Paulo Coelho''s mastery of storytelling and philosophical applications are seen vividly in this novel. The plot was very well written, like his other...morePaulo Coelho''s mastery of storytelling and philosophical applications are seen vividly in this novel. The plot was very well written, like his other novels you can again see Judeo-Christian theology in the plot and finally his style captures the emotion, thought and significance of the story.(less)
The book talks about the complexities of culture, society and its implications. Well written but at times a bit dragging and the author derives experi...moreThe book talks about the complexities of culture, society and its implications. Well written but at times a bit dragging and the author derives experiences from British socio-political and comtemporary sources.(less)
This book really packs a lot of thought and depth to it. The allegories within the book just shows you the brilliance and the meaning of its verses an...moreThis book really packs a lot of thought and depth to it. The allegories within the book just shows you the brilliance and the meaning of its verses and how it tries to teach the readers about the universe, about convictions, personal philosophies, resilience, adversity, sacrifice and faith.(less)
I just couldn't put this book down. This is the new Bible of the modern era wherein he tells us such things as, "May I never be complete, may I never...moreI just couldn't put this book down. This is the new Bible of the modern era wherein he tells us such things as, "May I never be complete, may I never be content, may I never be perfect", "the condom is the glass slipper of our generation", "You are the all singing, all dancing crap of the world", this would resonate deeply with each and everyone of us because we always try to find "purpose" in our every day lives. It can be glorious, it can be exhausting and at times even pathetic but what the book truly tells us all is that only when we lose all our inhibitions, our hopes, our anxieties and ourselves it is there that we find true purpose and we end up fully rejuvenated and free to regain what we almost lost.
Fight Club isn't about getting your ass whipped, its about relieving yourself from the daily strains of life and it diverts us from our true selves as well. It also talks about how you view the world and how you truly have the power to change and make your own destiny and be more than what you see in T.Vs, advertisements, movies and magazines.
And most of all it talks more on how you should be able to find yourself and be able to maintain individuality in the midst of societal stupidity and mediocrity.
Have a "Carpe Diem" attitude and wipe the Mona Lisa with your ass!(less)
Andrew Carnegie's not your average millionaire, he's probably one of the only wealthy businessmen to evoke such philosophical significance and empiric...moreAndrew Carnegie's not your average millionaire, he's probably one of the only wealthy businessmen to evoke such philosophical significance and empiricism that it truly captures and epitomizes the true worth of a wealthy individual and that of being a philanthropist.
The novel, at first was a bit dragging but then it picked up its pace in chapters 4 which immediately aroused interest. The writing style and vocabula...moreThe novel, at first was a bit dragging but then it picked up its pace in chapters 4 which immediately aroused interest. The writing style and vocabulary are sound, the plot and how it was executed was very meticulous and worth reading although there are times that you find your self sleeping awake due to the recurrence of dragging dialogue and now direction. But all in all this novel lives up to the reputation as one of the claasics and a novel that delves into myth, supernatural and man's ceaseless pursuit of the unknown.(less)
Shakespeare would be so proud of how Mark Twain wrote this novel. I Loved the humanity aspect and the complexity of two different perspectives of life...moreShakespeare would be so proud of how Mark Twain wrote this novel. I Loved the humanity aspect and the complexity of two different perspectives of life in that era of time. (less)
This book truly justifies a socialist - democratic style of government and governance as well. Not only that but it meticulously dissects the thought...moreThis book truly justifies a socialist - democratic style of government and governance as well. Not only that but it meticulously dissects the thought and action behind the French Revolution and its Revolutionary Government. This book shows readers how democracy is dynamic and it can incorporate other styles of government. (less)
The heart of darkness was undoubtedly replicating the true events that transpired in the Belgian Congo. What makes this book so riveting was how Josep...moreThe heart of darkness was undoubtedly replicating the true events that transpired in the Belgian Congo. What makes this book so riveting was how Joseph Conrad uses descriptions, styles and his experiences in writing a complex and deeply charged work of literature. He too also discusses how the nature of man is never exonerated of evil, it has tendencies of embedding itself deep within our subconscious and it thrives on our emotions and decisions which results in malevolence, greed and intrigue.
