Plain Speaking is a unique oral biography that captures Harry S. Truman's candid thoughts on his life, military service, and presidency. The book is based on taped interviews conducted by Merle Miller in the early 1960s, which were initially intended for a television series. It provides a personal and reflective look at Truman's experiences, including his decisions during World War II and the Cold War, as well as his views on politics and leadership.
This book explores the pivotal period from Franklin Roosevelt's final days to Harry Truman's unexpected ascension to the presidency. It details Truman's struggles to establish himself as a leader, his significant decisions during World War II and the early Cold War, and his lasting impact on global politics. The narrative spans from 1944 to 1948, highlighting Truman's courageous civil rights advocacy and his role in shaping the post-war world.
In 'How the Other Half Lives', Jacob Riis exposes the harsh living conditions, exploitation, and poverty faced by immigrants in New York City's tenements during the 1880s. Using his photographs and vivid descriptions, Riis highlights the filth, disease, and overcrowding that characterized the lives of over a million immigrants. The book played a significant role in pushing tenement reform to the forefront of New York's political agenda and influenced social reform efforts, including the closure of police-run poor houses by then-Police Commissioner Theodore Roosevelt.
In 'The Expanding Circle', Peter Singer integrates insights from sociobiology and ethics to argue that human altruism, initially driven by genetic instincts to protect kin and community, has evolved into a consciously chosen ethic with an expanding circle of moral concern. Singer contends that our capacity for reason allows us to extend moral consideration beyond biological and social groups to include all beings capable of feeling pleasure or pain. The book discusses the relationship between reason, ethics, and the biological basis of human behavior, and it includes a new afterword in the 2011 edition that reflects on recent research in the field[1][5][4].
In 'Stillness is the Key', Ryan Holiday explores the concept of inner stillness as a universal principle across different philosophical and religious traditions, including Stoicism, Buddhism, Epicureanism, and more. The book is divided into three sections: stillness of the mind, stillness of the spirit, and stillness of the body. Holiday argues that cultivating stillness allows for better decision-making, increased focus, and a more fulfilling life. He uses anecdotes from historical figures and contemporary examples to illustrate the importance of moderation, patience, and self-awareness in achieving this state of stillness[2][3][5].
In *Ego Is the Enemy*, Ryan Holiday delves into the concept of ego and its detrimental effects on personal and professional success. The book is divided into three sections: Aspiration, Success, and Failure, each offering valuable lessons and perspectives. Holiday draws on a vast array of stories and examples from literature, philosophy, and history, featuring figures such as George Marshall, Jackie Robinson, Katharine Graham, Bill Belichick, and Eleanor Roosevelt. These individuals achieved great success by conquering their own egos, and their strategies and tactics are presented as models for readers. The book emphasizes the importance of staying grounded, continually learning, and embracing a mindset of growth rather than letting ego hinder development.
Created by Rich Roll and Julie Piatt, this book shares their experiences and the health benefits of a plant-based lifestyle. It includes a variety of easy-to-prepare whole food recipes, such as hearty breakfasts, lunches, dinners, smoothies, juices, and desserts. The book is not just a recipe collection but a comprehensive guide to long-term wellness, body, mind, and spirit health, and a celebration of a simple and sustainable lifestyle.
Based on his viral commencement speech at the University of Texas at Austin, Admiral William H. McRaven's book 'Make Your Bed' outlines ten life lessons learned during his Navy SEAL training. These lessons, such as starting your day with a completed task, measuring a person by the size of their heart, and not backing down from challenges, are designed to inspire readers to build discipline, resilience, and a positive attitude. The book uses personal anecdotes and stories from McRaven's military career to illustrate how these simple yet powerful principles can lead to a more meaningful and impactful life.
Finding Ultra recounts Rich Roll’s remarkable journey from an out-of-shape, mid-life couch potato to one of the world’s top ultrarunners. The book chronicles his battle with alcoholism, his transformation into an elite endurance athlete, and his adoption of a plant-based lifestyle. It includes his experiences in the elite Ultraman competition and the EPIC5, five Ironman-distance triathlons completed in less than a week on different Hawaiian islands. The revised and updated edition provides practical tools, practices, and strategies for optimal performance, longevity, and wellness, making it a guide for anyone seeking to transform their life through self-discovery and a healthier lifestyle.
