4 Free eBooks to Kickstart Your Data Science Journey

Science and Health

Embarking on a data science journey can feel overwhelming with the plethora of resources available online. However, nothing beats a well-curated book for diving deep into a subject. The best part? You don’t have to break the bank to access high-quality learning materials.
Here are four free eBooks that will provide you with a strong foundation in data science, helping you understand key concepts, practice critical skills, and ultimately start your journey towards mastery.
1. An Introduction to Statistical Learning, by Gareth James, Daniela Witten, Trevor Hastie, and Robert Tibshirani
An Introduction to Statistical Learning (ISLR) is often regarded as the quintessential textbook for beginners in data science and machine learning. The book provides a broad overview of the key statistical concepts and machine learning techniques that form the core of data science. 
Whether you’re new to linear regression or want to dive into the intricacies of decision trees and support vector machines, ISLR offers a solid introduction in a clear, engaging manner.
One of the standout features of ISLR is its accessibility to readers who may not have a deep background in statistics or mathematics. Each chapter breaks down complex methods with intuitive examples, and the authors provide practical code in both R and Python that helps you get hands-on experience.
This eBook is ideal for anyone looking to build a foundation in data analysis and machine learning without getting lost in heavy mathematical jargon. 
2. Think Stats: Probability and Statistics for Programmers, by Allen B. Downey
If you’re interested in understanding statistics with a programming-first approach, Think Stats is an excellent choice. Written specifically for people who are already familiar with basic data science-related programming such as document annotation and scraping, this book teaches key probability and statistical concepts by encouraging readers to experiment with code.
Allen Downey’s book emphasizes practical application rather than theoretical formulas. Each concept comes with exercises that push you to use Python to explore datasets and get an intuitive grasp of statistical relationships. This focus on applying what you learn through Python makes it a standout option for anyone keen to blend their programming skills with a data-centric mindset.
The book also introduces readers to NumPy and SciPy, two critical libraries for data science in Python, providing a hands-on experience that directly benefits your skills in real-world data analysis. You can access this eBook for free via Green Tea Press.
3. Python Data Science Handbook, by Jake VanderPlas
The Python Data Science Handbook by Jake VanderPlas is a must-read for those who want to delve deep into the Python ecosystem for data science. This book serves as a comprehensive guide to some of the most powerful tools available for data analysis, including Pandas, NumPy, Matplotlib, Scikit-Learn, and more.
The Handbook is designed to be practical and hands-on. Each chapter dives straight into problem-solving mode, providing code snippets and real datasets that you can work on. From data wrangling and visualization to machine learning, this book covers the key steps that make up the data science workflow.
The greatest benefit of the Python Data Science Handbook is how it helps you develop an intimate understanding of Python’s data-centric libraries, empowering you to work on your own projects confidently. If you’re a beginner or intermediate learner looking to cement your Python data science skills, this book is an invaluable resource. 
5. Machine Learning Yearning, by Andrew Ng
Andrew Ng is a prominent figure in the field of machine learning, and his eBook, Machine Learning Yearning, is aimed at helping data scientists and machine learning engineers understand how to structure machine learning projects effectively. While the book doesn’t dive deeply into the mathematics behind algorithms, it provides an invaluable perspective on the practical aspects of implementing machine learning solutions in real-world scenarios.
Machine Learning Yearning is written in an easy-to-read format, with short chapters that make it accessible to readers with any level of experience. It discusses key topics like how to choose the right evaluation metric, strategies for improving model performance, and the importance of iterating on a problem rather than diving headfirst into complex techniques.
This book is perfect if you want to gain a strategic understanding of machine learning projects, especially if your goal is to work in a team environment where structuring projects efficiently is key. You can download the book for free from Andrew Ng’s website.
Getting the Most Out of These eBooks
While having access to these free eBooks is fantastic, the key to success in data science is a combination of consistent practice, curiosity, and hands-on experimentation. Here are a few tips to make the most of these resources:

Set a learning plan: Begin with the basics of statistics and Python, such as Think Stats and Python Data Science Handbook, and gradually move on to more complex topics like those in The Elements of Statistical Learning.
Practice regularly: Theory alone won’t make you a data scientist. Practice coding and solving problems regularly, especially the exercises provided in these books.
Work on projects: Choose datasets that interest you, and use the knowledge gained from these books to create small projects. Platforms like Kaggle are also great places to find inspiration.
Join a community: Engaging with other learners can provide motivation and support. Consider joining online forums, study groups, or social media communities dedicated to data science.

Final Thoughts
The world of data science can appear complex, with numerous subfields and skills required to become proficient. These four eBooks offer a well-rounded introduction to some of the most important concepts, tools, and techniques in data science, giving you a clear path forward in your learning journey.
Whether you’re interested in honing your Python skills, learning statistical foundations, or structuring machine learning projects effectively, these free resources have you covered. Grab these eBooks, start experimenting, and you’ll soon find yourself equipped with the skills and knowledge to tackle more advanced topics in the fascinating world of data science.

