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#436: Books I've Loved — Maria Popova and Tyler Cowen

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May 25, 2020

Guest

Maria Popova

Maria Popova, renowned for her site Brain Pickings and author of 'Figuring,' joins Tyler Cowen, an influential economist and blogger. They dive into the transformative power of literature, discussing underappreciated works that foster personal growth. The duo explores how deep reading enhances comprehension and how literature can illuminate emotional responses and social dynamics. Classic texts like 'Uncle Tom's Cabin' are highlighted for their enduring relevance, reinforcing the importance of reading in shaping perspectives and personal development.

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insights

INSIGHT

Quiet Revolution

Maria Popova's book "Figuring" explores the search for truth and meaning through historical figures.
She recommends underappreciated books with quiet revolutionary qualities.

insights

INSIGHT

Humanity in Adversity

Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's "Letter from a Hostage" explores humanity, meaning, and purpose amidst adversity.
It draws from his experience as a pilot and prisoner of war.

insights

INSIGHT

Love and Loss

Hannah Arendt's "Love and St. Augustine" explores love and fear of loss, using Augustine's philosophy.
Arendt borrowed the concept of "amor mundi" (love of the world).

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Literary Journeys and Transformative Insights

03:58 • 9min

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The Art of Deep Reading

12:47 • 6min

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Exploring Emotions and Management Through Unconventional Literature

18:58 • 2min

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The Enduring Impact of Classic Literature and the Art of Self-Training

20:42 • 6min

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Love and Saint Augustine

Hannah Arendt

Joanna Vecchiarelli Scott

Judith Chelius Stark

In 'Love and Saint Augustine', Hannah Arendt examines the concept of love in the works of Saint Augustine, focusing on three forms: love as craving, love for the Creator, and neighborly love. This work, influenced by Martin Heidegger and Karl Jaspers, explores themes that would recur throughout Arendt's career, including 'amor mundi' (love of the world) and 'natality'. The book provides insights into Arendt's early philosophical development and its connection to her later influential works.

Timeless Flight

Johnny Rogan

Timeless Flight is a detailed biography that explores the history and impact of The Byrds, a pivotal band in the evolution of rock music. The book provides insights into the band's formation, their musical journey, and the contributions of its members. It is considered a definitive work on the subject, offering a thorough examination of the band's legacy.

Letter from a Hostage

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Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's "Letter from a Hostage" is a poignant memoir reflecting on his experiences as a prisoner of war during World War II. Written with lyrical prose, the book delves into profound questions about humanity, resilience, and the search for meaning in the face of adversity. Saint-Exupéry's reflections on his time in the Sahara Desert offer a unique perspective on the human spirit's capacity for hope and perseverance. The book's introspective nature and philosophical depth resonate with readers seeking inspiration and guidance. It's a testament to the enduring power of the human spirit.

A Madman Dreams of Turing Machines

Janna Levin

This book tells a unique story of the parallel lives of Kurt Gödel, the greatest logician of many centuries, and Alan Turing, the extraordinary code breaker during World War II. It delves into their work, which proved that truth is elusive and that machines could think, while also exploring their personal struggles, including Gödel's delusional paranoia and Turing's conclusion that humans are soulless biological machines. The novel highlights the contrast between their genius and their tragic endings.

Remembrance of things past

Henry Studdy Theobald

The novel, published in seven volumes between 1913 and 1927, follows the narrator's life from his childhood in Combray to his experiences in Paris and other locations. It is known for its complex and lyrical prose, and its exploration of the human experience through the narrator's relationships, memories, and observations. The work is often interpreted as loosely autobiographical and is celebrated for its profound reflections on art, time, memory, self, and loss.

Ultralearning

Master Hard Skills, Outsmart the Competition, and Accelerate Your Career

Scott Young

James Clear

In 'Ultralearning,' Scott H. Young presents a strategy for acquiring skills and knowledge in a self-directed and intense manner. The book incorporates the latest research on effective learning methods and includes stories of other ultralearners such as Benjamin Franklin, Judit Polgár, and Richard Feynman. Young outlines nine key principles for successful ultralearning projects, including metalearning, focus, directness, drilling, testing, retrieval, intuition, and experimentation. These principles help readers learn efficiently, concentrate on their goals, and convert knowledge into practical skills. The book is designed to help anyone improve their career, studies, and life by mastering new skills quickly and effectively.

