Non-Fiction – Ryan's Book Blog

I’m That Girl

August 22, 2025 by Ryan

Background

Published in 2025, I’m That Girl: Living the Power of My Dreams by Jordan Chiles is a memoir that follows the Olympic gymnast’s path from her early struggles in the sport to international recognition. Chiles recounts facing racism, body image concerns, and the pressure of elite competition while also describing the support and friendship she found among teammates such as Simone Biles. She reflects on the difficulties of navigating injuries, setbacks, and the emotional toll of narrowly losing a medal, while also capturing the triumphs of competing at the highest level. Through her personal story, she illustrates the persistence and resilience required to pursue a dream in the demanding world of gymnastics.

My Thoughts

I remember watching Ms. Chiles along with the others on Team USA. Like many of us, I didn’t know much about her, but I was rooting for her. I also remember her parents in the stands and the repeated showings of Snoop Dog who somehow highjacked the Paris games. However, that was about it. I was excited they won the gold and I was surprised she was given the Bronze after the Romanian girl was already celebrating. Honestly, I didn’t think too much about it other than feeling for the Romanian girl who thought she’d won. The familiar adage of “Don’t count your chickens till they’re hatched” came to mind. I then moved on to the next thing.

Evidently, there was a media storm that hit fueled by nationalism, racism, and just plain stupidity. All of it blessedly passed me by as I pay almost zero attention to social media. (I may live in an echo chamber but it is pretty peaceful in here.) From what I learned, it all seems very antithetical to what the Olympic Games stand for in my mind. All of it is unwelcome to say the least.

It was good to hear her story of hard work, faith, and perseverance. Ms. Chiles has much to be proud of and she did an amazing job representing our country. I don’t particularly like the attitude of trash talk and the lack of sportsmanship that I inferred from the pages. No one likes people who are bad sports and are only out there to win. This feels like an extremely unfortunate trend in our youth and society in general.

I also find the need to see everything from a tribal standpoint to be distasteful. Whether your tribe is black, White, Hispanic, Tesla owners, Harley Riders, Vegans, or even followers of Joanna Gaines, I’m happy you found something to be proud of. However, there are a lot of us out here who really don’t see the world the way you do. And that’s ok. You just don’t get to project your issues on others. Who am I to throw shade on Ms. Chiles or the Romanian girl. Both did their best on the world stage and were pretty amazing.

Recommendation

I was glad I read it. It gave me insight on an unfamiliar topic.

Crisis on Mount Hood

August 20, 2025 by Ryan

Background

Published in April 17, 2025. In Crisis on Mount Hood: Stories from a Hundred Years of Mountain Rescue, emergency room physician Christopher Van Tilburg examines the legacy and evolution of the Hood River Crag Rats, the oldest all‑volunteer mountain rescue team in the United States. The narrative traces over a century of rescue efforts centered on the iconic 11,249‑foot Mount Hood in Oregon. It weaves together archival accounts of daring rescues, the author’s own three‑decade involvement, developments in rescue technology and outdoor culture, and the mounting impact of climate change on the mountain’s glaciated terrain.

My Thoughts

I was interested in the topic and continually interested in what drives people to go out of their way to save other people. Again and again, the author talks about people who were not prepared to be on the mountain and how he, and others like him, have to go up and bring them down. This is done without pay, without much support, and often without recognition. I’m glad that there are people in this world who put the needs of others above their own.

Recommendation

Not a bad read, but it seemed monotonous at times.

Source Code

August 18, 2025 by Ryan

Background

Published in February 2025, Source Code: My Beginnings is the first memoir by Bill Gates, chronicling his early life in Seattle through to the origins of Microsoft and culminating around the late 1970s, specifically when Microsoft signed its first licensing deal with Apple. In this memoir, Gates offers a candid, self-reflective account of his formative years from being a precocious and sometimes challenging child, through the influences of his family, like his grandmother and ambitious parents, to his early friendships and his uneasy fit in school.

My Thoughts

I really enjoyed the title of this book and the fact that Will Wheaton read the audio book. That bit of whimsy was needed for the rest of the book. It was very interesting to hear first-hand about those first few years and how much time and effort was put into coding. I have heard several people give the account that Bill Gates was just some kid that ripped off real programmers and became ridiculously rich. No one really comments on the work that was put into learning his craft, where he got his business skills, or why IBM was willing to talk to him in the first place. I was glad I had the chance to hear his side of the story.

Recommendation

I enjoyed it.

Down Syndrome Out Loud

August 14, 2025 by Ryan

Background

Down Syndrome Out Loud: 20+ True Stories about Disability and Determination is an illustrated collection of over twenty short biographies featuring individuals with Down syndrome who have excelled in various fields: film, sports, business, fashion, activism, and more. Notable profiles include Chris Nikic (the first person with Down syndrome to complete an Ironman Triathlon) and Isabella Springmuhl Tejada (the first designer with Down syndrome invited to London Fashion Week). The stories also introduce readers to organizations such as the Special Olympics, Best Buddies, the National Down Syndrome Society, and The Buddy Walk. The book includes quick facts, inspirational quotes, a timeline of Down syndrome awareness, a timeline of the disability-rights movement in the U.S., additional resources, and an index.

My Thoughts

When I selected this book, I was thinking of a few people I’ve known throughout my life with Down syndrome. To a one, they have all been open and happy people who have blessed the lives of those around them. Most notable was Billy Carter who is still the oldest person with Down syndrome I have ever known. He lived to the age of 77 and is still missed.

I enjoyed the book though the audio version’s narrator was a little too upbeat for my tastes. It was great to hear about other successful people who are living full lives despite the extra chromosome.

Recommendation

A great book on what is possible for someone who has a disability.

Plan B: A Service-framed Examination of Economic Warfare

August 13, 2025 by Ryan

Background

Published in 2025, Plan B: A Service-framed Examination of Economic Warfare was released by the Marine Corps University Press as the first entry in its Marine Corps Futures series. The work originates from discussions within the Commandant’s Office of Net Assessment and considers how the U.S. might employ economic warfare, particularly against the People’s Republic of China. It analyzes the historical role of economic coercion, outlines how a blockade of energy supplies could shape a modern Sino-American conflict, and assesses how the Marine Corps could contribute to such a strategy. The book discusses both the potential advantages and the challenges of implementing blockade operations and concludes with recommendations for preparing Marine Corps forces for missions tied to economic warfare.

My Thoughts

It really is amazing at this time when thousands of man made satellites are in orbit, when supersonic war heads can drop straight out of the heavens and destroy us all without enough time to blink, that a simple naval blockage can bring a country to its knees. It seems very little has changed.

This was interesting reading although it wasn’t what I’d call a page turner. The concept is simple enough to grasp, but I just kept coming back to the thought of how fragile and interconnected we are as a global society. Much like the trucks that keep our grocery stores stocked, huge tankers keep whole countries supplied with energy and just about everything else.

Recommendation

I wouldn’t recommend it unless you have a direct interest.

Wingless Victory

August 11, 2025 by Ryan

Background

Published in 1950, “Wingless Victory” by Anthony Richardson recounts the true story of Royal Air Force officer Sir Basil Embry after his aircraft was shot down over occupied France in 1940. The book follows Embry’s repeated attempts to evade capture as he navigates hostile territory, relying on disguises, wit, and determination to stay ahead of German forces. Captured multiple times yet always managing to break free, he eventually made his way back to Britain, where his experiences became a symbol of courage and persistence during wartime. Richardson, who had served with Embry, shaped the account into a narrative that captures both the danger and ingenuity of escape in occupied Europe.

My Thoughts

This was a gripping tale that optimizes the “stiff upper lip” attitude the British are known for. Sir Embry rightly went on to inspire others as he served in higher positions of leadership and trust. His single focus and consistent faith that he would get home, even amid disappointments and high odds, is truly inspiring.

In particular, I enjoyed how he was constantly making plans and contingencies. He was thrown several curves and he continued to adjust and push on.

Recommendation

A great book and an inspiring tale.

Images of America Spotsylvania County

August 5, 2025 by Ryan

Background

Published in 2013, Images of America: Spotsylvania County by John F. Cummings III focuses on the county’s Civil War history, particularly its role as the site of several major battles including Chancellorsville, Wilderness, and Spotsylvania Court House. Through a curated selection of historical photographs, maps, and portraits, Cummings documents the war’s impact on the local landscape and its people, including soldiers, civilians, and landmarks that witnessed the conflict. The book places emphasis on battlefield preservation, historic memory, and the ways in which Spotsylvania has commemorated its past over the decades.

My Thoughts

While I was hoping for more of a history of the area, this book primarily centered on the Civil War and it’s influence on the region. I found the stories interesting and the photographs fascinating. However, I was hoping for much more. The title of the book was misleading as it should have included the Civil War rather than generically labeled as it was.

Regardless, I enjoyed it.

Recommendation

If you are a Civil War buff, this book will be of interest.

The Anxious Generation

August 1, 2025 by Ryan

Background

Published in 2024, “The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness” by Jonathan Haidt examines the rise in adolescent mental health issues over the past decade, attributing much of the trend to the shift from play-based, in-person childhoods to screen-based, phone-centric upbringings. Haidt argues that this “great rewiring” began around 2010 with the widespread adoption of smartphones and social media, which disrupted key developmental processes. Drawing on psychology, sociology, and education research, the book outlines the ways in which this digital transformation has contributed to increased anxiety, depression, and social withdrawal among youth. Haidt proposes a framework for reversing these effects by advocating for later introduction of smartphones, more independence for children, and greater emphasis on real-world experiences.

