Category Archives: Books

The Fabric of Civilization

Posted on March 6, 2022 by Harry Katz

What are you wearing right now right next to your skin? Do you prefer clothing made from natural fabrics like cotton, wool, or silk?  Maybe you don’t mind synthetics like polyester. If you’re about to start a workout, you might … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, History, Science and technology | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Entangled Life

Posted on February 20, 2022 by Harry Katz

When the author of this book about fungi started describing his participation in experiments involving LSD, I wondered if it was going to be a different sort of book than I was expecting. The author is Merlin Sheldrake, a biologist … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Environment | Tagged , , , , | 10 Comments

Eloquence of the Sardine

Posted on February 6, 2022 by Harry Katz

As a young boy, Bill François manages to catch a wayward sardine with his toy net and pail while clambering around the rocky Mediterranean coast of his native France. I say wayward because sardines aren’t solitary creatures and they don’t … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Environment | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

The 1619 Project

Posted on January 30, 2022 by Harry Katz

We’ve all been taught the United States was founded on July 4, 1776, when representatives of the 13 colonies, gathered in Philadelphia, issued the Declaration of Independence. That’s the dominant historical narrative. But what if it’s not true? The 1619 … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, History, Law and justice | Tagged , , , , , | 9 Comments

Around the World in 80 Trees

Posted on January 16, 2022 by Harry Katz

Starting from London and zigzagging in an easterly direction, Jonathan Drori takes us on a grand tour visiting 80 of the world’s most interesting and exotic trees. Literally Around the World in 80 Trees. The book is printed on heavy … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Environment | Tagged , , , , , , | 13 Comments

The Dawn of Everything: A New History of Humanity

Posted on January 9, 2022 by Harry Katz

Everything you thought you knew about human history is wrong. And that’s a good thing. That’s the key message of The Dawn of Everything: A New History of Humanity, a monumental work of scholarship by David Graeber and David Wengrow. … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, History | Tagged , , , , , , | 10 Comments

The Power of Ritual

Posted on December 26, 2021 by Harry Katz

We humans are social beings. We need connection to survive and thrive. The trouble is we’re not getting enough of it these days. One of the cruelest effects of the COVID-19 pandemic is that it separates us from the people … Continue reading →

Posted in Books | Tagged , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Wintering: A Season With Geese

Posted on December 19, 2021 by Harry Katz

Over the last couple of years I’ve got into the habit of taking a walk through my neighborhood each evening. On weekends I go for longer walks in a large park a few miles from my home. I suppose it’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Environment | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Books are just too dangerous

Posted on December 12, 2021 by Harry Katz

Last week I read a beautiful opinion piece by Washington Post columnist Alexandra Petri about the power of books. For context, there’s been an unprecedented rise in efforts by conservatives in the United States to ban books from schools and … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Politics | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Poe for Your Problems

Posted on December 9, 2021 by Harry Katz

Edgar Allan Poe is one of the most creative and influential American writers of all time. He wrote 70 short stories, published three volumes of poetry, a full length novel plus numerous essays and letters. He invented the detective story. … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Health and wellness | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments