Nuclear War. A Scenario by Annie Jacobsen

Annie Jacobsen creates a hair-raising scenario which most people, I guess, would think as taken from science fiction or apocalyptic literature. The thing is, this scenario is based on interviews with people who were or are involved in the nuclear sector for decades, on declassified documentation showing the actual plans, mainly in the USA (& elsewhere) to respond to a nuclear attack. To start a nuclear war. The problem is, as this books reveals, any nuclear war will end with the annihilation of our civilisation. To me, the actual idea of responding to a nuclear attack with more nuclear attacks is irrational. It will end the world. The more missiles you launch the more you will get back. These nuclear nutters think life and the world are a video game, where you can restart if you lose. But you can't.

Zaha Hadid by Philip Jodidio

Nice short book, with insights into the architect's work and inspiration. Excellent read. Amazing photos. Spent more time looking at the photos than reading the text.

Incandescence by Greg Egan

Two storylines in alternating chapters. Liked the characters and the stories. But I loved this book because of its hard science fiction concepts! From panspermia to a mysterious civilisation inhabiting the galactic core. Immortal digital beings, originally dna-based, looking for challenges to make their lives worth living. Mortal beings who live in a vegetative/automatic pilot state with their interests and curiosity turn off, until smth happens which compels them to try to understand their universe using mathematics and physics. There's a lot of Einstein's and who knows what else. I tried to follow the details but couldn't sometimes, but it didn't matter. The story is tops and the ending too!