Voicing Change is a culmination of Rich Roll's eight-year journey of interviewing unique thinkers and visionaries on his acclaimed podcast. The book distills the collective wisdom from these conversations into thoughtful essays and first-person wisdom, focusing on themes of intentional living, life lessons, and enduring inspiration.
Set during the Great Depression, 'Ask the Dust' is a gritty and poignant tale of Arturo Bandini, a young writer in Los Angeles. The novel, told through Bandini's first-person narrative, explores themes of poverty, ambition, love, and despair. Bandini's struggles with writer's block, financial hardship, and his complex relationship with Camilla Lopez are vividly depicted against the backdrop of the era's harsh realities. The book is known for its spare, well-crafted prose and its influence on later writers, including Charles Bukowski[1][4][5].
In 'Right Thing, Right Now', Ryan Holiday argues for the necessity of doing what’s right, even when it isn’t easy. He draws on stories of historical figures such as Marcus Aurelius, Florence Nightingale, Jimmy Carter, Gandhi, and Frederick Douglass to illustrate the importance of justice, kindness, honesty, integrity, and loyalty. The book emphasizes that justice is not an abstract concept but a daily practice that shapes one’s character and impacts those around us. Holiday challenges readers to develop their own moral code and uphold it consistently, providing concrete steps and exercises to help incorporate these values into their lives[1][3][4].
In this book, Jordan B. Peterson offers twelve profound and practical rules for living a meaningful life. He argues that happiness is a fleeting and unpredictable goal, and instead, people should seek meaning as a defense against the suffering inherent in life. The book is divided into chapters, each representing one of the twelve rules, such as 'Stand up straight with your shoulders back,' 'Treat yourself like someone you are responsible for helping,' and 'Pursue what is meaningful (not what is expedient).' Peterson draws on examples from his clinical practice, personal life, cutting-edge psychology, philosophy, and ancient myths to provide a guide for personal improvement and coping with adversity.
In 'Consolations,' David Whyte delves into 52 everyday words, from 'Alone' to 'Work,' each serving as a doorway into the deeper currents of human experience. The book invites readers to meditate on the meanings and contexts of these words, exploring themes such as pain, joy, honesty, anger, and vulnerability. Whyte's essays are characterized by their poetic and thoughtful consideration, offering insights that stir both intellectual and emotional reactions. The book is praised for its beautiful, soulful, and thought-provoking writing, making it a valuable resource for spiritual formation and personal reflection.
In 'The Obstacle Is the Way', Ryan Holiday presents a framework for turning obstacles into successes. Drawing from the philosophy of Stoicism and the writings of Marcus Aurelius, Holiday outlines three disciplines: perception, action, and will. He illustrates these principles with historical anecdotes from figures such as John D. Rockefeller, Amelia Earhart, Ulysses S. Grant, and Steve Jobs. The book emphasizes the importance of perception in shaping one's response to obstacles, the need for intentional and creative action, and the cultivation of will to persist through challenges. Holiday argues that by adopting these Stoic principles, individuals can transform their obstacles into opportunities for growth and success.
Meditations is a series of private writings composed by Marcus Aurelius, one of Rome's greatest emperors, as he struggled to understand himself and make sense of the universe. Written between 170 and 180 CE while on military campaigns, this work combines Stoic philosophy with personal observations on leadership, duty, mortality, and human nature. Through twelve books of intimate thoughts never intended for publication, Marcus Aurelius explores themes of self-improvement, resilience in the face of adversity, and living virtuously while accepting what cannot be changed.
Ryan Holiday is a renowned author, modern Stoic philosopher, and the driving force behind the resurgence of ancient wisdom in contemporary culture.
This conversation explores the intersection of Stoicism and Ryan’s iconoclastic perspective on personal ethics, which emphasizes actionable virtue over abstract philosophy. We discuss Ryan’s journey from a marketing prodigy to a philosophical powerhouse, his interpretation of Stoic justice, and the drivers of ethical behavior.
We also examine the importance of moral rectitude in a complex world, the role of individual choice in societal change, finding purpose through service and right action, and many other topics.
Ryan is a luminary of practical wisdom. This conversation is a masterclass in applied philosophy. Enjoy!
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