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3.38 AVERAGE
3.38 AVERAGE
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
Written like an extended argument essay. Don't get me wrong - I liked the overall message (thesis) the author was asserting, but I felt like it needed to be edited to hit his message home.
Although I would say this book has a Christian bent to it, a reader does not need to believe that necessarily to read it.
This book begins with the author's message or goal to prove for the book and then each chapter has a historical person that lived an "Adam 2" life.
Only at the end does the author try to connect all the stories. I had wished for a better ending, which would help focus on how to develop more eulogy virtues.
Although I would say this book has a Christian bent to it, a reader does not need to believe that necessarily to read it.
This book begins with the author's message or goal to prove for the book and then each chapter has a historical person that lived an "Adam 2" life.
Only at the end does the author try to connect all the stories. I had wished for a better ending, which would help focus on how to develop more eulogy virtues.
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
This book is actually a book of short biographies of people David Brooks considers to have "character." So how much you like the whole book depends on how much you like/are interested in each individual that is written about. Overall, the introduction gets 4 stars and is worth reading, the conclusion 3.5, and the rest of the book 3.
I had to read this for a leadership class. I opened it skeptical; however, it’s certainly worth the read if you are interested in culture and character. The approach of using real people exemplars is useful and moving. There is a religious/spiritual undertone but it certainly lends to a secular perspective as well. One of the better books I’ve read on character and character building.
David Brooks starts by avoiding one of the biggest pitfalls when looking back on an imagined golden age that pitfall being that history is story of the majority not of excluded margins. However, although he recognises this blind spot, he misses others viewing "character" through a very Western perspective. His examples are engaging and interesting, elucidating a range of virtues through the biographies of well-known and lesser know names. Overall, I'd recommend reading this book if you're looking for intellectual stimulation for your inner life.
While I was a little jarred by the "back in my day..." tone, I enjoyed the mini biographies of some really interesting, successful, and flawed individuals, and what he had to say about humility, maturity, and finding your vocation.
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced