Mere Mortals Book Reviews

Future predictions that have NOT come true ..... kind of.'The Iron Heel' by Jack London is a dystopian novel with a heavy political undertone (maybe even overtone) that wrongly might be called science fiction. Starts in 1900 America and told from the point of view of Avis who is seduced from her privileged upper class world by Ernest Everhard and his socialist philosophy. Increasing tensions occur between the dying middle/lower class and the capitalistic upper class, which results in revolution and an underground war. The Iron Heel oligarchs vs the Revolutionary socialists. Would love to hear your feedback and appreciate any support you wish to give :)Timeline:(0:00) - Intro(3:49) - Themes/Questions(11:22) - Author & Extras(18:38) - Summary(22:03) - Value 4 Value(23:01) - Join Live!Value 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/jjfq9eGReUTwitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast

Future predictions that have come true ..... kind of.'New Rules For The New Economy' by Kevin Kelly are 10 rules that he predicted would change the world just as the internet was coming of age. Most of these are related to networks, increasing adoption of technology and the ability for information to spread cheaply. He makes a lot of generalities that did indeed seem to predict massive trends like social media and businesses like Amazon built from user data. However, the book is not specific in it's predictions, making them appear smarter with hindsight.Would love to hear your feedback and appreciate any support you wish to give :)Timeline:(0:00) - Intro(1:56) - Themes/Questions(8:42) - Author & Extras(10:49) - Summary(13:28) - Value 4 Value(15:02) - Join Live!Value 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/jjfq9eGReUTwitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast

What is Open Source and why is it changing the world?'The Cathedral & The Bazaar' by Eric S. Raymond is a collection of essays describing the ethics, philosophy, history and implementation of the Open Source movement. As computer hardware became available to larger groups many wanted to play & tinker with their devices. Closed Source software (owned by companies) was restrictive so people worldwide began to collaborate on projects that was free to download and use. This resulted in a unique culture and economic incentives that gave rise to hugely influential software like the Linux operating system.Would love to hear your feedback and appreciate any support you wish to give :)Timeline:(0:00) - Intro(1:45) - Themes/Questions(9:02) - Personal Lessons(17:41) - Author & Extras(21:33) - Summary(24:12) - Value 4 Value(26:13) - Join Live!Value 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/jjfq9eGReUTwitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast

As I revisited "Lives of the Stoics" by Ryan Holiday and Stephen Hanselman, I discovered a wealth of insights and practical philosophies that deeply resonated with me. From understanding the importance of being a willing participant in life to the power of endurance and self-restraint, the book offers timeless wisdom for personal growth. Each philosopher's life story and teachings provided valuable lessons on how to navigate challenges and live a virtuous life. Join me as I share the key learnings that stood out and how they can be applied to our everyday lives. Timeline:(00:00) - Introduction to Learnings(00:37) - Fate and Willingness(02:16) - Be Wary of Ambition(03:23) - Anger and Patience(05:13) - Training vs. Resume Building(10:04) - Action Over KnowledgeValue 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/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast

As I delved into "Lives of the Stoics" by Ryan Holiday and Stephen Hanselman, I was taken on a journey through the lives of Stoicism's greatest philosophers. From the foundational teachings of Zeno to the meditations of Marcus Aurelius, this book offers a practical guide to applying Stoic philosophy in everyday life. The chronological structure, detailed biographies, and insightful reflections made it a compelling read that not only provided historical context but also offered valuable lessons on resilience and greatness.Timeline:(00:00) - Discovering Timeless Wisdom(00:09) - Introduction to Book Review(00:30) - Ryan Holiday’s Opening(01:36) - Stoic Philosophers' Contributions(02:53) - Chronological Journey(06:12) - Final Thoughts and RecommendationsValue 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/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast

We must blah blah the blah in order to blah the blah from blah.'The Tyranny Of Words' by Stuart Chase is his attempt at furthering the field of semantics to the general public. He takes us through the general theory, how language is used compared to cats or primitive people, areas of human conversation that contain more precise meaning and plenty of examples of unclear language. It's split into 19 chapters and worth noting he was writing this in a time of great confusion. Communism, capitalism, fascism were all hot topics being argued fiercely in the build up to the subsequent war.Would love to hear your feedback and appreciate any support you wish to give :)Timeline:(0:00) - Intro(1:54) - Themes/Questions(12:49) - Author & Extras(17:36) - Summary(21:41) - Value 4 Value(23:03) - Join Live!Value 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/jjfq9eGReUTwitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast

To quote the great philosopher Judge Dredd .... "I am the law".'The Law' by Frédéric Bastiat is a philosophical treatise that might get confused as political writing due to the subtitle. Bastiat argues that the law should be limited to a narrow subset of protection of natural rights, not to be philanthropic & interfere in people's lives. Mini sections are all throughout with plenty of quotes from the French Revolution and other French notables. I found it to be useful in thinking about how governments should use laws and agree with most of the principles within.Would love to hear your feedback and appreciate any support you wish to give :)Timeline:(0:00) - Intro(3:07) - Themes/Questions(12:59) - Author & Extras(17:51) - Summary(22:51) - Value 4 Value(24:49) - Join Live!Value 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/jjfq9eGReUTwitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast

Who is to blame for all the financial turmoil?'More Money Than God' by Sebastian Mallaby is a history of US hedge funds. It details how they were created, notable people who worked in them and some of the legendary trades that occurred. It also goes over some of the larger financial bubbles (and subsequent crashes) that happened and contributions that hedge funds played in them.Would love to hear your feedback and appreciate any support you wish to give :)Timeline:(0:00) - Intro(2:08) - Themes/Questions(12:01) - Author & Extras(13:25) - Summary(17:56) - Value 4 Value(18:49) - Join Live!Value 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/jjfq9eGReUTwitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspodInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast

Be Useful extends beyond mere autobiography to offer a blueprint for practical action and personal success. "Be Useful" is structured around pivotal themes like having a clear vision, the power of persistence, and the importance of community and support networks. Join us as we take a look at the memorable, key takeaways from the book tody!Timeline:(0:00) - Introduction(1:05) - Clear vision(3:06) - Winners circle(5:30) - Work hard(6:32) - Follow through(9:18) - SummaryValue 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/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast

Be Useful extends beyond mere autobiography to offer a blueprint for practical action and personal success. "Be Useful" is structured around pivotal themes like having a clear vision, the power of persistence, and the importance of community and support networks. At 260 pages, the book is an engaging read filled with actionable advice, personal anecdotes from Schwarzenegger's multifaceted life as a bodybuilder, actor, and governor, and reflections on setbacks and strategic successes. While it intertwines stories of resilience and the joys of giving back, Schwarzenegger emphasizes that everyone can make impactful contributions, not just celebrities. This book is recommended for those seeking a blend of motivation and real-world strategies to enhance their effectiveness and purpose in life.Timeline:(0:00) - Introduction(1:22) - Core themes(3:14) - Insights on success(5:15) - Stories of resilience(6:31) - Strategic success and influence(9:19) - ConclusionValue 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/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast