Progressive Muslims, Omid Safi(Editor)

The Universe in a Nutshell - Stephen Hawking

The first chapter was interesting. It was more on Einstein. I was expecting better explanation of Einstein's Relativity theory in the second chapter. Instead he mentioned about it with some analogies, but didn't put forth a fool-proof rationale. May be that was the way Hawking had planned to pen this book. So I had to stop there and find another book which explains the theory. My previous post analyzes a book that I read for that purpose.
After resuming the book, could find the same problem again. The book is not covering theories in depth. Later I went through some of the reviews of the book and I could find that I am not alone. May be this book is not for me for NOW. I'll have to get a decent hold on the theories he mentioned in the first 2 chapters which are the foundation topics. One thing I am quite convinced that this book has the breadth. I am yet to figure out how to utilize that!

The Manga Guide to Relativity - Hideo Nitta

I was searching for a book on Relativity for beginners. Came across this book and after reading it, I am not disappointed, rather I am enlightened.
Its an anime book. Started with relatively easy stuff, Galileo's and Newton's theory and progressed to Einstein's special relativity and then to General relativity wherein he explained spacetime warping. Also explained Max Plank's quantum theory. One thing keeps puzzling me is velocity of light - the fact that its constant. Still hard to visualize all concepts, neverthless this book is a brilliant intro.

The Introvert Advantage - Marti Olsen Laney

• Take care of yourself
• Nourish your inner world
• Occasionally come out to outer world to gain new experiences and to contribute 
• Reward yourself on accomplishments
• Do not think too much on bad decisions or mistakes made in the past or even recently. Be gentle to yourself.

According to the author, one in three or four are introverted. Introversion defines the temperament of a person and has physiological and psychological aspects to it. And introversion is innate and not something that can be changed in his/her lifetime. It is not something to worry about, but to celebrate. He/she feels more drained and overstimulated in social environment where extroverts thrive. Introverts need to take regular breaks and plan things ahead. They feel ashamed and guilt about their temperament.

There is one more popular book by Susan Cain, Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking. From the review, looks like that is also a wonderful book to read.

History of God - Karen Armstrong

This is a brilliant book depicting the idea of God through out the course of three world religions - Judaism, Christianity and Islam - from its inception till date. The book has lot of details, but can be experienced as a continuous flow of ideas. In addition to jotting down the historical facts, author had done synthesis of the same and in the last chapter discussed about the future course for "God".
The book starts with the remote sky God who didn't involve in much of the mundane matters. Then came the epic poem, Enum Elish, which was in a way source for the early Jewish scripture. Author explained about how Jewish prophets experienced God - it was more of commandments and action rather than mystical or spiritual experience. The book explained about Mitzvot which came from 10 commandments, Misnah from Mosaic law and Talmud from Misnah. Then the author accounted the life of Jesus - the faith healer or new Moses/Joshua/Messiah, hailed from Pharisee - one of the Jewish school of thought. In 200CE, educated pagans turned to philosophy and emerged the platonist from the ideas of Plato the mystic. Plotinus - neoplatonist - can be considered as early mystic.
Author explained about the emergence of the idea trinity of God. And how that idea was perceived in eastern and western christianity. Western christians took that idea in literal sense. Then he depicted about the God of Islam and life of Muhammad. Then the faction of Shiah, Ahl-al-Hadith who claimed there was no need for intercessor between god and humam, then Mutazilte - the rationalist - postulated a rational god, then the opposing group the traditionalist comprising of Ibn Hanbal and then the Kalamist. Then came the age of philosopher or falsafah and then the period of Mystics. All three religions contributed in both the streams, Muslims being the pioneers, but flourished in all three. Then he explained about the idea of God perceived in later centuries from 15th to 20th century.

Notes: Chapter 11, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1