The Better Angels of Our Nature: Why Violence has Declined by Steven Pinker

Recommended: Yes
Rate: 5/5

I know that many people believe that violence has declined over time, and now we live in the most peaceful time of the existence of our species. The violence has been smooth, we have known that non-violence never decreased all the way down, and there is no guarantee that will continue. But there is a clear trend of violence visible in the scale of thousands of years to now. No aspect of life is foreign to the elimination of violence. Day to day life is completely different in a violence context constantly about the idea, concerning kidnapped, shootings, war, rapes or murders. Sophisticated violence is limits the development education or trade and dampens the economy.

More importantly, to our sense of the terms and concepts, we need to understand the long-term efforts based on the modern erosion of family, tribe, tradition and religion by the forces of individualism, cosmopolitanism, reason and science. It depends on how we understand the legacy of this transition: if we use our world as a nightmare of crime, terrorism, genocide and war, or time in accordance with standards established by history, blessed unprecedented level of peaceful coexistence.

If the sign of the trend of violence in the positive or negative is difficult, our understanding of human nature. Although the theory of human nature biology following fatalism often associated with violence, and the theory that the mind is blank, relating to the development that occurred in my opinion contrary. The book goes in depth about how we should understand the natural state of existence, when our species first appeared and began the process of violence. History believes that increased violence infected the world we have created, and it may not be recovered.

This book goes through the idea of ​​doubt, disbelief and anger are sometimes invited in our lives. Our cognitive skills predispose us to believe that we live in a violent times, especially when we do. "Sales Boom", press Maxim The human mind tends to the probability of an event, as follows easily remember examples that can be captured and easily transfer the murder scenes in our homes and in our memory images of people dying estimates age. No matter how small the percentage of violent deaths in absolute terms, is always sufficient to fill the evening news, and expressions of violence are separated from their true relationship. I learned that our moral psychology distort our sense of danger.

Faced with all these prejudices, convince you with figures, describing the database to extract and graphics. Much of the book examines the psychology of violence and nonviolence. The theory of mind is the synthesis called cognitive science, affective and cognitive neuroscience, developmental psychology and other social sciences and human nature that explores how the Spirit, blank journal and the things of the mind. According to this understanding of the mind is a complex system of cognitive and emotional brain to the basic design of the evolutionary process. Some of the forces which are inclined towards the various forms of violence. - "The better angels of our nature", in the words of Lincoln, we are inclined toward cooperation and peace. How to explain the rejection of violence, changes in our physical and cultural environment, identifying the benefit of our peaceful environment.

Iron Curtain by Anne Applebaum

Recommended: Yes
Rate: 5/5


Iron Curtain in simple terms is about how all the Eastern European countries experienced the process of going through brutal totalitarian states like Stalin ordered. The book consists of stories of people persecuted by the communist regime. Anne Applebaum goes against the theories of researchers. This process is gradual and does not come overnight. As I read this book, I learned about the happenings during the war which was the ongoing violence, brutality, mass murder, poverty, hunger and rape. These events were the uprooting and how the population was treated in Europe until At the end of World War II. The people had to give in to the false hopes of the communist without choice or freedom of speech. The author describes how millions of people have experienced the terrible regime in this part of Europe geographically known.

The main idea of ​​this totalitarian regime was that the party is always right and cannot make mistakes. Similar to the Third Reich during the Nuremberg trials, and even during WW1 and WW2 Nazi regime and army of Hitler and the people in Germany thought the same.The conspirators were in many places and paranoia is the name of the game. The clergy, workers, intellectuals, rural landowners, all classified as "internal enemies" gulags were sent to conduct mock trials, recorded the evidence and false witnesses. There is a lot more "technical" terms used and the stories of brutality and unfairness is talked about throughout this book in Europeon Countries.

I was interested in this book because I took two courses on history which were Third Reich and Cold War. I wish everyone could read this book but we all have different interests. I would recommend this book for people who are interested in history because it has an amazing amount of information on the Eastern Soviet Union and other European countries.

The Perfect Hope by Nora Roberts

Recommended Reading: Yes
Rate: 5/5


You may not accept my point of view on this review for this book. I have to confess that I haven't read the whole series, but this book made me want to start from scratch.