With Chinese tourism numbers down, Australia is using cricket to target visitors from India

Travel

Tourism Australia’s mascot Ruby the Roo has a new batting partner in Australian cricket captain Pat Cummins, who stars alongside her in a multi-million-dollar campaign aimed at enticing more Indian travellers Down Under.Timed ahead of the Australia-India Test series opener, which starts in Perth on Friday, the new advertising blitz showcases iconic tourist spots like Cape Tribulation in Far North Queensland, Kangaroo Island in South Australia, Western Australia’s Rottnest Island and Sydney’s Palm Beach.Tourism Australia said the Howzat for a Holiday? campaign — which features a series of cheeky social media videos and a television commercial — is expected to reach 50 million Indian viewers. The campaign will also include billboards, signage and print advertisements across India.Tourism Australia is hoping to tap into India’s growing middle class while also recovering from setbacks in the Chinese market, which has been hit hard by geopolitical tensions and the pandemic.An image from Tourism Australia’s new Howzat for a Holiday campaign.

Ford government spent more than a week planning ‘end-of-day’ science centre closure

Science and Health

The Ford government’s controversial decision to permanently close the Ontario Science Centre was made at least one week before employees and the public were informed, Global News has learned, raising questions over why it was shuttered so urgently at the beginning of the summer.
The science centre was fenced off from the public and closed just hours after an announcement on Friday, June 21. The rush, the government said at the time, was due to the urgent safety issues plaguing the building.Internal emails obtained through freedom of information laws, however, reveal that the province began working on the plan to close the structure and sell its key message to the public at least 10 days before the announcement was made.A trove of emails between government communication staff and senior Infrastructure Ontario officials show that a news release announcing the sudden closure was being prepared as early as June 11, while a plan to fence off the building was greenlit on June 17. Story continues below advertisement

The Ministry of Infrastructure has repeatedly stated that the closure was necessary due to the risk posed by panels in the roof of the Ontario Science Centre.The premier’s office told Global News that the government announced the closure once “mitigation measures” like alternative summer camp plans were in place. They said the announcement was made as quickly as possible after the engineering report was sent to the government.“When the final report was delivered, the shutdown happened as soon as it was feasible to do so, only a few days later,” the premier’s office said.

‘Rush review’

Emails and attachments obtained by Global News show a version of the government’s announcement was being prepared more than a week before the closure, as staff with both the Ministry of Infrastructure and Infrastructure Ontario poured over the details of how to present the plan. Story continues below advertisement

On June 11, a communications official with the Ministry of Infracture sent an email to Infrastructure Ontario, asking the Crown agency to conduct a “rush” review of “announcement products” they were working on related to the science centre.The email said “products” for the “upcoming OSC announcement” were made up of:

Related News

Workers say goodbye to an almost-empty Ontario Science Centre as repairs get underway

Schools with roof panels that shut Ontario Science Centre have no budget to replace them

Media AdvisoryNews releaseSocial postDraft Michael Robertson’s remarks for the tech briefingQ&AMedia Protocol

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At the time, the Crown agency was still awaiting the results of an engineering report that assessed the structural integrity of the science centre’s roof, including the panels and aerated concrete materials used in its construction in the 1960s.However, even as engineers put the finishing touches on the report, officials at Infrastructure Ontario appeared to have a firm understanding of the primary issue, alongside government staff.“Right now some of the answers are very directly pointing to roof panels as the culprit,” wrote one Infrastructure Ontario communication official on June 12.“Engineers reviewing the roof conditions say the condition of roof panels above the Great Hall and elsewhere require closure by Oct. 31.”The report was sent to Infrastructure Ontario in its final form on June 18, three days before the announcement and at least a week after work on the closure began. Story continues below advertisement

‘Link the engineering report findings’

The internal emails also appear to capture work by officials to craft a “narrative” about why the science centre was being shuttered based on a yet-to-be-finished expert report.“There are three steps I think that link the engineering report findings/advice to government’s decision to close more immediately,” an Infrastructure Ontario communications official said in a June 12 email.The next day, on June 13, emails show that communications staffers were working on a finalized copy of a news release — eight days before the urgent announcement was to be made.The work included drafting a quote from a senior civil servant, explaining why the closure was taking place. The contents of that quote were apparently subject to government oversight.“For the quote, hoping you can get an (Infrastructure Ontario) approved quote over to us asap so we can include it for (Minister’s Office) and (Premier’s Office) approval,” a strategic advisor for the Ministry of Infrastructure wrote. Story continues below advertisement

The emails suggest that the process included regular consultations with Infrastructure Minister Surma’s office, with staff kept in the loop and offered opportunities to share feedback on the plan.“The main request from (Ministry of Infrastructure) I have tried to address is to flesh out a bit of detail on what types of building issues were identified at the time of the business case, so that we can say, ‘and since then, we’ve had more issues…’,” another Infrastructure Ontario email states.The day before the announcement was made, an internal message made it clear who was ultimately in charge of the decision.“Tomorrow’s announcement is being led by the Ministry,” an Infrastructure Ontario official wrote. “As such, any media calls will be immediately referred to (the Ministry of Infrastructure).”Minister Surma did not appear at the announcement or take questions about it on the day the closure was confirmed. Her office did not address questions about why she was absent from an announcement her team was leading.

