Leglessbird Book Review

Fwd: Superfreakonomics

2011-08-19T20:21:00.000-07:00

Love this sequel of Freakonomics, more surprising insights. a delight!

Zero Limits: The Secret Hawaiian System for Wealth, Health, Peace by Joe Vitale

2011-07-28T03:47:00.001-07:00

Interesting read...

Inside job

2011-07-02T03:52:00.001-07:00

How Wall-Street brought down the world and was rewarded for it! Don't let them get away with it!

Everything is Obvious (once you know the answer) by Duncan Watts

2011-07-02T03:42:00.001-07:00

It is that obvious!

不去會死 Dying to go!

2010-12-12T04:14:00.001-08:00

Author: Yusuke Ishida 石田裕輔

Have you ever thought about where the most beautiful place is in the world according to your own definition? This Japanese author cycled around the world for 7+ years to search this place. His encounters reveal his emotions to different places and people, the beautiful and ugly side of humanity and a world that you probably do not have a chance to see during your life time.

I found the title echoes my inner voice as a passionate traveller. We travel as if we will die tomorrow. I truely admire his courage to embark on such an adventurious journey. It actually reactivates my travel DNA when feeling drained after work.

How to Get Kids to Eat Great & Love It!

2010-10-28T03:50:00.000-07:00

Four hour work week - Timothy Ferriss

2010-05-29T03:32:00.003-07:00

Currently 3.02/5
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The four-hour work week - Timothy Ferriss
I really like this book!
It is about attitude change towards the work-life balance and pursuing passions and life goals
It is about time-management, do things efficiently and effectively, not do work for work sake.
It is about freeing yourself from a lot of unneccessary constraint such as your boss, an office, even a particular location and a lot of the time-wasting/zero value generating activities.
It is about eliminating the burdens.
It is about beating the game not just playing the game.
It is about over-coming the fears that have been stopping you from taking actions!
Most importantly, it is about getting rich in a combination of money, time, freedom and spiritual.
And the advices are actually practical, I have started applying some of the tips IMMEDIATELY!

Book Club gathering - Sun 26 July 2009

2010-05-29T03:32:00.001-07:00

We had a book club session, there were 8 of us and we shared the following books:
Business Cycles: History, Theory and Investment Reality - Lars Tvede
The four-hour workweek - Timothy Ferriss
A pale view of Hill - Kazuo Ishiguro
中國大歷史 - 黃仁宇
Screen play - Syd Field
0-1 - 澤田尚美
香港社會企業妙點子 - 謝家駒
關於跑步，我說的其實是… - 村上春樹
Wonderful event, always fun to hear about what other people are reading and why they like the book.

Outliers: The story of success

2010-05-29T03:31:00.001-07:00

By Malcolm Gladwell

As the name of the book suggests, it talks about people who are different from others and so they stand out and become successful. It attempts to explain why certain people succeeded where other failed, moreover, the book inspects the cases where the success is not necessary the ability of the person alone or in some cases, the person doesn't really have any real outstanding ability, what is important in a lot of cases is the circumstances and the system has somehow favoured someone or a group of people. On the other hand, thre are people with remarkable ability but has been mirginallized by the system.
While the idea of book is pretty interesting, I found the cases and description a bit repetitive and long-winded. This is the 3rd book that I read from the same author, the other two books were "Tipping point" and "Blink" which I enjoyed a lot, but I must say I was a bit disappointed about "Outliners".

Book Club 15 March 2008

2010-05-29T03:30:00.001-07:00

9 people turned up (7 in the photos) at our book club gathering and we talked about many things and we talked about 6 books

La sagesse des contes (buy from Amazon) by Alexandro Jodorowsky

The God Delusion (buy from Amazon) by Richard Dawkins
"I think therefore I am" - A collection of short article by a Hong Kong writer - Chan Wan
"Il Decamerone", written by the Italian humanist writer Giovanni Boccaccio almost 650 years ago, Il Decamerone contains a hundred tales supposedly told in ten days.
Visualizing Boccaccio: Studies on Illustrations of the Decameron, from Giotto to Pasolini (Cambridge Studies in New Art History and Criticism) (buy from Amazon) by Jill M. Ricketts
"All kind of gods in ancient China"

