Fiction, nonfiction, poetry, & technology book reviews, plus social, political, & economic commentary
Staying Sane & Entertained While Forced to Hide from the Coronavirus Charles Dickens likely did not have a deadly global pandemic in mind when he wrote the “best of times, worst of times” opening for his novel, A Tale of Two Cities. He was contrasting life in profitable, peaceful London with grim life in revolution-torn … Continue reading Worst of Times, Best of Times
The White House and the University of the District of Columbia are two of the sites helping spotlight the National Week of Making, June 17-23, 2016. “America has always been a nation of tinkerers, inventors, and entrepreneurs,” a White House news release recently stated. “Empowering students and adults to create, innovate, tinker, and make their … Continue reading Some Book Choices for ‘National Week of Making,’ June 17-23, 2016 – #books #WeekofMaking
The Make: Series of How-to Books A British scientist made headlines a few years ago when she warned that young people no longer make or repair things. It has become all too easy for them now, she cautioned, to simply throw away old or broken devices and buy new ones. A key point was that … Continue reading Step away from the ‘smartphone’ and try using your hands and mind to make something – #bookreview
Make: Paper Inventions Kathy Ceceri Maker Media, Inc. – paperback Don’t just hand this book to your kids, say “Have fun,” and then go off to play with your computer. Get out the glue, scissors and paper and join in. You might enjoy seeing what happens when you (1) cut all the … Continue reading Make: Paper Inventions – A fun how-to book for kids and their adults
A Home for Wayward Boys The Early History of the Alabama Boys’ Industrial School Jerry C. Armor NewSouth Books – paperback, Kindle Early in the 20th century, male juvenile offenders in Alabama sometimes were sent to the Alabama Boys’ Industrial School (ABIS), near Birmingham, rather than put into prison with adults. Their crimes ranged … Continue reading A Home for Wayward Boys: Keeping juvenile offenders in line…with God, rifles and a marching band – #bookreview
Hello World! Computer Programming for Kids and Other Beginners (2nd Edition) Warren Sande and Carter Sande (Manning, paperback) Many politicians, educators and pundits keep arguing over whether the United States should offer computer programming classes to all students in kindergarten through 12th grade. Others say all of us, including senior citizens, should do some coding to … Continue reading Hello World! – Updated book brings new fun to learning Python – #programming #bookreview
Here are three specialized books for serious readers of specialized topics. The first provides a “comprehensive yet concise overview” of Cormac McCarthy’s “legacy in American literature.” The second examines a 14th century civilization in Central Texas that “represents the last prehistoric peoples before the cultural upheaval introduced by European explorers.” And the third delves into … Continue reading Book Briefs: Cormac McCarthy, Prehistoric Central Texas, Rio Grande border – #bookreview
Make an Arduino-Controlled Robot Michael Margolis (O’Reilly – paperback, Kindle) Technology now makes it relatively easy to build simple robots that can be controlled remotely or can control themselves autonomously using built-in sensors and software. This engaging how-to guide focuses on how to build and program a small robot that can roam around, sense its … Continue reading Make an Arduino-Controlled Robot – #diy #bookreview
Python for Kids Jason R. Briggs (No Starch Press – paperback, Kindle) Subtitled “A Playful Introduction to Programming,” Python for Kids is recommended “for kids aged 10+ (and their parents).” But what if your kids are grown or you don’t have any kids? Should you ignore this book while learning Python? Absolutely not. I’ve recently … Continue reading Python for Kids – A fun & efficient how-to book that even grownups can enjoy – #programming #bookreview
Surviving Orbit the DIY Way Sandy Antunes (O’Reilly, paperback – Kindle) Okay, it’s not exactly Star Trek. For less than the price of a reasonably good used car, you now can build your own picosatellite from a kit, get it launched into low Earth orbit by commercial rocket, and receive data from space. Surviving Orbit … Continue reading Surviving Orbit the DIY Way – You, too, can launch a satellite – #diy #science #bookreview
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