Adam Gopnik

This book was a treat that I devoured voraciously. It takes the reader on such an amazing journey through so many different subjects, all on the topic of the ability of humans to master so many amazing skills. It was though provoking and intellectually stimulating and the writing is MASTERFUL!

The author introduces us to some unique topics and gives us some background on both the subject and perhaps some of its history, and, in the case of the topic of magicians, the background of some of the masters in the industry. In other chapters we are taken on some of the author's personal quests, trials and tribulations and filled in on some of his background as well as that of his family, which I found absolutely fascinating. (I didn't know that there was a PhD program in Mathematical Logic!). His parents' retirement "farm"? sounds like a fairytale town that would delight grown ups as well as children.

I found Gopnik's writing mesmerizing. It drew me in and made me concentrate long and hard as it tried to go over my head and I kept reaching for it and drawing it back in, not letting it get the better of me.

His drive and ability to learn new things in the later part of life are such a positive force and good example for all of us. And there's a bad pun at the beginning of this paragraph--however, driving is one of those things he took on in this later stage of life and his description of his driver's ed teacher is heartwarming. We could all use someone like that in our life!

All in all, I heartily recommend this book AND this writer.… (mais)