"The Life of Pi" by Yann Martel

Yann Martel gives us a refreshing new view of novelistic writing in ‘The Life of Pi’. You won’ t find any spies, international conspiracies, ER doctors or hotshot lawyers inside, but instead you will be treated to an exhaustive explanation of the life in an Indian zoo and a courageous and magical adventure of a young boy named after a swimming pool in Paris.

In the beginning of the book we are treated to a description of the life of a typical educated Indian family. Pi’s father decides to start a small business with a zoo and things are going pretty well for a while. Pi explains his life with the zoo animals, and his problems in school and his thirst for spirituality for which he becomes a member of all three major world religions, only to discover later, to his big surprise, that one cannot be a member of more than one religion at a time.

When the zoo business starts going downhill, Pi’s father decided to immigrate to Canada. They board on a cargo ship across the Pacific, with a load of animals from their former zoo that need to be delivered. About the middle of their journey, they are caught in a storm and he ship sinks, leaving only Pi, with a zebra, hyena, orangutan, and a Bengal tiger as the sole survivors in a life boat.

The rest of the book traces the many adventures of Pi and the Bengal tiger, who is called Richard Parker, drifting across the Pacific. They learn to respect each others territory, share the food and shelter, even converse during bouts of famine and exhaustion, when both are floating on the borderline between life and death. As the time passes by, Pi drifts more into an imaginary world and it is hard to separate the real events form the ones that exists only in his head.

Eventually Pi and Richard Parker reach the Mexican coast, where Pi is taken to a hospital, and Richard Parker escapes into the jungle. When the Japanese representatives of the cargo company that owned the ship Pi’s family traveled on arrive at Pi’s hospital in Mexico, we discover the terrible truth about the real events, which is mercifully given only as a possibility.

‘The Life of Pi’ is a book that is read in one standing (once you get past the comprehensive review of the life of zoo animals). Each alternate chapter is written from the point of view of the author in present day Toronto, then of Pi during his adventures, and gives an interesting contrast and provides a wider context for the storyline. I recommend this book as a rewarding reading experience for everyone.

"The Ultimate Mind ESP" by Jose Silva

Probably older people remember the craze about the Silva Method in the 70s (I wasn't born yet :) and it seemed to be very popular then, spiking in popularity again in the late 80s and in the mid 90s. I was introduced to it when in high school in the mid 90s and I walked around for a long time with the three fingers clasped together. The Jose Silva foundation is still alive and kicking, publishing books, tapes, CDs and doing courses. Many trainers still make their living teaching the Silva Method.

I was impressed the first time I learned about it. The alpha state, the brainwaves, the mental screen, projections into almost anything, and all that with a scientific sounding to it was pretty impressive for an adolescent boy. I've learned better later on in life. I've seen other systems and techniques that were just as good if not better, like NLP, and seen systems that seemed like copied from Silva, without the name, or the other way around, but these new systems were much more expansive and strolled deeply into the realm of parapsychology.

With the background I have so far, I can say that the Silva Method is a combination of auto-hypnosis/auto-suggestion and creative visualization. As such, I give it credit, however for all the rest of the 'projection' stuff, as well as 'higher intelligence' and 'improve the life on earth', it just sounds very cliche and like cheap ministry. The stories about people 'tremendously' changing their lives only with the Silva techniques, and welfare mothers becoming wealthy career women, are pretty common among many other 'technologies' which require payment for their services, Scientology being one of the most dramatic ones. All of these success stories, of which this book/CD is full of, are to be taken with a grain (or a pound) of salt, all of the other methods have their share of success stories.

As for me, beyond the entering the alpha state, which is possible with the technique described in the Silva Method, and which technique forms the base for all the other techniques, I haven't found much use for the rest of Jose Silva's teachings. Alpha state is relaxing and all, but beyond being stress-relieving and adequate for visualizations, there are no miracles there. Many other teachings use this state, and different techniques for entering it, and do pretty much similar things as Silva. The rest of the stuff, remote viewing, higher intelligence, telepathy, astral and other projections I've never experienced; I guess I didn't work hard enough at it, or I didn't have imagination buoyant enough.

