Nonfiction


Contrary to popular belief, yes, there are some good nonfiction books out there. Granted, the scope of the audience tends to be a bit smaller for each nonfiction book, but there's plenty of good times to be had.


Buckminster Fuller's Universe: His Life and Work
by Lloyd Steven Sieden

(From the back cover) "Buckminster Fuller, the brilliant and eccentric futurist philosopher, was one of the most creative contributors to innovative thought and technology in the twentieth century. Best known for his inventions, from the Geodesic Dome to the Dymaxion car and the concept of "Spaceship Earth," he was an incomparable designer, engineer, and architect. In this inspiring account of Fuller's life and legacy, Lloyd Steven Seiden shows how his integrity, intuition, and imagination had an astounding impact on the world. Buckminster Fuller's Universe brings new light to Fuller's belief system, recognizes his many contributions to humanity, and shows readers how to apply Fuller's ideas to daily life."

Review:

It is a given that not everyone will like this book. Biographies are not everyone's cup of tea. But if you appreciate architecture, engineering, or simply the power of human ingenuity, this is a title worth checking out. This is an accessible work that can be enjoyed even if you are not the least bit familiar with Buckminster Fuller. The chapters of Fuller's life are presented in a rough, semi-chronological manner that may seem a bit out of order at first, but it makes perfect sense as a whole. It provides an extensive look into Fuller's philosophy, inventions, and half-baked ideas, all of which are fascinating.



The Hot Zone
by Richard Preston

(Synopsis from Amazon.com) "The dramatic and chilling story of an Ebola virus outbreak in a surburban Washington, D.C. laboratory, with descriptions of frightening historical epidemics of rare and lethal viruses. More hair-raising than anything Hollywood could think of, because it's all true."

Review:

Even if you haven't the faintest idea what a filovirus is, you've probably heard of Ebola, one of the worst of the worst of all tropical diseases. Richard Preston goes into excruciating detail (pun not intended) about why getting Ebola sucks so much, explaining how it liquefies your insides and causes many victims to "crash and bleed out," a rather self-explanatory term for victims' bloody death throes. Preston focuses on outbreaks of these viruses, the experiences of victims, and the men and women who risk their lives studying and treating these diseases. He includes the alarming case of an Ebola outbreak in a monkey house in Virginia, where a new strain of Ebola was discovered. Viruses of the Ebola family are classified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as Biosafety Level 4, meaning that they are among the most lethal and destructive viruses known to man.
Richard Preston has been accused of dramatizing events and taking too much artistic liscense in this work, but it is generally accepted as nonfiction and a chilling example of a "science fact" thriller. This is a highly entertaining, educational, and rather frightening book that I highly recommend.



The Zombie Survival Guide
by Max Brooks

(From the back cover) "Don’t be carefree and foolish with your most precious asset—life. This book is your key to survival against the hordes of undead who may be stalking you right now without your even knowing it. The Zombie Survival Guide offers complete protection through trusted, proven tips for safeguarding yourself and your loved ones against the living dead. It is a book that can save your life."

Review:

One of the most important books of the decade, The Zombie Survival Guide details tried-and-true survival strategies for zombie outbreaks. Calling this book a valuable asset would be an understatement- not only does it provide necessary tactical advice for fending off a zombie siege, it also dispels popular misconceptions about zombies and gives an in-depth look into how to spot the first signs of an outbreak. Everyone should have a copy of this book on their shelves. Stay vigilant!

real review:

The above "review" is not a review but an excerpt form the book it-self in accuality the book is quite interesting as it looks at the "Zombie" in a more scientific aspect and provides information if zombies should ever rise (lets hope that never happens) but even if that never happens i would suggest that anyone who believes in zombies or just likes some interesting reading should read this book.



Hardcore Zen
by Brad Warner

(From the back cover) "Question. Question authority. Question society. Question reality. Question yourself. Question your conclusions, your judgements, your answers. If you question everything thoroughly enough, the truth will eventually hit you upside the head and you will know. But here's a warning: It won't be what you imagined. It won't even be close.
This is not the same old crap you've seen in a thousand books you don't want to read. This is Zen for people who don't give a rat's ass about Zen. This is the real deal."


Review:

(From Publishers Weekly) "There's a Zen story about a teacher who holds up his finger, then reminds his student to look beyond the finger itself, to what the finger is pointing at—the moon. That's what this book does: it transcends itself—and with outrageous style. Warner, an early-'80s hardcore punk musician, discovered Zen in college, moved to Japan to make B-grade monster movies, and eventually became a bona fide Zen master by formally receiving "dharma transmission." Yet true to his punk spirit, he relentlessly demands that all teaching, all beliefs, all authority—including his own—must be questioned. ("Why should you listen to me? Who the hell am I?... No one. No one at all.") By turns wickedly funny, profane, challenging and iconoclastic-but always with genuine kindness-Warner devotes chapters to some common Zen notions such as the oneness of reality ("Why Gene Simmons Is Not a Zen Master"), reincarnation ("In My Next Life I Want to Come Back as a Pair of Lucy Liu's Panties") and the vital importance of the present moment ("Eating a Tangerine is Real Enlightenment"). Yet this is no litany of Zen orthodoxy designed for study. By liberally sharing anecdotes from his own life as a down-and-out punk rocker and maker of monster movies, Warner constantly focuses on the importance of a direct experience of reality in all its rawness over adherence to any set of beliefs—even Zen ones. Entertaining, bold and refreshingly direct, this book is likely to change the way one experiences other books about Zen—and maybe even the way one experiences reality."

[Editor's Note: I wholeheartedly agree with this review. That is all.]




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