‘Green light for the fencing to start’

With the communications strategy out of the way, Infrastructure Ontario turned its attention to ensuring access to the Ontario Science Centre was swiftly and efficiently closed — all while employees continued to work inside the building. Story continues below advertisement

On June 17, work began to fence off the attraction, with the plan apparently specifically drawn up to avoid tipping people off to the plan to close the structure.“We have a green light for the fencing to start through BGIS,” a senior Infrastructure Ontario official wrote on June 17, referencing a facility management service that seems to have been retained to help with the fence work.“Let us work on the back of house areas first where we are not going to get a lot of attention, but we need to move it forward quickly. We need to be prepped to push the FINAL button on fencing on Thursday night or Friday AM or Friday PM.”

More on Toronto
More videos

A fence was eventually put around the building on the morning of June 21, prompting groups like Save the Ontario Science Centre to head to the site, fearing a closure was coming.“They not only kept it secret, they hired an army of private security to keep people away while they were constructing the fence,” Floyd Ruskin, co-chair of Save the Ontario Science Centre, said.“Our team was there on the Friday morning, the posts for the gates had already been installed — so that means holes were dug, concrete was poured.”While the government has made its intention to relocate the science centre to Ontario Place public since April 2023, the sudden closure — with almost no time between announcement and doors closing for the last time — caught many by surprise. Story continues below advertisement

Ruskin’s group has overseen a letter-writing campaign to save the attraction. He said a key theme in the messages sent to the government was frustration from families that they couldn’t say goodbye.“One of the biggest things said is, ‘We would have liked to have an opportunity to visit one more time,” he said.

Related News

Ford government spent more than a week planning ‘end-of-day’ science centre closure

Science and Health

The Ford government’s controversial decision to permanently close the Ontario Science Centre was made at least one week before employees and the public were informed, Global News has learned, raising questions over why it was shuttered so urgently at the beginning of the summer.
The science centre was fenced off from the public and closed just hours after an announcement on Friday, June 21. The rush, the government said at the time, was due to the urgent safety issues plaguing the building.Internal emails obtained through freedom of information laws, however, reveal that the province began working on the plan to close the structure and sell its key message to the public at least 10 days before the announcement was made.A trove of emails between government communication staff and senior Infrastructure Ontario officials show that a news release announcing the sudden closure was being prepared as early as June 11, while a plan to fence off the building was greenlit on June 17. Story continues below advertisement

The Ministry of Infrastructure has repeatedly stated that the closure was necessary due to the risk posed by panels in the roof of the Ontario Science Centre.The premier’s office told Global News that the government announced the closure once “mitigation measures” like alternative summer camp plans were in place. They said the announcement was made as quickly as possible after the engineering report was sent to the government.“When the final report was delivered, the shutdown happened as soon as it was feasible to do so, only a few days later,” the premier’s office said.

‘Rush review’

Emails and attachments obtained by Global News show a version of the government’s announcement was being prepared more than a week before the closure, as staff with both the Ministry of Infrastructure and Infrastructure Ontario poured over the details of how to present the plan. Story continues below advertisement

On June 11, a communications official with the Ministry of Infracture sent an email to Infrastructure Ontario, asking the Crown agency to conduct a “rush” review of “announcement products” they were working on related to the science centre.The email said “products” for the “upcoming OSC announcement” were made up of:

Related News

Workers say goodbye to an almost-empty Ontario Science Centre as repairs get underway

Schools with roof panels that shut Ontario Science Centre have no budget to replace them

Media AdvisoryNews releaseSocial postDraft Michael Robertson’s remarks for the tech briefingQ&AMedia Protocol

Get breaking National news
For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.

At the time, the Crown agency was still awaiting the results of an engineering report that assessed the structural integrity of the science centre’s roof, including the panels and aerated concrete materials used in its construction in the 1960s.However, even as engineers put the finishing touches on the report, officials at Infrastructure Ontario appeared to have a firm understanding of the primary issue, alongside government staff.“Right now some of the answers are very directly pointing to roof panels as the culprit,” wrote one Infrastructure Ontario communication official on June 12.“Engineers reviewing the roof conditions say the condition of roof panels above the Great Hall and elsewhere require closure by Oct. 31.”The report was sent to Infrastructure Ontario in its final form on June 18, three days before the announcement and at least a week after work on the closure began. Story continues below advertisement

‘Link the engineering report findings’

The internal emails also appear to capture work by officials to craft a “narrative” about why the science centre was being shuttered based on a yet-to-be-finished expert report.“There are three steps I think that link the engineering report findings/advice to government’s decision to close more immediately,” an Infrastructure Ontario communications official said in a June 12 email.The next day, on June 13, emails show that communications staffers were working on a finalized copy of a news release — eight days before the urgent announcement was to be made.The work included drafting a quote from a senior civil servant, explaining why the closure was taking place. The contents of that quote were apparently subject to government oversight.“For the quote, hoping you can get an (Infrastructure Ontario) approved quote over to us asap so we can include it for (Minister’s Office) and (Premier’s Office) approval,” a strategic advisor for the Ministry of Infrastructure wrote. Story continues below advertisement

The emails suggest that the process included regular consultations with Infrastructure Minister Surma’s office, with staff kept in the loop and offered opportunities to share feedback on the plan.“The main request from (Ministry of Infrastructure) I have tried to address is to flesh out a bit of detail on what types of building issues were identified at the time of the business case, so that we can say, ‘and since then, we’ve had more issues…’,” another Infrastructure Ontario email states.The day before the announcement was made, an internal message made it clear who was ultimately in charge of the decision.“Tomorrow’s announcement is being led by the Ministry,” an Infrastructure Ontario official wrote. “As such, any media calls will be immediately referred to (the Ministry of Infrastructure).”Minister Surma did not appear at the announcement or take questions about it on the day the closure was confirmed. Her office did not address questions about why she was absent from an announcement her team was leading.

