My Book Harvest — March 2024

More sci-fi and non-fiction

13 min readApr 10, 2024

Welcome to the next episode of My Book Harvest. Here is the link to the previous articles in the series:

In March 2024, I read eleven books. Exploration of sci-fi continues— I read the third book of the Children of Time series — Children of Memory by Adrian Tchaikovsky, and two other books by Tchaikovsky that form a separate two-part (for now?) series. I also read two more books from the Foundation series by Isaac Asimov. Mixed feelings about that.

The nonfiction “yield” of the month includes an excellent book Calling Bullshit, by Bergstrom and West, very short but quality books by Fareed Zakaria and Niall Ferguson, a personal finance management book — Die with Zero by Bill Perkins, which I thought was great, a solid book Endure by Cameron Hanes, and a somewhat disappointing Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott.

Here we go:

Adrian Tchaikovsky, Children of Memory (2022)

I loved the first two books — Children of Time and Children of Ruin (I wrote about them in the January Book Harvest article). In fact, I will go as far as to say that Children of Time might be one of my favorite sci-fi books of all time. However, if Children of Ruin was similar in tone and story, this third book is quite different. If you loved the first two books, you should prepare yourself for a change of pace and style in Children of Memory. There is more reflection and less action. There are time jumps. The structure and the plot can sometimes be confusing, but the book poses interesting questions.

Children of Memory explores the themes of memory, identity, and the impact of interstellar colonization. We visit richly imagined worlds and are introduced to complex characters (Tchaikovsky introduces a new and different species, of course). As we reflect on the ethical and moral questions that arise as humans interact with alien ecosystems and intelligence, we are confronted with the central question: What is sentience? Let’s see if you are satisfied with the responses that we get from the vantage points of different characters.

An enjoyable read, especially if you have already invested a good time in this universe by reading the first two books.

Adrian Tchaikovsky, Dogs of War (2017) and Bear Head (2021)

These two books were a lot of fun. Dogs of War presents a future where bioengineered animals are turned into weapons of war. The story focuses on Rex, a genetically modified dog soldier who begins questioning his orders and the morality of his actions. As Rex becomes more aware of his autonomy, he and his squad of similarly enhanced animals face ethical dilemmas and the harsh realities of a world that fears and despises them. “We are here because we are dangerous. I do not understand: they made us to be dangerous. I do not see how they can be surprised when we were.” This is Rex’s thought process in a summary. Tchaikovsky’s novel explores themes of consciousness, the nature of freedom, and what it means to be considered a person under the law. I have to warn you that this book starts off as a hardcore action story, but it is an emotional rollercoaster.

The second book in the series, Bear Head, explores the situation some time into the future and offers new facets of bioengineering and its implications, particularly on human politics (terrifying). The story follows Jimmy, a worker on Mars who becomes embroiled in political intrigue when he inadvertently gets a bear’s intelligence downloaded into his brain. As we follow Jimmy’s quest to survive and navigate the complexities of the Martian realities and the politics back on Earth, the novel delves into themes of identity, agency, and the intersection of technology and ethics, experimenting with the boundaries of human and animal intelligence.

Excellent stuff. If you love poignant sci-fi with a good dose of action, check these two books out. Thoroughly recommended.

Isaac Asimov, Foundation’s Edge (1982) and Foundation and Earth (1986)

I delayed writing this article for about ten days because I was not quite sure what to say about these two books. I liked them, and I did not like them.

Let me start by saying that the original Foundation trilogy written in the 1950s is amazing — undoubtedly among the best sci-fi fiction there is. The two novels I read in March are sequels.

Foundation’s Edge takes place 500 years after the events of the third book in the original trilogy. The novel is a political thriller in which Golan Trevize (a Foundation politician), the Foundation government, and the Second Foundation play a complex game of chess, not realizing a mysterious fourth player is on the scene. It is classical Asimov — intrigue and discovery, and the concept of psychohistory is explored further. This book I mostly enjoyed. The tone was somewhat similar to the original trilogy. The conflict, the build-up, and a detective story-like resolution. Some dialogues were perhaps a tad too long.

But Foundation and Earth, well, it felt forced. Apparently, Asimov was under contract to write two novels and also really wanted to connect his Foundation universe with his Robot universe, and it shows. In this book, the heroes go on their quest to find the planet Earth, they travel from one planet after another, finding a clue here, unraveling a secret there. I don’t know. In Foundation’s Edge, there were stakes. In Foundation and Earth, other than Trevize himself, it was not clear why he needed to find the Earth. The story did not feel necessary, you know. If you read it, I’ll let you decide whether you like the grand reveal at the end. I did not.

It was fun to be back in the Foundation universe. Asimov has an impressive imagination, and after the first trilogy, I was curious to see what would happen next in this universe. But this last book knocked out my interest in reading the other two books (prequels — Prelude to Foundation and Forward the Foundation).

To conclude, my advice would be — just read the original trilogy. If you want to, give Foundation’s Edge a shot. And that is a great place to stop.

