Rating: 
Summary: A superb work.
Review: 'Critical Path' is a life-changing book for those that read it. It should be a standard text for use in school for every child and as it stands, everyone who has never read this masterpiece should do so at the earliest opportunity. The genius that C60 (the bucky-ball) in Chemistry was named after should, by rights, be for more well known that Einstein or Newton. His ideas are earth-shattering, while remaining eminently practical. This book will open your mind like no other and I celebrate the day I picked it up.
Rating: 
Summary: A book worthy of scrutiny
Review: When Critical Path first appeared, I was very taken with how different this world-historical narrative dared to be. The 'Speculative Prehistory' was well outside the bounds of mainstream scholarship. On the other hand, some of the content not labeled as 'speculative' dove-tailed neatly with a lot of history I'd encountered before, i.e. didn't seem too off the wall. Using the evolution of maritime technology to anchor an historical overview seemed a brilliant and productive way to organize a lot of information, and to make connections others had maybe overlooked.
There's also a lot of poetic content here -- the links to bull's head symbolism for example. These symbols or literary tropes come out even more strongly in 'Tetrascroll', a piece of art, but also a narrative (I've been privileged to see one of the few of the limited edition originals in Corvallis, Oregon -- a giant tetrahedral book that unfolds to cover a large floorspace, only 30 or so in existence, if that many). One of the factual items included in Critical Path which I considered more easily checkable than some of the more speculative stuff, had to do with contemporary maritime matters. Fuller asserted that the Russians, post-WWII, had decided to invest in vertol technology (so had the English of course -- Harriers and such), and to use submarines as a basing platform for their vertols, instead of surface ships (i.e. instead of aircraft carriers). OK, a simple statement of fact.
Now that it's in book that anyone can buy at Borders or Waldens or whatever, it can't be considered secret info, if it ever was secret (I thought it must have been, given Fuller claimed even many in Congress hadn't been privy to this little tidbit hitherto, plus I'd never heard of such vessels). Well, I moved to DC after awhile and tried to dig into this, as any fact checker at the New Yorker or other major magazine would. For example, I wrote to the Washington Post. I also pestered the Center for Defense Information (CDI), where I happened to know the archivist. And I got precisely nowhere.
Now it's many years later, and I've largely forgotten about this chapter in my studies. But just recently I got an archived casette from CDI wherein Bucky is conversing with the retired military brass that run that organization, post Critical Path, chatting along the very lines he spelled out in the book. He talks about the vertol jets on the submarines, how the Falklands war proved the relevance of vertol tech and so on and so forth. Well, no one on the tape actually contradicts any of his assertions (it's a congenial chat, various views expressed), but once again, I'm left with only one source for this info, and no cross-check. Hobbiests who know a lot about subs never put up a picture at their websites, even after 20 odd years.
I go into this in so much detail because I'm trying to give the flavor of Critical Path. It's one of those books which is very difficult to verify, on many levels. I seized on the subs thing just because that seemed one of those stark true-or-false things that any average individual should be able to make some headway on. No such luck.
So, 20 years later or so, I've reached the conclusion that either Bucky was misinformed, in which case his credibility takes a hit, or he was relaying true info, but we live in a world of rather cowardly, frightened people who can't bring themselves to come to Bucky's side and bolster his story, which would have had the effect of adding credibility to one of the few positive futurists we have. He won the USA Medal of Freedom from President Ronald Reagan shortly afterwards, some of you will recall. It's easier for me to believe that Bucky was misinformed than that people are really that myopic and petty.
So if I'm correct in drawing this conclusion, then readers should be forewarned that, for all it's extremely interesting historical narrative, 'Critical Path' is seriously flawed when it comes to matters of verifiable fact. It was Bucky's misfortune to put his trust in some bogus sources of intelligence apparently (I point the finger of blame at no one in particular here -- I have no idea where he got this information (not from either Kiyoshi or Applewhite I don't think, as I've gone over this with both of them)).
All that being said, it's a very worthwhile book and anyone interested in one of the major philosophers and thinkers of the 20th century should read it, and its sequel, Grunch of Giants, which I like even better (it's also much shorter)....
