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3.37 AVERAGE
3.37 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
slow-paced
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
I was disappointed with this book after all the hype, however, I will admit to not being this book's target audience. A good editor could have sliced some serious chaff away without losing any of the content. Peterson's critics are obviously not charitable. However, I think he is a valid voice and a little more thoughtful than his critics give him credit for.
This book strikes me as they type of book that will appeal to people who really missed the influence of a strong, nurturing-if somewhat authoritative-parent in their lives growing up. I think this is ultimately why this book didn't appeal to me; I was parented very well. But I know that a lot of people weren't. So if this book is helping you be a better person then good for you! If you had good parents, there's nothing in this book that will be new to you.
This book strikes me as they type of book that will appeal to people who really missed the influence of a strong, nurturing-if somewhat authoritative-parent in their lives growing up. I think this is ultimately why this book didn't appeal to me; I was parented very well. But I know that a lot of people weren't. So if this book is helping you be a better person then good for you! If you had good parents, there's nothing in this book that will be new to you.
I read this as it was on Obama's reading list and I wasn't overly impressed. The ideas are alright, but the chapters digress and go on with religious sermons which if I wanted to hear I'd read the bible and go to church. There were also a few points that he touched on feminist issues where I felt he was completely off base, such as well men invented tampons, so no society hasn't repressed women. It was probably better as reddit posts.
Reread, even more true and needed this time around
Dr. Peterson challenges me more than any figure right now. When you take critical thinking to its highest point, you have to be willing to undo some core beliefs in the process. That is the power of truth. This has been a hard process for me over the past year.
In studying deep thinkers and modern philosophers, I have come to understand Dr. Peterson's polarizing tendencies but those maybe represent less than 20% of his overall ideals. As such, I will not focus on the minor negatives that many media outlets tend to exacerbate.
This book is a collection of rather simple lessons wrapped up in very complex reasoning, with heavy psychological and biblical analysis. I had to take several breaks just to digest his breakdown of longtime adages such as "don't throw stones in glass houses" or "stop and smell the roses." We do not stop to inspect some of these common aphorisms and are missing out on the profound reasoning of why they are so important.
For example, his lesson to "tell the truth or at least don't lie" was rather fascinating. Lies are a weakening agent because, according to Peterson, they are the antithesis of meaning (assuming truth = meaning). And if meaning is the essence of being, those arrogant enough to try to warp that to their will will fail in the long run. For America's sake, this better be true.
In interviews I have seen with Dr. Peterson, I see his core value as something akin to "embodying truth in the pursuit of your potential." I can get behind that. This book puts a frame around that ideal so you can take steps to fulfilling that potential.
While these are relatively straightforward lessons, the path to get there is a perilous journey. This is easy to read compared to other works he has written, but it is by no means an easy read. But I think it is worthwhile if you are in an curious headspace.
In studying deep thinkers and modern philosophers, I have come to understand Dr. Peterson's polarizing tendencies but those maybe represent less than 20% of his overall ideals. As such, I will not focus on the minor negatives that many media outlets tend to exacerbate.
This book is a collection of rather simple lessons wrapped up in very complex reasoning, with heavy psychological and biblical analysis. I had to take several breaks just to digest his breakdown of longtime adages such as "don't throw stones in glass houses" or "stop and smell the roses." We do not stop to inspect some of these common aphorisms and are missing out on the profound reasoning of why they are so important.
For example, his lesson to "tell the truth or at least don't lie" was rather fascinating. Lies are a weakening agent because, according to Peterson, they are the antithesis of meaning (assuming truth = meaning). And if meaning is the essence of being, those arrogant enough to try to warp that to their will will fail in the long run. For America's sake, this better be true.
In interviews I have seen with Dr. Peterson, I see his core value as something akin to "embodying truth in the pursuit of your potential." I can get behind that. This book puts a frame around that ideal so you can take steps to fulfilling that potential.
While these are relatively straightforward lessons, the path to get there is a perilous journey. This is easy to read compared to other works he has written, but it is by no means an easy read. But I think it is worthwhile if you are in an curious headspace.
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
Couldn't stand the neverending Bible references.
What at first seemed to be a dull, shallow read ended up being quite involving and pertinent to our time. Due to obligations in my day-to-day life, I am sad to say I won't be able to write a proper review of the book and all the ideas contained within. A lot of what he writes I see as self-evident, but it's very nice to see someone formulate it.
