Stephen Braun

I might owe my fast reading of this book to my Starbucks coffee run, but it could also be attributed to the good and interesting writing in this book. "Buzz: The Science and Lore of Alcohol and Caffeine" is a captivating discourse on two of the most beloved substances on the planet. At one moment you are a molecule-sized scuba diver following the path of the ethanol molecule throughout the body and the next you are sizing up the athletic advantages of caffeine. The first half of the book is dedicated mainly to alcohol and its effects on the body and brain. The second half discusses caffeine. While the book may be a bit outdated (published in 1996), it still has relavent information for lay readers interested in how caffeine and alcohol work in the human body. The book really left me wanting to know more of the unanswered questions about how these substances work on a microscopic/molecular level. I felt that the first half covering alcohol was more complete, and ultimately interesting, than the caffeine part, which is why I give this book 4 stars instead of 5. A good read nonetheless and you will come away probably knowing more than you do now about alcohol and caffeine.… (mehr)

An informative look at weapons trade with an even look at the issue. Farah's writing is brisk and fast-paced.

Farah pulls no punches when explaining that political climate often says one thing but conveniently looks the other way when it comes to getting things done. He profiles two of the most prolific and well-known arms dealers, explaining how governments simultaneously build up their business while pretending to make an effort to pull them down. No single country is held to a greater standard as every alphabet-based country organization is revealed to have dealings in this arena.

Farah offers no solutions, merely an accounting of how this world works and will continue to work as long as there is conflict in the world.… (mehr)