Margin of Safety: Risk-Averse Value Investing Strategies for the Thoughtful Investor (buy from Amazon) by Seth A. Klarman

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Leglessbird Book Gathering 1 Dec 2007

2010-05-29T03:29:00.003-07:00

7 people turned up for a nice group discussion on books, life, polities and else. We discussed 3 very interesting books. They are:

Wolf Totem: A Novel (buy from Amazon) by Jiang Rong

Asian Godfathers: Money and Power in Hong Kong and Southeast Asia (buy from Amazon) by Joe Studwell

Freakonomics [Revised and Expanded]: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything (buy from Amazon) by Stephen J. Dubner

Book Club Gathering - 27 Oct 2007

2010-05-29T03:29:00.001-07:00

We shared 4 books together and had great chat

Confessions of an Economic Hit Man (buy from Amazon)by John Perkins

The Starbucks Experience: 5 Principles for Turning Ordinary Into Extraordinary (buy from Amazon) by Joseph Michelli

Fooled by Randomness Revision (Not Available in US): The Hidden Role of Chance in the Markets and Life (buy from Amazon) by Nassim Nicholas Taleb
And a book on back problem, what exercise can help.

God Delusion

2010-05-29T03:28:00.001-07:00

The God Delusion (buy from Amazon) by Richard Dawkins
A very deep and comprehensive book that talks about why there is no God, not an easy book to read. "God delusion" covers a very wide angle, "Respects that religion doesn't deserve", "God Hypothesis", Why human is receptive to the idea of religion and how religion arised as a result, the inconsistency in scriptures people simply choose to ignore, the alternatives to God that can still explain the world, the human moral standard with or without God, Science Vs Religion. Dawkins is a firm believer in Evolution/Darwinian world.
I have enjoyed reading this book very much, it will help you to decide one way or the other.

Margin of Safety: Risk-Averse Value Investing Strategies for the Thoughtful investor

2010-05-29T03:27:00.000-07:00

Margin of Safety: Risk-Averse Value Investing Strategies for the Thoughtful Investor

Margin of Safety: Risk-Averse Value Investing Strategies for the Thoughtful Investor (buy from Amazon) by Seth A. Klarman

Exalt Courage

2010-05-29T03:25:00.003-07:00

By Robert H. Schuller
"By my God, I can leap over a wall. As for God, His way is perfect." -II Samuel 22:30,31
What is courage? Courage is not the absence of fear. Courage is deciding to go ahead even when you're scared stiff.
If you make a decision where there's no risk involved, it does not require courage. If you are moving ahead and you know you cannot fail, that doesn't take any courage.
Do you want to stay where you are the rest of your life? God has bigger and better things for you and me, but we'll never advance 'til we take a chance. Taking a chance means you run the risk of possible failure, real hurt. Courage! Somebody said to me, "But some people have it and some people don't."
Courage isn't a gift. Courage is a decision. Courage is that scary emotion that motivates you to make the right decision. Courage is always a choice! Courage is something I can never lose. Because courage is something I can always choose. Courage is when you know it's what God wants you to do. I've got that courage, and I get it, frankly, from Jesus Christ. If you believe that God is alive, that He loves you, that He's forgiven you and that He has a plan for your life, automatically you have courage.
"Thank you, Lord, that you are giving me courage. You have called me to make daring decisions, to put my feet on a road, and only You know where that road will lead, only You know how far it will take me. Lord, touch me and let me know that the beginning of success is when I reach up and put my hand in Yours and decide to walk faithfully with You all through life. Amen
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I am living today controlled by my God-inspired positive ideas!

Burgundy and the Rhone Valley - your guide to great drives

2010-05-29T03:25:00.001-07:00

Drive Around Burgundy & the Rhone Valley: Your guide to great drives (Drive Around - Thomas Cook) (buy from Amazon) by Andrew Sanger
Burgundy and the Rhone Valley - your guide to great drives
Type: Travel (signpost guides)
Author: Andrew sanger
Published by Thomas Cook Publishing
My rating: 4
ISDN: 1-841574-17-1
Book introduction:
4 Colour copy with maps, some photos and suggested itinerary.
Irene's review:
The authur is a british who have been travelling to France since 14. He highlighted different cities by different catagories such as children, wine tasting, architecture etc. It makes travel planning easier.

