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adventurefinn14's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
3.0
aligrint's review against another edition
4.0
The style of this book is peak New Yorker voice. I read it after visiting the MJT, which I enjoyed greatly. I'm a fan, though I feel like it falls into the New Yorker trap of being too focused on the individual - we learn about Wilson's family, upbringing, habits, personality - but not enough about the ideas that he's trying to share. After all, this is a book about a relatively unique type of museum trying to send a message, and it would be interesting to also hear how this message is received and how it changes over the years.
johngrady's review against another edition
3.0
This book was kind of like walking through a museum of oddities in that all the anecdotes keep you moving along to the next display. The museum itself seems to be an interesting critique of who gets to claim authority over knowledge but the author obscures this fact in his own uncertainty and obsession with tracking down what is 'real'.
gbliss's review against another edition
4.0
In some ways, three books in one. The first feels like a delightful, long form New Yorker article. This is full of energy, ideas, and spirit. The second is less a notably less compelling history of the private collection turned museum. This section has its moments, but nothing approaching the charm of the first section. The third "book" would be the notes to the second section. These are pedantic and sometimes just plain dull. But maybe that is the point. Just as the Museum of Jurrassic Technology is a sort of ironic museum about museums, maybe this book is an ironic commentary on the nature of academic writing, the way scholarship inevitably descends into minutiae, and the accumulation of so much information leading to the inevitable conclusion that the truth can't really be known or contained.
Or not.
Or not.
itsolivia's review against another edition
3.0
The deal: The subtitle of this is “Pronged Ants, Horned Humans, Mice on Toast, and Other Marvels of Jurassic Technology,” which yes, is what’s inside the Museum of Jurassic Technology, but also not what’s inside at all. If you’re unfamiliar, the Museum is in Culver City (Los Angeles), and is best attended with as little knowledge as possible. It’s also “a museum about museums” (a very generous interpretation). This book attempts to unpack the mysteries within with a good amount of research and a lot of first-hand interviews with the museum’s enigmatic founder.
Is it worth it?: No. I’m absolutely fascinated by The Museum of Jurassic Technology, and I still struggled to get through this (and it’s short). Maybe I just wanted more analysis? Maybe my eyes are simply powerless in not glossing over when faced with a multi-page block of proper nouns? Maybe I wish it were sharper and more tied together? Maybe I’m still missing the point (which is the point)?
Pairs well with: Just go to the damn museum. I’m a member. If you’re in LA, I’ll take you.
C-
Is it worth it?: No. I’m absolutely fascinated by The Museum of Jurassic Technology, and I still struggled to get through this (and it’s short). Maybe I just wanted more analysis? Maybe my eyes are simply powerless in not glossing over when faced with a multi-page block of proper nouns? Maybe I wish it were sharper and more tied together? Maybe I’m still missing the point (which is the point)?
Pairs well with: Just go to the damn museum. I’m a member. If you’re in LA, I’ll take you.
C-