ken zirkel

“Believe nothing. Try to understand everything.”

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My book, film, music reviews

186 books overall
2 books read in the last year;
0 books read in the last month;
an average of 1 book each month.

Considering (8):

Currently reading (1):

The Year that Changed the World The Year that Changed the World
by Michael Meyer

My reviews of books, music, film (177):

Behind the Wall: An American in East Germany 1988-89 Behind the Wall: An American in East Germany 1988-89
by Paul Gleye; 2012 August
In the Garden of Beasts In the Garden of Beasts
by Erik Larson; 2012 June
Paris to the Past: Traveling through French History by Train Paris to the Past: Traveling through French History by Train
by Ina Caro; 2011 August
The Clockwork Universe The Clockwork Universe
by Edward Dolnick; 2011 July
Cotton: The Biography of a Revolutionary Fiber Cotton: The Biography of a Revolutionary Fiber
by Stephen Yafa; 2011 July
A Study in Scarlet A Study in Scarlet
by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle; 2011 July
Arthur and George Arthur and George
fiction by Julian Barnes; 2011 July
The Great Train Robbery The Great Train Robbery
fiction by Michael Crichton; 2011 June
Moon Shot Moon Shot
by Alan Shepard, Deke Slayton; 2011 March
World Architecture: The Masterworks World Architecture: The Masterworks
by William Pryce; 2011 March
Thunderstruck Thunderstruck
by Erik Larson; 2011 January
Where Good Ideas Come From Where Good Ideas Come From
by Steven Berlin Johnson; 2010 December
Hitch-22: a memoir Hitch-22: a memoir
by Christopher Hitchens; 2010 November
Isaac\’s Storm Isaac\’s Storm
by Erik Larson; 2010 November
iWoz : computer geek to cult icon : how I invented the personal computer, co-founded Apple, and had iWoz : computer geek to cult icon : how I invented the personal computer, co-founded Apple, and had
by Steve Wozniak; 2010 November
Inside Steve\’s Brain Inside Steve\’s Brain
by Leander Kahney; 2010 October
Human Smoke Human Smoke
history by Nicholson Baker; 2010 October
The Age of Wonder : How the Romantic Generation Discovered the Beauty and Terror of Science The Age of Wonder : How the Romantic Generation Discovered the Beauty and Terror of Science
history, history of science, nonfiction by Richard Holmes; 2010 June
Paul and Me : Fifty-three Years of Adventures and Misadventures with My Pal, Paul Newman Paul and Me : Fifty-three Years of Adventures and Misadventures with My Pal, Paul Newman
by A.E. Hotchner; 2010 June
Operation Mincemeat : How a Dead Man and a Bizarre Plan Fooled the Nazis and Assured an Allied Victo Operation Mincemeat : How a Dead Man and a Bizarre Plan Fooled the Nazis and Assured an Allied Victo
history, nonfiction, war by Ben Macintyre; 2010 June
The Secret Lives of Buildings The Secret Lives of Buildings
by Edward hollis; 2010 May
In Defense of Food In Defense of Food
food, health, nonfiction by Michael Pollan; 2010 April
Mark Twain: A Life Mark Twain: A Life
by Ron Powers; 2010 April
Zeitoun Zeitoun
nonfiction by Dave Eggers; 2009 December
Letters to a Young Contrarian Letters to a Young Contrarian
by Christopher Hitchens; 2009 December
Protest Singer Protest Singer
by Alec Wilkinson; 2009 November
How I Became a Famous Novelist How I Became a Famous Novelist
novel by Steve Hely; 2009 October
Predictably Irrational : The Hidden Forces That Shape Our Decisions Predictably Irrational : The Hidden Forces That Shape Our Decisions
by Dan Ariely; 2009 October
Bicycle Diaries Bicycle Diaries
bicycling, nonfiction, travel by David Byrne; 2009 October
Crack in the Edge of the World : America and the Great California Earthquake of 1906 Crack in the Edge of the World : America and the Great California Earthquake of 1906
