useful and varied information. A must have for anyone that believes in the Second Amendment to the US Constitution!
Coming Apart – Charles Murray
In Coming Apart, the groundbreaking author of Losing Ground and The Bell Curve explores the recent formation of American classes that are different from anything we have ever known. Drawing from five decades of statistics and research, Charles Murray demonstrates that a new upper class and a new lower class have diverged to far in core behaviors and values that they barely recognize their underlying American kinship. The trends Murray describes do not break along lines of race or ethnicity, and the divergence between classes has nothing to di with income inequality. Instead, Murray argues that the top and bottom of white Americans increasingly live in different cultures with the powerful upper class surrounded only by their own kind, ignorant about life in mainstream America, and the lower class suffering the erosions of family and community life that strike at the heart of the pursuit of happiness.
STAFF THOUGHTS:
Not a great outcome and full of prejudice according to some. The academic elite strikes again, but still a worthwhile read. Remember just because you read something you don’t HAVE TO accept it. You can however still lean from it!!!
Homo Deus – Yuval Noah Harari
Yuval Noah Harari, author of the critically acclaimed New York Times bestseller and international phenomenon Sapiens, returns with an equally original, compelling, and provocative book, turning his focus toward humanity’s future, and our quest to upgrade humans into gods.
STAFF THOUGHTS:
An amazing thought process by a very unique and learned individual. Trying. Time consuming but interesting for the perspective presented.
Mediations on Hunting – Jose Ortega y Gasset
This is the classic treatise on hunting, written by Spain’s leading philosopher of the 20th century. Reprinted with permission from Scribner, this edition features handsome new illustrations. The author explains the reason why humans hunt, as well as the ethics of hunting.
STAFF THOUGHTS:
The pages of this book were originally written as a prologue to a huge hunting tomb written by a Count. Because of the stature of Ortega y Gasset as a philosopher this survived. The hunting book did not. Those on BOTH sides of the fence about hunting should read this book. it is a definitive treatise on hunting!
Principles – Ray Dalio
Ray Dalio, one of the world’s most successful investors and entrepreneurs, shares the unconventional principles that he’s developed, refined, and used over the past forty years to create unique results in both life and business—and which any person or organization can adopt to help achieve their goals.
STAFF THOUGHTS:
The guy has earned his reputation. Read it to see how he got to where he is in life!
Schiit Happened – Jason Stoddard & Mike Moffat
For everyone who didn’t win the venture capital lottery, for everyone who wasn’t born with a trust fund, and for everyone who doesn’t have rich relatives – this book is for you. This is the story of how real start-ups work. This is how to turn a dream into a multimillion-dollar business – without selling out, without spending a mint on marketing, and without losing your sense of humor. Meet Shiit Audio, a company born in a garage that went on to change the face of high-end personal audio – challenging the idea that everything must be made in China, rejecting old ideas about advertising and social awareness, and forging our own unforgettable brand.
STAFF THOUGHTS:
A very interesting title due to the name…but a well written book about common sense business and the foibles of a new hi-fi start-up. Having been in a family-owned business that made changes to outside directors and ex higher education type in management, it brought chuckles to my face and mouth. I do believe it is a very useful book. It teaches self-responsibility over the formulas used by to many of todays “big businesses”. Read higher education manuals versus seat of the pants decisions. It doesn’t hurt that their business model is unique to the industry and the products very well received!!!
Unfreedom of the Press – Mark R. Levin
Six-time New York Times bestselling author, FOX News star, and radio host Mark R. Levin “trounces the news media” (The Washington Times) in this timely and groundbreaking book demonstrating how the great tradition of American free press has degenerated into a standardless profession that has squandered the faith and trust of the public. Unfreedom of the Press is not just another book about the press.
STAFF THOUGHTS:
The WHOLE history of the NYTimes. One they would love to put in a dark closet. People in general need to read this as it shows that the NYT “media” has been in the mode of controlling its “facts” for years. Read it and see what they might really be made of. As a media person it is personally disgusting as to what they are!
The Vanishing American Adult – Ben Sasse
In the age of safe spaces, trigger warnings, and political upheaval, America’s kids are not alright. Many of the coming-of-age rituals that have defined the American experience since the Founding – learning the value of working with your hands, leaving home to start a family, becoming economically self-reliant – are being delayed or skipped altogether. The statistics are daunting; 30 percent of college students drop out after the first year and only 40 percent graduate; a third of all 18- to 34-year-olds live with their parents; and most kids over 13 are spending more than 60 percent of their waking hours consuming media.
STAFF THOUGHTS:
The age of computers might not really have a positive effect of those folks under 35. Missed experiences of all things we used to do can be missing. Aren’t they all on my computer and phone? Put them up for at least 8 hours a day and see what happens. The world on your screen might be really FALSE!
