Mere Mortals Book Reviews

Sometimes you come across the answers you're looking for, even if they aren't what you want to hear.In June 2023 I reviewed 4 books on this channel. This was a month of learning for me and I received some good lessons from these books. It kind of centred around two things. One, if you dwell on negative thoughts and try to use 'feeling like an outsider' as justification for behaving badly, you're going to end up bitter and alone. Two, it is exceedingly easy to believe real evidence but miss the greater picture of what is going on. So you really need to work hard to analyse all the various reasons to determine the 'real' truth.Big thanks to Cole McCormick (from the America+ podcast) and Ashley Glenday for supporting the show. Very much appreciated!I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!Timeline:(0:00) - Intro & clarifications(2:37) - The Temple Of The Golden Pavilion: Yukio Mishima(5:11) - Notes From Underground: Fyodor Dostoyevsky(7:10) - The Crucible: Arthur Miller(9:38) - Merchants Of Doubt: Naomi Oreskes & Erik M. Conway(14:04) - Shoutouts & Support(15:19) - Coming In July 2023(17:24) - Value For Value: The 3 T'sConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcastSupport the show

I reject your doubt and substitute my own.'Merchants Of Doubt' by Naomi Oreskes & Erik M. Conway is a historical recount of the scientific debate regarding the effects of smoking, the DDT insecticide, chlorofluorocarbons and burning fossil fuels. The evidence proved there was health and environmental damage but a group of individual scientists waged a campaign to seed doubt against the science.I summarised the book as follows. "It started solid but slid into subjective opinion towards the end. It was quite illuminating when they stuck to the book's subtitle but personally I would only read the first third or first half if I had to read it again."I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!Timeline:(0:00) - Intro(0:37) - Synopsis(2:26) - Merchants: Buyers & sellers of commodities for profit(12:03) - Doubt: Uncertainty, distrust & hesitation(17:56) - Observations/Takeaways(29:26) - SummaryConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcastSupport the show

Gentlemen, I will fight against the stone wall of twice two is four!'Notes From Underground' by Fyodor Dostoyevsky are the semi-insane rambling of an unnamed narrator in St Petersburg during the 19th century. It's split into two parts: a bitter monologue addressed to society and then his miserable life as a civil servant in his younger years. As typical of Russian novels (especially Dostoyevsky) it centres around suffering, morality, cold winters and reason.I summarised the book as follows. "It takes time for this book to sink in. I was initially unimpressed in my reading but more appreciative with a bit reflection afterwards (although Part 2 is still meh in my opinion). The Underground Man is a rather sad blend of nihilism, anger, pity & insight. He's not to be emulated but was identifiable as someone who used their intellect in a way that wasn't that smart."I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!Timeline:(0:00) - Intro(0:37) - Synopsis(2:21) - Nihilism: Why do anything?(7:30) - Irrational Rationality: The outcome of trying to fight Nature's laws(12:04) - Observations/Takeaways(19:14) - SummaryConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcastSupport the show

There be wicked witchcraft afoot!'The Crucible' by Arthur Miller is a fictionalised play depicting the 1692-93 Salem witch trials. It centres around John Proctor & the accusation against his wife Elizabeth (followed subsequently by his denunciation). There are 4 Acts which take place in various locations across the town. As it was written as a play, it mostly contains dialogue between characters, with some minor introductions to begin with.I summarised the book as follows. "It conveys a sinking hopelessness, a black mark on humanity and not on the devil. It actually scares me because this is really a modern story of vengeance, fear, guilt and hysteria. It works amazing even in a literary form and if it weren't for the fact that it made me rather depressed about human foibles I would be raving about it more."I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!Timeline:(0:00) - Intro(0:28) - Synopsis(4:18) - Mass Hysteria: Illness without cause(12:20) - Martyrs: Death for refusing to comply(19:06) - Observations/Takeaways(23:29) - SummaryConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcastSupport the show