The Tales of Unrest too are discussions of Human Nature and also the various experiences and places where Joseph Conrad has traveled throughout his life. His descriptions give you picturesque examples of human nature at work and of how people lived their lives during the late 19th to the early 20th centuries.(less)
This book contain plentiful life lessons that is still applicable today. It's full of wit and wisdom, written brilliantly by Seneca. It gives off a se...moreThis book contain plentiful life lessons that is still applicable today. It's full of wit and wisdom, written brilliantly by Seneca. It gives off a sense of purpose when reading and it also enables you to open your mind and ponder on what you have read. Unlike other philosophy books that are pretty much meticulous, superfluously pretentious and at times condescending; Seneca's way of expressing philosophical and socio-existential topics are very enjoyable to read and it even hinders you from stopping. A great book, very unique, introspective and very intellectual indeed.(less)
This biography about Socrates was very intriguing and highly dynamic in a way that the author tried to piece together the different scenarios, events,...moreThis biography about Socrates was very intriguing and highly dynamic in a way that the author tried to piece together the different scenarios, events, historical significance and the accounts of various individuals who lived during and after Socrates.
This biography also tries to demystify the often vague portrayals and controversial accounts that surrounded and epitomized the great philosopher.
I also loved how the author was able to connect Socrates' thought and philosophies and trace them to other known figures such as Xenophon, Zeno, Diogenes and even Plato himself.
He also highlighted how Socrates was able to evoke an air of curiosity and interest with future thinkers and even made his mark on Western thinker such as Nietzche, and Kierkgaard.(less)
Lucius Annaeus Seneca the Younger truly lives up to his reputation as one of the greatest thinkers and stoics to ever live.
He clearly and simply expla...moreLucius Annaeus Seneca the Younger truly lives up to his reputation as one of the greatest thinkers and stoics to ever live.
He clearly and simply explains and talks about how life should be live, how a person must always utilize and maximize his/her time, how he/she must be able to stay open minded and open hearted to everything around him/her. truly one of the best and direct works that I have read. He is indeed one hell of a philosopher who truly embodies stoicism and applies it in every facet of humanity.(less)
Rene Descartes is not only a pure optimist and a wide thinker but he too is very eloquent, charismatic, simple and very brilliant in how he fuses his...moreRene Descartes is not only a pure optimist and a wide thinker but he too is very eloquent, charismatic, simple and very brilliant in how he fuses his ideas and arguments to that of different sciences such as anatomy and to an extent, psychology itself.
While reading this it is as if you are not reading a highly charged philosophy book but instead it makes you think that it is in fact a travel novel, which is amazing. Rene Descartes articulately draws his own opinions on the environs, perceptions, thoughts, epiphanies and the arguments that go about him while changing scenes, places and meeting other people as well.
It talks how the soul, whether that of a human or of a creature is distinct from either one and that the soul is not a part of the body and is therefore not subjected to the mortalities of the flesh, hence the immortality of the soul. He then states that dreams and conscious thoughts are not as distinct as previously thought the only this is that these are partly of truths for one could not have arrived at that thought if that did not exist in the first place and lastly, he talks about and proves the existence of God which is phenomenal and how he connects it with the other arguments of this book.
And lastly, the thing that I love about this book is that it gives off a calming effect while you read it and I've come to realize and empathize that Rene Descartes is truly humble and I admire a great person who keeps his feet on the ground even if the world constantly tells hims of his genius and greatness.(less)
The mother of all Communistic ideologies, this is ground zero of Communism. All its ideas, philosophies, culture, history, literature etc. are exquisi...moreThe mother of all Communistic ideologies, this is ground zero of Communism. All its ideas, philosophies, culture, history, literature etc. are exquisitely written on this masterpiece by these two brilliant minds.(less)
Though this play/book may not have been made following the real life of Cyrano de Bergerac, still it offered multitudes of emotion and style being acc...moreThough this play/book may not have been made following the real life of Cyrano de Bergerac, still it offered multitudes of emotion and style being accompanied by wit, poetry, a hell of a lot of humor, intellect and eloquence make such a timeless story.
It is quite amazing how one sacrifices so much, even lending his superior intelligence, wit and words to others so that they may acquire their lady loves while being hurt and melancholic in the process.
Cyrano one of the most enigmatic characters in literature alongside other great characters such as Don Quixote, Jay Gatsby, Vitto Corleone, Nemo, Don Juan etc. I really admired the fact that he was a bad ass, smart, witty, hilarious, persuasive, brave, ruthless and poignant.
This story shows how true love can withstand pain, time, sorrow and even war and how poetry is one of the most fundamental and most beautiful aspects in love.(less)
It certainly is one of the greatest fairly tales ever written. Very fun to read, the movie adaptation didn't really follow the entirety of the book bu...moreIt certainly is one of the greatest fairly tales ever written. Very fun to read, the movie adaptation didn't really follow the entirety of the book but still it was very enjoyable and it reminds you of your childhood.(less)
I was fairly amazed at how this book was written and constructed. The images were very aesthetic and it magnificently suits every player that it portr...moreI was fairly amazed at how this book was written and constructed. The images were very aesthetic and it magnificently suits every player that it portrayed, especially with the humor attached to it.