Now, non-fiction.

Fareed Zakaria, In Defense of a Liberal Education (2015)

I was curious to read Zakaria’s arguments on this topic. In only 170 pages, he makes a strong case for the value of a broad, humanities-based education in today’s technology-driven world. Zakaria challenges the prevailing emphasis on STEM fields, asserting that a liberal education fosters critical thinking, creativity, and the ability to adapt in an ever-changing global landscape. Drawing on history, politics, and personal anecdotes, the book defends the enduring power of a well-rounded education to equip individuals for success and citizenship.

“Citizens have to be properly trained to run their society.” Zakaria writes. It is important, he emphasizes over and over, that we train ourselves to think, analyze, and learn to work with other people. Zakaria points out several reasons for why liberal education is important:

it teaches us to think clearly by forcing us to learn to write clearly;
it teaches us to speak clearly and convincingly;
it teaches us how to learn (emphasis on reading — one of the most important paths to real knowledge);
it teaches us to ask questions, present an opposing view, take notes, and watch speeches, lectures, and interviews without being manipulated easily.
it fosters intense and broad-ranging curiosity;
it helps us develop a meaningful philosophy of life;
it makes us adaptable, exposing us to different ways of thinking — observational, analytic, aesthetic, teamwork-oriented, etc., as well as through the study of languages and cultures, the experience of working in foreign countries, developing an eye for aesthetics,

Liberal education makes us into “interesting and interested people.” It makes us better human beings, Zakaria concludes. I am convinced.

Carl T. Bergstrom and Jevin D. West, Calling Bullshit: The Art of Skepticism in a Data-Driven World (2020)

This book is excellent. It emerged from the course at Washington University. It is a crucial guide for navigating the misleading world of data, statistics, and misinformation, especially now — in the digital age. The authors aim to equip readers with the tools to identify and call out misinformation, focusing on critical thinking and statistical literacy. In other words, to equip the readers with adequate bullshit detection tools. Through a series of case studies and examples, Bergstrom and West demonstrate how to discern the truth in a sea of misleading graphs, faulty algorithms, and biased narratives. All to detect bullshit which the authors define in the following way: “It is intended to distract, confuse, or mislead — which means that the bullshitter needs to have a mental model of the effect that his actions have on an observer’s mind.”

Calling Bullshit is only the second book out of 32 I’ve read so far this year that I have decided to write a separate article about. The other is How the World Really Works by Vaclav Smil.

Cameron Hanes, Endure: How to Work Hard, Outlast, and Keep Hammering (2022)

Cameron Hanes is a bowhunter. He is an ultra-marathoner. He is a writer. In this book, Hanes his philosophy towards life, emphasizing resilience, hard work, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. Hanes shares his journey from a novice runner to becoming one of the most recognized figures in the hunting and endurance running communities. The book is a deep dive into the mindset that has propelled him through grueling physical challenges and personal setbacks. You will find motivational advice, rigorous training regimens, and a powerful testament to our capacity to endure. Hanes has pushed beyond what he thought were his limits, and his message aligns well with my personal philosophy, even if his methods are not for everyone. Here are some of his central thoughts:

Nobody cares. Work harder. Whatever your circumstances and limitations are, hard work will help you squeeze the maximum out of your predicament. Do not use your circumstances as a crutch. Nobody cares. Embrace the struggle. Nobody cares about your goals, your excuses. Nobody cares about recent success or recent failure.
Keep hammering. Realize that your level of commitment and preparation may (eventually) start making others uncomfortable. If you keep at it, your “norm” will be very different from others. Understand that the harder you push, the more people you leave behind. The farther you go, the fewer people will be willing to go with you.
Earn your breaks. If you are not the hardest working person you know, you are not working hard enough. “I despise easy. Easy does nothing for my spirit. There is no epic story about an easy path.”
Whatever your craft, try to get in the best physical shape possible. Professionalize what you do. Hanes quotes Socrates: “No man has the right to be an amateur in the matter of physical training. It is a shame for a man to grow old without seeing the beauty and strength of which his body is capable.” Take off your mental handcuffs and get out there.
Be obsessed with improvement. That’s what produces exceptional results. Obsession with improvement stems from an unerring belief that they are, in fact, not that great at all. It is anti-entitlement. Build a momentum. Incremental improvements are key. You don’t need a big break. Just a steady forward motion. Hanes writes: “I am not blessed with insane talent. My secret is time.”
Accept what you cannot control. Hanes hunts in wildernesses where anything can happen—a bear attack, an injury, an accidental fall. “I can’t control the wilderness,” Hanes writes. I can only control myself—what shape I am in. So I focus on my preparation.”

Hanes includes a powerful quote by T.E. Lawrence: “All men dream, but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake in the day to find that it was vanity, but the dreamers of the day are the dangerous men, for they may act their dreams with open eyes to make it possible.”