by Simon Winchester; 2009 October
Sunnyside Sunnyside
novel by Glen David Gold; 2009 August
Surely you must be joking, Mr. Feynman Surely you must be joking, Mr. Feynman
by Richard P. Feynman; 2009 August
The Golden Ratio: The Story of PHI, the World’s Most Astonishing Number The Golden Ratio: The Story of PHI, the World’s Most Astonishing Number
by Mario Livio ; 2009 July
The Boilerplate Rhino The Boilerplate Rhino
by David Quammen; 2009 March
The World Without Us The World Without Us
by Alan Wiesman; 2009 March
Mr. Wilson\’s Cabinet of Wonder Mr. Wilson\’s Cabinet of Wonder
by Lawrence Weschler; 2009 February
The Invention of Air : A Story of Science, Faith, Revolution, and the Birth of America The Invention of Air : A Story of Science, Faith, Revolution, and the Birth of America
by Steven Johnson ; 2009 February
Outliers: The Story of Success Outliers: The Story of Success
by Malcolm Gladwell; 2009 January
Born Standing Up: A Comic’s Life Born Standing Up: A Comic’s Life
by Steve Martin ; 2008 December
Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies
by Jared Diamond; 2008 November
Voyage Long and Strange : On the Trail of Vikings, Conquistadors, Lost Colonists, and Other Adventur Voyage Long and Strange : On the Trail of Vikings, Conquistadors, Lost Colonists, and Other Adventur
book by Tony Horwitz; 2008 October
Recount Recount
Film by Jay Roach; 2008 October
Three Cups of Tea: One Man’s Mission to Promote Peace . . . One School at a Time Three Cups of Tea: One Man’s Mission to Promote Peace . . . One School at a Time
geography, nonfiction by Greg Mortenson; 2008 August
The Dark Knight (film) The Dark Knight (film)
Film by Christopher Nolan; 2008 July
The Last Fish Tale: The Fate of the Atlantic and Survival in Gloucester, America’s Oldest Fishing P The Last Fish Tale: The Fate of the Atlantic and Survival in Gloucester, America’s Oldest Fishing P
fishing, newengland, nonfiction by Mark Kurlansky; 2008 July
Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln
book, presidents by Doris Kearns Goodwin; 2008 July
Grayson Grayson
book by Lynne Cox; 2008 July
Island of the Lost: Shipwrecked at the Edge of the World Island of the Lost: Shipwrecked at the Edge of the World
book by Joan Druett; 2008 May
The Pillars of the Earth The Pillars of the Earth
book by Ken Follett; 2008 April
The Great Influenza: The Epic Story of the Deadliest Plague In History The Great Influenza: The Epic Story of the Deadliest Plague In History
book by John M. Barry; 2008 April
Days of Heaven (film) Days of Heaven (film)
Film, malick by Terrence Malick; 2008 March
Batman Begins (film) Batman Begins (film)
Film by Chris Nolan; 2008 February
Death Proof (film) Death Proof (film)
Film by Quentin Tarrantino; 2008 February
Gladiator (film) Gladiator (film)
Film by Ridley Scott; 2008 February
The Riddle of the Compass: The Invention that Changed the World The Riddle of the Compass: The Invention that Changed the World
book by Amir D. Aczel; 2008 January
Agent Zigzag: A True Story of Nazi Espionage, Love, and Betrayal Agent Zigzag: A True Story of Nazi Espionage, Love, and Betrayal
book by Ben Macintyre; 2008 January
Im Not There (film) Im Not There (film)
Film by Todd Haynes; 2008 January
Gentlemen of the Road: A Tale of Adventure Gentlemen of the Road: A Tale of Adventure
book, fiction, history by Michael Chabon; 2008 January
Juno (film) Juno (film)
Film by Jason Reitman; 2008 January
No Country for Old Men (film) No Country for Old Men (film)
Film by Joel and Ethan Coen; 2008 January
Blade Runner (film) Blade Runner (film)
Film by Ridley Scott; 2008 January
Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die
book by Chip Heath; 2007 December
