Book & Podcast Reviews
Knowledge worth sharing
In the spirit of curious exploration, these reviews highlight books and podcasts that have helped me expand my knowledge across various disciplines. Some challenge assumptions, expand perspectives and some are deeper explorations on famous figures through biographies.
100 Baggers: Stocks That Return 100-to-1 and How to Find Them
I’ve previously written about Nick & Zak’s Adventures in Capitalism. Although 100 Baggers by Christopher Mayer extends the focus to analysing what makes a 100-bagger, it has a similar underlying theme of patience and long term holding.
The Most Awful Responsibility: Truman and the Secret Struggle for Control of the Atomic Age
When was the decision actually made to drop the atomic bomb on Japan? History lessons tend to focus on the lead-up and the catastrophic aftermath, but less so on the precise moment, or moments when the decision to unless such unprecedented destruction was made.
The 33 Strategies of War
Some book titles don’t quite do justice to the depth of what’s inside, and Robert Greene’s The 33 Strategies of War definitely falls into that category. By the time you reach the end, it feels as though far more than thirty-three strategies have been explored.
The New Science Of Momentum
I’m a bit torn on this one. I first came across The New Science of Momentum after hearing Don Yaeger interviewed on The Glue Guys podcast. I loved that episode as the topic of discussion around momentum in sport and business was right up my alley.
Greenlights
I can imagine Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey could split opinion among readers. It’s a very self-reflective and contemplative autobiography, with McConaughey weaving lessons and personal philosophies through the story of his career and life experiences.
The Art of Spending Money
People approach money in very different ways. Some find it hard to save; others find it hard to spend. For some who are more pressed for free cash, the choice doesn’t exist at all. Money can be a tool for happiness or a source of stress depending on how it’s managed, or how much power you allow it to hold over you.
Soldier of Fortune
I listen to The Acquirers Podcast, hosted by Tobias Carlisle on a weekly basis, so when he announced he had a new book coming out, I was happy to check it out. He’d already discussed its core thesis on his own show as well as in a We Study Billionaires interview, but even with that preview, I underestimated just how much of a valuable read Soldier of Fortune would turn out to be.
Gates of Fire
Someone asked me recently how I find the books I read, and I replied, “often they find me.” Steven Pressfield’s Gates of Fire is a perfect example.
Confronting Evil
I came across Confronting Evil by Bill O’Reilly after hearing him discuss it on a recent episode of the James Altucher Show. The conversation piqued my interest enough to pick up the audiobook.
The Undoing Project
I’ve read several of Michael Lewis’s books, but it wasn’t until I listened to a recent interview with Richard Thaler that I discovered The Undoing Project. I suspect many people may not even be aware of who Daniel Kahneman and Amos Tversky are.
No Rules Rules
No Rules Rules by Reed Hastings and Erin Meyer has appeared in my recommendations several times over the past few years, but despite adding it to my wish list, I only got around to reading it recently.
Make Your Bed
Make Your Bed by Admiral William H. McRaven was probably a long-overdue read for me. Not because I’d failed to appreciate its message, but because I’ve been listening to McRaven’s 2014 University of Texas at Austin commencement speech for years as part of my morning training routine.
Unreasonable Hospitality
Unreasonable Hospitality had been sitting on my Audible wishlist for months, but after hearing Will Guidara interviewed on a recent My First Million episode, I finally decided to give it a listen. I ended up finishing it in less than a day (albeit at my usual 3.5x listening speed)
Billion Dollar Loser
You’d be forgiven for wondering, while reading Billion Dollar Loser, whether it’s a book about a company or a cult. By the end, I concluded it might have been both, at least as far as Adam Neumann himself was concerned.
Behind The Cloud
I suspect many people know little about Salesforce as a company, yet probably use its services daily, either directly or through businesses built on its platform.
The Autobiography of Malcolm X
There are some autobiographies I believe everyone should read, and The Autobiography of Malcolm X firmly belongs in that category.
Elon Musk By Walter Isaacson
I suspect many people will skip over this book because of their feelings about Elon Musk, be it his political leanings, outspoken nature, or public persona in recent years. That’s a shame, because Elon Musk by Walter Isaacson is an excellent read
Extraordinary Popular Delusions and The Madness Of Crowds & Confusion de Confusiones
Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds by Charles Mackay is a book I’d heard referenced countless times but had never got around to reading. When I saw it available on Audible, I decided to finally give it a listen. This edition combines Popular Delusions with Confusion de Confusiones (translated as Confusion of Confusions)
Pryor Convictions and Other Life Sentences
Brilliance comes in many forms and is often subjective. For many comedy lovers, though, Richard Pryor earned that title within the world of stand-up. He may not be listened to as widely today as he was a few decades ago, but that takes nothing away from his status as one of the greatest comedic minds of all time.