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3.39 AVERAGE
3.39 AVERAGE
David Brooks explores what it means to become a person of (good) character by dissecting the lives of a handful of historical figures who are generally well esteemed as "moral giants." Brooks' insights into character formation are interesting on their own but not necessarily novel reads if you follow his writing in the NY Times. To me, the highlight of this book was that it was like reading an anthology of biographies.
This book was both horrible and wonderful. It was not a typical mediocre three star book, parts of it were five stars, others one. I both loved and hated it.
Ultimately I don't think the author achieved his aim. He was looking to uncover the path to, and achievement of, genuine moral character, but, like many of the people he wrote about, doesn't seem to have quite found it.
Ultimately I don't think the author achieved his aim. He was looking to uncover the path to, and achievement of, genuine moral character, but, like many of the people he wrote about, doesn't seem to have quite found it.
I can see why this book got mixed reviews (its slow in places and at times unclear why the author has chosen a particular person to profile), but I found this treatise on morals and character to be profoundly thought provoking. I am currently 45 years old, divorced and my son is finishing up his last year in high school; I am at what you might call a crossroads. What this book really did for me was make me realize that I am asking myself all the wrong questions. Now I have a path to go forward, with different questions. I feel immensely grateful that this powerful narrative found its way into my hands and heart.
Good read. Some chapters were exquisite while some less so. Overall, a very insightful read and surprisingly spiritual for me, especially the last three or so chapters.
Looking forward to delving into more of Brooks's work.
Looking forward to delving into more of Brooks's work.
I wanted to like this book more than I did. I admire Brooks' willingness to tackle stories of people that developed the "eulogy" virtues of being kind, faithful, brave and honest as opposed to the career virtues of skills and success. And he did pique my interest in some people that I will want to read more about such as Frances Perkins, George Eliot, Samuel Johnson and A. Philip Randolph. But in the end, I found how I felt about the book was summed up in a statement in the acknowledgements at the end: "She encouraged me to make this book of use to people, to make it not just a philosophical or sociological ramble, but an act of service." To me, Brook's thoughts felt more like a ramble.
A book that would normally fall into 'just-another-self-improvement-book' turns to be strikingly painful at times, when you realise you've been chasing the wrong gods. The things our inner selves really need, like.. "serene inner character, build a solid sense of right and wrong -not only do good -but be good.. love intimately -sacrifice self in the service of others to live in obedience to some transcendent truth, to have a cohesive inner soul that honors creation and one's own possibilities." tend to be last in our list of priorities.
Some very interesting ideas, but somewhat disappointing in how they were presented. In approaching the issue of character, Brooks starts with the notion of "Adam 1" and "Adam 2", the alternative (or conflicting) versions of humans that focus their ambition on "resume" building or "eulogy" building - how do we want to be remembered? He then traces in some details through the biographies of a wide variety of historical figures - from Augustine through Eisenhower and Bayard Rustin - apparently to show how, despite each of their deep personal flaws or failings, they built lives that combined resume and eulogy building. Unfortunately, for the most part I felt the "road to character" for each of them was pretty vaguely explained by Brooks. Then, however, he finishes the book with a whole chapter on the keys to building character, in sufficient specificity for me to want to copy the chapter and send it to my kids and grandkids! So, if you're thinking of reading this one - read the first and last chapters and you've got the gist!
When I read Tim Fenriss's 'Tools of Titans,' I thought, "These are wonderful vignettes about and interviews with the kind of people Tim Fenriss thinks merit emulation. But where are the people I think merit emulation? Where are the pol-mil professionals? The educators? The writers and thinkers and artists?"
Well, here they are, in the 'The Road to Character.' With this volume, columnist David Brooks explores the lives of figures from literary, political, and philosophical history. In tracing their "roads to character," he searches for commonalities and lessons that we can apply in our own lives. This is a thoughtful and sensitive book, clearly a work of great passion and love. It fascinated me, and I recommend it to all adults.
Well, here they are, in the 'The Road to Character.' With this volume, columnist David Brooks explores the lives of figures from literary, political, and philosophical history. In tracing their "roads to character," he searches for commonalities and lessons that we can apply in our own lives. This is a thoughtful and sensitive book, clearly a work of great passion and love. It fascinated me, and I recommend it to all adults.