The Philosophy of Epictetus by John Bonforte (ed.) Literary Licensing (15 October 2011) Amazon The Philosophy of Epictetus is a short, mid-twentieth century compilation of the teachings of Epictetus. Edited by John Bonforte, it makes for a nice curated intro to the philosopher, sourced mostly from the Discourses. Based on earlier translations, it's lightly edited … Continue reading The Philosophy of Epictetus
Author: Lawrence Deveney
Toussaint Louverture
Toussaint Louverture: A Biography by Madison Smartt Bell Vintage (1 February 2008) Amazon Biography of a former slave who challenged an emperor and led the Haitian Revolution. Relatively short, but dense, which might be due to Madison Smartt Bell's background as a novelist. If you were being kind, you would say Louverture was a divisive … Continue reading Toussaint Louverture
The Gift of Fear
The Gift of Fear: Survival Signals That Protect Us from Violence by Gavin de Becker Little, Brown (30 March 2021) Amazon Remember seeing this book on Walter White's nightstand in Breaking Bad? Lawrence remembers. The Gift of Fear is a bestseller on personal safety. Author and security specialist Gavin De Becker argues that one's intuition … Continue reading The Gift of Fear
How to Live
How to Live: Or, a Life of Montaigne in One Question and Twenty Attempts at an Answer by Sarah Bakewell Other Press (20 September 2011) Amazon Michel de Montaigne is one of my favourite philosophers ever, and How to Live by Sarah Bakewell is one of my favourite biographies. It's not just a conventional cradle-to-grave … Continue reading How to Live
10,000 Days and Cultural Capital
Cover art for 10,000 Days by Alex Grey. Image via Volcano II/Tool Dissectional. "Although the art world is frequently characterised as a classless scene where artists from lower-middle-class backgrounds drink champagne with high-priced hedge-fund managers, scholarly curators, fashion designers and other 'creatives,' you'd be mistaken if you thought the world was egalitarian or democratic. Art … Continue reading 10,000 Days and Cultural Capital
Vicarious
Music video for "Vicarious." Image via Volcano II and Tool Dissectional. "Nature has gone to great lengths to hide our subconscious from ourselves. Why?" -Robert Wright "Vicarious" was the lead single from Tool's 2006 album, 10,000 Days. It is one of their most recognised songs, and probably the one that truly cemented the band in … Continue reading Vicarious
Where’d You Go
Single artwork for "Where'd You Go." Image via Machine Shop/Warner Bros. Records. "When we were children, we used to think that when we were grown-up we would no longer be vulnerable. But to grow up is to accept vulnerability... To be alive is to be vulnerable." -Madeleine L'Engle The fourth and final single from Fort … Continue reading Where’d You Go
Every Day Is Exactly the Same
Cover art for the "Every Day Is Exactly the Same" EP by Rob Sheridan. Image via Nothing/Interscope Records. "Modernity: we created youth without heroism, age without wisdom, and life without grandeur." -Nassim Taleb One of my favourite Nine Inch Nails songs ever is "Every Day Is Exactly the Same." Released on 4 April 2006, it was … Continue reading Every Day Is Exactly the Same
Meditations
Meditations by Marcus Aurelius (translated by Gregory Hays) Random House (15 May 2003) Amazon This is it. The book that has inspired people from all walks of life, from CEOs and world leaders to ordinary people alike. A favourite of Daily Stoic founder Ryan Holiday. The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius. Originally written in Koine Greek … Continue reading Meditations
Rules for Radicals
Rules for Radicals: A Pragmatic Primer for Realistic Radicals by Saul D. Alinsky Knopf US (26 March 1990) Amazon Rules for Radicals is one of my all-time favourites books, and one that can be applied to today's social and political climate in so many ways. Saul D. Alinsky was a community organiser and political theorist, … Continue reading Rules for Radicals
Lawrence Deveney 