This book by William Lee Miller is an ethical biography that traces the development of Abraham Lincoln's moral and intellectual virtues. It highlights Lincoln's strong opposition to slavery, his thorough research for speech preparation, and his commitment to moral principles despite the political realities of his time. Miller argues that Lincoln's moral realism, derived from Max Weber's ethics of responsibility, guided his actions and decisions. The book also explores Lincoln's rise as a politician and how his conduct became more virtuous as he gained power, making him a rare example of a great man who was also a good man[1][2][3].
In 'Company of One,' Paul Jarvis challenges the conventional notion that business growth must always mean scaling up. He argues that staying small can provide more freedom, independence, and a better quality of life. The book offers practical advice on setting up a solo business, determining desired revenues, keeping clients happy, and dealing with crises. Jarvis emphasizes the importance of resilience, autonomy, speed, and simplicity in running a successful 'company of one.' This approach is particularly appealing to solo entrepreneurs and small business owners who prioritize a balanced and fulfilling life over traditional growth models.
This biography by Jon Meacham chronicles the life of Abraham Lincoln from his birth on the Kentucky frontier in 1809 to his tragic assassination in 1865. It delves into Lincoln's self-education, his loves, his bouts of depression, his political failures, and his deepening faith. The book highlights Lincoln's persistent conviction that slavery must end and his role in preserving democracy and the Union. Meacham's work interweaves gripping narrative history with a deeper exploration of the complex interplay among morality, politics, and power, drawing parallels between Lincoln's era and contemporary American society[2][3][4].
In 'Deep Work', Cal Newport argues that the ability to perform deep work—professional activities in a state of distraction-free concentration—is becoming increasingly valuable in our economy. The book is divided into two parts: the first part explains why deep work is valuable, rare, and meaningful, while the second part presents four rules to transform your mind and habits to support this skill. These rules include 'Work Deeply', 'Embrace Boredom', 'Quit Social Media', and 'Drain the Shallows'. Newport provides actionable advice and examples from various successful individuals to help readers master the skill of deep work and achieve groundbreaking results.
In this book, Reza Aslan presents a historical analysis of Jesus, arguing that he was a zealous revolutionary who challenged the Roman occupation and the Jewish priestly elite. Aslan balances the Jesus of the Gospels against historical sources, describing a man of conviction and passion, yet full of contradictions. He explores why the early Christian church preferred to depict Jesus as a peaceful spiritual teacher rather than a politically conscious revolutionary and grapples with the mystery of Jesus' self-understanding and subsequent claims about his divinity.
In 'A World Without Email', Cal Newport argues that the constant digital communication, which he terms the 'hyperactive hive mind', has become a productivity disaster. He contends that this workflow, driven by email and other messaging tools, reduces profitability, slows economic growth, and makes workers miserable. Newport proposes a workplace where clear processes, not haphazard messaging, define task management. He advocates for each person working on fewer tasks but doing them better, with significant investment in support to reduce administrative burdens. The book lays out principles and concrete instructions for streamlining important communication and reducing the central role of inboxes and chat channels in the workplace.
In this book, Cal Newport challenges the conventional wisdom that following one's passion is the key to career happiness. Instead, he argues that passion often follows mastery and that developing valuable skills and expertise is essential for creating work you love. Newport presents four rules: Don't follow your passion, Be so good they can't ignore you, Turn down a promotion, and Think small, act big. He supports his arguments with case studies from various professionals who have found satisfaction in their careers through hard work and skill development.
Melissa Anelli's 'Harry, A History' delves into the world of Harry Potter, chronicling the series' influence on its fans and the broader cultural context. The book features insights from J.K. Rowling and other key figures involved in the series.
Get your questions answered by Cal! Here’s the link: bit.ly/3U3sTvo
DEEP DIVE: A World Without Twitter? [7:28]
bit.ly/3hQ9Wh4
LIVE CALLER: Starting a new company alone [34:28]
- How do I (carefully) convince my employer to embrace Deep Work? [51:48]
- I just quit my job. How do I reset my life? [1:03:36]
- How do I deal with having too much freedom in my job? [1:10:09]
- CALL: Which tool should I bring when I only have room for one? [1:17:53]
- Who does Cal personally admire? [1:23:43]
THREE INTERESTING THINGS:
- A novel solution to cell phones in schools [1:41:57]
bit.ly/3i2olHd
- The age of social media ending. Welcome to my party! [1:47:19]
bit.ly/3gosVit
- Eat, pray, herd [1:50:26]
wsj.com/3tOv6za
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Thanks to Jesse Miller for production, Jay Kerstens for the intro music, and Mark Miles for mastering.
Deep Questions with Cal Newport 