My Thoughts

This was a truly terrifying read that caused a great deal of thought and rethinking of our current youth culture. After finishing the book, I believe there should be an additional volume addressing how this screen culture has rewired adults as well.

I’m more and more convinced about how plastic the brain and body can be. How someone can completely transform themselves given the right conditions. However, that concept is also at play with respect to sitting in front of a screen all day. This impacts us all. I really loved how well Haidt brought in the larger social influences in addition to the impacts on the individual. If you take a phone away from a young person, they still are in a world where everyone else has a phone and so they can’t interact like I was able to growing up in the pre-phone era.

The key take away for me? I like the saying, “Fake war and fake love does not make a real man.” – Unknown authorship. After reading this book, I could say, “Fake friends and impossible expectations will break anyone.”

Recommendation

An important read for any parent.

What to Think About Machines that Think

July 30, 2025 by Ryan

Background

Published in 2015, “What to Think About Machines that Think” is a collection of essays edited by John Brockman in which leading scientists, philosophers, engineers, and writers explore the implications of artificial intelligence and machine learning. The contributors offer a wide range of perspectives on whether machines that can think will enhance or threaten human civilization, with topics spanning ethics, consciousness, intelligence, creativity, and societal impact. Some essays warn of existential risks while others emphasize the potential for AI to augment human capabilities. The book does not present a unified view but instead encourages readers to grapple with complex, sometimes conflicting ideas about the role of thinking machines in our future.

My Thoughts

This was a very interesting read to hear what we were thinking about machine thinking a decade ago. Oh, how things have changed…

Still, most of the existential fears still exist and are only augmented by the leaps made in recent years by a largely uninformed public. As I write this, we are creating courseware to teach AI concepts to the novice user on a mass scale. This has likely colored my thinking as I was reading through the book.

The benefits are plain and the abilities we are handed on a silver platter are downright amazing. However, it will take nothing away from the simple fact that we, as the users, still need to think. We still need to understand what tool we are using and the repercussions of the use of that tool. To quote Dr. Jordan Peterson when speaking on the subject of man’s ability to be terrible, “Just because we can bite, doesn’t mean that we should.” I feel the same with respect to AI. There will be bullies and victims. There will be fallout from short-sighted endeavors and actions. However, we will have to wrestle with the implications of this new augmentation of our Information Age.

Recommendation

Dated but a great read for comparison

Code Dependent: Living in the Shadow of AI

July 28, 2025 by Ryan

Background

Published in 2024, “Code Dependent: Living in the Shadow of AI” by Madhumita Murgia explores how artificial intelligence is already shaping lives around the world, often without consent or awareness. Drawing on global case studies, the book examines the social, economic, and political impact of AI systems on ordinary people, particularly those marginalized by race, class, or geography. Murgia highlights how decisions once made by humans, such as hiring, policing, and access to welfare, are increasingly delegated to algorithms, leading to outcomes that can be opaque, biased, and difficult to contest. Through personal stories and investigative reporting, the book reveals how individuals are monitored, categorized, and sometimes harmed by systems designed to optimize efficiency or profit, raising critical questions about accountability and human rights in a digital age.

My Thoughts

I’m not really sure what the public sees so I’m not certain if the content was public knowledge or not. I’ve been following this topic pretty closely for years so none of it came as shocking as I believe the author may have expected. There certainly is global inequality in pay and safety. I am fortunate to live in the United States and my quality of life is amazing. That is easily taken for granted, which is why I’m a huge proponent of people traveling, more particularly the young adults.

What I believe was missing from the narrative is, what would have been better for these people? There are several case studies in the book about people who are barely making ends meet and who have been taken advantage of by the evil corporation. Yet, each one of them wants to keep their job. There isn’t a better alternative and while I’m certain they would love to paid more, the fact is they are willing to work for the pay they are offered. Since most of this work gets contracted and subcontracted down to the lower levels, the evil corporation has very little to do with their pay. They could easily double or triple what they pay for the same service and the money would never reach that worker. The middle men will happily take the difference and turn around and ask for more.

I honestly believe we are living at one of the best times in history in terms of human rights and quality of life. However, it isn’t equal. It isn’t fair. I believe it will get better, but it will come slowly over time.

Regardless, these issues need to come to the forefront of our collective consciousness. It is important these stories are told so we can move on to bigger and better. There really is no free lunch so the amazing benefits we reap today had to have come from somewhere.

Recommendation

A little heavy handed but not bad.