Sin in the Second City: Madams, Ministers, Playboys, and the Battle for Americas Soul Sin in the Second City: Madams, Ministers, Playboys, and the Battle for Americas Soul
book by Karen Abbott; 2007 December
Leviathan: The History of Whaling in America Leviathan: The History of Whaling in America
book, history by Eric Jay Dolin; 2007 December
Great Plains Great Plains
book, travel by Ian Frazier; 2007 December
Follow the River Follow the River
book, fiction, history by James Alexander Thom; 2007 November
The Places In Between The Places In Between
geography, nonfiction by Rory Stewart; 2007 November
OK Computer OK Computer
music by Radiohead; 2007 October
Empire of Blue Water: Captain Morgans Great Pirate Army … Empire of Blue Water: Captain Morgans Great Pirate Army …
book, history by Stephan Talty; 2007 September
Deadwood (Television) Deadwood (Television)
television by David Milch; 2007 August
Chronicles Chronicles
book by Bob Dylan; 2007 August
Incident at Loch Ness Incident at Loch Ness
Film by Zak Penn; 2007 July
The Omnivore’s Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals The Omnivore’s Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals
food, health, nonfiction by Michael Pollan; 2007 July
Momentum Is Your Friend: The Metal Cowboy and His Pint-Sized Posse Take on America Momentum Is Your Friend: The Metal Cowboy and His Pint-Sized Posse Take on America
book by Joe Kurmaskie; 2007 June
The Wild Trees: A Story of Passion and Daring The Wild Trees: A Story of Passion and Daring
book by Richard Preston; 2007 June
The Complete Calvin and Hobbes The Complete Calvin and Hobbes
book by Bill Watterson; 2007 April
Photoshop Masking & Compositing Photoshop Masking & Compositing
book by Katrin Eismann; 2007 April
Lighthouses of Southern New England Lighthouses of Southern New England
book, lighthouses by Courtney Thompson; 2007 March
Tying Down the Wind: Adventures in the Worst Weather on Earth Tying Down the Wind: Adventures in the Worst Weather on Earth
adventure, book by Eric Pinder; 2007 March
Master Lighting Guide for Portrait Photographers Master Lighting Guide for Portrait Photographers
book, photography by Christopher Grey; 2007 March
Monster of God: The Man-Eating Predator in the Jungles of History and the Mind Monster of God: The Man-Eating Predator in the Jungles of History and the Mind
book, natural history by David Quammen; 2007 January
George DeWolfe’s Digital Photography Fine Print Workshop George DeWolfe’s Digital Photography Fine Print Workshop
book by George DeWolfe; 2007 January
The Ghost Map The Ghost Map
history, history of science, nonfiction by Steven Johnson; 2007 January
Songs for Christmas Songs for Christmas
music by Sufjan Stevens; 2006 December
Brainiac: Adventures in the Curious, Competitive, Compulsive World of Trivia Buffs Brainiac: Adventures in the Curious, Competitive, Compulsive World of Trivia Buffs
book by Ken Jennings; 2006 December
Mayflower: A Story of Courage, Community, and War Mayflower: A Story of Courage, Community, and War
book by Nathaniel Philbrick; 2006 December
The Immortal Game: A History of Chess, or How 32 Carved Pieces on a Board Illuminated Our Understand The Immortal Game: A History of Chess, or How 32 Carved Pieces on a Board Illuminated Our Understand
book by David Shenk; 2006 December
Confessions of an Advertising Man Confessions of an Advertising Man
book by David Ogilvy; 2006 December
Push Barman to Open Old Wounds Push Barman to Open Old Wounds
music by Belle and Sebastian; 2006 November
Modern Times Modern Times
music by Bob Dylan; 2006 November
Heroes season 1 Heroes season 1
television by NBC; 2006 November
The Areas of My Expertise The Areas of My Expertise
book by John Hodgman; 2006 November
Prisoner of Trebekistan: A Decade in Jeopardy! Prisoner of Trebekistan: A Decade in Jeopardy!