In short, the main story line is about the relationship between Hope and Ryder. Ryder, the Boonsboro Inn's owner's son, is seen by Hope Montgomery Beaumont as shy, finds it difficult to talk to strangers, and reserved. Hope (working in the Inn as a Inn Keeper) falls in love with his looks. Ryder this Hope is arrogant but he loves her more than anything. Stories in this book goes through their relationship in Boonsboro Inn, Ryder and Hope discovering each other's personality and adjusting to each other, story of the "romeo and juliet"  type relationship between the ghosts Billy (the ghost of the inn and Ryder's ancestor) and Eliza (the ghost of the Inn and Hope's ancestor), Jonathan's (Hope's Ex-Lover) comeback to the Boonsboro Inn to take Hope back, and relationship between Hope and her best friends Clare and Avery.

This book, although I haven't read the previous ones, showed the ups and downs in relationships even if there's a difference in personal status. It showed romance from many different point of views and how far people would go for their love. Ryder shows great quality of a relationship by being the protector and provider for his woman. This book also showed the importance of friends and family support and how its ups and downs.

The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling

Recommended: Yes
Rating - 4/5


I think it must be said and repeated: The Casual Vacancy has nothing to do with Harry Potter! If you want to find something like the world's most famous wizard in glasses, go your way.

But before going further, here's the abstract:
Welcome to Pagford, a small town peaceful and charming English: opulent houses, its ancient abbey, its picturesque market place ... and his burden of secrets. Behind this facade idyllic Pagford is prey to the most violent storms and conflicts raging on all fronts, thanks to the sudden death of its most prominent notable.
Between rich and poor, children and parents, husbands and wives, are years of rancor, bitterness, hatred and lies, hitherto carefully concealed, which will come to light and, during a municipal election seemingly innocuous tip Pagford in tragedy.

One thing we can say is that JK Rowling was expected to turn. And this new novel has not left anyone disappointed. I started reading very worried. On one hand because I had heard that the first critics were less than enthusiastic. On the other hand, because the book has often been described as a detective story. And novels, it's really not my cup of tea (but hey, it's JK Rowling. Though it was a horror novel, I'll still read the new novel).

And in the end? I was pleasantly surprised. First, because I frankly do not see where the police were involved. In my opinion, a detective novel speaks of crime investigation, ... And this is not the case here. In fact, JK Rowling depicts the lives of Pagford that is messing up the death of Barry Fairbrother (who was not murdered, as I imagined before opening the book). The fight for his place at Municipal Council will reveal the hidden side of each.

Then I figured, it's not bad at all, this novel, on the contrary! For me, this is clearly not the plot that makes the strength of a way to take, and that is not where the interest lies. And this is a good thing, because this story is a bit light, and does not justify a novel as thick (500 pages in English). In my opinion, the plot is only there to reveal the characters.

For it is here that the full force of the novel, its characters. Very well written and described, they give us a fine specimen of human nature and its failings. Indeed, the new novel by JK Rowling is far from a fairy tale. The characters are mostly undrinkable, and the description of the company pretty black and pessimistic. However, the style of JK Rowling, his wry humor, do very well spend it all.

Actually, I was amused, these characters, with the narrowness of mind, problems of couples, and their pettiness. To be honest, the only thing that really annoyed me in this novel are few lengths arising from the simplicity of the plot, and the fact that JK Rowling went soft on the story line a little too much for my taste. The story line maybe a detective story but it's written without having any vulgarity, or the scenes very raw in the content. And that's what I was a little shocked and destabilized about.

Overall, The Casual Vacancy is a very good novel of manners, and proves that JK Rowling has talent to spare. It might have been good to shorten a hundred pages of this novel, however, I really enjoyed reading it: the characters have convinced me, it has that quite dark tone, and an "ok" ending, I would say.

The Starbucks Experience by Joseph Michelli

Recommended Reading: Yes
Rate: 5/5


The 5 principles outlined in this book are:

1. Make it your own

2. Everything matters
3. Surprise and delight
4. Embrace Resistance
5. Leave Your Mark

But I learned a great lesson of branding from this book. Branding, in my opinion, is broken down into those 5 principles. This book is filled with anecdotal stories and how each of the principles worked in with the stories. From the first principle, I learned that having an eye for talent by recognizing people's passion plays a key role in the building strong values and great customer experience for the company. Starbucks has done it so well that they have been able to take that pattern and turn it into a model for anyone to use it. I think that its something people should embrace whether or not they work for Starbucks in order to build a great self image. Starbucks has this thoughtfull atitude towards customers. I haven't even bought much from Starbuck this year and on my birthday I received a postcard from them greeting me happy birthday! Whenever I order coffee, they write down my name on the cup and when the order's done they call my name out! Small things that somehow touch people's heart makes a huge difference. Somehow I feel if this company was a dude, he would have the power to say "Nice guys DON'T finish last". Everyone matters.  

