#427: Michael Lewis — Inside the Mind of the Iconic Writer

59 snips

May 1, 2020

In this engaging conversation, bestselling author Michael Lewis delves into the power of coaches that transcend sports, examining their influence in various facets of life. He reflects on the joy of writing and the transformative nature of creativity, highlighting impactful collaborations that enhance understanding of human behavior. Lewis shares personal anecdotes about academic integrity and the importance of pursuing passion over stability. Tune in for insights on exercise's role in well-being and the art of meaningful conversations.

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ANECDOTE

Early Plagiarism

Michael Lewis plagiarized a book review in 7th grade, unknowingly.
His punishment was to write "I will not plagiarize" 300 times.

ANECDOTE

Thesis Advisor's Discouragement

Michael Lewis's thesis advisor told him to never make a living writing after reading his senior thesis.
Despite this, Lewis decided he wanted to be a writer.

ANECDOTE

Early Writing Career

Michael Lewis honed his writing by submitting articles to various magazines, receiving many rejections.
His break came when he won a writing competition at The Economist.

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Johnny Tremaine

Esther Forbes

The Long Ships

Also known as Red Orm

Frans G. Bengtsson

The Long Ships is a historical fiction novel by Frans G. Bengtsson, set in the late 10th century during the Viking Age. It follows the adventures of Orm Tostesson, known as Red Orm, as he navigates battles, captures, and explorations across Europe. The novel explores themes of faith, culture, and the gradual Christianization of Scandinavia. Bengtsson's storytelling combines humor with epic events, creating a classic tale of Viking life and morals.

The Innocent Anthropologist

Notes from a Mud Hut

Nigel Barley

In 'The Innocent Anthropologist', Nigel Barley recounts his experiences as a young anthropologist studying the Dowayo tribe in North Cameroon during the late 1970s. The book offers a candid and humorous look at the challenges of fieldwork, cultural misunderstandings, and personal growth. Barley's narrative is both entertaining and thought-provoking, providing a unique perspective on anthropology and cultural differences.

The Inner Game of Tennis

Timothy Gallwey

This book, first published in 1974, focuses on the 'Inner Game' played within the mind of the player, against obstacles such as self-doubt, nervousness, and lapses in concentration. Gallwey introduces the concept of two selves: Self 1, the thinking brain that analyzes and judges, and Self 2, the 'feeling and doing' brain that can master skills naturally if not interfered with by Self 1. The book provides strategies for achieving 'relaxed concentration' and overcoming internal mental and emotional obstacles, making it relevant not only to tennis but also to other areas of life such as music, writing, work, and personal relationships.

Fooled by randomness

the hidden role of chance in life and in the markets

Nassim Nicholas Taleb

In 'Fooled by Randomness', Nassim Nicholas Taleb discusses the pervasive influence of chance and randomness in our lives and financial markets. The book argues that humans tend to underestimate the role of luck and overestimate the role of skill, leading to biases such as hindsight bias, survivorship bias, and the narrative fallacy. Taleb emphasizes the importance of recognizing and coping with uncertainty, and he critiques the tendency to seek deterministic explanations for random events. The book is part of Taleb's Incerto series, which also includes 'The Black Swan', 'The Bed of Procrustes', 'Antifragile', and 'Skin in the Game'.

Sapiens

A Brief History of Humankind

Yuval Noah Harari

This book surveys the history of humankind from the Stone Age to the 21st century, focusing on Homo sapiens. It divides human history into four major parts: the Cognitive Revolution, the Agricultural Revolution, the Unification of Humankind, and the Scientific Revolution. Harari argues that Homo sapiens dominate the world due to their unique ability to cooperate in large numbers through beliefs in imagined realities such as gods, nations, money, and human rights. The book also examines the impact of human activities on the global ecosystem and speculates on the future of humanity, including the potential for genetic engineering and non-organic life.

Moneyball

The Art of Winning an Unfair Game

Michael Lewis

The book tells the story of the Oakland Athletics' 2002 season, where General Manager Billy Beane and his assistant Paul DePodesta used advanced statistical analysis, known as sabermetrics, to assemble a competitive team despite a limited budget. The approach, pioneered by Bill James, focused on metrics such as on-base percentage and slugging percentage rather than traditional measures like batting average and runs batted in. This data-driven strategy allowed the Athletics to compete with teams having much larger payrolls, like the New York Yankees, and achieve significant success, including a 20-game winning streak and a playoff appearance[2][3][5].

