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3.39 AVERAGE
3.39 AVERAGE
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
Questionable at times, but some good content and work for character building.
Resume virtues vs. Eulogy virtues. Both are important. Brooks presents evidence that western culture has tilted too far in favor of resume virtues. Here, he offers eight mini-biographies of folk, from Augustine to Eisenhower, who developed their eulogy virtues - thus changing the world for the better.
I enjoyed the mini-biographies - they were the right length for my level of interest -though it was occasionally hard to connect them with the virtues he presented. The first and last chapters deliver the heart of Brooks' message. They're important - so could have used more editing - but I'm glad I read it.
I enjoyed the mini-biographies - they were the right length for my level of interest -though it was occasionally hard to connect them with the virtues he presented. The first and last chapters deliver the heart of Brooks' message. They're important - so could have used more editing - but I'm glad I read it.
I would recommend this book but not to everyone- the people he profiles are interesting and deliver the message of the how of developing character. He is obviously pious and draws his view of morality from traditional religion but his righteousness is defended well and is appreciated.
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This book was a quick enough read, but i found that it was a struggle to enjoy. The characters that Brooks focuses on to emphasize his points around character were just not all that interesting to me. While they served as examples of individual who in one way or another exemplified what he calls character, it felt a little as though he picked elements of their lives that highlighted character while omitting or ignoring elements that proved the point wrong. The constant reference to religion and the role that it plays in character building was a negative distraction for me, and I found that it was a little repetitive.
Critical of the current generations for falling into what he calls the Big Me mentality, Brooks addresses how it is damaging and lacking moral fibre, but he glosses over the overwhelming societal pressures that make it hard to escape. It feels like he assumes we can all just find our moral compass and leave behind the challenges of the world around us.
Critical of the current generations for falling into what he calls the Big Me mentality, Brooks addresses how it is damaging and lacking moral fibre, but he glosses over the overwhelming societal pressures that make it hard to escape. It feels like he assumes we can all just find our moral compass and leave behind the challenges of the world around us.
I almost wish this book stuck to being a collection of short biographies on famous, but not-overly-famous people. I really enjoyed the perspective of their morals, deeds, and times.
The book fell apart when it tried to tie these biographies back to a lesson on character. Too much god, too much unoriginal praddling. Disappointing wrap up.
The book fell apart when it tried to tie these biographies back to a lesson on character. Too much god, too much unoriginal praddling. Disappointing wrap up.
informative
reflective
slow-paced
Some of the stories used were extremely interesting and compelling. Some of the others were very forgettable. There are some very insightful moments, but I kept losing the thesis point in what felt like extraneous detail.