This leads to their second principle, everything matters. Their products are good, I admit, but the store experience in Starbucks is amazing! From the baristas to the menu boards to the "chilling out" atmosphere, it makes people feel really comfortable. I also see a lot new Cafe's opening with similar in-store experiences. Therefore, like I mentioned before they make everyone and everything matter which leads into their third principle, Surprise and Delight.

I think it's a mixture of the first two principles. I've been so positive so far but we all know every business has it's downs too. Starbucks gift cards have plenty of problems with them, there is so much restrictions in the online customers service if you are having trouble with the card. However, they have at times surprised me with a $10 credit in my gift card because I was having problems or it was taking too long to find a solution to something. Again, little things that can make a person feel better always makes a huge difference in customer service. I like to say, they not only apologize but they give you a hug in a Starbucks way. 

Starbucks' customer service listens and acts on customer's problems and feedback. This has given them a way to Embrace Resistance, their fourth principle. An important lesson I learned was that customer service problems isn't main issue when something goes wrong, it's the companies. Starbucks, in 2008, closed over 7000 stores because of their loss to terrible customer service and focusing just on their profits (as it was mentioned in the news). The problem really was more of the executives focusing on changing things around. However, in 2010, Starbucks came back with a new strategy and improved immensely. So what I learned from this principle is the embracing resistance is not only with customers (externally) but even within the company (internally). 

Onto the last principle, Leave your mark. Starbucks has been a involved in improving the community and build a community of improvement which shows in their success. But I learned, just now, it's because they've embraced every principle above and shown that they care about everything and everyone. 

References:

http://experiencematters.wordpress.com/2008/02/27/starbucks-searches-for-its-soul/

http://experiencematters.wordpress.com/2010/01/25/starbucks-brews-a-comeback-with-purpose/

Fall On Your Knees by Ann-Marie Macdonald

Recommended Read: Yes
Rate: 4/5


I like to call this book a "love story gone bad". James Piper, protagonist, is an orphaned teenager who is looking for the greater good in the society. In whatever case it may be or whatever he does to achieve it, falling in love just opens his eyes to a whole new world, almost changing whatever he had planned for his future. Although it can be a good thing if we learned how to embrace love but still achieve our goals we set for ourselves, in James' case, it was a fight for love. Materia Mahmoud, his one and only, has a  father who is overprotective of her. But, there's no power stronger than love. James and Materia flee and get married and have children. James has to go on the war duty to protect his country, leaving Materia behind. When he comes back home after years of service, things have changed a lot with their daughters grown up. I wonder how soldiers in reality deal with these situations. But there isn't any trend to it, everyone's different. Anyway, James' life starts going on a downward spiral from his return. All of the problems are uncontrollable factors in his life and with consequences of his choices he makes through drinking a lot, sex, etc. His daughters, all grown up, start to have their own goals in life.  One wants to be a in the opera, the other ones a rebel, and another one that really has everything going right for her. The problems are family issues and it just gets to point where he love his wife but he doesn't want to be with her. This book goes into the hardships of every character with many point of views. James soon dies but confesses everything to his daughter, Frances, who forgives him. I learned that even though families go through with so many problems, even though they end up going their own ways with thier own life to live, when anyone needs someone to reach out to, it's going to be someone from the family. I think the strength in the concept of family is shown very well in this book by encompassing every member in the family and getting into details with each one of them. I gave it 4 out of 5 because I felt the story was a bit streched at times where some problems could have ended earlier.

The Stand by Stephen King

Recommended Read: Yes
Rate: 5/5


A book that puts the reader in the perspective when the world is demolished. It takes the plot to an extent on what people would do and how they would choose to survive those times. I learned that it is all in the choices that the characters in the book made. Some worked hard to get the world back together by putting the electricity back on, talk about how the government messed up and have tea parties. Some chose to create weapons and bombs instead. It seems like life is a just a constant war between good and evil even if we put ourselves back into reality after reading the book. Not in the same context, but similar concept. Instead of good and evil described in the book as a showdown between weapons and destruction, in today's society it has to do with corporations, politics, poverty and war between countries. Either way, we can see the breed of envy, greed, hate gives us the thought of power. A power that people tend to do whatever they wish to do with it and mostly misuse it by underestimating all the factors. Stephen King takes it to the worst extent of how bad things could turn out in the future. Once we see that we are in shit, we tend to start questioning how things happened, why they happen, what the causes were and try to fix it. Overall, it was a
very fun read filled with suspense, excitement, action and a little humor.