Author Archives: Harry Katz
Glasses online
A couple of weeks ago I bought eyeglasses online for the first time. Maybe I’m late to the party, but it had been a few years since I last needed new glasses – my prescription hardly ever changes – and … Continue reading
Book Review: David and Goliath
Malcolm Gladwell’s latest book, David and Goliath, is really a collection of stories, variations on the theme of lopsided conflicts, of the weak prevailing against the strong. Apparent strength can mask great weakness, and there are often diminishing returns, even … Continue reading
Book Review: An Astronaut’s Guide to Life on Earth
Remember Chris Hadfield? Sure you do. He’s the Canadian astronaut who sang Space Oddity from the International Space Station, from a tin can far above the world. Back on Earth and now retired, he’s written a book; An Astronaut’s Guide … Continue reading
Book Review: The Checklist Manifesto
The Checklist ManifestoBy Atul GawandePicador, New York, 2009 I didn’t finish reading this book. It wasn’t worth it. Don’t get me wrong; checklists are extremely useful. They’re great for capturing, organizing and sharing knowledge and best practices. They help us … Continue reading
Book Review: The End of Big
The End of BigBy Nicco MeleSt. Martin’s Press, New York, 2013 The only reason I didn’t throw this book against a wall is because I read it on my Kindle. The main idea in The End of Big: How the … Continue reading
Coup in Egypt
What happened in Egypt yesterday is deeply disturbing. Whenever a democratically elected government, however rotten or reviled, is overthrown by a military coup, it’s a setback for the country and for democracy. The world cheered when the Mubarak regime was … Continue reading
Book Review: The End of Power
Moisés Naím uses a lot of words that start with “d” to describe what’s happening to power these days; dilution, dissipation, disruption, diffusion, and decay. The full title of his book is The End of Power: From Boardrooms to Battlefields … Continue reading
Book Review: Thomas Jefferson – The Art of Power
Thomas Jefferson: The Art of PowerBy Jon MeachamRandom House, New York, 2013 Despite weighing in at over 500 pages, Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power, by Jon Meacham, seems to be just an introduction to the man. It’s not that … Continue reading
Book Review: Good Prose
Good Prose: The Art of Nonfiction By Tracy Kidder and Richard Todd Random House, New York, 2013 I’ve read a few books about writing over the years. They seem to come in two flavors. Some, like Writing Down the Bones … Continue reading
Book Review: Stealth of Nations
Stealth of Nations: The Global Rise of the Informal Economy By Robert Neuwirth Anchor Books, New York, 2011 Stealth of Nations is about the “informal” economy – the underground, unregistered, unlicensed, untaxed and often unlawful economy. Author Robert Neuwirth calls … Continue reading
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