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mattj256's review against another edition
5.0
My favorite quote from this book:
"We all need something to struggle against and to struggle for. The aim in life is not to avoid struggles but to have the right ones; not to avoid worry, but to care about the right things; not to live without fear, but to confront worthy fears with force and passion."
Eric Greitens is a serious warrior and a serious philosopher. He was a boxer, a Navy SEAL, worked with refugees in war-torn countries, and now runs an organization that helps military veterans return to civilian life.
Greitens has given a lot of thought to what makes people effective. There are references to Epictetus and other Romans, but also the Talmud and various other philosophers. What I like about this book is that the advice is all practical. Mr. Greitens has been there. He's put a lot of heart and sweat into his craft, and it shows.
The value of this book (or any self-help book) is that it inspires you to take meaningful action. I just read the book so I can't put in perspective the effect it's had on my life. I can say that I hardly ever write book reviews, and I wrote a review here. Greitens is a role model for me and I hope he will be one for you as well.
"We all need something to struggle against and to struggle for. The aim in life is not to avoid struggles but to have the right ones; not to avoid worry, but to care about the right things; not to live without fear, but to confront worthy fears with force and passion."
Eric Greitens is a serious warrior and a serious philosopher. He was a boxer, a Navy SEAL, worked with refugees in war-torn countries, and now runs an organization that helps military veterans return to civilian life.
Greitens has given a lot of thought to what makes people effective. There are references to Epictetus and other Romans, but also the Talmud and various other philosophers. What I like about this book is that the advice is all practical. Mr. Greitens has been there. He's put a lot of heart and sweat into his craft, and it shows.
The value of this book (or any self-help book) is that it inspires you to take meaningful action. I just read the book so I can't put in perspective the effect it's had on my life. I can say that I hardly ever write book reviews, and I wrote a review here. Greitens is a role model for me and I hope he will be one for you as well.
grbritz's review against another edition
5.0
Excellently written treatise on resilience
This book, written as a series of letters to a struggling friend, is full of distilled wisdom passed recorded throughout the ages. The book stresses that to become better, stronger, we need to work not just smart, but hard as well, and that the answers we seek often can be found by looking to the past, or by reflecting within.
Read this book. You will not be disappointed.
This book, written as a series of letters to a struggling friend, is full of distilled wisdom passed recorded throughout the ages. The book stresses that to become better, stronger, we need to work not just smart, but hard as well, and that the answers we seek often can be found by looking to the past, or by reflecting within.
Read this book. You will not be disappointed.
valeriebrett's review against another edition
2.0
1. I know this book was composed from letters but I don’t get why is was numbered within each chapter (I listened to the audiobook so maybe it made sense on the page?)
2. This had some good advice but it was all pilfered from late (white, male) philosophers
3. This had some very bad advice like “depression is a mental game, just be stronger than it” (I’m paraphrasing but that was the idea)
4. I thought this would be navy seal advice for the rest of us but it was just a kind of condescending navy seal giving another navy seal advice specific to him
2. This had some good advice but it was all pilfered from late (white, male) philosophers
3. This had some very bad advice like “depression is a mental game, just be stronger than it” (I’m paraphrasing but that was the idea)
4. I thought this would be navy seal advice for the rest of us but it was just a kind of condescending navy seal giving another navy seal advice specific to him
mouse234's review against another edition
4.0
Enjoyed the book. Real people with real issues helping each other reflect and progress. Author uses stoicism to help another friend find his way out of a black hole and into the light reminding him that life can be a struggle but the struggle is what makes life. Look for the good in each day, in each moment and learn from the failures and shadows that lurk in everyone's life. Live each day no matter what with the thought that it is a day to start again and to try to be a little bit better; a day given to each of us with no guarantee that there will be another. Especially interesting that both men were Navy Seals with reflections on training and combat, using analogies from both the military, life and stoicism .
tcameron85's review against another edition
5.0
This is a really good book that discusses how one can build one's resilience. I loved the frequent quotes from philosophers and how Eric wrote these letters to his friend. I actually got the audio book from my local library and have now ordered a physical copy. I plan to go through it again to get even more from it.
pikapp22's review against another edition
4.0
First half of the book is great. It's a must read for everyone. Second half drags on a bit.
k8thegr8reader's review against another edition
1.0
So I read this book searching for takeaways amidst the “bro” nature of this book and kept coming up empty handed. The treatment and discussion of mental illness and addiction were appalling, so finally I looked up the author and was horrified to find out that I had spent so much time on a book written by a man embroiled in a horrifying sex scandal. Do not read.
citizenkahn's review against another edition
5.0
Note, the man who wrote this book appears to be a sexual predator. I read it from the library, should you decide to read it to, then I suggest doing likewise. I don't think that man needs any money from any of us. Should I hear that he has been exonerated, then I'll remove this section from the review.
ORIGINAL REVIEW ----------
Reads like a modern day recasting of Seneca's 'Letters from a stoic' There's much packed in here that's important and it's probably worth several reads to get it all out.
ORIGINAL REVIEW ----------
Reads like a modern day recasting of Seneca's 'Letters from a stoic' There's much packed in here that's important and it's probably worth several reads to get it all out.