My Pilgrim’s Progress

My Pilgrim's Progress: Media Studies, 1950-1998 by George W. S. Trow Vintage (2 May 2000) Publisher's link What It's About?: A study of the media culture of the United States, how television came to dominate media consumption in the 1950s, and how things continued to evolve towards the end of the twentieth-century. George W. S. … Continue reading My Pilgrim’s Progress →

Take a Look in the Mirror

"Someone asked the novelist how he was able to write so consistently and remain inspired and motivated. He replied, 'Two hundred crappy words per day, that's it.' The idea was that if he forced himself to write two hundred crappy words, more often than not the act of writing would inspire him; and before he … Continue reading Take a Look in the Mirror →

The Art of War

The Art of War: The Essential Translation of the Classic Book of Life by Sun-Tzu (translated by John Minford) Penguin Classics (14 July 2009) Publisher's link What's It About?: Sun-Tzu's classic treatise on military strategy, studied and widely applied by military, financial, business, and political leaders around the world. My opinion: This book is a … Continue reading The Art of War →

Winchell Exclusive

Winchell Exclusive: Things That Happened to Me - and Me to Them by Walter Winchell Prentice Hall (1975) National Library of Australia What's It About?: The autobiography of Walter Winchell (1897-1972), American tabloid journalist and radio news commentator, and unquestionably the most (in)famous media figure of the twentieth-century. This book was written and completed prior … Continue reading Winchell Exclusive →

Payable on Death

"Who pours himself forth as a fountain-head is known by the Knower,Who leads him, enchanted and serene, through the emergence of creation, Which so often closes where it ends and ends where it begins." Rainer Maria Rilke Satellite may be P.O.D.'s best-known work, but every time I listen to their self-titled fifth album, I wonder why … Continue reading Payable on Death →

The State of Things

"Progress is almost never linear. Ups and downs and bursts." Nassim Taleb Thursday, 6th of April marked a turning point in my life: Quitting my job working as a full-time teacher. After leaving my position for personal, professional, and situational reasons, I entered a period of scrutinising and re-evaluating my career. During this time, I … Continue reading The State of Things →

Valley of the Gods

Valley of the Gods: A Silicon Valley Story by Alexandra Wolfe Simon & Schuster (10 January 2017) Publisher's link What's it about?: A history of the youth who come to Silicon Valley in Northern California to change the world and make billions of dollars. An expository work of sorts, on the men and women - … Continue reading Valley of the Gods →

Magellan

Magellan by Stefan Zweig Pushkin (30 October 2011) Publisher's link What's it about?: The biography of Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan (1480-1521), and his voyage from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean. My opinion: Ryan Holiday talks about "moral biographies" - the lives of people with a focus on what lessons can be learned. To quote … Continue reading Magellan →

Right Now

"Everything hangs on one's thinking." Seneca In October of 2003, Korn released "Right Now" as the second single from Take a Look in the Mirror. It has often been used as an opening to the band's concerts and has been a fan favourite since its release. It was as heavy as anything Korn had created, … Continue reading Right Now →

Conspiracy

Conspiracy: Peter Thiel, Hulk Hogan, Gawker, and the Anatomy of Intrigue by Ryan Holiday Portfolio (27 February 2018) Publisher's link What's it about?: Silicon Valley investor and entrepreneur Peter Thiel, professional wrestler and television personality Terry "Hulk Hogan" Bollea, and their blockbuster takedown of Gawker Media and its founder, Nick Denton. Although, you can't improve … Continue reading Conspiracy →