Recommended reading

I have recently had the dubious pleasure of reading Jared Diamond's book Collapse. The subject matter in itself is compelling, but the actual process of reading any of Professor Diamond's work leaves one with a feeling akin to that of a dislocated jaw. Diamond fails to cohesively tie his theme together, and builds many of his arguments on propaganda techniques such as exaggeration and straw-man fallacies. I believet his is not intentional, but nonetheless, it is uncomfortable. These failings pervade through all of his work that I have encountered.

This is not to say that one should not read this book. Collapse provides a quality compilation of information on modern economic events in North America and around the world, if not balanced coverage, instead focusing on a few selected regions. I recommend that you read at least part of the book, but plan plenty of time and at least two asprins.

On the other hand, Laurence Gonzales' book Deep Survival is a fluid, easy read, with effective theses throughout, tying together into the larger whole. This is a book with gestalt. It will intrigue, compel, and terrify you in turns, and you will not regret the time you put into reading it again and again. Gonzales has done excellent research and, unlike Diamond, fully substantiates each of his statements, leaving you entirely without that disquieting feeling of having no ground under you feet. Compiling vastly different accounts of survival, death, and psychology, Deep Survival is a must-read.

Aldous Huxley's book The Doors of Perception has become a timeless favortie of The Doors devotees, and although it is a very well-written account of a mescaline trip, it falls short of the book it was once bound with, Heaven and Hell. In the former, Huxley describes, with a writer's clarity and a scholar's detail, the experience of taking peyote. However, in the latter, Huxley expands on these themes in an interesting analysis of mythology and psychology, focusing on where they meet in the realm of the subconscious brought to light by psychedelics in the proper setting.

Although far shorter than Deep Survival, Heaven and Hell is not a book to read in one sitting. Instead, one will find it necessary to set down the book and reflect, allowing the connections made to fully sink in. Fortunately, if one desired, both books, Heaven and Hell and The Doors of Perception, can be read quickly without confusion, headache, or a dull fury at the author. I would not recommend doing so, however, since you would miss out on the sort of subtle nuance that lends itself to a unique interpretation each time it is read. This is a book to buy and take notes in the marigins, which you will find yourself doing again and again.