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David Agnew · 06-04-2006, 03:54 PM

Notes from a Small Island. Bill Bryson.

To know what is wrong with Britain (eg litter, eyesore architecture), but also what is right, it is useful to see the country through the eyes of an outsider. This book is about the impression gained from a trip around Great Britain by public transport. Easy reading.

The Architecture of Happiness. Alain de Botton.

One of the most significant influences on the quality of life is the close environment; eg how polite people are, how clean the streets are, and how the place looks. A good looking building doesn't cost more (or at least not much more) than an ugly one. So why are our cities disfigured by eyesores? Disastrous architects, like disastrous politicians, are frequently well meaning, but they forget about human nature while they draw up their grandiose plans. This book gives an insight INTO phpbb_the mind of the architect. Ultimately of course, the ugly built environment is the fault of politicians, because they gave the planning permission.

This book isn't published until May, but I have been impressed by excerpts published in the Sunday Telegraph magazine. Apparently there will be a TV series on More4 starting on May 1st.

Wild Swans. Jung Chang

With the rise of China, it is increasingly useful to have an insight INTO phpbb_the history of that country. Jung Chang gives a first hand account of life under Mao's tyranny. She describes some of the madness of Mao eg he ordered people to make steel! Of course the Chinese Communist party is still in power (although they have dumped the economic doctrines of Marxism), and China is still a tyranny. Mao is still their icon.

Made in Japan. Akio Morita

A fascinating history of Sony's part in Japan's rise as an economic power after WW2. How Japan's reputation was transformed from that of a producer of low tech, poor quality goods, to that of a producer of high quality consumer electronics. An interesting lesson in economics.

06-04-2006, 03:54 PM	#24 (permalink)
David Agnew Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Maidenhead Posts: 292	good books Notes from a Small Island. Bill Bryson. To know what is wrong with Britain (eg litter, eyesore architecture), but also what is right, it is useful to see the country through the eyes of an outsider. This book is about the impression gained from a trip around Great Britain by public transport. Easy reading. The Architecture of Happiness. Alain de Botton. One of the most significant influences on the quality of life is the close environment; eg how polite people are, how clean the streets are, and how the place looks. A good looking building doesn't cost more (or at least not much more) than an ugly one. So why are our cities disfigured by eyesores? Disastrous architects, like disastrous politicians, are frequently well meaning, but they forget about human nature while they draw up their grandiose plans. This book gives an insight INTO phpbb_the mind of the architect. Ultimately of course, the ugly built environment is the fault of politicians, because they gave the planning permission. This book isn't published until May, but I have been impressed by excerpts published in the Sunday Telegraph magazine. Apparently there will be a TV series on More4 starting on May 1st. Wild Swans. Jung Chang With the rise of China, it is increasingly useful to have an insight INTO phpbb_the history of that country. Jung Chang gives a first hand account of life under Mao's tyranny. She describes some of the madness of Mao eg he ordered people to make steel! Of course the Chinese Communist party is still in power (although they have dumped the economic doctrines of Marxism), and China is still a tyranny. Mao is still their icon. Made in Japan. Akio Morita A fascinating history of Sony's part in Japan's rise as an economic power after WW2. How Japan's reputation was transformed from that of a producer of low tech, poor quality goods, to that of a producer of high quality consumer electronics. An interesting lesson in economics.