Jose Silva was a self-taught electronics repairman. He had to support his family from the age of 12 and never had the means to put himself through formal schooling, but he learned by himself, starting with a correspondence course in radio repair. Later he got interested in the brain, and the electric nature of brain's operation, and theoretized about lowering the impedance of the currents through the brain. Then he started developing his theories and techniques, using the Alpha frequency brain waves. He had contacts with the famous parapsychologist Dr.Rhine, and Silva's daughter was one of the subject Dr.Rhine tested and found to be a psychic, or so the story goes.

The book is a pretty good introduction to the theories and techniques of Jose Silva, from the '3 to 1' relaxation and Alpha-entering technique, the mental screen, contacts with higher intelligence(s), psychometry, dowsing, to finding one's purpose in life and getting everything you want. There are, however, large parts which consists mostly of people'ssuccess stories, which become boring and repetetive after the second one. There is one segment of live recording of Jose Silva himself, giving a lecture on sales and business success with his method. The book is a good introduction to the techniques and teachings of Jose Silva for all of those not having the pleasure yet to have made their acquaintance.

"When Panic Attacks" by David Burns

David Burns was one of the first proponents of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and wrote about it in his previous books, "Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy" and "Feeling Good Handbook", but I got introduced to CBT through the book "Phobia and Anxiety Workbook" by Edmund Bourne, and I was extremely interested in it and how it applies to our everyday lives, and I thought Dr.Bourne's text is extremely well told and presented, so I am partial, but I've never felt that from the books of Dr.Burns. I've felt that Dr.Burns's books are more like sales material for his courses and therapy, and have some very aggressive and sales tactic feel to them and some high-school variety of humor that just didn't work with me.

I prefer Dr.Bourne's texts on CBT, but this book is also quite good in presenting all the different methods of CBT and illustrating them with great example cases. It is commendable that Dr.Burns is so thorough in his presentation of the CB techniques, but it doesn't seem like he is presenting different ones, but many variation to a similar one. Although it could be a good reminder of the CBT techniques, I'd rather recommend different books on CBT like Dr.Bourne's ones.

"The Unconscious God" by Viktor Frankl

This book is divided in two parts: the first part consists of several lecture given to a small group of Austrian intellectual in the early 50s, as Frankl was just starting to develop his theory of 'logotherapy, or 'existential analysis' and the second part, written especially for the American edition of the book, explores the research and developments in logotherapy from the 50s until 1975, when the book was first published in the United States.

In the lecture part of the book Frankl explores the spiritual unconsciousness, the existential analysis of dreams and conscience, the transcendental quality of conscience, which forms the foundation of logotherapy, just as pleasure forms the foundation of Freud's psychoanalysis, and self-esteem and inferiority forms the foundation of Adler's individual psychology. Frankl criticizes both Freud's and Adler's approach to psychotherapy, exposing their errors and pointing where logotherapy has more advanced explanations, but he also takes a hit at Jung, and his theories of collective unconsciousness, archetypes, etc. accusing Jung that by collectivizing these phenomena he is excluding the 'human' in them, and dehumanizes them, thes precluding the individual subjects of psychotherapy from embracing them.

Frankl shows that logotherapy is very individual and human, and tries to find the motives of people's behaviors within the people themselves, and their need for spirituality, for personal religiousness, and not imposed on them from without by some genetic code, or some dispersonal, omnipresent collective unconsciousness. The last of the lectures concerns the relationship of logotherapy and theology, where Frankl presents a view that they not only do not have to be mutually exclusive, but can complement each other, and bring a holistic benefit to the patient and his worldview.

In the second part of the book Frankl presents all the research and results obtained in logotherapy in the score or so years between the original lectures and the publication of the American edition of the book. The text is ripe with quotations form scientific publications and can be difficult to read at times because of its technical nature. However the first part of the book presents a very concise and clear, if somewhat unfinished, exposition of the relationship between logotherapy and the spiritual.

"Recollections: An Autobiography" by Viktor Frankl

This is more a collection of notes and snapshots of Frankl's life than a formal, biographical work, but nevertheless gives an insight into the life and inner workings of one of the greatest psychiatrists and thinkers of the XX century. Frankl wrote these snippets when he was in his mid 90s, and just a few years from his death.