book by Bob Harris; 2006 November
The World Is Flat [Updated and Expanded]: A Brief History of the Twenty-first Century The World Is Flat [Updated and Expanded]: A Brief History of the Twenty-first Century
book by Thomas L. Friedman; 2006 November
Illinois Illinois
music by Sufjan Stevens; 2006 November
Maximum-Minimum Maximum-Minimum
music by Kraftwerk; 2006 November
Dear Catastrophe Waitress Dear Catastrophe Waitress
music by Belle and Sebastian; 2006 November
The Devil in the White City:  Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America
book, history by Erik Larson; 2006 November
The Complete Peanuts 1957-1958 The Complete Peanuts 1957-1958
book by Charles M. Schulz; 2006 November
Endurance: Shackleton’s Incredible Voyage (Paperback) Endurance: Shackleton’s Incredible Voyage (Paperback)
adventure, book, history by Alfred Lansing; 2006 October
We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions
music by Bruce Springsteen; 2006 June
The Man Who Found Time: James Hutton and the Discovery of Earth’s Antiquity The Man Who Found Time: James Hutton and the Discovery of Earth’s Antiquity
book, history by Jack Repcheck; 2006 June
Revolution in the Valley Revolution in the Valley
by Andy Hertzfeld; 2006 March
Ghost Soldiers: The Epic Account of World War II’s Greatest Rescue Mission Ghost Soldiers: The Epic Account of World War II’s Greatest Rescue Mission
book, war by Hampton Sides; 2006 January
Nonzero: The Logic of Human Destiny Nonzero: The Logic of Human Destiny
book by Robert Wright; 2005 November
Andrew Jackson: His Life and Times Andrew Jackson: His Life and Times
book, history, presidents by H.W. Brands; 2005 November
Real World Camera Raw with Adobe Photoshop CS2 (Real World) Real World Camera Raw with Adobe Photoshop CS2 (Real World)
book by Bruce Fraser; 2005 September
A Man in Full A Man in Full
book, fiction by Tom Wolfe; 2005 July
Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking
book by Malcolm Gladwell; 2005 June
Postcards from the Brain Museum: The Improbable Search for Meaning in the Matter of Famous Minds Postcards from the Brain Museum: The Improbable Search for Meaning in the Matter of Famous Minds
book, science by Brian Burrell; 2005 May
Sharing Good Times Sharing Good Times
book, presidents by Jimmy Carter; 2005 May
Sneakers (film) Sneakers (film)
Film by Phil Alden Robinson; 2005 February
Sea Music Sea Music
music by Dan Zanes; 2005 January
Shadow Divers: The True Adventure of Two Americans Who Risked Everything to Solve One of the Last My Shadow Divers: The True Adventure of Two Americans Who Risked Everything to Solve One of the Last My
adventure, book by Robert Kurson; 2004 September
Skeletons on the Zahara: A True Story of Survival Skeletons on the Zahara: A True Story of Survival
adventure, book, history by Dean King; 2004 September
Seabiscuit: An American Legend Seabiscuit: An American Legend
book, history by Laura Hillenbrand; 2004 June
Somethings Gotta Give Somethings Gotta Give
Film by Nancy Meyers; 2004 May
I’m a Stranger Here Myself: Notes on Returning to America After 20 Years Away I’m a Stranger Here Myself: Notes on Returning to America After 20 Years Away
book by Bill Bryson; 2004 April
In a Sunburned Country In a Sunburned Country
book by Bill Bryson; 2004 April
A Short History of Nearly Everything A Short History of Nearly Everything
book, history, science by Bill Bryson; 2004 April
The Map That Changed the World: William Smith and the Birth of Modern Geology The Map That Changed the World: William Smith and the Birth of Modern Geology
book, history by Simon Winchester; 2004 April
Touching the Void (film) Touching the Void (film)
Film by Kevin Macdonald; 2004 March
