Author: mikelally_isx036

Perennial Seller

Perennial Seller Book Cover Perennial Seller
Ryan Holiday
Business & Economics
Penguin
July 18, 2017
256

I am a big fan of Ryan Holiday. I love his work on Stoicism. This book gets into some areas that interest me. The concept of "networking" - how to do it, how not to do it. "Marketing." Building an email list. Controlling your content. Establishing a side-hustle. Etc, etc.

Holiday reveals that the key to success for many perennial sellers is that their creators don’t distinguish between the making and the marketing. The product’s purpose and audience are in the creator’s mind from day one. By thinking holistically about the relationship between their audience and their work, creators of all kinds improve the chances that their offerings will stand the test of time.

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Tribe

Tribe Book Cover Tribe
Sebastian Junger
Social Science
Twelve
May 24, 2016
192

Combining history, psychology, and anthropology, TRIBE explores what we can learn from tribal societies about loyalty, belonging, and the eternal human quest for meaning. It explains the irony that-for many veterans as well as civilians-war feels better than peace, adversity can turn out to be a blessing, and disasters are sometimes remembered more fondly than weddings or tropical vacations. TRIBE explains why we are stronger when we come together, and how that can be achieved even in today's divided world.

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Mastery

Mastery Book Cover Mastery
Robert Greene
Business & Economics
Penguin
October 29, 2013
352

This came recommended by multiple people that I follow. Honestly, it was a "meh" for me. Lots of mini-biographies of "masters" like DaVinci, Darwin, Mozart, Proust, Goethe, Wright Brothers, Einstein, Coltrane, Martha Graham, etc. Lessons dissected from their successes, and categorized. Not a big impact for me. I will read his "48 Laws of Power" at some point but I think Ryan Holiday has perfected this style.

 

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When Things Fall Apart

When Things Fall Apart Book Cover When Things Fall Apart
Pema Chodron
Body, Mind & Spirit
Shambhala Publications
June 7, 2016
176

This is an excellent guide book. The teachings are a little (a lot) counter-intuitive. She teaches to “embrace the suck” (my term). Get into the pain, poke at it, ask it questions. Ask the monster in your closet to join you for tea. All in an effort to be a little kinder to YOURSELF. Figure out what is causing you pain, get comfortable with it and then work on reversing your negative habits.

See My Kindle Notes

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The Stranger in the Woods

The Stranger in the Woods Book Cover The Stranger in the Woods
Michael Finkel
Biography & Autobiography
Knopf
2017
224

This was a really interesting read. It is the true story of a man who lived alone in a tent in the Maine woods, never talking to another person and surviving by stealing supplies from nearby cabins for twenty-seven years.

To quote the publisher it is a "riveting story of survival that asks fundamental questions about solitude, community, and what makes a good life, and a deeply moving portrait of a man who was determined to live his own way, and succeeded."

Why do we lead the lives we do? Why do we have to do what everyone else is doing? Why do we have to keep up with the Joneses?

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The Middle Ages: A Very Short Introduction

The Middle Ages Book Cover The Middle Ages
Miri Rubin
History
Oxford University Press, USA
2014
139

I love the “A Very Short Introduction” series of books. I have developed the habit of reading an appropriate one in the lead up to every class I take towards my degree in History. They provide a very high level overview and usually provide a couple of topics I can explore for a paper.

See my Kindle Notes

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The Obstacle is the Way

The Obstacle is the Way Book Cover The Obstacle is the Way
Ryan Holiday
Business & Economics
Penguin
2014
201

The idea of resilience is a recurring theme for me. I might have started seriously reflecting on it while reading “The Obstacle is the Way.” Holliday, Greitens, Pressfield all using the Classics, the ancient philosophers and poets, the great military leaders, the great sports coaches to help us build practices of reflection, deep understanding, persistence, resilience.

Read my Kindle Notes

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Resilience

Resilience Book Cover Resilience
Eric Greitens
Psychology
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
March 10, 2015
320

This is in my Top 10 Must Read Books. I also highly recommend Greiten’s “The Heart and the Fist” which is another in my Top 10. This work is a series of letters between the author and a fellow-warrior suffering from severe depression, PTSD, addiction, etc. He uses ancient wisdom to develop this guidebook. Its truly remarkable. To steal from the summary on Amazon, “Resilience” explains how we can build purpose, confront pain, practice compassion, develop a vocation, find a mentor, create happiness, and much more.”

See my Kindle Notes

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On Tyranny

On Tyranny Book Cover On Tyranny
Timothy Snyder
History
Tim Duggan Books
2017
128

Timely.  All democracies ultimately end in tyranny. Here is a highlight from the book:

It is not patriotic to share an adviser with Russian oligarchs. It is not patriotic to solicit foreign policy advice from someone who owns shares in a Russian energy company. It is not patriotic to read a foreign policy speech written by someone on the payroll of a Russian energy company. It is not patriotic to appoint a national security adviser who has taken money from a Russian propaganda organ. It is not patriotic to appoint as secretary of state an oilman with Russian financial interests who is the director of a Russian-American energy company and has received the “Order of Friendship” from Putin.

See my Kindle Notes

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The Cubs Way

The Cubs Way Book Cover The Cubs Way
Tom Verducci
Sports & Recreation
Crown Archetype
2017
384

I am a Red Sox fan. I was drawn to this book because I was interested in how Theo Epstein managed to take teams from cursed to World Series Champions. I did not know that Epstein had modified his Sabremetrician (Moneyball) approach from his time with the Red Sox and used a different strategy with the Cubs. I came away with an appreciation of Manager Joe Maddon too. One of the better “baseball” books I have read – Verducci is a pro. But also a great strategy/tactics and leadership book.

See my Kindle Notes

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