‘Green light for the fencing to start’

With the communications strategy out of the way, Infrastructure Ontario turned its attention to ensuring access to the Ontario Science Centre was swiftly and efficiently closed — all while employees continued to work inside the building. Story continues below advertisement

On June 17, work began to fence off the attraction, with the plan apparently specifically drawn up to avoid tipping people off to the plan to close the structure.“We have a green light for the fencing to start through BGIS,” a senior Infrastructure Ontario official wrote on June 17, referencing a facility management service that seems to have been retained to help with the fence work.“Let us work on the back of house areas first where we are not going to get a lot of attention, but we need to move it forward quickly. We need to be prepped to push the FINAL button on fencing on Thursday night or Friday AM or Friday PM.”

More on Toronto
More videos

A fence was eventually put around the building on the morning of June 21, prompting groups like Save the Ontario Science Centre to head to the site, fearing a closure was coming.“They not only kept it secret, they hired an army of private security to keep people away while they were constructing the fence,” Floyd Ruskin, co-chair of Save the Ontario Science Centre, said.“Our team was there on the Friday morning, the posts for the gates had already been installed — so that means holes were dug, concrete was poured.”While the government has made its intention to relocate the science centre to Ontario Place public since April 2023, the sudden closure — with almost no time between announcement and doors closing for the last time — caught many by surprise. Story continues below advertisement

Ruskin’s group has overseen a letter-writing campaign to save the attraction. He said a key theme in the messages sent to the government was frustration from families that they couldn’t say goodbye.“One of the biggest things said is, ‘We would have liked to have an opportunity to visit one more time,” he said.

Related News

SC to hear Amol Palekar’s plea challenging pre-censorship of films”

Arts & Culture, Film & TV

Simplifying…
Inshort

Amol Palekar has filed a plea challenging the pre-censorship of films under the Cinematograph Act, arguing that documentaries don’t fall under its definition.

The government has suggested a high court ruling on the matter before the Supreme Court hearing, and also brought up the issue of Over-The-Top (OTT) platform regulations.

Palekar’s plea also questions the relevance of pre-censorship in the digital age, as the recent Cinematograph (Amendment) Act, 2023 doesn’t address his concerns.

Was a long read? Making it simpler…

Next Article

SC to hear Amol Palekar’s plea in January 2025

Nov 20, 2024

02:15 pm

What’s the story

The Supreme Court of India has agreed to hear a plea challenging various provisions of the Cinematograph (Amendment) Act, 2023, including pre-censorship of films.

The plea was filed by veteran actor-director Amol Palekar and is scheduled to be heard in January 2025.

In April 2017, the apex court sought responses from the Centre and the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) on the matter.

Plea details

Palekar’s plea argues documentaries not covered under Act

The plea was filed before a bench of justices BR Gavai and KV Viswanathan.

Palekar’s counsel contended that documentaries do not come under the definition of cinematograph as defined under the Cinematograph Act.

The lawyer said, “It is our respectful submission that documentaries do not fall within the definition of cinematograph as defined under the Act.”

The bench observed that the plea also relates to the pre-censorship of films.

Government stance

Government’s response and future hearing

Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, appearing for the Centre, proposed that it would be helpful if a high court ruling on the issues raised by Palekar was available prior to the apex court hearing.

Bhati also raised the issue of Over-The-Top (OTT) platforms’ regulations.

When Palekar’s counsel said OTT regulations don’t address documentaries, she replied, “It is a developing field.”

Plea argument

Palekar’s plea questions pre-censorship relevance in internet era

Palekar’s plea challenges various provisions of the Cinematography Act and raises the question of the relevance of pre-censorship of movies in the internet era.

The petitioner’s counsel said the government had notified the Cinematograph (Amendment) Act, 2023 in August last year but it doesn’t address the concerns raised in his petition.

He sought a hearing in January and said he would submit a short written synopsis for review.

More Wealth In Women’s Hands Means Better Business Outcomes

Business News

As more women break through barriers and build wealth, something powerful is happening – businesses and economies are thriving in ways they never have before. When more wealth is in women’s hands, we see better business outcomes. And these better outcomes are not just for individual companies but for society as a whole.

Women Entrepreneurs Drive Innovation and Growth
Women are increasingly becoming the driving force behind entrepreneurial growth, especially among Gen X women. As women create and grow businesses, they bring unique perspectives and approaches to problem-solving that foster innovation. In fact, women entrepreneurs often target untapped markets or develop products and services that directly address needs overlooked by male counterparts.

Research shows that companies with gender-diverse leadership teams tend to outperform their less diverse peers. This isn’t just about corporate culture, it’s about bottom-line performance. Female founders, when given the chance, tend to reinvest profits back into their businesses at higher rates than men, fueling sustainable growth and job creation.

