Aaron's bookshelf: read en-US Wed, 09 Apr 2025 22:48:52 -0700 60 Aaron's bookshelf: read 144 41 /images/layout/goodreads_logo_144.jpg The Design of Future Things 263287 The Design of Everyday Things, he points out what’s going wrong with the wave of products just coming on the market and some that are on drawing boards everywhere-from “smart� cars and homes that seek to anticipate a user’s every need, to the latest automatic navigational systems. Norman builds on this critique to offer a consumer-oriented theory of natural human-machine interaction that can be put into practice by the engineers and industrial designers of tomorrow’s thinking machines. This is a consumer-oriented look at the perils and promise of the smart objects of the future, and a cautionary tale for designers of these objects-many of which are already in use or development.]]> 231 Donald A. Norman 0465002277 Aaron 0 to-read 3.61 The Design of Future Things
author: Donald A. Norman
name: Aaron
average rating: 3.61
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]]> <![CDATA[ADHD 2.0 : New Science and Essential Strategies for Thriving with Distraction—From Childhood Through Adulthood]]> 54441760 A revolutionary new approach to ADD/ADHD featuring cutting-edge research and strategies to help readers thrive, by the bestselling authors of the seminal books Driven to Distraction and Delivered from Distraction

"An inspired road map for living with a distractible brain . . . If you or your child suffer from ADHD, this book should be on your shelf. It will give you courage and hope."--Michael Thompson, Ph.D., New York Times bestselling co-author of Raising Cain

World-renowned authors Dr. Edward M. Hallowell and Dr. John J. Ratey literally "wrote the book" on ADD/ADHD more than two decades ago. Their bestseller, Driven to Distraction, largely introduced this diagnosis to the public and sold more than a million copies along the way.

Now, most people have heard of ADHD and know someone who may have it. But lost in the discussion of both childhood and adult diagnosis of ADHD is the potential upside: Many hugely successful entrepreneurs and highly creative people attribute their achievements to ADHD. Also unknown to most are the recent research developments, including innovations that give a clearer understanding of the ADHD brain in action. In ADHD 2.0, Drs. Hallowell and Ratey, both of whom have this "variable attention trait," draw on the latest science to provide both parents and adults with ADHD a plan for minimizing the downside and maximizing the benefits of ADHD at any age. They offer an arsenal of new strategies and lifestyle hacks for thriving with ADHD, including

- Find the right kind of difficult. Use these behavior assessments to discover the work, activity, or creative outlet best suited to an individual's unique strengths.
- Reimagine environment. What specific elements to look for--at home, at school, or in the workplace--to enhance the creativity and entrepreneurial spirit inherent in the ADHD mind.
- Embrace innate neurological tendencies. Take advantage of new findings about the brain's default mode network and cerebellum, which confer major benefits for people with ADHD.
- Tap into the healing power of connection. Tips for establishing and maintaining positive connection "the other Vitamind C" and the best antidote to the negativity that plagues so many people with ADHD.
- Consider medication. Gets the facts about the underlying chemistry, side effects, and proven benefits of all the pharmaceutical options.

As inspiring as it is practical, 'ADHD 2.0' will help you tap into the power of this mercurial condition and find the key that unlocks potential.




RUNNING TIME => 7hrs.

©2021 Edward M. Hallowell and John J. Ratey (P)2021 Random House Audio]]> 175 Edward M. Hallowell 0399178759 Aaron 0 currently-reading 4.29 2021 ADHD 2.0 : New Science and Essential Strategies for Thriving with Distraction—From Childhood Through Adulthood
author: Edward M. Hallowell
name: Aaron
average rating: 4.29
book published: 2021
rating: 0
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date added: 2025/03/06
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]]> The Secret History 13054604 This is an alternate cover edition of ASIN B005PRJT9Q.*

