This is a book about two storms. The first one is a hurricane, caused by mother nature. The second is the hurricane of human nature. While you can't s...moreThis is a book about two storms. The first one is a hurricane, caused by mother nature. The second is the hurricane of human nature. While you can't stop mother nature, we feel like we can stop and change the way we behave. But the reactions to stress and trauma we experience have been formed over many thousands of years. We are a part of nature, and nature can be cruel. (less)
I recently started watching Mr. Rogers on Hulu with my three year old son. It's a nice break from the media he normally consumes, and he smiles and no...moreI recently started watching Mr. Rogers on Hulu with my three year old son. It's a nice break from the media he normally consumes, and he smiles and nods along to the show, and feels empowered to be himself. Brené Brown's book does the same thing, just in a different format and with more swearing. (less)
More than any other author, Dubus captures the spirit of people. Others describe, but he has the gift of translating. Translating the complexities of...moreMore than any other author, Dubus captures the spirit of people. Others describe, but he has the gift of translating. Translating the complexities of life into the simple and tangible. Translating because you thought you knew that thing, that shape, but you realize you didn't, and he shows you what it really is. (less)
If you liked his TED talk on why schools kill creativity, this is for you. It's filled with real world examples of people finding what their great at,...moreIf you liked his TED talk on why schools kill creativity, this is for you. It's filled with real world examples of people finding what their great at, and why so many of us struggle to do it. It's refreshing that it's not just beating the drum of "we need art back in schools," and often focuses on left brain thinkers as well. A must read if you want to become someone who's paid to do what you love. I'd put this in the parenting category as well. (less)
For someone like me who was never remotely interested in books during the years I was in school, this really hit the spot. Brooks cuts to the heart of...moreFor someone like me who was never remotely interested in books during the years I was in school, this really hit the spot. Brooks cuts to the heart of what it takes for stories to work, and gives tons of examples from movies and novels. I'm riveted to start using this lens while experiencing stories of all kinds. I suppose the criticism here would be that the content is very repetitive, but for me that helped to drive the points home. (less)
There's a rawness to this book that you don't see often. From soaring paternal love to the depths of grief, this memoir hit me at my nerve endings. I...moreThere's a rawness to this book that you don't see often. From soaring paternal love to the depths of grief, this memoir hit me at my nerve endings. I certainly look at fatherhood differently because of it. The fascinating point of this book comes early on, when the author admits that if he was born again, he'd want to have the same father.
I finished this book on Father's Day 2012, four days after my second son was born, and 29 after the passing of my mother.(less)
You know you've read a ton of these kinds of "synthesis" books when you're familiar with 75% of the content. Still, he makes good points and does a gr...moreYou know you've read a ton of these kinds of "synthesis" books when you're familiar with 75% of the content. Still, he makes good points and does a great job of highlighting ways to improve. (less)
The new Biology 101. Lipton is an ex-pat of the western view of medicine and does a great job of explaining complex science through simple metaphors....moreThe new Biology 101. Lipton is an ex-pat of the western view of medicine and does a great job of explaining complex science through simple metaphors. His view goes beyond Nurture, advocating that people can rewire themselves to heal. (less)
A funny story about resilience. Martin writes surprisingly well, and paints a rich picture of his incubation period. It's fascinating to see how much...moreA funny story about resilience. Martin writes surprisingly well, and paints a rich picture of his incubation period. It's fascinating to see how much he would tinker, play and and take risks in his act. So different from the model of the modern comedian. One of my favorite lines: "Was she beautiful? Of course she was, she was in her 20's. We all were."