Still, I do believe there are certain parts that deserve proper criticism, but during this read, I failed to identify them. I hope to amend this when I reread the book, someday in the future.
[Edit:] There is one thing that Peterson does quite badly, or at least inelegantly, and that is his use of mythology. At times he's brilliant, especially with Christianity, but with other mythologies he's pretty lacking. To his defence, he does stick to the Christian tradition most of the time, and that's probably also where he feels most at home. His understanding of Buddhism and what the Buddha said is somewhat lacking, as is his understanding of Daoism and the DaoDeJing.
I am 100% sure that he could write this book and make a BETTER case of it without referencing a single mythology, except for maybe Christianity and the Bible.
Speaking of which, one of my good friends who moved to Asia a few years back, would very much enjoy this book. It is right up his alley. I believe it's a book more people should read, generally.
From pages 282 -283 there's a few passages that I'd like to share, which give good advice:
"You have to consciously define the topic of a conversation, particularly when it is difficult — or it becomes about everything, and everything is too much. [...] Every argument degenerates into every problem that ever emerged in the past, every problem that exists now, and every terrible thing that is likely to happen in the future. No one can have a discussion about 'everything'. [...]
But to do that, you have to think: What is wrong, exactly? What do I want, exactly? You must speak forthrightly and call forth the habitable world from chaos. You must use honest precise speech to do that. If instead you shrink away and hide, what you are hiding from will transform itself into a giant dragon that lurks under your bed and in your forest and in the dark recesses of your mind — and it will devour you. [...]
If you don't know where you are, precisely, then you could be anywhere. Anywhere is too many places to be, and some of those places are very bad. [...]
Say what you mean, so that you can find out what you mean. Act out what you say, so you can find out what happens. Then pay attention. Note your errors. Articulate them. Strive to correct them. That is how you discover the meaning of your life. That will protect you from the tragedy of your life. How could it be otherwise?
Confront the chaos of Being. Take aim against a sea of troubles. Specify your destination, and chart your course. Admit to what you want. Tell those around you who you are. Narrow, and gaze attentively, and move forward, forthrightly.
Be precise in your speech."
The edition is great, professional, etc.
Still, I do believe there are certain parts that deserve proper criticism, but during this read, I failed to identify them. I hope to amend this when I reread the book, someday in the future.
[Edit:] There is one thing that Peterson does quite badly, or at least inelegantly, and that is his use of mythology. At times he's brilliant, especially with Christianity, but with other mythologies he's pretty lacking. To his defence, he does stick to the Christian tradition most of the time, and that's probably also where he feels most at home. His understanding of Buddhism and what the Buddha said is somewhat lacking, as is his understanding of Daoism and the DaoDeJing.
I am 100% sure that he could write this book and make a BETTER case of it without referencing a single mythology, except for maybe Christianity and the Bible.
Speaking of which, one of my good friends who moved to Asia a few years back, would very much enjoy this book. It is right up his alley. I believe it's a book more people should read, generally.
From pages 282 -283 there's a few passages that I'd like to share, which give good advice:
"You have to consciously define the topic of a conversation, particularly when it is difficult — or it becomes about everything, and everything is too much. [...] Every argument degenerates into every problem that ever emerged in the past, every problem that exists now, and every terrible thing that is likely to happen in the future. No one can have a discussion about 'everything'. [...]
But to do that, you have to think: What is wrong, exactly? What do I want, exactly? You must speak forthrightly and call forth the habitable world from chaos. You must use honest precise speech to do that. If instead you shrink away and hide, what you are hiding from will transform itself into a giant dragon that lurks under your bed and in your forest and in the dark recesses of your mind — and it will devour you. [...]
If you don't know where you are, precisely, then you could be anywhere. Anywhere is too many places to be, and some of those places are very bad. [...]
Say what you mean, so that you can find out what you mean. Act out what you say, so you can find out what happens. Then pay attention. Note your errors. Articulate them. Strive to correct them. That is how you discover the meaning of your life. That will protect you from the tragedy of your life. How could it be otherwise?
Confront the chaos of Being. Take aim against a sea of troubles. Specify your destination, and chart your course. Admit to what you want. Tell those around you who you are. Narrow, and gaze attentively, and move forward, forthrightly.
Be precise in your speech."
The edition is great, professional, etc.