Mere Mortals Book Reviews

Welcome back Mere Mortalites to another book review, this time on Courage is Calling by Ryan HolidayI enjoyed the new series by Ryan on the four virtues, and even with a few Ryan Holiday books under my belt this really shined.I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Juan out!Timeline:(0:00) - Intro(1:20) - New Series(2:00) - Synopsis(6:08) - Themes(10:00) - TakeawaysConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/Support the show

Stillness is the Key is a self-help book written by Ryan Holiday that explores the concept of stillness and how it can be used to improve one's life. The book argues that stillness, or the ability to be calm and focused in the face of chaos and distractions, is a key ingredient to success and happiness.Holiday also examines the ways in which stillness can be cultivated, including through meditation, exercise, and other mindfulness practices. He also offers practical advice on how to incorporate stillness into one's daily routine, and how to overcome common obstacles that may stand in the way of achieving stillness.Overall, Stillness is the Key is a thought-provoking and inspiring book that offers valuable insights into the power of stillness and mindfulness in helping us to live more fulfilling and meaningful lives.I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Juan out!Timeline:(0:00) - Intro(0:53) - Synopsis(2:43) - Themes(6:27) - TakeawaysConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/Support the show

I like recently published books for their utility, but for pure enjoyment and beauty it's hard for me to go past the classics.In December 2022 we upped the ante and reviewed 5 books on this channel. As usual I was all over the shop with Russian poetry, coding for kids, biographies from 2 millennia ago and Victorian England drama. I chose not to include Juan's upcoming review (didn't want to spoil it) so that will be recapped next month.Huge thanks to Petar the Slav for supporting the show, so greatly appreciated.I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!Timeline:(0:00) - I'm going live!(0:21) - Eugene Onegin: Alexander Pushkin(3:54) - Coding For Beginners Using Python: Louie Stowell(5:25) - The Age Of Alexander: Plutarch(9:54) - Tess Of The d'Urbervilles(15:53) - Stillness Is The Key: Ryan Holiday(16:30) - Boostagram Lounge(23:33) - Value For Value(25:41) - What's coming up for January 2023Connect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/Support the show

At the of it all, there is not much to do other than pity the heroine of this tale.'Tess Of The d'Urbervilles' by Thomas Hardy is a realistic story of a continually unfortunate country girl set in Victorian England. Tess Durbeyfield (a poor milkmaid) is wronged by Alec d'Urberville and finds love with the gentleman Angel Clare, but is still haunted by her past. It explores a set of weaving themes related to poverty, religion, morality and class divides.I summarised the book as follows. "It's a brilliant but ultimately hauntingly sad book. Every break Tess gets serves to punish her even further. The blame for her misfortune is mixed across people & society but I think there's no doubt that an injustice occurred. There isn't much to do from this but examine your own moral precepts and err on the side of compassion with others."I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!Timeline:(0:00) - Intro(0:33) - Synopsis(4:20) - Misfortune: Fates worse than death(11:29) - Injustice: The intolerable sorrow(16:40) - Observations/Takeaways(20:27) - SummaryConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/Support the show

Am I simpler than a computer? I might just be!'Coding For Beginners Using Python' by Louie Stowell is an instructions guide to learn the basics. It's a combination of simple exercises for loops/dictionaries/drawing and more complex games that mimic Minesweeper or Pong. The target audience is kids and so is set out in an easy to understand manner with plenty of colour and fun graphics.I summarised the book as follows. "It's a nice, practical and easy to use first step. I liked the emphasis on quickly writing code even if it doesn't particularly make sense right away. I purposefully chose the most basic language and the most basic book to begin my coding journey with, and I think this was a great choice."I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!Timeline:(0:00) - Intro(0:31) - Synopsis(2:26) - Simplicity: The core concept to takeaway(9:48) - Observations/Takeaways(24:56) - SummaryConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/Support the show

