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
Category: Book summaries
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
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
The Obstacle Is the Way
The Obstacle is the Way: The Timeless Art of Turning Trials into Triumph by Ryan Holiday Portfolio (1 May 2014) Amazon The book that started a Stoicism revivalist movement, The Obstacle Is the Way is Ryan Holiday's way of figuring ancient philosophical ideas in the modern world. The idea is that the reader can take … Continue reading The Obstacle Is the Way
The Big Picture
The Big Picture: Money and Power in Hollywood by Edward Jay Epstein Random House (10 January 2006) Amazon The Big Picture is a deep dive into just what goes into movie-making, and how studios make their money. If you're interested in Hollywood and the biz, you would be remiss not to read any of his … Continue reading The Big Picture
The Image
The Image: A Guide to Pseudo-Events in America by Daniel J. Boorstin Vintage (1 September 1992) Amazon One of the best books I've read on media, ever. The Image examines how modern life became dominated by manufactured realities. Events, people, and experiences are created to be reported, promoted, and consumed. Author Daniel Boorstin argues that … Continue reading The Image
Bloggers Boot Camp
Bloggers Boot Camp: Learning How to Build, Write, and Run a Successful Blog by Charlie White and John Biggs Routledge (28 April 2014) Amazon Bloggers Boot Camp is a handbook aimed at anyone who wants to start a blog, or improve an existing one, with the goal of building an engaged audience. It's not so … Continue reading Bloggers Boot Camp
Lawrence Deveney 