Under the influence of their charismatic classics professor, a group of clever, eccentric misfits at an elite New England college discover a way of thinking and living that is a world away from the humdrum existence of their contemporaries. But when they go beyond the boundaries of normal morality their lives are changed profoundly and forever, and they discover how hard it can be to truly live and how easy it is to kill.]]> 578 Donna Tartt Aaron 0 3.99 1992 The Secret History
author: Donna Tartt
name: Aaron
average rating: 3.99
book published: 1992
rating: 0
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]]> Faust 406373 Faust reworks the late medieval myth of a brilliant scholar so disillusioned he resolves to make a contract with Mephistopheles. The devil will do all he asks on Earth and seeks to grant him a moment in life so glorious that he will wish it to last forever. But if Faust does bid the moment stay, he falls to Mephistopheles and must serve him after death. In this first part of Goethe’s great work, the embittered thinker and Mephistopheles enter into their agreement, and soon Faust is living a rejuvenated life and winning the love of the beautiful Gretchen. But in this compelling tragedy of arrogance, unfulfilled desire, and self-delusion, Faust heads inexorably toward an infernal destruction.]]> 503 Johann Wolfgang von Goethe 0385031149 Aaron 0 to-read 3.90 1808 Faust
author: Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
name: Aaron
average rating: 3.90
book published: 1808
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]]> <![CDATA[Agile Web Development with Rails 4]]> 17912829 458 Sam Ruby 1937785564 Aaron 0 to-read 3.95 2005 Agile Web Development with Rails 4
author: Sam Ruby
name: Aaron
average rating: 3.95
book published: 2005
rating: 0
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date added: 2024/10/03
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]]> <![CDATA[On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft]]> 57391296 Entertainment Weekly upon publication of Stephen King’s On Writing. Part memoir, part master class by one of the bestselling authors of all time, this superb volume is a revealing and practical view of the writer’s craft, comprising the basic tools of the trade every writer must have. King’s advice is grounded in his vivid memories from childhood through his emergence as a writer, from his struggling early career to his widely reported, near-fatal accident in 1999—and how the inextricable link between writing and living spurred his recovery. Brilliantly structured, friendly and inspiring, On Writing will empower and entertain everyone who reads it—fans, writers, and anyone who loves a great story well told.]]> 320 Stephen King Aaron 0 4.49 2000 On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft
author: Stephen King
name: Aaron
average rating: 4.49
book published: 2000
rating: 0
read at: 2024/10/02
date added: 2024/10/02
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]]> <![CDATA[The 3 Secrets to Effective Time Investment: Achieve More Success with Less Stress]]> 19169639 "You don't just need to manage your time, you need to invest it. This book offers key insights on what it means to live life well by getting things done and enjoying the ride." -- Marshall Goldsmith, New York Times bestselling author of MOJO and What Got You Here Won't Get You There

"If you lack grit--which most of us do--read this book. Elizabeth's practical insights on how to strengthen good time investment habits can help you develop the focus, discipline, and tenacity you need to achieve success." -- Heidi Grant Halvorson, PhD, author of Succeed and Nine Things Successful People Do Differently

"I love the main thesis of this book--that time management is less about managing your time and more about managing your emotions. That alone is a good reason to read this book." -- Peter Bregman, CEO of Bregman Partners, Inc., and author of 18 Minutes

"From the very phrase 'time investment,' you know this book is something special. Direct and powerful and easy to implement, Elizabeth has a key ingredient to your success right here." -- Chris Brogan, CEO of Human Business Works and New York Times bestselling coauthor of The Impact Equation

Quick Reference Guide included with over 30 online tools and 40 done-for-you routines

Is it possible to keep up on life, let alone enjoy it, when you’re overloaded and overwhelmed--with work, with errands, with emails and texts, and with relationship responsibilities? You get things done, but do you get them done well? Do you have enough time for other people--and for yourself?

The 3 Secrets to Effective Time Investment takes you beyond simple time management to provide you with the skills and outlook you need to completely revamp the quality of your life. You'll learn how to reorient your mindset and use simple routines to accomplish more than you ever dreamed possible.

Packed with tips and advice about how to overcome crippling emotions like guilt, let go of the compulsion to be perfect, and overcome the most common obstacles to a life well managed, this powerful, holistic, total-life guide is founded on three powerful principles:

Secret #1: Clarify Action-Based Priorities
Determine what's most important to you and define exactly what you will do to invest in those priorities

Secret #2: Set Realistic Expectations
Shift expectations of yourself and others from the realm of the ideal to the realm of the possible

Secret #3: Strengthen Simple Routines
Develop healthy habits so the flow of your life moves effortlessly toward your highest goals

A renowned authority in her field, Elizabeth Grace Saunders illustrates exactly how her methods work through case studies of time-coaching clients, and she provides a quick-reference guide of real-life example routines on everything from exercising regularly to moving forward on a dreaded project.

