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
Tag: books
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
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
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
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
Technopoly
Technopoly: The Surrender of Culture to Technology by Neil Postman Knopf (1 June 1993) Amazon First published in 1992, Technopoly is an essential text on media, describing a society in which technology is deified. That is, "the culture seeks its authorisation in technology, finds its satisfactions in technology, and takes its orders from technology." Prior … Continue reading Technopoly
The Gawker Guide to Conquering All Media
The Gawker Guide to Conquering All Media by Gawker Media Atria Books (2 October 2007) Amazon Gawker Media was an independent media company and blog network, spanning several sites. Founded in 2002, it was the largest independent media organisation in the world, prior to its bankruptcy in 2016. The Gawker Guide to Conquering All Media … Continue reading The Gawker Guide to Conquering All Media
Between Fact and Fiction
Between Fact and Fiction: The Problem of Journalism by Edward J. Epstein Vintage (12 October 1975) Amazon Edward J. Epstein always did an excellent job at explaining the business structure behind the news, and Between Fact and Fiction definitely lives up to this. The text focuses on the negative relationship between journalism and truth. Between … Continue reading Between Fact and Fiction
News from Nowhere
News from Nowhere: Television and the News by Edward J. Epstein Fodor's Travel Publications (12 March 1974) Amazon I am a big fan of Edward J. Epstein's work, News from Nowhere being chief among them. No media-literacy reading list could be complete without at least a couple of his books. Those who have read Trust … Continue reading News from Nowhere
Bennett’s New York Herald and the Rise of the Popular Press
Bennett's New York Herald and the Rise of the Popular Press by James L. Crouthamel Syracuse University Press (30 September 2018) Amazon James Gorden Bennett's New York Herald was NY's first cheap, popular, mass-circulation paper, and in this text, James L. Crouthamel examines the ways in which it covered the news. It's not a comprehensive … Continue reading Bennett’s New York Herald and the Rise of the Popular Press
Lawrence Deveney 