The book starts with his retelling of his childhood, his patrician mother, and his bureaucrat father, who was a secretary to a minister in the Austrian government until he was deported to Auschwitz together with the rest of the family. Frankl describes his childhood and his growing interest in human problems, his choice to become a medical doctor and a psychiatrist. He already forms the basics of his 'logotherapy' in the mid 1930s, and applies the principles to a psychiatric ward for suicidal women, as well as to students in Vienna during the infamous 'matura' exams. Thanks to him and his teachings, no students suicides happened while his counseling program was in place, and the suicide rate in the women's psychiatric ward dropped to virtual zero.

Frankl describes his relationship with the other giants of psychology: Freud who encouraged young Frankl to publish articles on psychotherapy, but from whom Frankl later splits, and Adler, by whom Frankl was considered as one of the brightest, but with whom Frankl also splits, just like Adler split with Freud years earlier. About this time is the 'Auschluss' of Austria by Nazi Germany, and Frankl is forced to apply the principles of his own teachings to himself. He passes on a chance to escape Austria, because he wants to stay with his family, and later his father dies literally in his hands in a concentration camp, where eventually all of his family, including his young wife lose their lives.

After the war, and the publication of his book 'Men's search for meaning' , Frankl becomes a kind of celebrity in the psychotherapist circles in Vienna, and develops his logotherapy further. He meets his second wife, who becomes his main editor and helper with all of his writings until the end of his life. We also learn about Frankl's passion for mountain climbing, which he continued all the way through his mid-70s, when what he couldn't do with natural strength, he complemented with superior skill. He incorporates this in his logotherapy teachings, as yet another way of giving life an individualized meaning and getting pleasure and satisfaction from it.

Although the lack of structure is obvious, this is a warm and enlightening book about one of the greatest minds, and souls, of the XX century, who literally lived what he preached throughout his life.

"Freakonomics" by Steven Levitt

Despite the sensationalist tittle, which, I am sure, is influence of the journalist co-author of the book, "Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything" is a thought-provoking book, succeeding in shedding some light on issues you would never think would succumb to economical analysis. Some of the issues Levitt discuses are: why crack-dealers live with their moms, how swimming pools are more dangerous than guns, how legalized abortion lead to crime decrease, what to KKK members have in common with real-estate agents, how a child's name may largely determine the child's future financial circumstances, and why children don't get higher grades if put in better schools.


Levitt has received numerous awards for his thinking and work in economics, have been called 'the freshest thinker in America', and has received numerous fellowships, among which one from Harvard University, and he currently teaches at Chicago University. This book lacks a unifying theme, and that's the point, Levitt says, quoting a conversation with bunch of other Harvard fellows where he concluded that at his age (he's only XXXX) he should not have a unifying theme and should be free to explore whatever topic interest him. But still there is a unifying theme throughout the articles, and that is the economical analysis approach to problems most people would not see fit for economical analysis.

One of his more controversial claims is that the reduction of the crime rate in the 90s has mostly to do with the legalizing of abourtion (Roe vs. Wade) about a score years earlier. This statement is sure to outrage both abortion camps, but the data supports Levitt's claims. Levitt explains this by pointing out that when women were allowed to have abortion there were much fewer unwanted children born (decrease by some 90%), and exactly these unwanted and uncared for children are at greatest risk of having abusive childhood and growing up to become criminals.

Another issue he analyzes is the earnings of crack-dealers, which is a very competitive business, and finds out that the 'foot soldiers' which are the lowest ranking members of the gang, selling crack on the street corners, actually earn about and average of $3.30/hr. However these earnings rise exponentially as the gangster climbs up the ranks, but the dangers rise too, including being shot to death. Levitt uses this and other cases to explain that a carefully designed system of incentives can make people do even obviously unproductive jobs, while wrong system of incentives has little or opposite effect on the planned outcome (like the one used for high-stakes standardized tests in the USA, where teachers would cheat and tell the students the answers only to keep the school better rated or get bonuses themselves).

