Galileo Goes to Jail and Other Myths about Science and Religion

Galileo Goes to Jail and Other Myths about Science and Religion edited by Ronald L. Numbers started out as a fantastic history of science and religion. Mr. Numbers and the authors of each of the myths, debunked a number of myths about the connections of science and religion. Some of the myths, I was aware of as myths, and that they had been proven wrong. It was interesting however to read briefs on them. I actually didn't know, or more likely didn't remember, the myth that Galileo had gone to jail for his beliefs. I really enjoyed reading each little brief, and learning something new about the connection that science and religion has shared.

Marco Polo from Venice to Xanadu

Marco Polo from Venice to Xanadu by Laurence Bergreen is a fascinating biography of a fascinating man. Mr. Bergreen is well known for his other biographies and for being a man who writes definitive biographies of famous people who have since passed on. He does just that with his biography of Marco Polo. Marco Polo had some fantastic adventures and having not read his book, I felt just fine reading the biography. Mr. Bergreen has made sure that he has researched well his topic and can present readers with a good picture of what the main character of his biographies may have seen, from strange (to us) customs, and experiences that are unique to his time. Laurence really did his research, and presented an excellent view of the court of Kublai Khan, as well as some of the reasons as to why the Mongolians of this particular era were such a feared fighting force, and some of the ways that the force was eventually defeated. Mr. Begreen also presented the role of foreigners in the court system, and the reasons why Kublai Khan would have employed them, and what Marco Polo's probable role was in the court. Mr. Bergreen takes some time to discuss the views on the modern work not being the same as the account written by Marco Polo so many years prior, and why there was such a difference between the types and where he thinks the most accurate account lies. The book was a fascinating study in Marco Polo and his works.

The Third Tower Up From the Road: A Compilation of Colums from McSweeny's Internet Tendency's Kevin Dolgin Tells You About Places You Should Go

The Third Tower Up From The Road: A Compilation of Columns from McSweeny's Internet Tendency's Kevin Dolgin Tells You About Places You Should Go by Kevin Dolgin was a fascinating book, which mostly was a collection of previously published travel columns as stated in the title. Kevin Dolgin does an excellent job of not reiterating information that most readers can find through a good google search or any particular travel guides to the areas, but discusses his experiences with the areas, while in the mean time giving tips on what to see and what to avoid. His tips are based on experiences he has had while traveling to these places. As a person without a lot of money it was good to feel as though I lived vicariously through his travels around the world. I loved his experiences, and reading about others makes me think that I can really search out my own around the world, and with very little effort create a more memorable trip than the average tourist. I especially liked reading his stories about the Island where his wife's family is from, Corsica, because Kevin really demonstrated that an adventure can be had right at home, in your own backyard, and you can still sleep in your bed at home. While I do not know if I will become a devout blog reader of his, (my success at blog reading is the same as my success of writing blogs) I can say if he ever publishes another collection I will look forward to reading it.

Carrying the Heart: Exploring the Worlds Within Us

Carrying the Heart: Exploring the Worlds Within Us by F. Gonzalez-Crussi was a fantastic book, that explored the history of our understanding of the body. He explored the early myths and other stories and treatments for the body. He arranges the book starting with the digestive system which is appropriately where the world had and still does view the seat of the body, from feeling not right when the digestive system is upset, to some of the views we believed about the system, and some of the remedies for our perceived maladies, or true maladies of that particular system, he goes on from there through the respiratory system, the reproductive system, and finally the cardiovascular system. Mr. Gonzalez-Crussi discusses our beliefs and addresses the more unusual cures that we have used in the past to treat the various symptoms. One of my favorites that he addresses is some of the unusual enemas and the picture featured on the cover of the book is the device used to give smoke enemas. I enjoyed his book and have added some of his others to my list of books to read.