The book was frank and very outspoken in a way that it channeled all its energy in shedding light at the things that go unnoticed and to an extend forgotten in a "media crazy" that is now embodied by the NBA. The book tries to recapture the glory of basketball as a game and as an art and it also tries to recover the lost glory of the NBA as the premier institution of guiding basketball talent to its fullest potential.
I am very impressed on how the writers of the book were able to use historic, pop cultural and intellectual references in every page. It greatly captures the different individual personalities and lives of the players that are mentioned in the book. It too aided in giving the reader a picture of what the description is trying to say about that particular person. And I have to admit, I also loved how humor, wit and wisdom were harmoniously merged into each and every description.(less)
This book talks about the transition of Naval warfare, from the trirene and quinquirenes of the Greek and Roman periods to the Ironclad and Battleship...moreThis book talks about the transition of Naval warfare, from the trirene and quinquirenes of the Greek and Roman periods to the Ironclad and Battleships of the Twentieth Century. Richard Humble exquisitely portrays each period of human history with very detailed descriptions of the ships, designs, strategies and the men who operated them.
The battles and the transitions from periods were greatly elaborated but somehow the author has failed to take into consideration the other navies, commanders and events that contributed to the entirety of Naval Warfare such as the Arab-Byzantine sea battles, Roman sea battles, Turkish corsairs, European Pirates, Crusade naval operations, the French, Italian, Dutch, Spanish, Portuguese, Turkish, American, Chinese,German, Korean, Japanese and Russian navies were greatly left out of this book. This was mainly an English dominated book, glorifying the victories and the various admirals and captains that served under the Royal Navy.
Though there are clearly a wide array of shortcomings of the book, errors aside I would still recommend it because this book gives a very detailed account of the changes in naval warfare whether it be weaponry, tactics or design everything is here.(less)
This book told me how Ernesto Guevara transformed from a humble and passionate medical student into a articulate, cunning and brilliant revolutionary...moreThis book told me how Ernesto Guevara transformed from a humble and passionate medical student into a articulate, cunning and brilliant revolutionary who not only changed the face of the entire Latin American continent but shaped the perspectives and the thoughts of millions of people from all the world over.
This book was eloquently penned and I thought that I was literally reading a novel. Che Guevara could have been a novelist or a writer and it would have produced a significant impact as well. How he relates and describes the events, the journeys, the places, the people, the emotions that he and Alberto and others felt and many other instances in this book was superbly elaborated with intelligence, humor, wit and style.
It also showed us how simple this man was and how he truly embraced the belief of a Pan South American ideology prior to his rise as a revolutionary. From his early life, Che Guevara embodied the necessary traits, ideologies, beliefs and motivations that propelled him as the revolutionary and the icon that we now know today.(less)
The book was totally hilarious, the vocabulary, the writing style, the dialogue, the wit and how all these created the entirety of the book. I loved h...moreThe book was totally hilarious, the vocabulary, the writing style, the dialogue, the wit and how all these created the entirety of the book. I loved how he tried to give it energy and spunk into the descriptions and the actions of the people mentioned in the book but there were just some descriptions that did not go well with the person that it was attributed to for example, Miyamoto Musashi. He also overlooked a few badasses that I believe were supposed to be in the book as well namely Emperor Basil II, Scipio Africanus, Hannibal, Toussaint L'ouveture, Belisarius, Louis IX, Richard the Lion Heart, Vo Nguyen Giap, Vasily Zaytsev, Erwin Rommel, Sulayman the Magnificent, Saladin, Godfrey de Bouillion, Francisco Pizzaro and many others that should have been in the book. Maybe in the next eh? All in all, the book was very fun and full of energy and I really enjoyed every damn page of it.(less)
Rudyard Kipling really knows how to create stories that are based on nature. His creativity, style and wit seems to match every story that he makes an...moreRudyard Kipling really knows how to create stories that are based on nature. His creativity, style and wit seems to match every story that he makes and captures the innocence, history, culture, humor and significance of that story.(less)
The 3 Modern Utopias were very intriguing and very prophetic in a way that it precisely predicted the outcomes of science and technology.
Utopia (Thoma...moreThe 3 Modern Utopias were very intriguing and very prophetic in a way that it precisely predicted the outcomes of science and technology.
