Book Review: Do No Harm: Stories of Life, Death and Brain Surgery by Henry Marsh

I picked up this book as it seemed similar to ‘When breathe becomes air’ and it would be fascinating to read about the life of a brain surgeon. I did think some of the stories were interesting but it seemed a little dry and disconnected. The chapters each focus on a different brain disorder, which makes sense from the author’s point of view, but is less interesting for a casual reader. It would have benefited from being written more like an autobiography, so looking at key procedures over his career chronologically. I think the parts focusing on specific patients and you find out a little more about them make them more interesting compared with some of the other cases where it can be as short as ‘this patient came in last night, we looked at the scan, I operated and it went well’ it’s just not interesting for the reader. At times I felt his tone was also a bit self-important and obnoxious. He does discuss the ego of surgeons and how he tried to have more empathy with patients, but it can make him unlikable. 

Overall it was an interesting book, I would recommend this for anyone studying medicine or a related course, or anyone with an interest in neurosurgery, as they are likely to get the most out of this book.

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Book Review: Lab Girl by Hope Jahren

I wanted to love this book, after all it is about the life of a female scientist, but I just didn't. I think it was because there was such an emphasis on working every moment of the day in order to make your passion happen, which is commendable but I felt conflicted, as it's an unhealthy attitude for young scientists and has a detrimental affect on your mental health and well-being, but it was nice the author was so honest and didn't shy away from discussing her mental health issues. It's difficult, as I know it's an autobiography, and those are the experienced of the author, but I worry it might put of young women looking for role models and to go into science if this is what is expected of them. 

I did feel it helped highlight the precarious position many researchers find themselves in, there they are reliant on the next grant to pay their wages and there is no job security. I also appreciated how it called out some of the ingrained sexism she experienced. I loved the journey as the authors lab grew and she was able to work all around the world and become an expert in her field. 

Overall, it was a great book and a fascinating topic, and I would recommend to anyone working or studying science or has an interest in labs, and I would love to see more books exploring life in the lab.

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Book Review: Hello World: How Algorithms will Define our Future and Why We Should Learn To Live With It by Hannah Fry

What a wonderful book. I picked up a copy after I saw Hannah Fry's talk at EMF discussing algorithms and how they used pigeons to detect breast cancer, so I couldn't wait to read the book once it came out. I read it over two days and it did not disappoint. I loved that the final chapters covered how Bayesian theory is being used to improve AI. The book is well written and easily understood by a lay-person and no background knowledge is needed. 

I loved the book and would highly recommend this for anyone interested in data, statistics or AI. This book would also be well suited for anyone wanted to better understand how we can make better decisions and the benefits and limitations of the use of algorithms.

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Book Review: The Code Book: The Science of Secrecy from Ancient Egypt to Quantum Cryptography by Simon Singh

This was a fantastic book. Very well written and covered a broad history of codes and cryptography, and also well suited to a lay-audience, as it included worked examples. I found the beginning few chapters a little slow and drier than the rest of the book, and thoroughly enjoyed the chapters on lost languages like ancient Egyptian and the Linear B tablets. The last chapter about the future of cryptography, looking at quantum computing was interesting but hard to imagine how it would work in practice. I liked the inclusion of a competition at the end of the book. 

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the book and would highly recommend it to anyone interested in cryptography, secret codes and also anyone interested in computer security.

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Book Review: The Omnivore's Dilemma By Michael Pollan

I have been meaning to read this book for ages, but initially I was disappointed. The beginning of the book is dry and very focused on corn, in fact the first 60% of the book is focused in the intensive farming industry focused around corn. I found it hard to relate to this part of the book as it seems more specific for the farming industry in the USA. The book then looks at grass farming, which is more interesting, but again, very specific to the US, because Europe mostly still grazes cattle. The last part of the book I certainly enjoyed the most, it looked at hunting wild game and foraging for mushrooms. This last section flowed better and really came alive, but it feels like two books which have merged into one, as the first sections on corn and grass have no relation to the last section which focuses on alternative ways to produce food and make 'the perfect meal'.

I would recommend this book to anyone interested in where food comes from or interested in ethical eating.

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Book Review: Smoke Gets in Your Eyes by Caitlin Doughty

I loved Caitlin's YouTube channel and was curious to check out her book. It is a fascinating and honest journey of finding yourself and also confronting your own mortality. I cried a lot reading this book, as so many parts touched me. I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in taboo topics, death culture in different countries and the death industry. This would also be a great book for trainee doctors or other healthcare professionals, changing the perception of death and make conversations more open.

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Book Review: The Geek Manifesto: Why Science Matters by Mark Henderson

A wonderful book looking at the importance of the geek vote and the difference good science could make to politics if it was organised.

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