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931 reviews for:
The Obstacle is the Way: The Timeless Art of Turning Trials into Triumph
Ryan Holiday
3.86 AVERAGE
931 reviews for:
The Obstacle is the Way: The Timeless Art of Turning Trials into Triumph
Ryan Holiday
3.86 AVERAGE
I have been need of some clear thinking of late and really enjoyed Ego is the Enemy, but this book fell flat. The connection to Stoic philosophy is often marginal and the advice is contradictory. Charge boldly ahead! Don't charge too boldly ahead!
Eh.
Eh.
This book is one of those that you read one chapter a day and take wisdom you can apply immediately. I got this at the library but I will be purchasing a copy to keep on my main bookshelf and revisit often. If I had pursued a dream of teaching high school, I would require this book as reading. Everyone in the world can find value in this book.
“The obstacle in the path becomes the path. Never forget, within every obstacle is an opportunity to improve our condition.”
Ryan Holiday teaches that knowledge and reason are in fact the highest good, as well as how to stay indifferent to pleasure and pain and how to respond objectively. The key is to not let your emotions color your perception of the world. Stoicism can be tied back to the center of human existence. This books explores how historical figures, athletes, and celebrities alike utilized this ancient philosophy that teaches mental endurance in the face of hardship.
Ryan Holiday teaches that knowledge and reason are in fact the highest good, as well as how to stay indifferent to pleasure and pain and how to respond objectively. The key is to not let your emotions color your perception of the world. Stoicism can be tied back to the center of human existence. This books explores how historical figures, athletes, and celebrities alike utilized this ancient philosophy that teaches mental endurance in the face of hardship.
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
Some interesting stories, and much inspiration to be found.
But, I don’t enjoy this brute force approach to stoicism. I prefer more reflection on virtue, and personal meaning.
The survivorship bias and lack of scientific humility also disturbed me.
But, I don’t enjoy this brute force approach to stoicism. I prefer more reflection on virtue, and personal meaning.
The survivorship bias and lack of scientific humility also disturbed me.
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
I think 25 year old me would have loved this book, but having read it over a decade after that point it's hard not to see just how much this is heavily influenced by the marketing-heavy books of early online-influencers circa 2014~2015; the Tim Ferriss era of manliness and optimization and online marketing and email affiliates.
In terms of reading about stoicism, you're much better off just reading Meditations by Marcus Aurelius or Epictitus or Seneca; Obstacle is the Way is just a commercial repackaging of quotes and rehashed summaries and surface level highlights and tidbits.
In terms of reading about stoicism, you're much better off just reading Meditations by Marcus Aurelius or Epictitus or Seneca; Obstacle is the Way is just a commercial repackaging of quotes and rehashed summaries and surface level highlights and tidbits.
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced