Since, at least from this collection, we can gain only a sliver of insight into the associated culture, it is difficult to draw meaningful conclusions. Instead, I find myself asking more questions.
The Polymath Review
Burke is supposedly something of a specialist in the study of the history of knowledge, but his writing does not reflect it – it is detailed, but not thoughtful. Despite the prolific endnotes with which the text is populated, The Polymath suffers from the fate of many nonfiction books written with appeal to a general audience in mind, being rather dilute and shallow in its treatment and approach.
A Free and Responsible Press Review
Its design-by-committee approach generated an intellectually insipid document which created its own following by appealing to the paternalistic instincts of journalist-scholars who want to believe their words are part of a grand Mission to Change the World
An Aristocracy of Critics Review
Much of the text reads as an almost blow-by-blow accounting of the committee’s work. It somehow contrives to be exceptionally focused on its topic, replete with specifics and thorough research, and simultaneously lacking in detail.
Star Maker Review
Despite its brevity, this is not a book you should plan to whip through – it’s one of those you really must sit with and contemplate, both while actively reading and afterwards, if you want to appreciate it properly.
Knife of Dreams Review
It's a fitting last outing for Jordan, highlighting his distinguishing skills: ability to manage a large cast, embrace multiple perspectives, advance intertwining plot threads, bring secondary and tertiary characters to life, provide a sense of foreboding balanced with a glimmer of hope.
Numbers Review
After enumerating the numbers of the different tribes and their basic demographic features, Numbers turns to the employment of those numbers, and not just for the proper proportional sacrifices and offerings to God, or for determining how much food and water might be necessary. Rather, the major use of the census seems to be for the creation of an army.
Planetfall Review
Maybe it’s unfair to expect every science fiction book I read to be on the same level as some of the greatest examples of the genre, but Planetfall barely even deserves to be shelved as science fiction.
The Consolation of Philosophy Review
Although it’s often described as being in the vein of one of Plato’s dialogues, the conversation between book-Boethius and Lady Philosophy reads like a cross between the style of Plato and the style of Dante.
The Man Who Knew Too Much Review
Modern science is a highly specialized discipline, and scientists are expected to be removed from their experiments. It is not the science of Hooke’s day.
IGC Publishing 