More wealth in women’s hands means more resources are being put back into businesses, ultimately driving better financial outcomes.

Financial Independence Leads to Greater Economic Stability
When women control more of the wealth, they are more likely to use that wealth to improve their communities and secure their families’ futures. Studies have shown that women tend to spend more on health, education, and the well-being of their families, which can lead to stronger, more resilient local economies. With more women building wealth through entrepreneurship and business ownership, we’re seeing a ripple effect of financial stability that stretches far beyond the individual.

Women-owned businesses are particularly impactful because they tend to hire more women, creating opportunities for economic mobility within communities that have traditionally been underserved. The result is a more inclusive workforce and a business ecosystem that values diversity in its operations and leadership.

Better Representation Leads to Better Business
For too long, women have been underrepresented in high-earning industries and leadership positions, but as women gain wealth, they gain influence – and that’s where true transformation begins.

Women who accumulate wealth are more likely to invest in businesses led by other women, thus creating a virtuous cycle of empowerment. This redistribution of wealth and influence helps close the gender gap in industries where women have been traditionally excluded.
Companies with women in leadership positions tend to have stronger cultures of collaboration, empathy, and inclusion. These companies are better equipped to handle crises, make strategic decisions that reflect diverse viewpoints, and foster loyalty among employees and customers alike. More wealth in women’s hands means more women in positions of power—and that translates into smarter, more effective business decisions.
Investing in Women Is Investing in the Future
There’s a growing recognition that investing in women is not just a moral imperative but an economic one. Venture capital firms that diversify their portfolios to include more women-led businesses consistently see stronger returns on investment. Despite this, only a small percentage of venture capital funding goes to women. This needs to change, and part of that change comes from women building their own wealth and using it to support other women.
As more women gain access to wealth, they are in a better position to become angel investors and venture capitalists themselves. They are able to fund the next generation of female entrepreneurs, ensuring that more women can break through the barriers that have traditionally held them back. The future of business is female, and with more wealth in women’s hands, we can expect to see not only more innovation and creativity but also a more just and equitable world.
Wealth Is Power—Let’s Give It to Women
Ultimately, wealth is about more than money—it’s about power, influence, and the ability to shape the future. When women have more wealth, they are empowered to lead, to innovate, and to create positive change in the business world. They can start businesses, build generational wealth, and reinvest in communities, all while driving better business outcomes across the board.
The conversation is no longer about whether women should have more wealth; it’s about how we can make sure they do. We need to support women entrepreneurs, advocate for gender equity in business funding, and encourage women to step into roles of leadership and power. Because when more wealth is in women’s hands, everyone benefits.
The bottom line is that the time for change is now. Let’s put more wealth in women’s hands and watch as businesses, and society, thrive.

Did five movies with Ridley Scott lead Russell Crowe away from superstardom?

Arts & Culture, Film & TV

Ridley Scott entered the new millennium in trouble. Though he directed a pair of sci-fi classics early in his career and hit another peak with Thelma & Louise in 1991, by the end of the ’90s he was coming off a streak of flops: the interminable 1492: Conquest Of Paradise, the largely forgotten White Squall, and the future hacky punchline G.I. Jane (actually the most successful of the group, while also helping to curtail Demi Moore’s career as a leading lady). Today’s Ridley-loving film geeks may not recall, but Scott’s rep at the time was that of a slick visual stylist with an uneven-at-best filmography. (Looking back, he may also have been nursing an obsession with boats.) Then, in the spring of 2000, he released Gladiator, and it seemed to imbue his uneven work with a more pugnacious and prolific spirit that continues to this day. Starting with that Oscar-winning hit, he would go on to make nine movies in the space of about 10 years. Five of them starred Russell Crowe. Scott made more Russell Crowe movies during this period than movies of any kind in the ’90s.
The Australian Crowe had been kicking around movies since Scott’s Thelma & Louise days, but Gladiator took him from clutch supporting player to movie star and Oscar-winner. Just six months earlier, Crowe was seen in clunky specs and an unflattering haircut as the nebbish tobacco-company whistleblower in Michael Mann’s The Insider; he couldn’t have asked for a more effective Clark Kent from which to emerge as Gladiator’s muscular Superman (and then took another Clark Kent turn by following that star performance up with A Beautiful Mind). For all the stuff that works in Gladiator, it’s Crowe who carries the film’s emotional weight on his back, refusing to collapse to the ground until he’s well and ready. Yet by the time Scott reteamed with his Maximus for a four-film run later in the decade, he wasn’t particularly keen to keep Crowe in noble-hero mode, and maybe Crowe didn’t find it that enticing to stay there, either. Scott had always been a genre-hopper, but he hopped twice as fast in the 2000s. As such, he often seemed to be using Crowe as a way to further legitimize those genre forays, like a more range-focused version of what his brother Tony had with Denzel Washington around the same time. Despite Crowe’s charisma and potential versatility, it didn’t always work out.

