What to Expect When You're Dead: An Ancient Tour of Death and the Afterlife (Robert Garland)

In What to Expect When You’re Dead: An Ancient Tour of Death and the Afterlife, author Robert Garland offers an engaging exploration of the afterlife, effortlessly combining humor, religion, and philosophy. Garland delves into the various cultural, historical, and religious perspectives on death, offering readers a broad view of how it has been conceptualized across time. The book doesn’t claim to provide definitive answers on the afterlife (if one even exists) – it merely encourages readers to consider a multitude of possibilities while emphasizing that the mystery of death is both universal and uniquely personal.

One of the key arguments Garland makes is that the concept of an afterlife has been shaped by human imagination and fear. He examines various traditions, such as the Christian view of Heaven and Hell as well as the ancient Egyptian beliefs in the afterlife, and even the modern scientific perspective on death. He suggests that these views often reflect societal values and the need for reassurance in the face of mortality.

Garland also critiques the way death is often sanitized in modern society, where it is largely removed from daily life. He points out that death is a part of human existence that many people are uncomfortable facing. As a result, there is a tendency to avoid or even deny the inevitability of our mortality. This denial leads to a superficial understanding of death, which Garland argues diminishes the richness of life and the potential for a more profound approach to living. Garland discusses how death is often framed as something to be feared, but in many cultures, it is viewed as a transition, not an end. 

Garland concludes by suggesting that while the afterlife remains an unsolvable mystery, how we approach death can shape how we live, encouraging readers to contemplate their own beliefs about mortality. What to Expect When You’re Dead is an enjoyable exploration of the hereafter, both as it is viewed now as well as in historical context.

MY RATING: 4.5

Walking Europe's Last Wilderness (Nick Thorpe)

In Walking Europe’s Last Wilderness: A Journey Through the Carpathian Mountains, author Nick Thorpe explores Eastern Europe's often-overlooked landscapes, framed through an ambitious journey through the Carpathian Mountains. The book blends natural terrain, human geography, and cultural history into a captivating series of stories of people and place. Thorpe’s journey takes him through several countries that the Carpathians cut through, including Romania, Poland, and Hungary. These countries have at one time or another dominated their neighbors or have been dominated by other powers such as Russia.

One of the book’s greatest strengths lies in its detailed portrayal of the diverse geography and humanity that the Carpathians comprises. His descriptions are grounded in personal encounters and historical context, providing insight into how the land has shaped and been shaped by the people who live in it. Besides the Carpathian Mountains, the Danube and several other rivers traverse through this landscape as well, which provide their own sets of history to the region; the Romans at one time used the Danube as a quasi-frontier for its empire. 

The book shines when it delves into the environmental challenges facing these landscapes. Thorpe is attentive to ecological tensions and the impact of modern development on what he describes as “Europe’s last wilderness.” The Danube Delta, in particular, is rendered as a fragile, biodiverse ecosystem at the mercy of both geopolitical and environmental forces.

Geography here is not just background but actually integral to the narrative. From shifting borders to cultural enclaves isolated by terrain, Thorpe reveals how geography and history are inseparable. He encourages readers to consider not just where places are, but what they mean in a broader European context. For those interested in physical landscapes and the cultural forces that define them, Walking Europe’s Last Wilderness is a rewarding and enlightening read.

MY RATING: 4.5

The Measure of Progress: Counting What Really Matters (Diane Coyle)

In The Measure of Progress: Counting What Really Matters, Diane Coyle critiques our reliance on outdated economic statistics, particularly Gross Domestic Product (GDP), as the primary indicator of societal and economic well-being. Her central argument is that these metrics, developed in the mid-20th century to address vastly different economic challenges, are increasingly inadequate for understanding and navigating the complexities of today's digital and interconnected world.

Coyle argues how GDP, focused on measuring market transactions, fails to capture crucial aspects of modern economies. The rise of intangible assets like knowledge, data, and digital services are poorly reflected, leading to a skewed perception of productivity and innovation. Furthermore, she highlights the exclusion of vital elements such as environmental degradation and social inequalities, which she views as critical for a holistic assessment of progress. Environmental impacts would likely drive fierce debate within the economics landscape.

The Measure of Progress is at times a rather complex read and isn’t geared for casual weekend reading on your back porch. If you aren’t versed in advanced math or economic concepts, some parts of Coyle’s book might be difficult to understand. Also, the debate within economic circles about environmental impact is one that certainly is up for debate and much discussion. However, the argument that GDP is dated and stale is certainly a valid one, and Coyle is arguably correct in asserting that a new mousetrap of some sort should be created to measure economic growth.

MY RATING: 4