Book Review: Last Nerve

Last Nerve by Mindy Uhrlaub
This memoir begins with the author's recollection of her ailing mother who is affected by ALS, and the prospect of she herself joining her mother. Enters her husband Kirk, chemotherapy, and quite a few hospital visits, alongwith the welcome pangs and revelries of their growing-up sons. Which is frequently cut-short by a fear - has she passed on the deadly genes to sons Ethan and Alex? Now she feels - my own affair with ALS can wait. 
The book chronicles many battles. Kirk's with cancer, Ethan's with his wilderness therapy and ADHD, of Alex with constant needs of re-assurance, and the author's one of balancing family needs and her therapy, not to speak of other emergencies like fights between brothers. There are also visits from an unending stream of specialists. And also of the author writing and publishing a book.
I found it difficult to put this book down. What came out is a determined fighter on a path to victory against a formidable enemy, who ended the narration with tears of hope.

Book Review: Crypto Moments

 'Crypto Moments: How Tech Visionaries Disrupted Global Finance' by BEN BRAUSER is a peep into how an email’s opening sentence revolutionized the world. How it unveiled a vision for an entirely peer-to-peer, anonymous, digital payment system. 

The narration starts with Bitcoin’s mysterious beginning with Satoshi Nakamoto,  and the first demonstration - an order for Papa Johns pizza. Which is followed by an insight into an explosion of transactions that followed, and of course, the controversies that grew along. The discussion now moves on to other aspects of this innovation, as well as introduction of new currencies or block chain. Like, Etherium Merge, Terra, Three Arrows Capital, and FTX. The world of technology operates at light speed. Innovations in artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and blockchain infrastructure will shape the course of the future, the book sums up. 

This book is a good introduction to an evolving system of wealth. It covers the complete path, crypto took to go mainstream. Readers can feel encouraged to make a crypto exchange account and buy thousands of different cryptocurrencies, and make gainful use of the blockchain tools shown here.

Book Review: Forge Ahead

 Forge Ahead by Frank Vitale is a book about creating a winning strategy in business, life, and wrestling. It begins with an essential need for success, anywhere - show up and be actively present. Then comes the need to be involved at all times, going above and beyond every issue to keep delivering results. Need to motivate one's team comes next, followed by something very important - a failure is not a loss, it’s a lesson that can put every adversity to good use. Discipline and service can help you find a purpose, the ultimate drive, the book exhorts. After mentioning the need for acknowledging the strength in our differences, the book concludes by saying - while there is no single formula for success, leading with your strengths is the key.

This book is ideas flowing in a streamline path. It presents a big task of succeeding in business and in every aspect of our life as all about going forward. It also gives an easy solution to this, constantly create a forward momentum. With a conversational style, and with logical transition of ideas and topics between chapters, I find this book a real page-turner.

Review of Evidence on Alcohol and Health

National Academy of Sciences - Review of Evidence on Alcohol and Health (2025)

It says, a review is a must, for various reasons. Like, currently there are no published clinical trials for most important health outcomes, so even the substantial evidence base noted above is challenged by threats of bias inherent in observational studies. I think, the prevailing public opinion being one that tends to paint it in a different color, we need to pay attention to this report.

I found this report addressing many issues that are linked to alcohol consumption. Like, what is the relationship between moderate alcohol consumption and growth, body size and composition, obesity etc? What are the accompanying risks, of cancer, weight loss, cardio-vascular issues (CVD), or others that can lead to a morbid condition?

The report reaches quite a few conclusions. High risk of breast cancer is associated with moderate drinking. But no connection could be found in respect of any other type of cancer. Moderate drinking was found to be lowering the risk of myocardial infraction, non fatal stroke, CVD morbidity etc. No connection could be established between moderate drinking and cognitive decline. In short, the report concludes that compared to never consuming alcohol, moderate drinking is associated with lower all-cause morbidity.

The report also contains extensive charts that list the details of all kind of evidence considered by the reporting team for arriving at these conclusions.

I think, this report makes it urgent. As I wrote in my hub, we need to have a more sober approach on matters related to alcohol.

Book Review: Odyssey Moscow

 

Odyssey Moscow by Michael Calvey begins with his arrest and incarceration by the KGB, as one of the consequences of his business deals. Now, sitting in his prison-cell, he goes through his past, from his school days, his apprenticeships, his foray into journalism, and the connection with Russia. Many an event in the transition of USSR into a free-market based economy, of which the author is a witness, is narrated in these pages. So also, the prevailing sentiments of betrayal and lawlessness that pervades into almost all state-run establishments of Russia. And also, few more accounts of contemporary relevance, like an insider-peep into the making of Ukraine.
This book is a page-turner. Mike Calvey ventures deep into his own feelings, and also into the enigma that galvanized the Russian business into a thriving one. While recounting his experience and that of his cell-mates, what comes out are the chilling details of a justice system that is many a time, arbitrary and unfair. It also brings out in to the open, many notable aspects of Russian life, like the paranoia about their mobile phones for fear of someone monitoring them. An excellent read, indeed.

Book Review: The Science of Right

 The Science of Right by Immanuel Kant is an interesting work. It starts with a definition - right is a voluntary action by one that can harmonize with the voluntary actions by every other one. Author then goes on to discuss its elements, like living rightly, doing harm to no one, and assigning to all what is theirs. Further divisions are also introduced, like natural right, acquired right, or that for a good name after death. The next part of the book deals with the rights of a state along with its duties.
I liked the presentation of the idea of constitution, where, the best one is that in which not men but laws exercise the power. It is an exhaustive discussion too, which addresses almost all the issues, a state might have to face. Like, how to deal with a gift, what to do in case of theft, or where is public right. And it introduces the executive, legislature, and judiciary as the different arms of a state to do all of these. While mentioning the need for changes, the book warns about making only a gradual reform and in accordance with fixed principles, if there should be perpetual peace.

Book Review: Spheres of Influence

 Spheres  of Influence by Brad Englert

The book can boast of a good collection of operating principles that apply to all business relationships. Understand their goals and aspirations, as well as expectations, and it will genuinely lead one to success. It is covered in two parts, one discussing the internal sphere of influence, and the other the external one. In 4 chapters, Part 1 of the book examines the internal issues from one's boss to one's friends and co-workers. The three chapters of part 2 traces the pivotal roles, customers, influences, and trade partners play. Real-life examples illustrate convincingly, almost all the new ideas presented.

Since we are in a world where most of our life is spent in professional interactions and joint activities, meaningful connections mean a lot. This book, with actionable insights, practical advice, and fitting anecdotes, lays down a clear path. The professional in one can follow it and become a partner to all, whether in managing expectations, resolving issues, or in fostering companionship. Also, adopting collaborative strategies and neutralizing hurdles can work wonders with productivity, and bring out the professional in one. A successful career, then becomes something unstoppable.