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Case in point: A Good Year (2006), Crowe and Scott’s mutual foray into aspirational Euro-postcard rom-com, as was the style at the time. Or anyway, it was for some people; A Good Year followed up the team’s highest-grossing movie with one of Scott’s (and Crowe’s!) biggest flops. These days, a star-anchored genteel dramedy for adults getting to theaters at all would be considered a victory unto itself, but in the 2000s, it wasn’t all that unusual for something like Under The Tuscan Sun to clear $40 million domestic. So when A Good Year flopped in the U.S., there was palpable audience rejection of the idea that it might be fun to watch Russell Crowe’s high-powered, self-confident stock trader inherit a French winery.
The role of Max Skinner does represent an actorly stretch for Crowe, at least partially in a way that seems self-designed. It’s easy enough (if tedious) to picture Crowe as a gruff and/or merciless businessman who softens up by reconnecting with his late uncle’s dilapidated but charming vineyard. But that’s not exactly how he plays Max. He’s less ’80s-slick hot-shot or fearsome boss than Cary Grant smoothie. Thanks to a combination of readjusted time-period expectations and Crowe’s attempt at droll Englishness, Max at times comes across as downright effete. Crowe isn’t bad, exactly—it’s a genuine change of pace for him, making a game attempt at emphasizing the comic elements of a movie where “comedy” more often means “not explicitly tragic”—but it’s not an easy fit, either. That could be because Ridley Scott’s grasp of comedy is somewhat technical, to be kind. It’s not that the sorta-witty dialogue or occasional pratfalls are mistimed or badly framed; Scott just seems more interested in his star’s face than any light shtick that might surround it. Atmosphere isn’t antithetical to comedy, but it’s not exactly first priority, either, and Scott feels most plugged into A Good Year in an early sequence where Max wanders around the grounds of his uncle’s estate, as flashes of childhood memory echo around every corner. Not exactly a laugh riot.

It doesn’t need to be—but the movie isn’t a swoonworthy romance, either. Marion Cotillard plays Max’s nominal love interest, and they go on their first and only proper date roughly 85 minutes into the movie. As if making a bid to render the film as authentically, which is to say stereotypically, French as possible, the story instead spends a lot of time with the character of Max’s hot cousin. A Good Year is, simultaneously, a relatively sophisticated example of its type and a checkbox for Scott and Crowe unlikely to be revisited. (Don’t watch for A Good Year: Covenant in another 20 years, in other words.)
Crowe and Scott played with another very of-the-moment subgenre when they made Body Of Lies, one of those 2000s-era action-dramas of murky geopolitical intrigue, inspired by the misbegotten U.S. involvement in the Middle East. It’s more of a vehicle for Leonardo DiCaprio, unsurprising in that he was (and remains) one of the biggest stars in the world, but also odd because Crowe’s character Ed Hoffman, DiCaprio’s CIA boss, pops more. Odder still, he does so with a normie vibe: middle-manager haircut, often taking calls from his rogue employee while toting his kids around, responding to a question about his overseas flight with, “It was fine. I watched that, uh, Poseidon.” This pre-visioning of Crowe’s character-actor future as a guy behind the guy and/or the guy in the chair, as seen in movies as disparate as Land Of Bad and The Mummy, becomes the most memorable facet of an otherwise forgettable run-through of morally uncertain modern espionage.

As much respect as Scott commands as a stylist, and as atmospheric as his best movies are, he’s not exactly one to soak in the vibes like Michael Mann, or his late brother Tony; it’s easy to imagine either of them making a version of Body Of Lies that would be both more visually memorable and more viscerally exciting, transcending the weaknesses on the page. Scott has a story-first efficiency that suffers alongside any screenplay weaknesses. Hell, even when the story is good, Scott often takes a workmanlike approach. That’s probably part of the reason the rock-solid American Gangster (2007) hasn’t grown in reputation as much as the movies it echoes, like The Departed (cat-and-mouse involving corrupt cops and community-beloved crooks) or Heat (cat-and-mouse involving two movie stars who only really share a single meaty scene). If anything, the movie is even more methodical than supersized crime dramas from Mann or Scorsese, with both Denzel Washington (as a heavily fictionalized version of low-profile drug kingpin Frank Lucas) and Crowe (as Richie Roberts, the cop who helps bring him down) playing their characters closer in register to Neil McCauley than Vincent Hanna.
Scott and Crowe find a surprising groove in the movie’s lack of overt electricity. (Washington brings his own in that regard. He’s like a portable generator.) It’s probably Crowe’s least elaborate performance of his five Scott projects: no big heroics, no major physical transformation, little movie-star flash, not even much of a character arc. Yet he embodies a doggedness that, at times, seems to be all Richie really has, both at his job and materially speaking. (In the movie’s telling, Frank isn’t eventually busted because of innovative detective work, but because he makes the mistake of wearing an uncharacteristically ostentatious coat out in public.) In American Gangster, Crowe more effortlessly achieves what he seems to have to will into existence for Body Of Lies: the unfussy ease of a veteran character actor. It almost reads as a mirror of Scott’s movie-a-year work ethos. Do the work, don’t worry about glamor, box office, or Oscars.

