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Bonk (What I've been Reading)
We have molecular gastronomy, so why not apply science to...other things, as does Mary Roach. The subtitle is "The Curious Coupling of Science and Sex." Here is the author's home page; she also wrote Spook and Stiff, both of which are good. This isn't a "how to" book, it is a real popular science book on its topic and I predict it will be successful.
2. The Dawn of Indian Music in the West, by Peter Lavezzoli. You need to care about the topic, but today this became one of my favorite non-fiction books, ever. I bought a copy just to express my loyalty to the author. I've said this before, but lack of knowledge of Indian classical music is the biggest gap in the education -- and enjoyment -- of many many smart people. This is one very good introduction but it offers much to the veteran as well.
3. How Judges Think, by Richard A. Posner. Every sentence in this book is substance, to a remarkable degree. It's hard to find a central thread to the argument, but I blame that on the topic rather than on any failing of the author. After all, judges think in some pretty complicated ways and Posner goes out of his way to minimize the role of conscious theory in judicial behavior. Content aside (which reflects all of Posner's usual erudition), anyone interested in non-fiction should take a look at this book. Just imagine, a text totally stripped of that which is content-less. Can the reader stand it?
Posted by Tyler Cowen on March 23, 2008 at 06:36 PM in Books | Permalink
Comments
You might want to check that "How Judges Think" link... looks like you pasted a bit of email in there instead.
Posted by: TheophileEscargot at Mar 23, 2008 6:56:15 PM
"Best for me would be to fly up Friday morning about 10 a.m. and return Saturday evening around 7:30 p.m., both through Reagan Airport. Is it best for you to make the arrangements for me directly" ... was not found on the server.
Posted by: Macneil at Mar 23, 2008 7:03:15 PM
The Posner book link is broken.
Posted by: Edward O'Connor at Mar 23, 2008 7:03:21 PM
Many thanks, I fixed it. That email was for booking my flight to the cultural economics meeting in Boston this June.
Posted by: Tyler Cowen at Mar 23, 2008 7:08:53 PM
Stiff is one of the best books I've read. Spook is mediocre.
Posted by: Hei Lun Chan at Mar 23, 2008 7:43:30 PM
So "a text totally stripped of that which is content-less" could you handle it? Did you finish it?
Posted by: Andrew Lacey at Mar 23, 2008 7:47:43 PM
I've browsed through The Dawn of Indian Music in the West a couple of times in the bookstore... It looked somewhat interesting, but it seemed to me there was a lot of dwelling on old stories about Indian music influencing western music in the '60s (with emphasis on familiar rock stars of the hippie era) and not enough about the way Indian music has influenced western music - especially so much electronic dance music, etc. - since, say, the early '90s (though I was pleased to see at least a little bit on Cheb i Sabbah and Asian Underground). I wish someone would do a book that gives more space to all this newer music. That having been said, your rave review of this book might influence me to finally go and buy it, though I'm unemployed right now and won't plunk down $30 on a paperback so easily. (Maybe I will check the library again...)
Posted by: Richard S. at Mar 24, 2008 3:54:35 AM
I'm really looking forward to the new Posner book. His blog with Becker is surprising and smart---last week he was pointing out how punishment justified as deterrence could lead us to punish people with bad upbringings more harshly--- but his books have better style and humor, I think. My favorite so far are Sex and Reason and The Problematics of Moral and Legal Theory. Don't be fooled by the intimidating titles: Posner is accessible in the best sense of the word.
Posted by: Lee at Mar 24, 2008 8:37:13 AM
Indian classical music,broadly speaking, falls in to two categories.The first is Hidustani music (Northern India)
and the second, Karnatic music (southern India).
Posted by: GVV at Mar 24, 2008 12:19:18 PM
yes, piggybacking on GVV's comment the use of "Indian Classic Music" to describe Hindustani music is absolutely wrong. If this gentleman's book presents the east-west musical interaction as only involving n. indian artists playing Hindustani music, it's sadly mistaken.
What's sad is that most people will pick up the book thinking of Ravi Shankar (which is fine) but will probably finish reading it and continue to think only of him and other Hindustani artists. It's probably just my own southie bias speaking, but readers are done a serious disservice by such a flawed presentation.
Posted by: Nayagan at Mar 24, 2008 1:44:28 PM
There is much in the book on the South Indian tradition, and its distinctiveness, and the readers are even treated to several opinions that it is superior, which perhaps it is...
Posted by: Tyler Cowen at Mar 24, 2008 3:59:17 PM
Tyler,
i stand corrected. I still think the book cover is misleading but i'll give it a try. And regarding the superiority issue, you're wading into shark-infested waters--I'm partial to the vocal and instrumental traditions coming from the Carnatic world, but I would venture you'll find many ardent devotees of Hindustani expression. (Although in the US, Carnatic music seems to be better preserved via the familial traditional route).
Posted by: Nayagan at Mar 24, 2008 5:17:18 PM
One reason that I'd like to see more discussion of recent Indian-influenced western music is that I believe there has been more delving into styles other than the north Indian classical music of Ravi Shankar, etc. For example, Cheb i Sabbah is someone who's drawn on Carnatic music (which I also like more). M.I.A. has sampled Tamil films in her music, which led me to looking into Tamil films, which led me to old films with Padmini, etc., which brought me more Carnatic music. (Thank goodness for YouTube.)
As someone who is not Indian and who lives in New York City (though I am fortunate enough to live in Jackson Heights), I'm beginning to see how much films might bring this music to us - though Indian films seem to be more appreciated in Europe than in the U.S. It would be nice to see some text discussing that phenomenon too.
Posted by: Richard S. at Mar 24, 2008 5:42:00 PM
do you have any album recommendations, or do I need the printed word to appreciate Indian music?
Posted by: DK at Mar 24, 2008 8:42:37 PM
Mr. Cowen, I'm curious to know if you've read Posner's 'The Economics of Justice'?
I've always found Judge Posner a great read, and look forward to picking up this book. In the book, does Posner elevate his 'pragmatic' approach, in regards to economic analysis?
Posted by: Lance at Mar 25, 2008 12:55:54 AM
