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
Results May Vary
"We all want progress, but if you're on the wrong road, progress means doing an about-turn and walking back to the right road; in that case, the man who turns back soonest is the most progressive." C. S. Lewis Limp Bizkit's fourth album, Results May Vary, was the product of a sixteen-month odyssey that saw … Continue reading Results May Vary
"Everyday we wake up and collectively make a world together; but which one of us, left to our own devices, would ever decide they wanted to make a world like this one?" David Graeber There are few things I find more disingenuous and robotic than a good old LinkedIn direct message. For those of you … Continue reading LinkedIn
Lawrence Deveney 