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945 reviews for:
The Obstacle is the Way: The Timeless Art of Turning Trials into Triumph
Ryan Holiday
3.86 AVERAGE
945 reviews for:
The Obstacle is the Way: The Timeless Art of Turning Trials into Triumph
Ryan Holiday
3.86 AVERAGE
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
Let's start with the headline: this is the most important book I've read in years.
I exported my Kindle highlights to a PDF to help me write this review, and they were 5 pages long. I typically highlight a few interesting passages here and there. Not in this book. I re-read my highlights, and I feel like maybe some were accidentally left out- that's how many notable lines I remember.
Now, I'm sure not everyone will find Holiday's work so appealing. I actually don't know that it's as cohesive as I'd have liked for it to be. It's more of a collection of brilliant thoughts than a highly-structured argument in favor of Stoicism, and Holiday himself admits that most of his writing is heavily derivative of Stoic philosophers. This book is essentially a modern-day distillation of Stoicism into a single brief volume. For those who already have a thorough understanding of the philosophy, or those who have read Marcus Aurelius's Meditations, this book probably isn't worth the read.
On the other hand, I instantly got the feeling as I read that Holiday's writing would stay with me for a long time. It may simply be because I started reading about avoiding worry on the night that Donald Trump got elected. It may be that I was seeking a job change as I read about how our internal perception of ourselves is our biggest obstacle. It might be because Thanksgiving and Christmas is a time of great anxiety for me, and I stumbled upon this book telling me not to fear conflict. Whatever it may be, sometimes books find you at the right time.
I set a number of goals for 2016, one of which was to read 10 nonfiction books. I have fallen woefully short of that goal this year. It's ironic in a way that one of the three (!!!) books I've finished this year was a book about how to achieve your goals and not let yourself be your biggest obstacle. I loved it. You might not need it. For those who do need it, buy a copy that you can mark up or highlight. You'll find yourself re-reading your notes for years to come.
I exported my Kindle highlights to a PDF to help me write this review, and they were 5 pages long. I typically highlight a few interesting passages here and there. Not in this book. I re-read my highlights, and I feel like maybe some were accidentally left out- that's how many notable lines I remember.
Now, I'm sure not everyone will find Holiday's work so appealing. I actually don't know that it's as cohesive as I'd have liked for it to be. It's more of a collection of brilliant thoughts than a highly-structured argument in favor of Stoicism, and Holiday himself admits that most of his writing is heavily derivative of Stoic philosophers. This book is essentially a modern-day distillation of Stoicism into a single brief volume. For those who already have a thorough understanding of the philosophy, or those who have read Marcus Aurelius's Meditations, this book probably isn't worth the read.
On the other hand, I instantly got the feeling as I read that Holiday's writing would stay with me for a long time. It may simply be because I started reading about avoiding worry on the night that Donald Trump got elected. It may be that I was seeking a job change as I read about how our internal perception of ourselves is our biggest obstacle. It might be because Thanksgiving and Christmas is a time of great anxiety for me, and I stumbled upon this book telling me not to fear conflict. Whatever it may be, sometimes books find you at the right time.
I set a number of goals for 2016, one of which was to read 10 nonfiction books. I have fallen woefully short of that goal this year. It's ironic in a way that one of the three (!!!) books I've finished this year was a book about how to achieve your goals and not let yourself be your biggest obstacle. I loved it. You might not need it. For those who do need it, buy a copy that you can mark up or highlight. You'll find yourself re-reading your notes for years to come.
I enjoy Ryan Holiday's style of writing. Not a ton of fluff, just right to the point with clear historic examples.
My only critique is that Mr Holiday either should hire a narrator or better review his reading style
Great examples of persevering and learning from setbacks and obstacles without a lot of fluff. Very uplifting, motivating and practical information.
hopeful
informative
inspiring
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
In my opinion this book is very one dimensional in it's approach to the philosophy of stoicism. Ryan Holiday is oversimplifying and overstating the power of turning obstacles into opportunities. I don't disagree on the merits of controlling your emotions, praciticing objectivity, thinking creatively or gaining new perspectives. Where I find issue with his writing is that he is painting the world with a very broad brush and in one color.
One example is in the chapter "Channel Your Energy" where he uses examples of Arthur Ashe and Joe Louis as those who used the "obstacle" of segregation/discrimination as black athletes as a tool to their advantage in being cool, calm and collected in the face of adversity. Holiday refers to the privilige of showing your emotions (throwing tantrums or celebrating) is not afforded to atheletes of color, but that didn't stop Ashe and Louis from dominating in their respective sports. The narrative of talking about systemic injustice as an obstacle to weaponize and conquer is extremely tone deaf, especially without addressing the extreme and disproportionate disadvantage this creates for minorities.
There were several narratives similar to this about avoiding a victim mentality while being extremely reductive of the social barriers that can create a severe lack of opportunity for several groups of people. Overall, I wouldn't recommend unless you're reading it with a critical eye.
One example is in the chapter "Channel Your Energy" where he uses examples of Arthur Ashe and Joe Louis as those who used the "obstacle" of segregation/discrimination as black athletes as a tool to their advantage in being cool, calm and collected in the face of adversity. Holiday refers to the privilige of showing your emotions (throwing tantrums or celebrating) is not afforded to atheletes of color, but that didn't stop Ashe and Louis from dominating in their respective sports. The narrative of talking about systemic injustice as an obstacle to weaponize and conquer is extremely tone deaf, especially without addressing the extreme and disproportionate disadvantage this creates for minorities.
There were several narratives similar to this about avoiding a victim mentality while being extremely reductive of the social barriers that can create a severe lack of opportunity for several groups of people. Overall, I wouldn't recommend unless you're reading it with a critical eye.
Fantastic book about the stoic philosophy. The book describes the stoic philosophy which manifests in the three major themes of perception, action and will. This book is a great primer to stoicism.
Ryan Holiday writes in the same style as his mentor Robert Greene and it is filled with great examples and anecdotes that supports the "lessons" in the book. The language is short and direct and the chapters are very short and digestible which makes it great as a book that you can pick up and read.
Overall a very great book and I would recommend this book along with other books by stoics.
Ryan Holiday writes in the same style as his mentor Robert Greene and it is filled with great examples and anecdotes that supports the "lessons" in the book. The language is short and direct and the chapters are very short and digestible which makes it great as a book that you can pick up and read.
Overall a very great book and I would recommend this book along with other books by stoics.
informative
inspiring
reflective