City Travel Guides > Books > Cultural Studies

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.Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything
City Travel Guides > Books > Cultural Studies
by: Steven D. Levitt, Stephen J. Dubner

June 18, 2007
I really can't see why this book attracted much interest. It's a collection of not very interesting observations, some obvious (children of rich parents do better than children of poor parents, estate agents are more interested in their commissions than in getting you the best price for your house), others tendentious (the crime statistics prove that more adding police reduces crime, IQ is hereditary). By and large the authors' opinions and observations are middle-of-road conservative, with some liberalism on race issues. Very little of this is about economics, just the application of some minute degree of numerical rigour to social issues. I'd skip it if I were you.
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.Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking
City Travel Guides > Books > Cultural Studies
by: Malcolm Gladwell

February 23, 2006
Sometimes decisions need to be made quickly. All of our knowledge, education, experience, reasoning, intuition, common sense and confidence must come together rapidly.

Malcolm Gladwell calls quick decision making thin slicing in his book: Blink. Thin slicing is the ability to focus on a small set of critical variables to make a quick decision rather than consciously considering every possible variable.

Many decisions are time dependent. Weighing the amount of information needed before making a decision, against the time available is a challenge.

Examples of when thin slicing is needed: combat, avoiding a car accident, or anything requiring an immediate decision. Another common name for thin slicing is thinking ... Read More:
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.Wall and Piece
City Travel Guides > Books > Cultural Studies
by: "Banksy"

November 09, 2006
Banksy's Wall and Piece is simply an amazing collection of his graffiti art all across the UK and the world. His unique style has won him international acclaim to fame. His artwork is not just vandalism but sends out a political statement which is bold and isn't afraid to mention things we would otherwise keep quiet. I first heard Banksy on a news website when he created another piece of work and then visited his website banksy.com, and since then fallen in love with his work. The other day I came across the book in a store and really enjoyed his collection of work. This is a must have book for any of those interested not just in art, but also those who have been shaped by the news in recent years.

To be honest, I am not a massive fan of art, ... Read More:
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.Waterlog: A Swimmer's Journey Through Britain
City Travel Guides > Books > Cultural Studies
by: Roger Deakin

May 18, 2000
If you're the kind of person who sees water and immediately wants to go in, this is the book for you. It's practically a bible for the wild swimmer; full of marvellous places and written with such likable enthusiasm and fascinating detail that I really wished it were longer. Such a shame that he won't be writing any more.
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.Wall and Piece
City Travel Guides > Books > Cultural Studies
by: Banksy

November 03, 2005
Banksy's Wall and Piece is simply an amazing collection of his graffiti art all across the UK and the world. His unique style has won him international acclaim to fame. His artwork is not just vandalism but sends out a political statement which is bold and isn't afraid to mention things we would otherwise keep quiet. I first heard Banksy on a news website when he created another piece of work and then visited his website banksy.com, and since then fallen in love with his work. The other day I came across the book in a store and really enjoyed his collection of work. This is a must have book for any of those interested not just in art, but also those who have been shaped by the news in recent years.

To be honest, I am not a massive fan of art, or ... Read More:
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.Beginning Theory: An Introduction to Literary and Cultural Theory (Beginnings)
City Travel Guides > Books > Cultural Studies
by: Peter Barry

April 25, 2002
This book has some great summary sections which are invaluable when revising and trying to learn key points of each theory. However Barry does tend to 'waffle' a bit in places, sometimes making it difficult to understand and there are some errors in the book itself. But it is definately worth getting for the summaries alone, but make sure it is supported by another text.
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.Orientalism: Western Conceptions of the Orient (Penguin Modern Classics)
City Travel Guides > Books > Cultural Studies
by: Edward W. Said

August 28, 2003
I do not know how Americans view Islam but as an Englishman/European it seems to me that Said's views are so much poppycock.To make a couple of points in a limited space.

Of course we have a stereotypical view of Islam just as Islam has a stereotypical view of us - and these views are largely hostile .So what? For century after century Islam was an enormous threat to what might loosely be called Christendom. It shaped every aspect of European history and was directly responsible for Europes colonial empires. Up till around 1750 they were a dangerous direct competitor to our interests.Gibbon writing in the 1780s was the first to think that the danger had passed .On a local scale the threat lasted even longer - Barbary pirates ravaged the coast of England ... Read More:
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.Not on the Label: What Really Goes into the Food on Your Plate
City Travel Guides > Books > Cultural Studies
by: Felicity Lawrence

May 01, 2004
Along with may other such publications, this embraces the view that, setting aside the very valid exploitation issues, anything relating to "CHEMICALS" are nasty and damaging!

We are all made up of a variety of chemicals - the very elements that are needed to build both us as humans and all that surrounds and feeds us.

Furthermore, the over-sanitisation of our world has lead to so many allergic reactions as we have not built up the antibodies that our forefathers did naturally. And our intervention into "lesser-known civilisations" has brought them new biological hazards for which they have no natural defence.

Basically the book just serves as yet another tirade against multiple food retailers - some of whom DO really care about production ... Read More:
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.Nothing to Be Frightened of
City Travel Guides > Books > Cultural Studies
by: Julian Barnes

March 06, 2008
No,not an autobiography but the thoughts on parents,grandparents and photograph of never to be known person in ravaged photograph were fascinating. His brother features greatly in his meanderings althought I sensed a degree of frustration that brother's thoughts did not tally with his at most times.
Thoughts of pre death anticipation and death itself,along with a possible afterlife and existence,or non existence of God were approached from many angles,leaving the reader to make up his/her mind on the subject. Also one or two unique views on the perception of a God..thought provoking.
Not an easy book to read,and you could easily give up in trying to follow his thoughts......"what the hell is he trying to say now?" You may even find your mind is only picking out the fairly ... Read More:
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.Mythologies (Vintage Classics)
City Travel Guides > Books > Cultural Studies
by: Roland Barthes

July 15, 1993
I would like to say that I read this book in French, and that it is very legible. I haven't read the English version, but I would like to do so, following the allegations that Barthes wrote pretentiously. In French, his verbs, nouns and adjectives are incisive and often very funny. Each sentence carries one or numerous clear, often witty ideas. Overall, it's very clearly written, though some may find it pretentious.

Sentences in French tend to be longer, through the use of commas, semicolons, and transitions which one may have a hard time translating. I agree that the second part, Myth Today, is more difficult to understand, perhaps because it is an abstraction, a theorization of the first part.
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