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3.81 AVERAGE
3.81 AVERAGE
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
challenging
informative
slow-paced
DNF - the central idea of this book is super interesting, that certain things grow/improve when stressed, but the writing is so painful that I could not finish it.
This book is an excellent example of modern philosophy. It takes a quite simple (yet profound) concept and tries really really hard to make it sound as smart, complex, and nuanced as possible. I really wanted to read about more examples, but could not wade through the slosh to get there.
The other real mistake in the book is how much he talks boastfully about himself. I was genuinely surprised how many times he felt he had to add that he decided to look the part of a bodyguard instead of hiring one (..because some bankers were mad at him..?) Now I'm not one to judge someone's physical appearance and fitness is a great thing to care about, but if you brag in a book multiple times about how you look like a bodyguard, you better actually look like one, and he does not.
Michael Slur describes this problem so well, "if we can get past the fact that a lot of those philosophers wrote infuriatingly dense prose that gives you an instant tension headache, we might arm ourselves with their theories, use them when we make decisions, and be a little better today than we were yesterday." In this case, I could not get past it.
This book is an excellent example of modern philosophy. It takes a quite simple (yet profound) concept and tries really really hard to make it sound as smart, complex, and nuanced as possible. I really wanted to read about more examples, but could not wade through the slosh to get there.
The other real mistake in the book is how much he talks boastfully about himself. I was genuinely surprised how many times he felt he had to add that he decided to look the part of a bodyguard instead of hiring one (..because some bankers were mad at him..?) Now I'm not one to judge someone's physical appearance and fitness is a great thing to care about, but if you brag in a book multiple times about how you look like a bodyguard, you better actually look like one, and he does not.
Michael Slur describes this problem so well, "if we can get past the fact that a lot of those philosophers wrote infuriatingly dense prose that gives you an instant tension headache, we might arm ourselves with their theories, use them when we make decisions, and be a little better today than we were yesterday." In this case, I could not get past it.
A three star turd - some interesting, at times even compelling ideas that are occasionally presented with some rigor, mixed in with thousands of words worth of self aggrandizement, personal vendettas, self righteousness, braggadocio (“I’m not only smart, I’m a BAD ASS, did I mention I’m a BAD ASS MAN OF ACTION ((except he disapproves of speed and guns, apparently)), I have AMAZING TASTE in FOOD AND WINE, and my traditional religion is the best! I’m so smart! God damn I’m amazing.”) F*ck this guy. But still, hold your nose and read the book, because the ideas don’t care who presents them, and they’re worth a look. I wish he’d had a better editor, by which I mean pruner or clipper. This book is far, far longer than necessary.
This is the kind of book that I’ve noticed is popular with the Ayn Rand / Fight Club sort of “intellectual,” typically neither as smart nor as skilled in fighting as they believe of themselves. You may have met some persons of this type. Draw your own conclusions from that; but, as I said, I think it’s still worth reading. Nevertheless, I was extremely happy to have finished this turd.
This is the kind of book that I’ve noticed is popular with the Ayn Rand / Fight Club sort of “intellectual,” typically neither as smart nor as skilled in fighting as they believe of themselves. You may have met some persons of this type. Draw your own conclusions from that; but, as I said, I think it’s still worth reading. Nevertheless, I was extremely happy to have finished this turd.
challenging
informative
slow-paced
Some interesting ideas, marred by a combative and arrogant tone and sweeping generalization
informative
reflective
medium-paced
First half is interesting second half is a bit more yap but still ok
challenging
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Listened to the audiobook. Probably has some great concepts, but I found the writing style completely unbearable. Just didn’t dig the snark. Will be seeking an explainer YouTube summary.