The Endurance: Shackleton’s Legendary Antarctic Expedition The Endurance: Shackleton’s Legendary Antarctic Expedition
adventure, book, history by Caroline Alexander; 2004 March
Krakatoa: The Day the World Exploded: August 27, 1883 Krakatoa: The Day the World Exploded: August 27, 1883
book by Simon Winchester; 2004 March
Sea of Glory: America’s Voyage of Discovery, the U.S. Exploring Expedition, 1838-1842 Sea of Glory: America’s Voyage of Discovery, the U.S. Exploring Expedition, 1838-1842
adventure, book, history by Nathaniel Philbrick; 2004 March
In the Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex In the Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex
adventure, book, history by Nathaniel Philbrick; 2004 February
The Bounty: The True Story of the Mutiny on the Bounty The Bounty: The True Story of the Mutiny on the Bounty
book by Caroline Alexander; 2004 February
Cidade de Deus (City of God) Cidade de Deus (City of God)
Film by Fernando Meirelles; 2004 February
Mystic River (film) Mystic River (film)
Film by Clint Eastwood; 2004 February
Big Fish (film) Big Fish (film)
Film by Tim Burton; 2004 February
A Field Guide to American Houses A Field Guide to American Houses
book by Virginia Mcalester; 2004 February
The Meaning of Everything: The Story of the Oxford English Dictionary The Meaning of Everything: The Story of the Oxford English Dictionary
book by Simon Winchester; 2004 February
Professor and the Madman : A Tale of Murder, Insanity, and the Making of the Oxford English Dictiona Professor and the Madman : A Tale of Murder, Insanity, and the Making of the Oxford English Dictiona
by Simon Winchester; 2004 January
An Imperfect God: George Washington, His Slaves, and the Creation of America An Imperfect God: George Washington, His Slaves, and the Creation of America
book by Henry Wiencek; 2003 December
The Great Movies The Great Movies
book by Roger Ebert; 2003 November
The Darwin Awards III: Survival of the Fittest The Darwin Awards III: Survival of the Fittest
book by Wendy Northcutt; 2003 November
Bringing Down the House: The Inside Story of Six M.I.T. Students Who Took Vegas for Millions Bringing Down the House: The Inside Story of Six M.I.T. Students Who Took Vegas for Millions
book by Ben Mezrich; 2003 November
Best Ever Paper Airplanes Best Ever Paper Airplanes
book, craft by Norman Schmidt; 2003 September
Lost in Translation Lost in Translation
Film by Sofia Coppola; 2003 September
AI: Artificial Intelligence AI: Artificial Intelligence
Film by Steven Speilberg; 2003 March
President Kennedy: Profile of Power President Kennedy: Profile of Power
book, presidents by Richard Reeves; 2003 February
Baghdad without a Map and Other Misadventures in Arabia Baghdad without a Map and Other Misadventures in Arabia
book by Tony Horwitz; 2003 January
One for the Road: Revised Edition One for the Road: Revised Edition
book by Tony Horwitz; 2003 January
Blue Latitudes: Boldly Going Where Captain Cook Has Gone Before Blue Latitudes: Boldly Going Where Captain Cook Has Gone Before
book by Tony Horwitz; 2002 December
The Nanny Diaries: A Novel The Nanny Diaries: A Novel
book by Emma Mclaughlin; 2002 December
Look Away!: A History of the Confederate States of America Look Away!: A History of the Confederate States of America
book by William C. Davis; 2002 November
Master of the Senate: The Years of Lyndon Johnson Master of the Senate: The Years of Lyndon Johnson
book, presidents by Robert A. Caro; 2002 August
Means of Ascent (The Years of Lyndon Johnson, Volume 2) Means of Ascent (The Years of Lyndon Johnson, Volume 2)
book, presidents by Robert A. Caro; 2002 July
The Path to Power (The Years of Lyndon Johnson, Volume 1) The Path to Power (The Years of Lyndon Johnson, Volume 1)
book, presidents by Robert A. Caro; 2002 July
