Rating: 250 Degrees (Out of 360)

​This book did present some interesting topics, like the testable phenomenon regarding the photon through the double slit that can cause it's own distortion pattern as a wave while also being measured discretely has a particle. But overall, the concepts or ideas pertaining to how the universe may operate are beyond a testable solution.

​This lends itself to being more of a philosophy book versus a laymen science book.  Though I didn't take a ton of advanced physics in college, I did graduate with a physics minor, so I would have liked a bit more description on how the theory presented was developed or fleshed out.

​The book is fairly short, so I imagine that's one of it's saving graces.  Certainly read it if you enjoy philosophy and Hawking's, otherwise skip it or read the cliff's notes version.

Rating: 270 Degrees (Out of 360 Degrees)

​This book depicted the developing mind in ways I had not thought of with support from the studies that are available.  One such concept is that as we grow up our ability to take in worldly information changes from lantern like observations to flashlight or spotlight style observations.

​Like a lantern, young brains (babies and toddlers) take in much more information including everything there senses can perceive, but they lack the ability to focus and remove the background "noise" of all the information or data entering the brain.  As you grow, you can filter the information and more easily focus and specialize in your learning, but this will reduce the amount of extraneous information gets stored for later processing.

​Obviously, it's challenging to create and execute proper studies on children so young, so I do critique the lack of thorough and convincing evidence.  It's certainly not the authors fault, but it does create a bit of a vacuum that is filled with logical extrapolations and hypotheses.

​It is a good book, but could use a bit of help if more research were to be performed.

Rating: 359 Degrees (out of 360)

​This book changed my life!  I really got in to this book. 

Before I get into the details though, I should say I was never a runner.  I was fat most of my adolescence and could barely finish the infamous "1 mile" run in PE.  But, I was going through a bit of a mid-twenties crisis and I forced myself to train and run a half marathon.  I actually got into running shape (kind of) and truly ran the 13.1 miles finishing in 1 hour 53 minutes (at 210 lbs, this is quite the quick pace).

I read this book around race time and was instantly converted and wanted to add running to a new life style.  This book goes back and forth between the science and evolution of running and the infamous Tarahumara Indians of Mexico.  I own a couple pairs of minimalist shoes and have changed my stride to feel more natural.

​I am a fan of reading these evolutionary inspired nuance books that deep dive into interesting facets of life.

​To add a note, I did do something quite dumb.  I took a long break after this race and jumped back into long distances right away.  This did result in an injury.  So please always follow a plan to ease and ramp into new workouts.  This is why I deducted 1 degree from the books score.

Rating: 300 Degrees (Out of 360 Degrees)

​This is one of the few books I was tracking, following and bought on its release date.  I had read many articles and saw the hype for the release.  I thoroughly enjoyed most of this book.  The book has 3 major sections: Part 1, the calorie myth; Part 2, The Solutions; Part 3, the sane and smart action plan.

​I enjoyed the science and effort to simplify the studies presented, but I found the main analogy, the "clogged sink," a bit off.  This analogy seemed about as complicated as the actual research presented.  Many of the studies were new to me and helped connect some of the outstanding concepts I had researched prior to this book.

​SANE stands for Satisfying unAggressive Nutritious inEfficient.  I found the acronym to be a bit silly and forced but each element is thoroughly discussed and supported.  Most of the conclusions in this book are actually quite easy to implement in life.  Personally, I've known about Paleo for over 6 years and much of the evidence in this book is in line with the paleo diet.

​This is a great book that presents pointed studies to prove how we should eat to be SANE.  The first 2/3rds of the book are wonderful.  I couldn't really get into the last third.  This was a section on building habits and correcting behaviors, and I don't really need this type of motivation.

Traffic: Why We Drive the Way We Do (and What it Says About Us)

​Rating: 310 Degrees (Out of 360 Degrees)

​At first I wasn't sure what to expect.  I grabbed this one as part of the "Buy 2, Get the 3rd Free" shelf and thought this could be a fun read.  I was correct. 

​This book takes us down the interstate of human psychology, or rather sociology, and really analyses how our human nature is turned on it's head when sitting behind 4ooo pounds of anonymity.  The studies presented are on point and maybe a bit of confirmation bias, but I had had thoughts of a similar conclusion with just my own personal observations.

​The book goes further by comparing and contrasting our transit profile with that of other insects, such as the survival of cannibalistic locus hoards and group think ants.  It's really neat to know human auto traffic can be related to other creates on differing scales.

​If you ever wanted to analysis why simply "adding a lane" will likely not solve traffic jams and why round-a-bouts make for a more efficient intersection, then check out this book.  It's fun, engaging and well researched.

360 out of 360 (This book comes full circle).

This book spoke to how I've lived my life already. I was so excited to get a copy and hear Steve talk on the paleo solution podcast.
I was so inspired by the movies of my childhood (Terminator, RoboCop, etc.) I followed that passion for robotics thru a Masters Degree in Mechatronics.
I was so enthralled by Martial Arts (Jackie Chan), I stuck with Karate for 20 years, tried capoiera in college and now train in BJJ.
I played D&D and other RPGs in high school, so I took a shot at actually fighting in armor. I bought leather at the local Ren Faire and cut, boiled and riveted it together. Then I joined the society of creative anachronisms (SCA) to train and learn to fight.
This book, this philosophy, of living out your life as a character is how I've seen life.