Mere Mortals Book Reviews

Out of interest, what price do you put on your time?'The Price Of Time' by Edward Chancellor is a look at interest rates across history and what effects they have had on human behaviour & therefore economic activity. His central argument is that the current rates of interest seen in modern times are too low and have led to distorted & unproductive outcomes. It consists of 3 parts split into 18 chapters with a small series of charts and photographic plates. If you got value from the podcast please provide support back in any way you best see fit!Timeline:(00:00:00) Intro(00:01:52) Themes/Questions(00:18:52) Author & Extras(00:23:20) Summary(00:25:52) Value 4 Value(00:28:18) Join Live! Connect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUTwitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspodsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcastsValue 4 Value Support:Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/supportPaypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast

Everybody is out for money ... politicians just want yours as well.'The Gilded Age' by Mark Twain & Charles Dudley Warner is a fictional tale of the money, speculation & intrigue of American politics. It has two main branches of the story that intersect. The first is about a cast of small town people who seek out the riches of Washington (Laura, Washington & Col. Eschol Sellers). The second is of two well off young gentlemen who initially seek their fortune in the country before returning to the real action in DC (Harry & Philip). It showcases the influence that politicians have and how they abuse it for their own profit.If you got value from the podcast please provide support back in any way you best see fit!Timeline:(00:00:00) Intro(00:03:19) Themes/Questions(00:28:42) Author & Extras(00:33:09) Summary(00:37:26) Value 4 Value(00:38:18) Join Live! Connect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUTwitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspodsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcastsValue 4 Value Support:Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/supportPaypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast

Unjustified negativity has funny ways of rebounding right back at you.'The Lucky Country' by Donald Horne is a a subjective snapshot of Australian life in the 1960's. Donald creates a depiction of the average person, our way of life, relation to other countries (especially Asia) and the political landscape. He is rather scathing when taken as a whole but seems relatively balanced when talking about minutiae topics.If you got value from the podcast please provide support back in any way you best see fit!Timeline:(00:00:00) Intro(00:02:03) Themes/Questions(00:19:01) Author & Extras(00:22:46) Summary(00:24:37) Value 4 Value(00:25:20) Join Live! Connect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUTwitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspodsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcastsValue 4 Value Support:Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/supportPaypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast

Surprisingly, if you appeal to tired & worn out people it might just reflect in your own work.'Blue Ocean Strategy' by W. Chan Kim & Renée Mauborgne is a business strategy book promoting the idea of moving away from a contested core business to less competitive greener pastures. Highlights several companies that have done this and why they were successful. Plenty of graphs, charts & lists contained within 11 chapters & 3 appendices.Huge thanks to Lyceum for the support this week, much appreciated!Timeline:(00:00:00) Intro(00:02:26) Themes/Questions(00:12:38) Author & Extras(00:20:41) Summary(00:22:57) Value 4 Value(00:25:33) Join Live! Connect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUTwitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspodsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcastsValue 4 Value Support:Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/supportPaypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast

To save the world you must be first willing to burn it.'The Man Who Was Thursday' by G.K. Chesterton is a short fictional novel of a policeman who joins a 7 person high ranking cabal of anarchists to stop their evil ideology. He begins to learn that their are allies amongst the enemies & enlists their help to take down the behemoth ringleader Sunday. It's set in 1900's England and has a rather bizarre 'absurdist' style but with a levity you wouldn't find in other similar books.If you got value from the podcast please provide support back in any way you best see fit!Timeline:(00:00:00) Intro(00:01:58) Themes/Questions(00:14:51) Author & Extras(00:22:35) Summary(00:25:46) Value 4 Value(00:28:10) Join Live! Connect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUTwitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspodsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcastsValue 4 Value Support:Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/supportPaypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast

How much meaning is lost when you are reading a translation?Today is a special episode where I am going over my findings from reading 'O Alquimista' in the original Portuguese and it's English translation side by side. I found that although the grammar prompt some differences the biggest effect was stylistic choices by the translator. This includes minor things like cutting out words/sentences to larger alterations such as removing potentially 'racist' remarks. Would love to hear your feedback and appreciate any support you wish to give :)The Alchemist Book Review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5o40-BJkfLETao Te Ching Book Review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Thoq-1gwZLoTimeline:(00:00:00) Intro(00:02:01) Direct Observations(00:17:31) Indirect Observations(00:27:34) Summary(00:30:17) Value 4 Value(00:31:55) Join Live! Connect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUTwitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspodsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcastsValue 4 Value Support:Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/supportPaypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast

No easy wins and only tough decisions.'The Emperor Of All Maladies' by Siddhartha Mukherjee is a dense history of cancer throughout the centuries but particularly the 20th. Details breakthroughs in prevention, cure, chemotherapy, surgery, genetics and knowledge/understanding. Told from an American POV so largely uses stats from there whilst also showing how it is a global problem. Has a personal touch of his interactions with patients, scientists who discovered the next step forward and notable activists pushing for change (hence the 'biography').If you got value from the podcast please provide support back in any way you best see fit!Timeline:(00:00:00) Intro(00:02:52) Themes/Questions(00:26:31) Author & Extras(00:30:14) Summary(00:33:25) Value 4 Value(00:34:43) Join Live! Connect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUTwitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspodsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcastsValue 4 Value Support:Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/supportPaypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast

We're hitting the streets and looking for pet shops!'Day Bang' by Roosh V is a how to guide on meeting girls during the day. In particular he advocates for starting casual chats (where the girl doesn't initially realise you're hitting on her) in cafe's, book stores, retail outlets and on the street. He lays out his strategy for the elderly opener, dropping interesting bait about yourself before moving into establishing a deeper connection and finally getting a number. Within you'll learn about psychology, logistics, motivation, example conversations and his knowledge from teaching others.If you got value from the podcast please provide support back in any way you best see fit!Timeline:(00:00:00) Intro(00:03:11) Themes/Questions(00:32:07) Author & Extras(00:39:04) Summary(00:44:35) Value 4 Value(00:45:53) Join Live! Connect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUTwitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspodsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcastsValue 4 Value Support:Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/supportPaypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast

 I explore insights from "The Obstacle is the Way" by Ryan Holiday, highlighting key lessons on persistence, action, and overcoming challenges. The discussion delves into Stoic philosophy, personal growth strategies, and actionable advice for navigating obstacles with a positive mindset.(00:00) - Introduction: Persistence Defined(00:33) - Book Learnings: "The Obstacle is the Way" Overview(02:55) - Key Insights from Marcus Aurelius and Stoicism(05:16) - The Origin of "The Obstacle is the Way"(06:01) - Action as the Key to Progress(09:30) - Framework: Perception, Action, and Will(12:14) - Power of Perspective: Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Example(15:16) - Practicing Objectivity: Marcus Aurelius’s Exercises(18:10) - Directed Action vs. Passive Action(22:21) - Early Morning Aggression: Unlocking Productivity(24:49) - Persistence and Long-Term Goals(28:53) - Preparing for Challenges: Insights from Seneca(30:44) - Perseverance: The Ultimate Key to Success(32:06) - Aiming for Something Bigger: Final ReflectionsValue 4 Value Support:Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/supportPaypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcastConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/  Connect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUTwitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspodsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcastsValue 4 Value Support:Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/supportPaypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast

What's a rather poor therapeutic strategy to heal trauma/abuse ..... become a global superstar!'Unlovable' by Darren Hayes is an autobiography of the solo musical artist and former front man of Savage Garden. It details his childhood growing up in Brisbane, turbulent home/school life due to an alcoholic/violent father, musical ups & downs, struggles with his sexuality & road to healing. It consists of a fair few chapters (20-30ish), inset plate of photographs and told mostly in a chronological style with a couple of flashbacks.If you got value from the podcast please provide support back in any way you best see fit!Timeline:(00:00:00) Intro(00:03:38) Themes/Questions(00:21:43) Author & Extras(00:30:25) Summary(00:34:14) Value 4 Value(00:35:59) Join Live! Connect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUTwitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspodsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcastsValue 4 Value Support:Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/supportPaypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast