Evan Friss, author and professor, dives into the fascinating history of American bookstores. He discusses how bookstores have shaped influential leaders and movements, from the American Revolution spurred by Benjamin Franklin to modern independent shops. Friss explores the cultural significance of bookstores as community hubs and activist spaces, highlighting their challenges in the age of Amazon. He also emphasizes the ongoing charm of physical bookstores, which serve as vibrant social locales in today's digital landscape.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
Stoicism's Bookstore Origins
Stoicism originated in a bookstore where Zeno discovered Socrates' dialogues.
This led him to study philosophy and establish the Stoic school.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Bookstore Inspiration
Ryan Holiday had a flashback to when he first envisioned opening a bookstore.
This led him to reflect on the history and importance of bookstores, tying into his guest's book.
insights INSIGHT
The Bookstore Discovery Experience
Bookstores offer a unique discovery experience, unchanged for centuries.
People stumble upon unexpected books, sparking new ideas and passions.
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The Odyssey, attributed to Homer, is an ancient Greek epic poem that tells the story of Odysseus, king of Ithaca, and his ten-year journey home after the Trojan War. The poem explores Odysseus's encounters with various mythical creatures, divine interventions, and natural challenges. Upon his return to Ithaca, he must confront the suitors who have been vying for his wife Penelope's hand in marriage. With the help of his son Telemachus and the goddess Athena, Odysseus devises a plan to defeat the suitors and reclaim his throne. The poem is a reflection on human nature, loyalty, and the consequences of one's actions, and it remains a crucial component of ancient Greek literature and Western cultural heritage.
Right Thing, Right Now
Justice in an Unjust World
Ryan Holiday
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].
Common Sense
Thomas Paine
The Bookshop
Penelope Fitzgerald
Poor Richard's Almanack
Benjamin Franklin
Andrew S. Trees
Poor Richard's Almanack was a highly popular publication in colonial America, offering a mix of seasonal weather forecasts, recipes, conversion charts, proverbs, puzzles, and other entertaining content. Franklin wrote and published the almanack under the pseudonym 'Richard Saunders' or 'Poor Richard.' The publication was known for its witty sayings and proverbs, many of which have become part of American vernacular. It also promoted Enlightenment principles such as reason, self-improvement, and practical wisdom, reflecting Franklin's broader influence on American culture and society[1][3][5].
Behind every great man and woman of history, there's usually a library or a bookstore that has been formative in their life. Not only have bookstores shaped influential leaders, but also the ideas and movements that have altered society. Stoicism originated in a bookstore, Benjamin Franklin’s bookstore influenced the American Revolution, and countless bookstores have been the backbones of activist movements.
Evan Friss, author of The Bookshop: A History of the American Bookstore, talks with Ryan in today's episode about the unchanged charm of bookstores over centuries, the impact of Amazon on the book industry, the role of libraries, and the romantic yet challenging undertaking of running a bookstore.
The Daily Stoic 