The Fifth Risk

Michael Lewis

In *The Fifth Risk*, Michael Lewis delves into the Trump administration’s botched presidential transition, highlighting the consequences of willful ignorance and greed among its leaders. The book explores the critical services managed by the U.S. government, including ensuring food and drug safety, predicting extreme weather events, and tracking black market uranium. Lewis focuses on the Departments of Energy, Agriculture, and Commerce, revealing their often-overlooked roles and the dedicated employees who work within them. The title 'The Fifth Risk' refers to 'project management,' the unforeseen and long-term risks that only a vigilant and committed agency can forecast and prevent. Lewis's narrative is character-driven, featuring interviews with former federal staff members and historical context to illustrate the importance of effective government management and the dangers of short-term solutions[1][4][5].

A Gentleman in Moscow

Amor Towles

The book follows Count Alexander Ilyich Rostov, who narrowly escapes execution during the Russian Revolution due to a revolutionary poem he wrote. Instead, he is sentenced to house arrest at the Hotel Metropol in Moscow. Over the next thirty-two years, the Count adjusts to his new life, forming friendships with the hotel's staff and guests, and navigating the changing political landscape of the Soviet Union. The novel explores themes of parental duty, friendship, romance, and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity[1][4][5].

The Blind Side

Evolution of a Game

Michael Lewis

The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game is a dual narrative that examines the evolution of offensive football strategy, particularly the rise of the left tackle position, and the personal story of Michael Oher. The book delves into how the introduction of players like Lawrence Taylor changed the game, emphasizing the importance of the left tackle in protecting the quarterback's 'blind side.' It also follows Michael Oher's journey from his impoverished upbringing to his adoption by the Tuohy family and his eventual success as a college and professional football player. The book touches on themes of sport, culture, family, and the complexities of racial and socioeconomic dynamics in American football[1][3][5].

The Undoing Project

Michael Lewis

The Undoing Project by Michael Lewis chronicles the intellectual and personal relationship between Daniel Kahneman and Amos Tversky, two Israeli psychologists whose research fundamentally changed our understanding of human decision-making. Their studies, conducted from the late 1960s to the 1980s, exposed systematic errors in human judgment under uncertainty and laid the foundation for behavioral economics. The book delves into their extraordinary lives, including their careers in the Israeli military, and how their personal differences and eventual estrangement affected their work. Lewis's narrative makes complex psychological concepts accessible through engaging storytelling, highlighting the profound impact of Kahneman and Tversky's work on various fields, including economics, medicine, and government regulation[3][4][5].

Priceless

William Poundstone

In 'Priceless', William Poundstone delves into the psychology of pricing, revealing how prices are often a collective hallucination influenced by unconscious, irrational factors. The book provides insights into behavioral decision theory and offers practical advice for retailers and negotiators on how to leverage these psychological biases to their advantage.

The big short

Inside the Doomsday Machine

Michael Lewis

The Big Short tells the story of the 2007-08 financial crisis through the lens of several key players who predicted and profited from the collapse of the housing market. The book focuses on characters such as Steve Eisman, Mike Burry, Greg Lippmann, and the founders of Cornwall Capital, who saw the impending disaster and made significant gains by shorting the market. Lewis explains the complex financial instruments and the systemic failures that led to the crisis, making the narrative both accessible and engaging.

Liar's poker

Michael Lewis

Liar's Poker is a non-fiction, semi-autobiographical book that details Michael Lewis's three-year tenure at Salomon Brothers, one of Wall Street's premier investment firms in the 1980s. The book provides a behind-the-scenes look at the culture of bond traders, highlighting the frat-boy camaraderie, killer instincts, and high-stakes games of bluffing and deception. Lewis describes the creation and use of mortgage bonds, the excessive bonuses, and the ruthless competition among traders. The narrative also touches on the author's disillusionment with the industry, leading to his resignation and transition into financial journalism.