This is a good book. I won’t place it among the best nonfiction, but if you are struggling to find motivation, if you have a passion but are unsure how to pursue it, or if you are going through a personal or professional challenge, give Endure a try. You may find its straightforward message and emphasis on perseverance and endurance in the face of adversity both relatable and uplifting.

Bill Perkins, Die With Zero (2020)

Perkins’ book is the most provocative approach to personal finance. He challenges conventional wisdom about saving and retirement, arguing that individuals should aim to maximize their life experiences and spend their resources in a way that brings maximum fulfillment. The book offers strategies for optimizing life’s journey through mindful spending, investing in experiences, and making the most of one’s time and money.

Perkins’ main point is that we need to focus on maximizing our life experiences. Money has no value once we are dead. So, frugality is not a perfect solution. We need to remember that the number of experiences available to us diminishes as we age. What will you regret not having done — Perkins asks. To be clear, Perkins is not trying to convince us to spend carelessly. No. Put aside money for emergencies, invest in insurance, and do preventive care. But what is left — spend. And not just spend, spend on experiences, rather than material items.

One of the book’s messages that resonated with me is — if your objection to Die with Zero is — what about children, well, then give to children while you are still alive. Why does it have to be when you die? Plan accordingly. Set up a fund for them. Or you can be generous right now. The same applies to how people approach charity.

Another strong point is to invest in your health. Our physical condition greatly affects what we can or cannot do, so exercise and improve your eating habits.

One great tip was to divide life into 5-year intervals with buckets for each, rather than having one big bucket list. What you will enjoy and be able to do at 40 is not the same as what you want to and can do when you are 70. Such a simple point, but it made me think about it quite a lot.

Excellent book. Highly recommended.

Niall Ferguson, The Great Degeneration (2012)

At only 150 pages, Ferguson’s book packs a punch. It is not light reading but gripping and dense, with an analysis of different aspects of what makes a society function effectively and what are the preconditions for its degeneration. Ferguson examines Western institutions and economies. He argues that the once-solid foundations of the West — representative government, the free market, the rule of law, and civil society — have gradually eroded, leading to a widespread degeneration of society and economy. He analyzes how these pillars have become undermined by regulatory and bureaucratic inertia, fiscal irresponsibility, and a failure to adapt to globalization. Ferguson calls for a return to the robust, adaptable institutions that have historically enabled prosperity and innovation. His book is a compelling critique of modern economic and political practices, urging a reevaluation of the principles that can revive and sustain future growth and democracy.

The chapter on the rule of law was great. The part on the enemies of the rule of law was interesting—Ferguson lists the national security state, the top-down legal system, the growing complexity of the law, and the mounting costs of the law. He also speaks of how these factors undermine lawyers, turning them from the enforcers of an effective system into parasites. To establish the rule of law in a poor country or reverse the degeneration of the law in a developed country, Ferguson recommends reducing violence, protecting property rights, establishing institutional checks on the government, and preventing corruption in the public sector.

Ferguson also makes an important point about the partnership between the generations. He criticizes the accumulation of excessive public debts, which, in his view, are a symptom of the breakdown of the social contract between generations.

Another nugget was how dictatorships can get things right, but when they are wrong, they are extremely slow to adapt. This is a key reason a dictatorship cannot succeed in the long run.

Ferguson’s thoughts about what constitutes real risks in the non-Western world were poignant—revolution and war. It is not only that a developing state needs to focus on establishing a representative government, the free market, and the rule of law, but it also needs to encourage and support a dynamic civil society. Revolutions and war can undermine all that. Referring to the Arab Spring, he wrote back in 2012: “The thing to worry about is the war that nearly always follows a revolution of such magnitude.” What can I say…

This is the first book by Ferguson I’ve read, and I thoroughly enjoyed his arguments and style. I have bought and will read more of his books, starting with The Square and the Tower.

Anne Lamott, Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life (1994)

I had mixed feelings about it. It is a cute collection of stories and personal experiences through which Lamott conveys her key messages and practical tips on the challenges of writing and publishing. If you picked up this book because of the subtitle, you may be disappointed — not a lot of instructions. But as long as you know that this is a fellow writer just sharing what it is like to be one, then you may enjoy the book. I must admit that Lamott’s sense of humor was a hit-and-miss for me, and I found some parts of the book boring. A lot of advice is the kind of thing that is obvious and presented without much additional nuance or unusual context to make it interesting.

I had two reasons for reading the book. First, I wanted to see if it would help me improve my writing. I don’t think it did. Second, I was aware of the Bird by Bird story where Lamott’s father helps her brother do his homework by essentially saying don’t try to do it all in one go — go one bird at a time — the homework was an assignment about birds. I thought maybe I would find more such simple yet impactful concepts. Did not.

Eleven books, some good, some not so good. I hope these summaries help you decide which books to add to your reading list. Enjoy!

If you liked this read, check out my home page for articles about philosophy, learning, self-improvement, literature, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and more. Here are some you may be interested in:

My Book Harvest — March 2024

More sci-fi and non-fiction

Written by Rational Badger