Ironically, the no-fuss semi-prestige crime picture ultimately became a bigger hit than Crowe and Scott’s final movie together. More than their three interim projects, Robin Hood (2010) functioned as a straightforward Gladiator reunion: Summer release, a decade after their initial triumph, historical action, lots of guys getting pulverized in battle… it’s all there, except for the magic. To be clear, Gladiator isn’t all that magical to begin with. It’s a handsomely made old-fashioned epic, with Crowe (and, in a different way, Joaquin Phoenix) providing the flashes of contemporary nuance. Crowe reconciles the brutality and showmanship of his slave/fighter role by leaning into his yearning for the family robbed of him by war. An old sympathy trick, to be sure, but Crowe has enough latent gentleness (again, see the two big movies that sandwich Gladiator on his CV) that the movie never feels like it’s making excuses for us to cheer his savagery. Despite Scott’s own brutal showmanship (and, again, workmanlike approach to it), that aspect of the story sometimes feels like sly, even rueful commentary on the turning of violence into entertainment.
In its way, Robin Hood is a bit lighter than Gladiator—anyone who enjoys dudes getting owned by hails of arrows and, at one point, bees should have an okay time, speaking of entertaining violence—but only by half-measures, enough to reduce its gravitas but no competition for the many genuinely fun versions of this story. Just as Gladiator is distinguished by Crowe’s star turn, Robin Hood is limited by his glumness in the title role, as well as its presumptuous origin-story approach to the character. Surrounded by a strong cast (Cate Blanchett, William Hurt, Oscar Isaac, a young Léa Seydoux, the underrated Kevin Durand), Crowe recedes into his brooding, commanding less screen time and just plain less of the screen in general. You can almost see him, after a decade as a full-on movie star and more relaxed turns in Gangster and Lies, scheming to resign from his old position. He wouldn’t banish dourness from all his future films, but many of Crowe’s post-2010 performances often seem to relish no longer staying in fighting trim, no longer having to justify some traditional idea of heroism. It’s as if his 2000s-era Scott movies confirmed his preference for character acting, regardless of his gladiatorial success. Obviously there are good story reasons that he doesn’t appear in Scott’s new Gladiator II, but beyond that, Crowe’s current proclivities as a performer don’t particularly sync up with this material, either, even with in its darker moments. Or rather, Crowe seems more likely to take the type of role his American Gangster co-star Denzel Washington has in the new movie: playfully hammy, delightfully himself. In some ways, his acting has inched closer to the jovial weirdo he once played on an ill-regarded episode of Saturday Night Live.

Scott, however, never really lost his taste for large-scale battle sequences: balls of fire and hails of arrows and those Gladiator-style undercranking effects. He’s continued his productivity without Crowe; Gladiator II is his tenth movie since their last film together, 14 years earlier. During this period, he’s done sci-fi (with and without horror), a Biblical epic, another medieval drama, some quasi-biopics, and the hard-to-classify The Counselor—not all big-canvas stories, to be sure, and perhaps better when he’s able to dig around for something smaller and stranger, exactly what’s missing from a mega-production like Robin Hood (or Gladiator II). Sometimes the versatility of Scott’s talents overwhelm his taste. Despite all those Crowe movies, his best movie of the 2000s doesn’t feature his muse at all: It’s the clever, affecting con-man dramedy Matchstick Men, nary an arrow to the neck in sight. Scott’s craftsmanship, his eye for the shine or scuff of surfaces, works perfectly for a movie about different forms of deception, without forcing the actors—Nicolas Cage, Alison Lohman, Sam Rockwell—to compete with the pageantry.
Though there are highlights in his five movies with Crowe, it may be that Scott’s style isn’t especially well-suited to long-standing collaborations with the same actors. Well into his 80s, he seems invested in both size and quantity; quality, well, that’s for the Scott-heads to debate. Crowe remains famous, and a welcome presence in a variety of genres. But more than ever, his movies with Scott seem to have left him comfortable with getting small.

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Young Buddhist Association of Indonesia Welcomes Korean Monk Haemin Sunim During Book Tour

Arts & Culture, Books

Images courtesy of the Young Buddhist Association of Indonesia

The Seon (Zen) monk and best-selling author from South Korea Haemin Sunim, recently on a book tour of Indonesia, met the public in Surabaya, Java, on 16 November. The event was organized by Gramedia Popular Library, the Young Buddhist Association of Indonesia, Mitra Uttama, Surabaya University Buddhist Activity Unit, Airlangga University Buddhist Activity Unit, Ciputra University Buddhist Community, and Widya Kartika University Buddhist Student Activity Unit.

The Young Buddhist Association (YBA) is the leading Buddhist youth organization in Indonesia. Through a deeply held conviction in the Buddha’s message of compassion, growth, and liberation, the association promotes a positive lifestyle among the young in order to cultivate a society founded on wisdom, compassion, and gratitude. The association is involved in establishing Buddhist organizations nationwide, propagating the study of the Dharma among young people, and providing leadership training.

During the event, Haemin Sunim gave a Dharma teaching on self-acceptance and overcoming mental health issues, beginning his explanation with a parable of plastic bottles of different sizes. He likened a medium-sized bottle of 600ml to oneself, then introduced a larger one-liter bottle. 

“Usually, opinions will arise, such as ‘I am bigger than you,’ ‘I am better than you,’ and so on,” Haemin Sunim explained. “However, when a smaller 350ml bottle appears, we suddenly feel superior to it. This reflects human nature—how we contstantly compare ourselves to our surroundings.”