Cod: A Biography of the Fish That Changed the World Cod: A Biography of the Fish That Changed the World
book, natural history by Mark Kurlansky; 2002 May
Elizabeth: The Struggle for the Throne Elizabeth: The Struggle for the Throne
book, history by David Starkey; 2002 May
Theodore Rex Theodore Rex
book, presidents by Edmund Morris; 2002 May
King of the Hill King of the Hill
Film by Steven Soderbergh; 2001 December
Startup.com Startup.com
Film by Chris Hegedus; 2001 December
Lighthouses of Atlantic Canada–A Pictorial Guide Lighthouses of Atlantic Canada–A Pictorial Guide
book, lighthouses by Courtney Thompson; 2001 October
A Year in the Notch: Exploring the Natural History of the White Mountains A Year in the Notch: Exploring the Natural History of the White Mountains
book, natural history by William Sargent; 2001 October
Maine Lighthouses: A Pictorial Guide Maine Lighthouses: A Pictorial Guide
book, field guide by Courtney Thompson; 2001 October
Learned Pigs and Fireproof Women Learned Pigs and Fireproof Women
book by Ricky Jay; 2001 October
The Cat Who Covered The World: The Adventures Of Henrietta And Her Foreign Correspondent The Cat Who Covered The World: The Adventures Of Henrietta And Her Foreign Correspondent
book by Christopher S. Wren; 2001 September
A Walk in the Woods – Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail A Walk in the Woods – Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail
book, natural history by Bill Bryson; 2001 September
High Huts of the White Mountains, 2nd: Nature Walks, Natural History, and Day Hikes around the AMC’ High Huts of the White Mountains, 2nd: Nature Walks, Natural History, and Day Hikes around the AMC’
book by William Reifsnyder; 2001 September
The Darwin Awards: Evolution in Action The Darwin Awards: Evolution in Action
book by Wendy Northcutt; 2001 September
Longitude: The True Story of a Lone Genius Who Solved the Greatest Scientific Problem of His Time Longitude: The True Story of a Lone Genius Who Solved the Greatest Scientific Problem of His Time
book by Dava Sobel; 2001 September
Galileo’s Daughter: A Historical Memoir of Science, Faith, and Love Galileo’s Daughter: A Historical Memoir of Science, Faith, and Love
book by Dava Sobel; 2001 September
Reliable Sources (Alex Bernier Mysteries) Reliable Sources (Alex Bernier Mysteries)
book, fiction by Beth Saulnier; 2001 September
An Hour Before Daylight An Hour Before Daylight
book, presidents by Jimmy Carter; 2001 July
The First American: The Life and Times of Benjamin Franklin The First American: The Life and Times of Benjamin Franklin
book by H.W. Brands; 2001 May
Cold Mountain: A Novel Cold Mountain: A Novel
book, fiction by Charles Frazier; 2001 May
As Nature Made Him: The Boy Who Was Raised as a Girl As Nature Made Him: The Boy Who Was Raised as a Girl
book by John Colapinto; 2001 May
The Power Broker: Robert Moses and the Fall of New York The Power Broker: Robert Moses and the Fall of New York
book by Robert A. Caro; 2001 April
O Brother, Where Art Thou? O Brother, Where Art Thou?
Film by Coen Brothers; 2001 April
The Mangrove Coast (Prime Crime Mysteries) The Mangrove Coast (Prime Crime Mysteries)
book, fiction by Randy Wayne White; 2000 October
It’s Not About the Bike: My Journey Back to Life It’s Not About the Bike: My Journey Back to Life
book by Lance Armstrong; 2000 June
Kink: An Autobiography Kink: An Autobiography
book by Dave Davies; 2000 March
Walkin’ the Dog Walkin’ the Dog
book, fiction by Walter Mosley; 2000 February
Timeline Timeline
book, fiction by Michael Crichton; 2000 February
The Master of Disguise: My Secret Life in the CIA The Master of Disguise: My Secret Life in the CIA
book by Antonio J. Mendez; 1999 November