Young Heretics cover image

Young Heretics

Interview: Erik Rostad, Marathon runner of the canon

Sep 29, 2023
Erik Rostad, a marathon runner of the canon, talks about his love for reading and how he manages to read, run a business, and take care of his family all at once. He discusses the process of creating a curated list of great books, the benefits of reading extensively, different modes of reading, and the relationship between truth and beauty in literature.
47:17

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Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Reading great books can be accessible to anyone, regardless of advanced education, through strategic methods such as concentrated reading periods and podcasting.
  • Books forged through intense suffering offer profound lessons about the human spirit and the search for meaning even in the face of great adversity.

Deep dives

Eric Rostet's Journey with the Great Books

Eric Rostet embarked on a project to read the greatest books ever written. Inspired by a speech he heard at 18 years old, he sought to explore the beauty and truth found within these timeless works. His project began with reading 52 books a year, aiming to devour the favorites of the world's top performers. Eventually, he shifted his focus to the great books themselves, setting aside specific periods throughout the year to delve into ancient and modern classics. Rostet emphasizes the accessibility of these works, debunking the notion that they require an advanced education to comprehend. He uses strategic methods such as concentrated reading periods and podcasting to enhance his understanding and ensure retention of the ideas presented in the books. Overall, his journey is an exploration of the enduring power and relevance of literature in discovering beauty and truth.

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