4-stars - Book Reviews (Page 3)

Book Reviews

4-stars

A collection of 58 posts

Why Read Moby-Dick?

Why Read Moby-Dick?

Philbrick loves the hell out of Moby Dick. In "Why Read Moby-Dick?" [http://amzn.to/29BCSp4], he lovingly traces the contours of the plot, the major themes, and - most interestingly - the context/story behind the writing of this great American classic. Very short, but it accomplishes its

Coming Apart: The State of White America, 1960-2010

Coming Apart: The State of White America, 1960-2010

Before there was "Hillbilly Elegy", there was "Coming Apart" [http://amzn.to/2bq3nxq]. Murray - who is one of the most prominent and persuasive conservative thinkers of our time - explains how the "the increasing market value of brains, wealth, the college sorting machine, and homogamy"

The Picture of Dorian Gray

The Picture of Dorian Gray

"The Picture of Dorian Gray" [http://amzn.to/2bGRZgQ] is much darker and significantly more homoerotic than I remembered this book being when I read it as a kid! The questions of morality, beauty, innocence, society, and intelligence all swirl around in this short but powerful book. It

Twilight of the Elites: America After Meritocracy

Twilight of the Elites: America After Meritocracy

A great analysis of the current state of affairs in America and an interesting argument against the "meritocracy". The book presents an in-depth examination of the functioning of meritocracies and how they can become corrupted.

The Obstacle Is the Way: The Timeless Art of Turning Trials into Triumph

The Obstacle Is the Way: The Timeless Art of Turning Trials into Triumph

"The Obstacle is the Way" [http://amzn.to/2wpPVER] is Ryan Holiday’s case for ancient Stoicism as a practical philosophical choice for modern entrepreneurs and do-ers. And I must admit, I’m sold. But I’m conflicted about how to rate this book. On one hand,

After the Prophet: The Epic Story of the Shia-Sunni Split in Islam

After the Prophet: The Epic Story of the Shia-Sunni Split in Islam

"After the Prophet" [http://amzn.to/2gAfWXZ] links the personalities and events of the early days of Islam to the recent history of the Muslim world. Hazleton deftly spins a narrative that transported me back to in time to the Arabian peninsula in the 600's and

Diamonds, Gold, and War: The British, the Boers, and the Making of South Africa

Diamonds, Gold, and War: The British, the Boers, and the Making of South Africa

To figure out how the world works, you've got to "follow the money," and the gold and diamonds of South Africa have certainly generated more than their fair share of cash - especially for Cecil Rhodes's De Beers diamond company.

The Game: Penetrating the Secret Society of Pickup Artists

The Game: Penetrating the Secret Society of Pickup Artists

"The Game" [http://amzn.to/2aiSD1l] is a surprising and irreverent look at pickup artists and how they operate. Sometimes it was hard to tell whether this was BS or not - but a few of my friends have had pretty good results! There are a bunch of tactics