Sometimes difficult to follow without extra background, and no follow-up on some of the comments, i.e., what happened after, and why did things end up in the state the author comments on, but always charming and interesting.
Winter 2013.
3/5.
Excellent description of the genesis, theory and practice behind the movement. It documents the 'new' paradigm in how software should be produced, why and how it should now be done this way.
Autumn 2013.
5/5.
Excellent evidence-based discussions on kids and raising them. It's always good to debunk some myths with data from actual studies and I enjoyed the insights, not all of it was relevant to me (yet), but all interesting nonetheless.
Late summer 2013.
4/5.
Detailed examination of starting and being successful at Scrum. A little slow at the start because it describes how to start a transition (which wasn't relevant to me), but it soon got into its stride with team-building and scaling. Excellent experiences shared by the author and a tonne of interesting techniques to try. May-July 2013.
4/5.
Understanding A3 Thinking: A Critical Component of Toyota's PDCA Management System, by Durward K. Sobek II. and Art Smalley
Superb explanation of a simple process in a concise but information-dense format that prompts readers to give it a try, in order to institute real change in a business environment. A few good points as to why this is more difficult in the West than in japan where it originated, which helps with understand the context and challenges. March-May 2013.
5/5.
Salacious, scandalous and engrossing and uncomfortable as a result.; one man's attempted descent from peversity to depravity after the loss of his lover, the latest loss in his life. Speaks of the vitality of life, its decay, loss and grieving after. April-May 2013.
4/5.
Forthright and honest, practical advice for those about to give birth. Lots of talk of using a doula during the process let it down somewhat, especially when the author is one herself, but very useful otherwise. March-April 2013.
3/5.
More complaints from the old socialist guard about the changing world, in particular how brutal the world is now, despite other evidence to the contrary (see Pinker's latest). Also a book patched together from lectures author gave making for a unsatisfactory book. March 2013.
2/5.
Complaints from an old socialist about modern political life as people move away from social democratic consensus. Some good points but a lot of whingeing from someone that sounds uncomfortable at the changing of the generational guard. Also, no discussion whatsoever on how financially sustainable social democracy is, but at least a cogent criticism of identity politics & the part it's played in the current malaise. February 2013.
3/5.
In at the deep end for learning Portuguese, emphasizing reading Portuguese texts with useful vocabulary pages at the end of each chapter, as well as access to multimedia resources for speaking and listening. Pricey though.
October-December 2012.
4/5.