Book Reviews

Pompeii

Robert Harris 2003

Another perfect novel from the Author of Fatherland, Enigma, and Archangel. This "alternative history" novel is not so much alternative. This time, Harris weaves a thrilling tale into real history with phenomnial historic detail. Playing on the real-life first hand accounts of Pliney the Elder, Harris tells the tale of a Roman Aqueduct Engineer, "Aquarius", that is dragged into the currupt world of the Bay of Naples. Strange events begin to unfold imediatly as the Aquarius arrives at his new post. The drama builds quickley and keeps going to the end where the book finishes with a bang, several bangs actually.

Harris readers will not be dissapointed. Now, when will Imperium be released in paperback...

Freakonomics
by Steven D. Levitt, Stephen J. Dubner

An economics book that you can talk about poolside? Freakonomics is just that. Not necessarily a book you read for escapism, rather it is a non-fiction piece that begs to be talked about wherever you are.

This reviewer found himself saying to people – “If I loose my trust in professional sumo wrestling then where am I?” That might not make sense to the uninitiated, but while reading Freakonomics you might say the same thing.

Be warned, the book makes a habit of looking at the numbers of any given phenomena and does not claim a moral right or wrong. Just what has happened and why.

If you find yourself watching the MythBusters television show and wish to carry that intellectual curiosity with you to the reading chair – Freakonomics is a solid and thought provoking read.

Overall: Buy
Rating: 9/10 Thinking Tiki Heads

Buy the Book Freakonomics

Title: Busting Vegas: The MIT Whiz Kid Who Brought the Casinos To Their Knees
Writer: Ben Mezrich

From the Author of Bringing Down The House, Ben Mezrich tells the story of Semyon Dukach a MIT whiz kid who becomes The Darling of Las Vegas. Similiar to Mezrich's last book it's the story of MIT students starting a Blackjack team taking on the casinos for millions, until they are caught by the casino's hi tech gadgets and ever watchful security. If the book teaches you anything casinos can be beat, but not for long. A thrilling story of power, greed, sex and drugs. Semyon has travelled the speaking circuit discussing his life as the multimillion gambler, but his glamorous life is not quite as it sounds. A must read for those who love the adventure of Vegas and gambling.

Grade:B+

Buy
Busting Vegas: The Mit Whiz Kid Who Brought the Casinos to Their Knees