Haemin Sunim elucidated that the problems of everyday life actually come from our opinions and perspectives based on external factors that are beyond our control. The more one seeks or pursues what we call ‘happiness’ in external things, the more difficult it becomes to find true happiness, because real happiness can only come from within each person: “If we focus on ourselves, on what we feel right now, on what is right now in front of our eyes, then we can find true happiness.”

He also used sunglasses as a metaphor for the way we view the world and our surroundings. When we become accustomed to living with sunglasses on, we only recognize the world as filtered through the tinted lenses, which represents our preoccupation with our lives in the past and the future. We often fail to realize that if we remove the sunglasses, there’s another state of being that we’ve been missing: life in the present and the present moment.

“If we position ourselves to focus our attention and our emotions on what’s in front of our eyes right now, we no longer feel regret about the past and worry about the future,” Haemin Sunim said. “At that moment, we can experience life with a calm mind and slowly free ourselves from worldly attachments.”

Gramedia Popular Library’s publisher editor, Kathrine Gabby Kusuma, said that Haemin Sunim’s first book, The Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down, had been a bestseller since its first publication in 2020: “It sold more than 30,000 copies [in Indonesia alone].“

She added that Surabaya was the second city of Haemin Sunim’s book tour, following Yogyakarta and to be followed by Jakarta on 17 November: “So there are three cities that will be venues for this book tour. Hopefully this can benefit everyone.”

Meanwhile, YBA chairman Limanyono Tanto observed that amid the fast-paced and stressful dynamics of modern life, many people faced various mental health issues, especially, increasingly, the younger generation. He went on to note that Haemin Suim’s books, Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down, Love for Imperfect Things, and, most recently, When Things Don’t Go Your Way, were works that could guide all people in understanding themselves, accepting their shortcomings, and cultivating sincerity.

“Through this collaboration, we hope to continue to inspire a generation of young Buddhists and, indeed, all young people, to love reading and make reading a part of their daily lifestyle,” Limanyono said.

He added that the book tour was also a space for self-reflection—a place where people could take the opportunity can look deeper into the mind and understand the importance of life balance. On behalf of the Young Buddhist Association, he expressed gratitude to Gramedia for bringing Haemin Sunim to present this meaningful event. 

“Haemin Sunim teaches the importance of serenity, acceptance, and compassion toward oneself and others,” Limanyono concluded. “We hope that through this event, more young people can find inspiration, strength, and serenity in facing all the challenges in life.”

Although officially a secular nation, Indonesia is home to a diversity of communities and religious and spiritual traditions. Islam is the most widespread religion, observed by 87 per cent of the population, according to national data for 2022. Christian traditions account for a combined 10.5 per cent, Hinduism 1.7 per cent, and Confucianism, folk, and other traditions account for a combined 0.07 per cent.

Buddhism, practiced by 0.73 per cent of the population—roughly two million people—is the second-oldest spiritual tradition in Indonesia after Hinduism. According to historical accounts, Buddhism first flourished on the archipelago around the sixth century, which was followed by ascent and decline of a number of powerful Buddhist empires, including the Shailendra dynasty (c. 8th–9th centuries), the Srivijaya empire (c. 7th–12th centuries), and the Mataram empire (c. 8th–11th centuries). Today, the majority of Indonesian Buddhists are affiliated with Mahayana schools of Buddhism, although communities of Theravada and Vajrayana practitioners also exist.

See more

Young Buddhist Association of IndonesiaYoung Buddhist Association (YBA) of Indonesia (Instagram)Young Buddhist Association of Indonesia (Facebook)

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Target Circle members can get 50% off books with this BOGO deal

Arts & Culture, Books

BOOK BOGO DEAL: As of Nov. 20, Target’s Deal of the Day features a buy one, get one 50% off deal for Target Circle members on books.

Credit: Target

Target’s been offering up some excellent deals in the lead-up to Black Friday. In particular, the retailer’s been dropping discounts as part of its Deal of the Day program throughout this month, which features a selection of sales each day on different items for shoppers and exclusives for its Target Circle members. The latest is worth your time if you’ve been hoping to pick up some new books ahead of the holidays.On Nov. 20, Target Circle members can take advantage of a Buy One, Get One 50% off deal on books. This offer applies to a fantastic selection of books as well, whether you’re looking to invest in a massive box set like the fancy leather-cloth A Game of Thrones collection or want to pick up a beloved book like The Wild Robot, there are so many different options to choose from.
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The best early Black Friday laptop deals: Score record lows on the M4 MacBook Pro and the Microsoft Surface Laptop 7

It’s also not the only Target Circle deal available to members right now. The retailer’s offering a BOGO deal on board games that’s well worth checking out ahead of the holidays, especially if you’re planning some big gatherings. And if you’ve yet to sign up for Target’s free Circle program, it’s worth it for exclusive discounts like these.

Don’t miss out on this one-day-only BOGO deal on books for Target Circle members.

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Target’s official big Black Friday sale kicks off on Nov. 24, and runs all the way through Nov. 30. If you’re curious about what other retailers have planned, it’s worth having a look at our breakdowns of Walmart, Best Buy, and Amazon’s Black Friday events to learn more.

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