North France

2010-05-29T03:24:00.002-07:00

North France
Type: Travel
Author: Yim Wai Ying (Ph.D. in Comtempory French Literature)
Published by Global Traveler (Taiwan)
My rating: 4
ISDN: 957-2012-79-7
Book introduction:
4 Colour copy with maps, photos and suggested itinerary at the back of the book.
Irene's review:
Very few Chinese guide books introduce France in such details. Useful and easy to learn.

Better picture guide to vacation & holiday photography

2010-05-29T03:24:00.000-07:00

Michael Busselle's Guide to Travel & Vacation Photography (buy from Amazon) by Michael Busselle
Better picture guide to vacation & holiday photography

Type: Leisure / Photography
Author: Michael. Busselle
My rating: 4
ISDN: 962-14-2179-9
Book introduction:
Introduction to travel photography. This photographer is based in London and has shown lot of photos from Europe in this book. It also explains basics for photography equipments.
Irene's review:
I enjoy this book because the author explains how he took the photos and gives some tips on how to get the best photo when you're travelling. The scenery taken in England and France make me wish to go back. As the book is full of photos, it is a good leisure read indeed.

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Into the wild

2010-05-29T03:22:00.001-07:00

Into the wild

Currently 2.00/5
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Into the Wild (buy from Amazon) by Jon KrakauerOn the one hand, I do agree with Christopher on some of his principles towards life, exploring and
On the other hand, I cannot agree with him to do so in such an ill-prepared way and unnecessary hostilities towards his parents.

The Art of the Long View

2010-05-29T03:19:00.001-07:00


Type: BusinessAuthor: Peter Schwartz My rating: Buy now
Posted by Dominic Book introduction: A book that teaches people how to plan for future scenarios and position your accordingly, it illustrates its point by many real business examples.
My review: This books talks about how to make major decisions by looking at different scenarios, the goal is not to score well if the best scenario pervail, but rather how you are do well in all cases.

The pleasure of finding things out

2010-05-29T03:00:00.001-07:00


Type: BiographyAuthor: Richard Feynman My rating: Buy now
Posted by Dominic Book introduction: A collection of short works of a great physicist - Prof Richard Feynman
My review: I must say, I am not as excited reading this book as some of other books on Richard Feynman that I read. Another book recounting the interesting things that Feynman did in his life. I still prefer Surely you are joking Mr. Feynman.

1421 The Year China Discovered The World

2010-05-29T02:59:00.001-07:00


Type: HistoryAuthor: Gavin Menzies My rating: Buy now
Posted by Dominic Book introduction: Based on 10 years of research by Gavin Menzies, piecing together evidence that Zheng He had conducted a great sea voyage to explore the world in the early 15th century. Many of the evidence, ideas and facts contradicts the conventional beliefs that many of the places were discovered by European explorers. This includes America, Australia and more. Gavin went as far to claim that the European explorers already had some maps obtained directly/indirectly from Chinese. If the research work of this book are proven correct, history books will have to be rewritten. It also explains technical breakthrough and long history of star charting practice, for example the Chinese technique to accurately measure longtitude, 300 years before the Western world was able to master the technology.
My review: Gavin Menzies has an interesting combination of background that makes him unique in undertaking this research work, his link to China (he spent his years in China), he is an experienced navy navigator and is able to comprehen deeper meaning and extract more information of ancient maps. Chinese has long known about the great exploration by Zheng He during the Ming dynasty, this is a more complete and extensive collection of evidence. This is certainly a very interesting and easy to read book, whether you agree with its findings. View more information from the official website http://www.1421.tv

Deception Point

2010-05-29T02:58:00.003-07:00


Type: Adventurous FictionAuthor: Dan Brown My rating: Buy now
Posted by Dominic Book introduction: A shocking scientific discovery by NASA has such profound implication that it will be used as a political chip in the White house race...
My review: I have read 3 other Dan Brown's novels, they are all very gripping, Deception Point's story somehow is now as intense and it doesn't have the same effect as the others - wanting to know what happen next! Nonetheless it is a very entertaining book for leisure reading.

