Julia Baird, an author and journalist known for her biographies on Queen Victoria and Florence Nightingale, shares insights on resilience and the transformative power of grace. She discusses her personal experiences with grief and health challenges, highlighting how cultivating grace can change our responses to adversity. Baird delves into the lives of historical figures, illustrating the importance of compassion and emotional outlets. The conversation encourages cherishing fleeting moments and emphasizes the healing potential of forgiveness in personal relationships.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
Discovering Queen Victoria
Ryan Holiday discovered Julia Baird's biography of Queen Victoria while researching for his book.
He enjoyed this book so much that it sparked his interest in Queen Elizabeth II.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Biography Preferences
Ryan Holiday expresses his preference for in-depth biographies over more pop culture-focused ones.
He found a biography of Queen Elizabeth II lacking compared to Baird's work on Victoria.
question_answer ANECDOTE
War as Entertainment
Julia Baird highlights the historical practice of "gentlemen viewers" watching battles as spectator sport.
This emphasizes the grotesque nature of war as entertainment.
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In 'Bright Shining: How Grace Changes Everything,' Julia Baird delves into the multifaceted concept of grace through a wide range of stories, personal anecdotes, and quotes from various authors. The book explores how grace manifests in cycles of life, family and friends, strangers, forgiveness, justice, and nature. Baird defines grace as being fully alive, something undeserved, and the ability to see good in others. The book is filled with inspiring stories of kindness, acts of love, and unmerited favor, including personal accounts of her own experiences with cancer and the support she received from medical professionals and loved ones.
The obstacle is the way
Ryan Holiday
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.
Lucy by the Sea
Núria Busquet Molist
Elizabeth Strout
Published in 2022, 'Lucy by the Sea' is a novel by Elizabeth Strout that explores themes of resilience, human connection, and the complexities of life during uncertain times. The book is characterized by Strout's signature empathetic and clear writing style.
Phosphorescence
On Awe, Wonder and Things That Sustain You When the World Goes Dark
Julia Baird
In 'Phosphorescence', Julia Baird delves into the concept of finding and nurturing an inner light that sustains us through life's darkest moments. The book is a hybrid of memoir, essays, and personal reflections, drawing from Baird's experiences with cancer, her connections with nature, and her observations of various individuals who embody this 'phosphorescence'. Baird discusses the importance of awe, wonder, silence, and the healing effects of nature, such as ocean swimming and forest bathing. She also emphasizes the value of friendships, social connections, and the acceptance of failure and imperfection. The book is a thought-provoking exploration of how to find meaning and joy in a world filled with challenges.
Victoria, the queen
Julia Baird
This biography by Julia Baird delves into the significant chapters of Queen Victoria's life, shedding new light on events and people that have long been shrouded in myth. The book covers her strict upbringing, her marriage to Prince Albert, her deep grief following his death, and her relationships with various Prime Ministers and her confidant John Brown. Baird uses extensive research, including previously inaccessible documents and Victoria's journals, to provide a richer and more human view of the queen. The narrative highlights Victoria's influence on the British Empire, her struggles with autonomy, and her unique position as a powerful woman in a patriarchal society.
Florence Nightingale
1820-1910
Cecil Woodham Smith
This biography by Cecil Woodham-Smith chronicles the life of Florence Nightingale, highlighting her journey to the Crimean War and her pivotal role in revolutionizing hospital management and nursing practices. The book provides a nuanced portrayal of Nightingale as a flawed yet determined individual who left an indelible mark on healthcare.
The reason why
Cecil Woodham Smith
Cecil Woodham-Smith's 'The Reason Why' is a compelling historical narrative that recounts the infamous Charge of the Light Brigade during the Crimean War. The book focuses on the roles of Lords Cardigan and Lucan, highlighting the arrogance, miscommunication, and systemic flaws within the British military that led to the tragic event. Woodham-Smith's work is both a critique of the Victorian class system and a vivid portrayal of military incompetence.
The fundamental idea of Stoicism is that we cannot control what happens to us (or the ones we love), we can only control how we respond. Julia Baird knows about cultivating this resilience and Stoic response, after losing her mother and battling health issues, and how approaching grief with a sense of grace can transform ourselves and the world around us. While in Sydney, Ryan had the chance to sit down with Julia in-person to discuss what she learned from researching the lives of Queen Victoria and Florence Nightingale, and why she was compelled to write about grace for her latest book, Bright Shining: How Grace Changes Everything.
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