Johnson argues that play has always been more important than people realize, and a great deal of our modern world was built thanks to the human appetite for surprise, novelty and beauty. Indeed, as he notes in example after example (from music to magic to games), it is often the simple pleasure of a new experience that initiates the drive towards vast oceans of progress. In the opening chapter, for example, he chronicles how new delights in fashion – such as the craze over

When I first began reading this book, I have to admit I rolled my cynical eyes just a bit. The author, a bioethicist, seemed to have all the right credentials such as a PhD from the University of Chicago, professorships at some of America’s leading medical schools, a best-selling book designated a “medical classic for this century”, and elected membership in a number of special medical societies. But he was also the founding director of something called the Institute for Res

I first became aware of this book just before the arrival one year of Yom Kipur, Judaism’s most holy day. As a Rabbi, part of my job is to prepare a (hopefully) inspiring sermon for this day, usually on the topic of change and self-improvement. It was for this reason that when I heard about this book – and read its subtitle “What if you woke up one morning and realized you were living the wrong life?” – I instantly knew I had to read it as part of my preparation for Yom Kipu

As one of the more popular books we will explore, Gary Chapman’s “The 5 Love Languages” is perhaps already familiar to you ... but as Seneca once said, “something cannot be too often repeated which is not sufficiently learned.” The basic premise of the book is that we humans have five different ways to express – and experience – love. These five “love languages” are: Words of affirmation - Showing love through verbal appreciation, compliments, and encouragement. Quality time

As I write these words, I – along with my family – are huddled in a bomb shelter as our home in Jerusalem is under attack from Iranian missiles. And yet, despite the obvious concern we all have, not to mention the pain and heartbreak over the loss of lives in this conflict, we are in good spirits, occassionally laughing, singing off key (mostly me) and even dancing a little. I am tempted to say that we Israelis are incredibly resilient – which is true – but that’s not the ful

With this fourth installment of ALL BOOKED UP, we’ve now completed a month of summaries. During this time, our readership has doubled … but we’d love even more people to join us on this journey. So if you know anyone who might appreciate this newsletter, please forward them this e-mail and encourage them to sign up . Drunk Tank Pink is both the name of the book I’ll be featuring this week as well as a color that apparently has a calming influence on male aggressiveness. R

The key question Dr. Sharon Moelem asks is: Why do hereditary disorders exist? After all, evolution likes genetic traits that help us survive and reproduce. According to natural selection, if a gene produces a trait that makes an organism less likely to survive, carriers will be less likely to reproduce and eventually the gene won’t get passed on, at least for very long. And yet, hereditary diseases perpetuate. Why? The short answer is that some conditions once thought t

The premise of Yale Law Prof. Ian Ayres' book, Carrots and Sticks * is quite simple, and well articulated by the subtitle: Unlock the Power of Incentives to Get Things Done. To expand: Human beings know what is good for them in the long run, but often fall short of achieving such goals because short term, often contradictory rewards loom large in the human psyche. Weight loss and investing in one's financial future are both great goals, but since their accompanying rewards

Dan Heath's book Upstream: The Quest to Solve Problems Before They Happen begins with a parable: A couple of guys picknicking next to a river notice a young child floating down the river about to drown. They jump in and rescue the child, but then see another child coming down the river. They rescue this child as well, but then notice a long line of additional children approaching. One of the guys gets out of the river and runs upstream. "Where are you going?" shouts