#1901 - Steven Pressfield

In the Depression year of 1931, on the golf links at Krewe Island off Savannah's windswept shore, golf legends Bobby Jones and Walter Hagen meet for a mesmerizing thirty-six-hole showdown. They are joined by a local unsung opponent, the troubled war hero Rannulph Junah, who is guided by his caddie and mentor, the mysterious and charismatic Bagger Vance. Vance holds the secret of the Authentic Swing and his mysterious powers guide the play, leaving a lasting imprint on the lives he touches. The story is a sports fable that reveals that, in life as well as golf, the real battle is not with outside opponents but with oneself.

In 'Govt Cheese: A Memoir', Steven Pressfield shares his personal odyssey of becoming a writer. The book chronicles his 27-year struggle, during which he worked various jobs such as cab driver, mechanic, apple picker, long haul trucker, screenwriter, and more. Pressfield provides a brutally honest account of his experiences, offering valuable insights into the publishing and movie industries. The memoir is a testament to his perseverance and his philosophy of overcoming self-sabotage, which he terms 'Resistance'. It is an inspirational and insightful read for anyone interested in writing and the creative life.

The Kybalion is a book published in 1908 that claims to convey the teachings of Hermes Trismegistus, a legendary figure associated with ancient esoteric wisdom. The book is based on seven Hermetic principles: Mentalism, Correspondence, Vibration, Polarity, Rhythm, Cause and Effect, and Gender. These principles are designed to provide a holistic understanding of the universe and offer practical methods for self-development and spiritual growth. Despite its claims to ancient origins, the book is heavily influenced by the New Thought movement of the early 20th century.

In 'Fingerprints of the Gods,' Graham Hancock argues that an advanced civilization existed in prehistory, which served as the common progenitor to all subsequent known ancient historical civilizations. He proposes that this civilization ended in a cataclysm around the end of the last ice age but passed on profound knowledge of astronomy, architecture, and mathematics to its inheritors. Hancock uses tools such as archaeo-astronomy, geology, and computer analysis of ancient myths to support his theory. He explores various ancient sites, including Egypt’s Great Sphinx, the Andean ruins of Tihuanaco, and Mexico’s Temples of the Sun and Moon, revealing evidence of a lost civilization’s vast sophistication and technological advancement.

In 'The Immortality Key', Brian Muraresku reconstructs the suppressed history of psychedelics in ancient Greek and early Christian rituals. Through a 12-year investigation, Muraresku connects the lost psychedelic sacrament of Greek religion to early Christianity, exposing the true origins of Western Civilization. He accesses hidden archives of the Louvre and the Vatican, and collaborates with archaeochemists to unveil the first scientific evidence of psychedelic drug use in classical antiquity. The book challenges traditional views of Christianity and Western history, suggesting that psychedelics were integral to the development of these cultures.

In 'The War of Art', Steven Pressfield identifies the internal force of 'Resistance' that hinders creative endeavors. The book is divided into three sections: 'Resistance: Defining the Enemy', 'Combating Resistance: Turning Pro', and a final section that discusses the role of the muses and the battle between the Self and the Ego. Pressfield provides practical advice on recognizing and overcoming resistance, emphasizing the importance of professionalism, discipline, and continuous work in achieving creative success.