Utopia (Thomas More): Before reading the book I thought that Thomas More would formulate a theory that would suggest an advanced and science centered society would be the driving force in creating the "Utopia" that the world needs. But as it turns out, the Utopia theory is actually regressive than progressive because it merely points out that tribalism is the purest form of "Utopia" that is present in this world. It didn't shock me but hell, I was disappointed but still regardless of it I found the book entertaining and exciting to read how Thomas More relayed the information, description and culture of a "Utopia" charged society.
New Atlantis (Francis Bacon): This book was more eye opening than the first because everything that Francis Bacon said of the "New Atlantis" was now realized in our modern era, from industrialization to plant and genetic engineering, retardation of age etc.
Isle of Pines (Henry Neville): True enough it can be said that this is the precursor of Robinson Crusoe but better, it deals with how individuals can create societies, cultures, heirarchies, structures and laws on themselves and make something out of nothing in complete obscurity. This to me was the best of the three because it tackled a lot of issues like race, religion, politics, colonialism, culture and the like. (less)
This is truly one of the finest and best philosophical books that I have ever come across. This book has all the Mitch Albom books plus the Art of War...moreThis is truly one of the finest and best philosophical books that I have ever come across. This book has all the Mitch Albom books plus the Art of War of Sun Tzu plus the Machiavelli's the prince, Hobbes, Plato, Socrates, Aristotle's political and humanistic view points times the values and lessons of the Last Lecture.
A remarkable book that narrates and explains the different viewpoints in the natural life of Marcus Aurelius. This book is one of the most complex yet simple philosophy books ever to be written. The very fact that Marcus Aurelius explained in complete detail the workings of the human mind, emotion and aspect of daily life and not to mention his life as being an emperor as well.
There are a lot of recurring aspects in this book such as the constant repetition of the "directing mind" that this is one aspect in humanity that can be fully controlled and harnessed by the humans spirit. There to is the fact of emotion and reason that humans are always prone to succumb to emotion and its consequences but reason is its best buffer in order to avoid being under emotional slavery.
It offers readers various life lessons and truth that transcends the periods of time and space. The Meditations truly lives up to its reputation as one of the most sought after and intellectually written books of all time(less)
The thing that I like about Friedrich Nietzsche is that if he discusses or explains his opinions, he tells it in a straight forward manner, comical an...moreThe thing that I like about Friedrich Nietzsche is that if he discusses or explains his opinions, he tells it in a straight forward manner, comical and sometimes even in a eccentrically funny way. I like his arguments on the errors of past philosophers, more importantly the eastern or Islamic philosophers and also the European optimists as well. How he discusses his views on Eurocentrism, the decadence of the 19th century, the Romanticism, artistic, intellectual and political revolutions of the time and last but not the least, his views about religion. He argues that it is because of Christianity that Europe is more disciplined and more subservient, thus rendering them blind to opinion, reason and free thought. He talks so fiercely against religion yet he seems to have a soft spot for love, thus asserting his claim that the virtues of each and every human being on earth makes them.... human.(less)
This autobiography was really unlike any other that I have ever read. This book was a last attempt for Fredrich Nietzsche to defend himself against th...moreThis autobiography was really unlike any other that I have ever read. This book was a last attempt for Fredrich Nietzsche to defend himself against the many criticisms that he and his works were subjected throughout the philosopher's life and career. This book truly signifies Nietzsche as unique and unorthodox individual by how he makes himself the "Anti Christ", based on his views and beliefs of religion especially with Christianity, his being the first "Immortalist", based from his self proclaimed genuis and brilliance even saying that Caesar of Alexander the Great should have been his father so that they may equal his greatness. And lastly, through this book he makes himself a "Hero" by the works, beliefs and the greatness that happened during his lifetime. For me it was written very well and he also defends himself and also caters to his legacy by explaining his works, his beliefs and his philosophies to his "posthumous" readers. Nietzsche defended and vindicated himself magnificently through this book and every angle of criticism or curiosity was superbly answered by the so called "MAD GENUIS".(less)
A very very imaginative novel by Lewis Carroll. It shows the innocence and the great imaginations that every child can conjure up with his/her mind. F...moreA very very imaginative novel by Lewis Carroll. It shows the innocence and the great imaginations that every child can conjure up with his/her mind. Full of humor and it was highly enjoyable to read especially the part when Alice and Humpty Dumpty met, O couldn't stop laughing about the cravat or the belt. The poems were a bonus as well namely Jabberwocky and The Walrus and the Carpenter. It also tells us that at times we should feel free to imagine or dream in order to escape reality but it also tells us that not all imaginations are meant to last and we should not stay long in that reverie because in the long run it won't be as exciting as the first time we entered that enchanted realm.(less)
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