Although some of the claims can be termed sensationalist and some of the data is open to further interpretation and maybe somewhat different conclusions, the book is a refreshing read and will stimulate every thinking reader's brain.

“The Five People You Meet in Heaven” by Mitch Albom

Mitch Albom is a self-made journalist who became famous with his previous, non-fiction book “Tuesdays with Morrie”. In “The Five People You Meet in Heaven” Albom tries to give a vision of what happens when a person dies and what “Heaven” could mean. The author buys into the age-old idea that life is a learning experience and that everything happens for a reason, even though we might not see it at the moment it happens, or … at any other moment during our lives, then why not recapitulate all the reasons and find all the answers after we die?

Although the book hardly rises above the commonplace clichés and “live a good life” mantra, it is written in clear, concise and emotional style. He says many things without using too many words, and the reader cannot help but identify with the main character Eddie, a grumpy but lovable old man of 83 who spent his life as a maintenance at an imaginary amusement park called “Ruby Pier.”

The book has three, almost parallel storylines: the last hour of Eddie’s life on earth and the subsequent cleaning of his apartment and the reactions of his friends; flashbacks to the main events in Eddies life, from his childhood to just before his death; and the final line that happens in Eddie’s heaven where he meets the five people. Flashbacks are commonly used literary device, and although some might think it difficult to use in a story like this, Albom pulls it off quite well and the story line flows uninterrupted.

The story is syrupy and tries to be a tearjerker at times, but even despite these obvious flaws it does rise above the usual preachiness at times and can be called a satisfying read on a lazy Sunday afternoon.

“The World is Flat” by Thomas L. Friedman

Thomas L. Friedman is a well-know foreign affairs reporter for the New York Times, and has gained world renown for his book on globalization “The Lexus and the olive tree” published in 1992. While his previous book was widely criticized for taking the stance of the US-based multinationals that globalization is the best alternative and that US-led globalization is the way it should be done, he deviates from his US-centric looks in “The World is Flat” and spends more time talking about the rising power of India and China.

Friedman come to this conclusion not based on their current economic might, but on their educational system, and he quotes and explores in detail Bill Gates’ words: " In 2001, India graduated almost a million more students from college than the United States did. China graduates twice as many students with bachelor's degrees as the U.S., and they have six times as many graduates majoring in engineering."

The author is famous for his easy and conversational writing style, using information from his extensive travels and meetings with illustrious personalities around the globe. Although he has been often criticized that his books have arrogant and self-congratulatory tone, he manages to tell enough interesting anecdotes and draw original parallels to keep the reader interested. One of the statements from the book that sticks is when he talks about the emphasis that the government in China puts on educating young people in engineering in science and fostering and selecting the most intelligent and capable people, he says: “Even if you are one in a million, there are 1300 others just like you in China.”

The book has weak sides, since unlike his previous book, he tries to analyze globalization as a result of the technical innovations and capabilities, and it shows that his technical background is very limited. He tries to categorize and analyze the evolution of the globalization as a result of technical achievements, but because of lack of technical knowledge he spends too much time on obvious events and connections, while totally ignoring others, more fundamental and deserving.

This book would an interesting reading for anyone not coming from an overly high-tech background, but for someone who has been closely following all the technical achievements in the last 10-15 years, most parts of the book are pretty obvious and quite short of enlightening, but more trivial and repetitive.

Here we go again

This is my fifth blog, not that I have posted all that much on the other four. I try to separate my different interests in different blogs. In this one I will post book reviews, and maybe some other thoughts, or writings, or random musing, if any come my way, and I am not too far from the computer, and if I feel like it. Yes, yes, I know...

I've read so much since I was a kid. I was a book worm. Still am, but now prefer audio books, since they don't tire my eyes. I am also a knowledge junky, I spend hours reading Wikipedia or random web sites. I have a good memory, but cannot possibly remember in minute detail all the things I've read or thought. Enter "Books and Thoughts" blog!

Anyway, today I am very bored at work and I don't want to work on the PERL project I set up for myself, and don't want to start my presentation for the french class tonight, so here I am, creating yet another blog to which I probably will write little if anything - ever.