Uncle Tom's cabin

Harriet Beecher Stowe

Published in 1852, 'Uncle Tom’s Cabin' is a seminal work by Harriet Beecher Stowe that depicts the harsh realities of slavery in the United States. The novel follows the story of Uncle Tom, a dignified and religious enslaved man, and Eliza, a fugitive slave, among other characters. It highlights the cruelty and injustices of the slave system and the emotional toll on enslaved individuals and their families. The book was a massive success, selling over 300,000 copies in its first year and becoming the second-best-selling book of the 19th century after the Bible. It played a significant role in fueling the abolitionist cause and is credited with influencing public opinion on slavery.

The Tao of Seneca

Practical Letters from a Stoic Master

Seneca the Younger (Lucius Annaeus Seneca)

This book is a compilation of Seneca's letters, known as the *Epistulae Morales* (Moral Epistles), which provide practical advice on Stoic principles. It covers topics such as the importance of living in accordance with nature, the dangers of external influences on happiness, the value of self-control, and the pursuit of virtue. Seneca's writings emphasize the need to focus on inner strength, endurance, and the cultivation of a sound mind, rather than seeking happiness through external goods like fame and riches.

The Graveyard Book

Neil Gaiman

The Graveyard Book tells the story of Nobody 'Bod' Owens, a young boy who escapes his family's murderer, known as the man Jack, and finds refuge in a graveyard. There, he is adopted and raised by the ghostly residents, Mr. and Mrs. Owens, and protected by the mysterious caretaker Silas. As Bod grows up, he learns supernatural abilities and faces various dangers both within and outside the graveyard. The book follows Bod's adventures and his eventual transition into the world of the living, exploring themes of identity, family, and the intersection of life and death.

Essentialism

The Disciplined Pursuit of Less

Greg McKeown

In 'Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less,' Greg McKeown argues that by applying a more selective criteria for what is essential, individuals can regain control of their time and energy. The book is divided into sections such as Explore, Eliminate, and Execute, providing practical advice on distinguishing the vital few from the trivial many and eliminating non-essential activities. McKeown emphasizes the importance of clarity of focus, the ability to say 'no,' and living 'by design, not by default. ' This approach helps readers achieve more by doing less and making the highest possible contribution in their personal and professional lives.

#436: Books I've Loved — Maria Popova and Tyler Cowen | Brought to you by Audible.

Welcome to another episode of The Tim Ferriss Show, where it is my job to sit down with world-class performers of all different types—from startup founders and investors to chess champions to Olympic athletes. This episode, however, is an experiment and part of a shorter series I’m doing called “Books I’ve Loved.” I’ve invited some amazing past guests, close friends, and new faces to share their favorite books—the books that have influenced them, changed them, and transformed them for the better. I hope you pick up one or two new mentors—in the form of books—from this new series and apply the lessons in your own life.

Maria Popova (@brainpicker) is a reader and a writer who writes about what she reads on Brain Pickings, which is included in the Library of Congress permanent web archive of culturally valuable materials. She is the author of Figuring, the editor of A Velocity of Being: Letters to a Young Reader, and the creator and host of The Universe in Verse, an annual charitable celebration of science through poetry at the interdisciplinary cultural center Pioneer Works in Brooklyn.

Tyler Cowen (@tylercowen) has a personal moonshot: to teach economics to more people than anyone else in the history of the world—and he might just succeed. In addition to his regular teaching at George Mason University, Tyler has blogged every day at Marginal Revolution for almost 17 years, helping to make it one of the most widely read economics blogs in the world. Tyler cocreated Marginal Revolution University, a free online economics education platform that’s reached millions. He is also a bestselling author of more than a dozen books, a regular Bloomberg columnist, and host of the popular Conversations with Tyler podcast.

“Books I’ve Loved” on The Tim Ferriss Show is brought to you by Audible! I have used Audible for many years now. I love it. Audible has the largest selection of audiobooks on the planet. I listen when I’m taking walks, I listen while I’m cooking… I listen whenever I can. Audible is offering Tim Ferriss Show listeners a free audiobook with a 30-day trial membership. Just go to Audible.com/tim and browse the unmatched selection of audio programs. Then, download your free title and start listening! It’s that easy. Simply go to Audible.com/tim or text TIM to 500500 to get started today.

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