Nonfiction on The Techno Scholar Chronicles

Book Review: Local Optimization: Lessons From An Unplanned Path

Fri, 26 Jun 2026 13:25:00 -0500

Local Optimization is a short and thoughtful reflection on Alvitta Ottley’s path into academia. She presents the book as a personal reflection on the many decision points in her life, describing her approach as “local optimization.” Rather than beginning with a five-year plan, she made the best decision she could at each stage, asking what the next right step was and what would increase her capacity to grow. Her path moves from growing up on an island to working at a bank, pursuing school, engaging in research, and eventually becoming tenured faculty at WashU.

Book Review: The Story of the Family: G.K. Chesterton on the Only State that Creates and Loves Its Own Citizens

Fri, 19 Jul 2024 00:00:00 -0500

G.K. Chesterton lived in the early 1900s and wrote on the issues of his time. He was a great defender of Christian orthodoxy. In this book, Dale Ahlquist compiled a collection of poems, quotations, excerpts, and essays on the family from G.K. Chesterton. In today’s society, we see all kinds of attacks on the family around feminism, birth control, divorce, promiscuity, etc. To quote Ecclesiastes 1:9, “There is nothing new under the sun.” It was the same in G.K. Chesterton’s time. He speaks on these topics, which are just as relevant today.

Book Review: Stories, Statistics, Solutions: Towards Understanding and Including People with Disabilities in Faith Communities

Wed, 17 Apr 2024 00:00:00 -0500

This book has been very enlightening for me to read. It gives the perspective of many individuals who are disabled in some way and living with that disability. They tell their stories, providing insight into their lives. But it’s not just about their stories. They also give advice, speak about their faith, and tell us what we should know about them to better incorporate them into our lives, work, and faith communities. The stories constitute most of the book. In addition, a good discussion of solutions provides some practical advice for listening better and incorporating those with disabilities into faith communities. The practical advice is not limited to faith communities but can also be applied to other situations where one works with people.

Book Review: THE KAI: The Adventures of a Mystic Martial Arts Maintenance Man

Sat, 02 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0500

This is an honest memoir of Jamey Toner’s life with all the ups and downs, and the wanderings of his life. Constant throughout his life have been the martial arts (Kai) and his Catholic faith. There are many times he has gone from place to place and sometimes without money or a place to live.

As I read along, I was glad to see him get more stability in his life and to turn away from that old life of wandering. He relates wisdom from his Catholic faith throughout this memoir which edifies his story. It was edifying to me, for example, to see that he chose to be chaste (faithful in his faith) rather than to sin in a dating relationship.