Rating:
Summary: Education Automation
Review: Because it wasn't listed in the Amazon archives, I'm using this space to review 'E.A.'; which I figure might even be in this collection (if that is what the book is). Though it is only the first book I've read of his, I simply wanted to point out what I liked and disliked in Mr. Fuller's thinking. His thoughts on some of the factors that are leading causes in the development of the first half of the 20th century - the book is from 1963 - were enlightening in the clear spin he put on them. For instance, Fascism as the result of the fall of the pre WW1 behind-the-scenes "big boys", and the ensuing taking over the chariot's reins by formerly relegated "henchmen"; all placed within the backdrop of his wider-ranging discussion of economic transformations and the utility of capital. Here and elsewhere, Fuller manages to engage in cross-generalizations that make for a strong, specialized account of an era that persists to loose itself from any grasp upon its contents. Well perhaps this interests you. Let me just say that despite this book's disconcerting lack of admission to certain human fallacies, tendencies, needs, that some of us may just want to hold on to, and a few lapses into rather dull thinking; it does makes for an overall good read. Look out for exciting examinations into the components (both hard and soft) of Fullerian concepts that have gestated into what we today know as the Internet and digital TV.
Rating:
Summary: One of the most important books in print - ever!
Review: Buckminster Fuller is not easy to read but his work has depth that is rare in writing. I have come across few authors who have such a huge grasp on history, economics, technology the the trends that have shaped our world. For pure breadth of comprehension Fuller is one of the best. Integrity is one of Fullers much used words and his thinking and writing is infused with integrity. Like cream, his ideas and analysis of the world rises to the top in terms of comprehensive grasp of the forces that have shaped history. I have three sons all in their 20's and college graduates. This is one of the few books that I have urged each one of them to read. It's that important and it's that good. Take your time reading it and clear a space in your brain for a very wise view of history and our need to take action to make humanity work for all the world,
Rating:
Summary: Dose of optimism
Review: Buckminster Fuller's book recalls a quote from Maeterlinck returning from a metaphorical scuba dive: "We believe to have discovered a buried trove of wonderous treasures, and in light of day those treasures prove to be only stones and broken glass; yet the trove goes on shimmering in the distance." Critical Path transmits that flush of optimism that Hunter S. Thompson stopped to marvel at in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. As you turn the final pages of Critical Path, you know we will win, we will pull it off. Fuller tells us what, but does not show us how. He does not for example leave a Gantt chart to track his worldaround electric grid project. In the end, after the wave of optimism breaks, we hear only the echo of that old Persian proverb, he who finishes the job is the one who did the work. That said, take a break to dream. Read this book.
Rating:
Summary: Dose of optimism
Review: Buckminster Fuller's book recalls a quote from Maeterlinck returning from a metaphorical scuba dive: "We believe to have discovered a buried trove of wonderous treasures, and in light of day those treasures prove to be only stones and broken glass; yet the trove goes on shimmering in the distance." Critical Path transmits that flush of optimism that Hunter S. Thompson stopped to marvel at in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. As you turn the final pages of Critical Path, you know we will win, we will pull it off. Fuller tells us what, but does not show us how. He does not for example leave a Gantt chart to track his worldaround electric grid project. In the end, after the wave of optimism breaks, we hear only the echo of that old Persian proverb, he who finishes the job is the one who did the work. That said, take a break to dream. Read this book.
Rating:
Summary: The World According to Guinea Pig B
Review: Bucky is such an inspiration that it is difficult to separate the man from his work. Critical Path is a summation of a life devoted to the betterment of all humanity and based on the premise that one individual can make a difference if he or she takes care of the things that need to be done. Through our combined learnings and accumulated metaphysical know-how, humanity has reached a point where we can all do whatever it was we were doing before we had to earn a living. Unless of course the "pirates" of capital, aka "The Grunch" cheat us of our rightful inheritance. Critical Path is about the evolution of know-how from the beginning of humanity to the present. Fuller charts out where we came from, the accelerating advance of learning, the ephemeralization of tools and technology and where we go from here. He also charts out where the "pirates" came from and how they maintain their grip on things. Indeed I was surprised at how candid Bucky's comments are in this regard. It's as if he somehow got inside the inner clique and is reporting its machinations to the rest of us. Read it and see! Finally, this is a book of suspense. Bucky felt that the war between mind and muscle was coming to a head. He died in 1983 and seemed to predict that the battle between the pirates and humanity would come to pass in the 1990's. I not sure what he would make of things today, but I would recommend that in addition to reading Critical Path, check out the Buckminster Fuller institute's web site and get a copy of "GRUNCH of Giants" (Grunch is the "Great Universal Cash Heist"). Fuller said he was ahead of the times by about 50 years. This makes Critical Path mandatory reading from now until 2030 and beyond. Do yourself a favor and become familiar with this friendly genius.