Seth Godin's short book about productivity and foresight. Figure out what you want to do, and become the best at it. Don't spend time on things you wo...moreSeth Godin's short book about productivity and foresight. Figure out what you want to do, and become the best at it. Don't spend time on things you won't be able to finish, so you'll have more time to work on that first thing - the thing you're going to be the best at.(less)
God damn. Creativity is a popular and elusive topic, something I've read extensively on both in books and online. Austin Kleon boils everything you ne...moreGod damn. Creativity is a popular and elusive topic, something I've read extensively on both in books and online. Austin Kleon boils everything you need to know into a small book that you can read in an hour. Tons of great quotes, stories and one liners. If there was a such thing as a map for being an artist, this is it. I wish someone had handed this to me when I was 18.(less)
Huge fan of this guy. I highly recommend all of his talks on the web, his message is incredibly strong. Tell people why, and you can get them to do an...moreHuge fan of this guy. I highly recommend all of his talks on the web, his message is incredibly strong. Tell people why, and you can get them to do anything. Unfortunately his book is redundant, citing Apple at almost every juncture.(less)
A maniacal genius asshole. What a saga. It reminded me of The Confederacy of Dunces the way Jobs is the perfect idiot. By the end of the book, his bla...moreA maniacal genius asshole. What a saga. It reminded me of The Confederacy of Dunces the way Jobs is the perfect idiot. By the end of the book, his black and white outlook of "everything is either 'the best thing ever' or 'complete shit'" was making me laugh out loud.
Two favorite parts. 1: Jobs refuses his anesthesia before Cancer surgery because he doesn't like the design of the mask. 2: He drives a Mercedes without a license plate and always parks in handicapped spots. Apple employees put the Mercedes logo over the handicap icon on the sign in front of the office building for his car. (less)
There's a handful of strategies and stories in here that will stay with me forever. Here's one of them.
A child who is recovering from cancer returns...moreThere's a handful of strategies and stories in here that will stay with me forever. Here's one of them.
A child who is recovering from cancer returns to school. She's lost all her hair from the chemo, and wears a scarf over her head to class. Predictably, one of the kid's pulls the scarf off against her will, and several of them tease her about not having any hair. The next day when the teacher comes to class, she addresses the class with a warm hello, while removing her hat. She's shaved her head. This gives her a platform to talk about the young girl's hair loss, and within a few days all the kids in the class have shaved their heads. And all of their hair grows back together. (less)
Loved this. A 30 year teaching veteran dissecting the flaws of the US school system. The book is a reality check on what education really is (and isn'...moreLoved this. A 30 year teaching veteran dissecting the flaws of the US school system. The book is a reality check on what education really is (and isn't). The best parts are the personal stories and case studies of successful education, the worst parts enter the territory of conspiracy theories.(less)
As awesome as I wanted this manifesto to be, it just doesn't get there. Weirdly enough, I'm a victim of the concept of this book: it's not for everyon...moreAs awesome as I wanted this manifesto to be, it just doesn't get there. Weirdly enough, I'm a victim of the concept of this book: it's not for everyone, but will be perfect for some. Chris Anderson wrote "The Long Tail", this book tells you what to do about it. This is my first selection for the book club I'm starting at Cramer. It'll provide some interesting conversation I'm sure, but falls short of Tribes and Linchpin.
My reviews are usually brief, but there's a story that goes along with this book that I want to share here. SG had a teleconference about this book that I listened in on. In the first half, he went through the arc of the book, and in the second half fielded questions from listeners who theoretically had read it (I had not yet). There weren't many people asking questions, and I thought of this as an opportunity to ask on of my personal heros a question. So from what I learned at the top half of the hour, I hit *6 and asked Seth Godin the following: "What's your take on the American Education system in the context of all this? We talk about white collar factories, but high school is another kind of conveyor belt. If I was born 300 years earlier, and my father was a blacksmith, I would have become an expert blacksmith -- getting training from an early age and becoming great. Now all kids take the same curriculum, a very 'normal' education, and are expected to excel." Seth's answer was this (best I can remember): "Thanks for the question. The US education system isn't going anywhere because the country relies heavily on normal, mainstream people. So, as parents we have to capitalize on the hours between 3:00-10:00, and teach our kids about leadership and get them to solve interesting problems. Show them how to become outliers. We should tell our kids that school is important, but point out it's flaws too. Because the system isn't going to change anytime soon. You can change one kid much easier than the whole system." Well said, sir.
