Reviews and Comments

Brendan

thneed@books.theunseen.city

Joined 3 years ago

I used to be a librarian, now I'm a software developer. My reading interests tend to be in nonfiction. I'm really interested in anthropology, indigenous studies (particularly American), anarchism, and social justice. Some of my favorites are James Baldwin, David Graeber, and Cometbus. thneed@mstdn.social

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Kim Stanley Robinson, Kim Stanley Robinson: Ministry for the Future (2020, Orbit)

Established in 2025, the purpose of the new organization was simple: To advocate for the …

I really like this book because it’s well written and keeps you interested. It’s not something that will blow your mind but it’s good for an entertaining read. It gives you hope that we as humans could figure out a solution of the climate crisis and not end up in Mad Max world. It elucidates possibilities and makes me think that we can come up with some solutions.

Robert Stone - undifferentiated: Dog Soldiers (1997, Mariner Books)

Review of 'Dog Soldiers' on 'Goodreads'

A phenomenally entertaining tale of drug running gone wrong. Stone is a great writer and really filled out the plot making it not your average action story. Reminded me quite a bit of Cormac McCarthy’s no country for old men. The final chapters are really amazing and Stone is truly great writer. I’m anxious to read more about him and look into his poetry. Vietnam, cults, new age philosophy, Zen Buddhism, drug running, shady drug enforcement agents, journalism… What’s not to like?

Noe Alvarez: Spirit Run: A 6,000-Mile Marathon Through North America's Stolen Land (2020, Catapult)

Review of "Spirit Run: A 6,000-Mile Marathon Through North America's Stolen Land" on 'Goodreads'

Really will written and inspiring brief memoir of a run from Alaska to Guatemala with an indigenous initiative to connect Native American communities through a spirit run. I will definitely keep an eye out for anything that Noe Alvarez publishes in the future. Well written and sparse prose. Very inspiring and insightful and highly recommended.

Aaron Cometbus: Despite Everything (Paperback, 2002, Last Gasp)

Review of 'Despite Everything' on 'Goodreads'

Ever since I first picked up a cometbus in high school Aaron has been one of my favorite writers. This is a perfect summation of the punk I love and the lifestyle. He does the perfect job of adding sentimentality and making it relatable. I often think that if I were to sum up my worldview you need to read this and listen to fugazi a lot, although the two are quite dissimilar.

reviewed What Uncle Sam really wants by Noam Chomsky (The Real story series)

Noam Chomsky: What Uncle Sam really wants (1992, Odonian Press)

Review of 'What Uncle Sam really wants' on 'Goodreads'

This is the first Chomsky book I remember reading. He is an indomitable spirit and absolutely essential to understanding the modern world. This book had a huge impression on me but I think anyone can pick up any of the dozens of books he has written on foreign policy in the United States and have their mind blown. Everyone needs to read at least one.