Digital Fortress

2010-05-29T02:58:00.001-07:00


Type: Adventurous FictionAuthor: Dan Brown My rating: Buy now
Posted by Dominic Book introduction: National Security Agency (NSA) has received an unbreakable code and it is being held hostage as a result. It they cannot crack it, it will result in US intelligence service being completely cripple...
My review: Another interesting novel from Dan Brown. I particularly like this plot involving encryption and trying break secret code. Though I must say I was a somewhat disappointed with the ending.

Reason for hope

2010-05-29T02:57:00.001-07:00


Type: Biography Leisure Author: Jane Goodall My rating: Buy now
Posted by Dominic Book introduction: This is an auto-biography of an amazing and fascinating woman, Dr. Jane Goodall. Very inspiring individual fighting for a cleaner, safer and better world for people, animal and earth for many generations to come. Dr Jane as she is commonly known, is world reknown for her pioneer research on chimpanzee, our closest cousin in the animal kingdom. This book is about how she started that spirital journey that has allowed her to filfull her curiosity and fascination of Africa, through the same journey, she has gained a deep understanding and appreciation of the relationship of mother nature and human beings. The book also described how devastating that we human being, the smartest animal on earth is not taking care of the planet, instead we are destroying it along with the wonderful diversity of living creatures, and we must do something to reverse such destruction and give mother nature a chance to heal. The message of the book is clearly stated in the title, Reason for hope. Despite all the terrible things that are happening around us in the world, there is still reason for hope and we mustn't give up the fight.
My review: I bought this book at a seminar given by Dr. Jane while she was in Hong Kong during December 2005. The title of the seminar was "Why I left the forrest of Gombe", it was a very thought provoking and revealing seminar. It described very different situations around the world from the environment that we know and live in every day and yet we are sharing the same planet that we depend on. I would like to share a few points that I found intriguing from the seminar: - In the anicent world, senior leaders of the tribes made major decisions of important matters in the interests of the whole tribes collectively not in the interest of some corporate. - We own and waste so much things today that we don't need. Clothing in any family in a western country for example, is enough for one tribe in Africa. People used to have very simple need and waste very little. We have seen so much damaged done to our world - all sorts of pollutions, global warming, global climate changes, destruction of environment, cruelty to animals, exploitation of poor countries, aggression of developed countries, rapidly spreading of incurable diseases and the list goes on. While there exists so many problems in our world, I would like to share with you the reasons for hope as told by Dr. Jane (1) The human brain; (2) The Resilience of nature; (3) The energy and enthusiasum that is found or can be kindled among young people worldwide; and (4) The indomitable human spirit. When children learn about rights from wrongs, they are determined to do the right things, educate our young ones properly. Mother nature is resilient, we must give her a chance to heal and she will recover. Human beings are intelligent beings, if we can send people to the moon for fun, we can deal with the problems at home. Dr. Jane kindly signed her autograph on my copy of her book, she wrote - Follow your heart. I hope more people would listen and follow their hearts.

Replied by irene. My rating:
My review:
Learn a lot about humanity from this book. Personally I was touched by her thought - "When I came back from the forrect in Gombe to the civilized England, I found all the modern buildings ugly." It reminds me of the countryside and little villages I've been and my joy of losing myself there. It also asks me why I live in a city?!

Leglessbird Book Review

Fwd: Superfreakonomics

Zero Limits: The Secret Hawaiian System for Wealth, Health, Peace by Joe Vitale

Inside job

Everything is Obvious (once you know the answer) by Duncan Watts

不去會死 Dying to go!

How to Get Kids to Eat Great & Love It!

Four hour work week - Timothy Ferriss

Book Club gathering - Sun 26 July 2009

Outliers: The story of success

Book Club 15 March 2008

Leave a comment

Leglessbird Book Gathering 1 Dec 2007

Book Club Gathering - 27 Oct 2007

God Delusion

Margin of Safety: Risk-Averse Value Investing Strategies for the Thoughtful investor

Exalt Courage

Burgundy and the Rhone Valley - your guide to great drives

North France

Better picture guide to vacation & holiday photography

Into the wild

Into the wild

The Art of the Long View

The pleasure of finding things out

1421 The Year China Discovered The World

Deception Point

Digital Fortress

Reason for hope