I hate people like Stephen King. He's the kind of person that's interested in one thing, and spends his life becoming great at it. He knows who he is,...moreI hate people like Stephen King. He's the kind of person that's interested in one thing, and spends his life becoming great at it. He knows who he is, and who he isn't, and this memoir tells the story from start to finish. Points for demystifying the creative process, more people should do that.
If Creative Memoirs were a genre, I'd read every one.(less)
It's always fascinating to me how some people can be born into a great life with great parents and end up a failure, and how others can be born into p...moreIt's always fascinating to me how some people can be born into a great life with great parents and end up a failure, and how others can be born into poor circumstances, defy the odds, and become someone important. Here we have a story that bucks the system in many ways. It's brave and unusual, and totally captivating.
A halftime pep talk for creatives, swearing and all. This book paired with Steven King's On Writing really underline that art isn't about inspiration,...moreA halftime pep talk for creatives, swearing and all. This book paired with Steven King's On Writing really underline that art isn't about inspiration, it's about perspiration. This could have been titled "The Work of Art" but I get that it's a war, and I'm already enlisted. (less)
I understand myself better as a consumer after reading this. Solid and insightful as always. It's less about "marketers are bad guys" and more about t...moreI understand myself better as a consumer after reading this. Solid and insightful as always. It's less about "marketers are bad guys" and more about the stories we tell ourselves. (less)
A best-of-times/worst-of-times story that brings you in to the one-foot level of a POW in WWII. It's such a multifaceted story, with each part playing...moreA best-of-times/worst-of-times story that brings you in to the one-foot level of a POW in WWII. It's such a multifaceted story, with each part playing off the other. As you read it, take note of his ingenuity more than his determination, because that's what saves him time and time again. (less)
An essential piece in our parenting library. This book compliments Unconditional Parenting well, but where Kohn's book is probably 90% theory and 10%...moreAn essential piece in our parenting library. This book compliments Unconditional Parenting well, but where Kohn's book is probably 90% theory and 10% example, this book is the reverse. I've relied on many examples already.
I have a friend who has a three year old, and he sometimes wonders why his son acts so aggressively when he himself is such a passive, calm person. I once worked with a woman who's 5 year old daughter was obsessed with fashion and brands, and she couldn't figure out why. Because she's not like that. This book answers their questions by pointing to all of the external sources of media that kids see, and how different it is from when we were kids.
It also addresses the "Doing to vs/ Working with" parenting style well, and shows you how to infuse more creativity into the lives of children. (less)
Henrietta Lack's life, or death, caused a ripple effect in two opposite directions. The wave that headed toward the scientific community was massively...moreHenrietta Lack's life, or death, caused a ripple effect in two opposite directions. The wave that headed toward the scientific community was massively positive, and helped mankind move forward. At the same time there was an opposite wave that ripped through her personal life, and forever altered the lives of the people she knew in an incredibly negative way.
There's also an undercurrent of our class system and, for me, the importance of an education. Many of these people simply can't handle their emotions or thoughts; they don't have any kind of mental ground to stand on. Yes you can watch shows like The Wire, and read Malcolm Gladwell books that talk about easy fixes to large problems, but this story puts you right into America's lower class to see for yourself. (less)
A synthesis book on motivation. Rooted in science, aimed at business, Pink uncovers that inner drive is paramount. If you liked the TED talk, you love...moreA synthesis book on motivation. Rooted in science, aimed at business, Pink uncovers that inner drive is paramount. If you liked the TED talk, you love the book.(less)
Loved this. A literature class in book-form. It was striking to me to learn how much this author loves reading, I think that's overlooked when people...moreLoved this. A literature class in book-form. It was striking to me to learn how much this author loves reading, I think that's overlooked when people assess talent. It's much easier on the ego to say "oh that person's gifted at their craft," but rarely do people cite love of their artform as the cause. This book really shows that love is the seed of talent, and that the language of writing is stronger than plot or the historical importance of the novels. (less)
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