The Greatest Show on Earth - Richard Dawkins
"Which of the following statements comes closest to your views on the origin and development of human beings?", asks the question on Gallup's national poll. In each of the 9 times this poll has been conducted in America since 1981, the clear winner has been the response "God created human beings pretty much in

Two tickles to the funny bone
Appreciation of poetry isn't quite up my fairway. I have neither the ear for it nor the education. But occasionally, I come across verses that tickle a little something. This past week I came across two devilishly funny poems that made me jump up and down in sheer delight. See if you enjoy them too.The first is a recommendation from Z, a regular at Brick and Rope. Much grateful Z! I couldn't agree more with Ogden Nash as the father of a little girl.Song To Be Sung by the Father of Infant Female ChildrenMy heart leaps up when

Best writers of popular science
"I have a great recommendation for you", the acquaintance said to the much younger version of me. "I know you like science, and I know you like reading. You will love this." The book was Shadows of the Mind by Roger Penrose. The identity of this well-meaning soul escapes me now. Which is probably for the better. For if it didn't, I might quite like to allow the face of my hand to get friendly with the back of his head. Shadows of the Mind was exactly the wrong sort of book for a novice science lover to read for pleasure. It was dense, jargon filled, way past my intellectual capabilities, and worst of all, long. It effecti

In Fed We Trust: David Wessel
David Wessel is a journalist. Not an economic theorist, not a market participant, not a regulator or policy wonk. A journalist. In Fed We Trust is a piece of journalism, not of analysis. It is the story of everything the Fed did to combat the economic collapse over the last two years. Actions that led to the eme

Eating my broccoli - Balanced reading in 2009
This is my favorite time of the year. When the mercury seems weary by day and resigns to sinking post meridiem, my spirits tend to soar. It isn't all about the nip in the air either. It is the implied anticipation of the holiday season. The silent 'because' behind unspoken languor at work. The wait for year-end 'Best of 2009' lists.This is also a time for stock-taking. Under two months of reading left in the year. So how balanced a reading diet have I been consuming.My target is usually to read a mix of about 50/50 between non-fiction and fiction. I try to alternate so my balance remains close and the