What can the lives of the Ancient Greeks teach us about how to live well?'The Age Of Alexander' by Plutarch is a selection of 9 Greek lives from his work called 'Parallel Lives'. It covers prominent people from various locations and various professions, but all from around ~400 BC to 300 BC. It focuses mostly on their achievements with quotes, battle statistics, 1st hand sources, moments from their life and overall actions/behaviours.I summarised the book as follows. "It's a glimpse into the lives of great men, if not necessarily good men. Somewhat sombre due to the carnage but provides enough to get a feel for the person. I found it surprisingly applicable to current situations as decisions/outcomes are derived from one's character. Not hard to pick some qualities you lack and could cultivate."I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!Timeline:(0:00) - Intro(0:34) - Synopsis(3:59) - Politics: The reality of a barbaric world(12:08) - Character: Built on small decisions, not inherent qualities(21:56) - Observations/Takeaways(27:14) - SummaryConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/Support the show

Would you have the honour to behave like a coward?'Eugene Onegin' by Alexander Pushkin is a novel in verse of an unhappy Russian dandy. Onegin lacks meaning from a city life and struggles to find it in the countryside, with the same superficial  gossip, flirtatious women and rash young men. The poetry is renowned for it's unique rhyme scheme known as the 'Pushkin Sonnet' or 'Onegin Stanza'.I summarised the book as follows. "It's easily my most favourite poetry that I've read. Not only does the style roll of the tongue but the characters, scenery, plot and narration all kept me highly engaged. My one gripe is that I don't know Russian so couldn't read this in the Russian original, although the English translation is still outstanding!"I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!Timeline:(0:00) - Intro(0:37) - Synopsis(3:53) -  Duelling: A deadly code of honour(14:31) - Observations/Takeaways(21:07) - SummaryConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/Support the show

Do you want to know how to change your mind or how innovation works?In November 2022 we sadly only covered 2 books on this channel. Both Juan and I have been rather busy as of late and so didn't put in the time like we normally do. Strangely both books I read started with 'How' and were published within the last 4 years. Definitely an off the rails month.Huge thanks to Petar the Slav for supporting the show. I'll do better for next month!I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!Timeline:(0:00) - Intro(0:59) - How To Change Your Mind: Michael Pollan(9:09) - How Innovation Works: Matt Ridley(21:17) - Boostagram Lounge(23:07) - December 2022(24:56) - Value For ValueConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/Support the show

Don't stand in the way of this or you might get railroaded .... literally!'How Innovation Works' by Matt Ridley is a how-to book that somewhat becomes an argument for change. It uses primarily stories from history to illustrate the key thesis, from food to communication to primitive technology amongst others. The difference between innovation and invention is also distinguished with an explanation of the role of the individual thrown in as well.I summarised the book as follows. "It captures the spirit & philosophy of innovation, if not the science & technical process of how it works. I was surprised by how much emphasis is placed on the hindrances, which almost all come from group think rather than individuals. It's a new book so don't put too much weight into all the stories but I feel it has added to the personal philosophy/hypothesis that I'm building."I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!Timeline:(0:00) - Intro(0:35) - Synopsis(2:32) - The What: Clearing up Innovation's is's & isn'ts(9:03) - The How: Move aside & GTFO(21:49) - Observations/Takeaways(24:30) - SummaryConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/Support the show

Are you willing to change your mind on a controversial topic?'How To Change Your Mind' by Michael Pollan is a dive into the North American history of psychedelics & their use in emerging scientific studies. It focuses primarily on 3 types: LSD, psilocybin and DMT. The book is not overly scientific as it contains many trip reports from the author himself as well as subjective ponderings on the mystical experiences that can arise. I summarised the book as follows. "It's a compelling read that walks the fine line between objective/subjective and scientific/mystical. Although it may seems daunting from some peoples experiences, the downsides seem limited compared to other drugs. It appears science is catching up to the collective wisdom of 1000's of years cultural healing gained from their use and this is super exciting."I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!Timeline:(0:00) - Intro(0:35) - Synopsis(3:32) - The Science: What can we say for certain?(16:59) - The Subjective: What can we say?(25:35) - Observations/Takeaways(31:39) - SummaryConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/Support the show