If you can burn away all the pain, should you take that path?'The Temple Of The Golden Pavilion' by Yukio Mishima is a fictionalised account of real events concerning a temple in Kyoto in the 1940's. Mizoguchi a young acolyte become enamoured & then disillusioned by the Golden Temple. He experiences growing frustration due to his stutter & lack of connection to females, which leads to a climatic fiery end.I summarised the book as follows. "A book you could analyse thoroughly, perhaps even too much! It's a glimpse into the mind of a wild author via a troubled boy. The beauty aspect feels slightly overdone but the narrative & internal self-talk is so identifiable. It was actually helpful for me in knowing what to avoid when I feel inner turmoil."I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!Timeline:(0:00) - Intro(0:29) - Synopsis(3:32) - Torment: Physical or mental suffering(8:53) - Respite: How to relieve the suffering(17:39) - Observations/Takeaways(23:00) - SummaryConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcastSupport the show

Is it possible to choose only the best books to read?In May 2023 we reviewed 4 books on this channel. Love is such a weird word. It seems to mean so many things that I personally find it almost useless. And part of this is due to 'love' stories that seem to me nothing but flighty fancies and lust (looking at you Thomas Hardy). But there are others like 'The Debacle' which I feel actually do showcase what 'real love' is. Super subjective opinion there, but hey, that's basically what love is haha.Big sad puppy on the boostagrams, I'm going to have to change some things up.I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!Timeline:(0:00) - Live and raring(0:36) - The Debacle: Émile Zola(5:26) - The Second Curve: Charles Handy(9:44) - Far From The Madding Crowd: Thomas Hardy(12:28) - Life Force: Tony Robbins(15:48) - Boostagram Lounge & housekeeping(19:38) - Coming In June 2023(21:51) - V4V: Feedback & MMConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcastSupport the show

In reality war is horrible, in fiction .... it's also horrible.'The Debacle' by Émile Zola is a historical cum realistic fiction (also known as naturalism) set during 1870-1 of the Franco-Prussian war. It follows Jean/Maurice, two French soldiers and Maurice's civilian sister as they endure the privations of war and the suffering caused in the aftermath.I summarised the book as follows. "A heartbreakingly vivid story that hurts to get through. Thankfully it doesn't have the endless feel of something like 'The Gulag Archipelago' but the pain & needless agony still has a lingering sensation. Zola is a powerful writer and offers a compelling case against war merely by showcasing it's realities."I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!Timeline:(0:00) - Intro(0:30) - Synopsis(3:33) - Warfare: Senseless & horrifying(11:33) - Love: Intense feeling of kinship(18:46) - Observations/Takeaways(24:13) - SummaryConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcastSupport the show

Enthusiasms taken too far!'Far From The Madding Crowd' by Thomas Hardy is a small & simple tale of love, betrayal, anger and heartbreak. It's set in Wessex during Victorian England in the farmland countryside. The young, beautiful Bathsheba is courted by 3 suitors: mild-mannered shepherd Gabriel, distinguished farmer Boldwood and dashing sergeant Troy.I summarised the book as follows. "It's a bare bones tale that probably strays into too much simplicity. I found it hard to connect with any character other than Gabriel and even then not deeply so. It's not a great love story and is probably better suited for kids. Personally I would recommend his other famous work 'Tess Of The d'Urbervilles' rather than this one."I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!Timeline:(0:00) - Intro(0:27) - Synopsis(2:06) - Zeal: Love for the impatient & indecisive(5:24) - The Madding Crowd: Who can you listen to?(10:52) - Observations/Takeaways(13:21) - SummaryConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcastSupport the show

We live in a society .... so let's fix it!'The Second Curve' by Charles Handy is a collection of 16 essays reflecting on societal changes & predicting potential innovations of the future. It has a technology/management focus but is also broad and ties in with human wellbeing. There are a smattering of anecdotes & facts that help to reinforce his personal opinions and thoughts.I summarised the book as follows. "A typical problem with books of essays is continuity, but these were all crafted for this work. The topics are scattered but he shows clear & consistent thinking throughout. Really is more for provoking thoughts/discussion rather than solving actual societal problems. Perfect for people who prefer shorter form and I'd personally say was good but not mind shattering."I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!Timeline:(0:00) - Intro(0:28) - Synopsis(2:48) - Innovation: Get started before the decline(10:56) - Justified Outrage: Fun but dangerous(17:41) - Observations/Takeaways(22:10) - SummaryConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcastSupport the show

A short summary this month on Life Force by Tony Robbins and partners. A great, big, thick book that had a lot of promise pre-reading it, but afterwards left me thinking that the sell was slightly better than the product.Connect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcastSupport the show