I generally liked it. I knew that the United States was involved in helping the Mujahideen in Afghanistan during the Cold War, but had no idea just how much. I didn't know how tight we were with Pakistan and how we turned a blind eye to their Nuclear activities. I generally understand the details of "unintended consequences" a bit better now. And I had no idea how much 1 Congressman can get done (for better or worse).
The book reinforced my opinion that the world is insanely complex. It also made me less of a news junkie. Reading a view of history like this and realizing that at the time these events were taking place none of this was public knowledge makes reading the news voraciously seem rather pointless. Don't get me wrong, I'm still paying attention, just not as much.
I'm going to start reading The World is Flat, Release 2.0, by Thomas Friedman next. I used to read Tom Friedman's column every week at the NY Times. I quit at some point - forget if they put it behind a login or I got sick of it or what. And can we please all just shut up about "2.0". Does everything have to be "2.0". I mean come on - enough.
For software related stuff, I'm still reading: Open Sources 2.0 (the sequel to Open Voices) Producing Open Source Software and occasionally glancing at Open Source for the Enterprise (don't think it is very good).
1 comment:
The book reinforced my opinion that the world is insanely complex. and ...makes reading the news voraciously seem rather pointless.
Amen, brother.
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