Rating:
Summary: The World According to Guinea Pig B
Review: Bucky is such an inspiration that it is difficult to separate the man from his work. Critical Path is a summation of a life devoted to the betterment of all humanity and based on the premise that one individual can make a difference if he or she takes care of the things that need to be done. Through our combined learnings and accumulated metaphysical know-how, humanity has reached a point where we can all do whatever it was we were doing before we had to earn a living. Unless of course the "pirates" of capital, aka "The Grunch" cheat us of our rightful inheritance. Critical Path is about the evolution of know-how from the beginning of humanity to the present. Fuller charts out where we came from, the accelerating advance of learning, the ephemeralization of tools and technology and where we go from here. He also charts out where the "pirates" came from and how they maintain their grip on things. Indeed I was surprised at how candid Bucky's comments are in this regard. It's as if he somehow got inside the inner clique and is reporting its machinations to the rest of us. Read it and see! Finally, this is a book of suspense. Bucky felt that the war between mind and muscle was coming to a head. He died in 1983 and seemed to predict that the battle between the pirates and humanity would come to pass in the 1990's. I not sure what he would make of things today, but I would recommend that in addition to reading Critical Path, check out the Buckminster Fuller institute's web site and get a copy of "GRUNCH of Giants" (Grunch is the "Great Universal Cash Heist"). Fuller said he was ahead of the times by about 50 years. This makes Critical Path mandatory reading from now until 2030 and beyond. Do yourself a favor and become familiar with this friendly genius.
Rating:
Summary: THE twenty-first century survival manual
Review: I first stumbled across this title in the small booklet of a Sting CD, if you can believe that (don't forget Sting was a high school English teacher before his "white reggae" stardom.) This is THE twenty-first century survival manual if you ask me. It has everything: green politics, scientific method, soul mechanics, management poetry, global strategies, new age without the sewage, "righteous" criticism, fraternity, and enough flint to provoke a four-alarm fire in your nascent conscience, with an emphasis on the science. A crunchy read. (Part of my "starter's kit" along with everything ever written by C. Wright Mills, Alvin Toffler, Fritjof Capra, Noam Chomsky, Joseph Campbell, John Kenneth Galbraith, Gaston Bachelard, Abraham Maslow, Michel Foucault, and Bertrand Russell)
Rating:
Summary: Bucky's most potent book. A must read for global citizens!
Review: In 1981 I spent the best part of four months sitting on the beach at Laguna Beach, California reading / studying this book. That experience transformed my life and led me to begin working with the pattern integrity that was and is Bucky Fuller. Entering into the realm then led me to produce and present "lectures and seminars" to help other people appreciate the importance of that wisdom and to begin writing "translations" of his ideas for myself and others. Those writings eventually became the book Buckminster Fuller's Universe - an easily accessible translation of some of his ideas as well as a guide to understanding how his life affected the development of his famous operating strategy. Much of that operating strategy (for both humankind and each of us as individuals) is laid out in this book. Spend time with this book. Spend time with Bucky. He was wise enough to make available all that he learned during his fifty-six year personal experiment to determine what one individual could do on behalf of all humankind that could not be achieved by any organization no matter how powerful. Critical Path is but one of the artifacts he left for our enlightenment, and, in my opinion, it is the most accessible of Bucky's writing. It is not an easy read, but it is well worth the effort. I can personally attest to that fact that understanding and employing the wisdom that Bucky uncovered and shared has the power to make enormous shifts in people's lives as well as the welfare of the crew of the planet he named Spaceship Earth.
| 