The 3 Secrets to Effective Time Investment does more than help you make the best of the time you have. It gives you the tools, insight, and guidance you need to overhaul your entire life.

]]> 273 Elizabeth Grace Saunders 0071808825 Aaron 0 to-read 3.70 2012 The 3 Secrets to Effective Time Investment: Achieve More Success with Less Stress
author: Elizabeth Grace Saunders
name: Aaron
average rating: 3.70
book published: 2012
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]]> Socrates: A Man for Our Times 19122103 A brilliant portrait of the Greek philosopher who personified philosophy. Socrates was undeniably one of the greatest thinkers of all time, yet he wrote nothing. Throughout his life, and indeed until his very last moment alive, Socrates fully embodied his philosophy in thought and deed. It is through the story of his life that we can fully grasp his powerful actions and ideas.

In his highly acclaimed style, historian Paul Johnson masterfully disentangles centuries of scarce sources to offer a riveting account of a homely but charismatic middle-class man living in Athens in the fifth century b.c., and how what this man thought still shapes the way we decide how to act, and how we fathom the notion of body and soul. Johnson provides a compelling picture of the city and people Socrates reciprocally delighted in, as well as many enlightening and intimate analyses of specific aspects of his personality. Enchantingly portraying "the sheer power of Socrates's mind, and its unique combination of steel, subtlety, and frivolity," Paul Johnson captures the vast and intriguing life of a man who did nothing less than supply the basic apparatus of the human mind.]]> 226 Paul Johnson 1101545194 Aaron 0 to-read 4.05 2011 Socrates: A Man for Our Times
author: Paul Johnson
name: Aaron
average rating: 4.05
book published: 2011
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]]> The Road to Wigan Pier 13491161 The Road to Wigan Pier is a book by the British writer George Orwell, first published in 1937. The first half of this work documents his sociological investigations of the bleak living conditions amongst the working class in Lancashire and Yorkshire in the industrial north of England before World War II. The second half is a long essay on his middle-class upbringing, and the development of his political conscience, questioning British attitudes towards socialism. Orwell states plainly that he himself is in favour of socialism; but feels it necessary to point out reasons why many people who would benefit from socialism, and should logically support it, are in practice likely to be strong opponents.

(Source: )]]> 131 George Orwell 0547523017 Aaron 0 to-read, own 3.95 1937 The Road to Wigan Pier
author: George Orwell
name: Aaron
average rating: 3.95
book published: 1937
rating: 0
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]]> <![CDATA[Around the World in Eighty Days]]> 54479 252 Jules Verne 014044906X Aaron 0 to-read 3.95 1872 Around the World in Eighty Days
author: Jules Verne
name: Aaron
average rating: 3.95
book published: 1872
rating: 0
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date added: 2024/08/07
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]]> The Civil Wars 167816 480 Appian 0140445099 Aaron 0 to-read 4.02 165 The Civil Wars
author: Appian
name: Aaron
average rating: 4.02
book published: 165
rating: 0
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date added: 2024/08/07
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]]> <![CDATA[Consciousness: An Introduction]]> 254501 This groundbreaking book is the first volume to bring together all the major theories of consciousness studies--from those rooted in traditional Western philosophy to those coming out of neuroscience, quantum theory, and Eastern philosophy. Broadly interdisciplinary, Consciousness: AnIntroduction is divided into nine sections that examine such topics as how subjective experiences arise from objective brain processes, the basic neuroscience and neuropathology of consciousness, altered states of consciousness, mystical experiences and dreams, and the effects of drugs and meditation. It also discusses the nature of self, the possibility of artificial consciousness in robots, and the question of whether or not animals are conscious. Enhanced by numerous illustrations and profiles of important researchers, the book also includes self-assessment questions, further reading suggestions, and practical exercises that help bring the subject to life.]]> 480 Susan Blackmore 019515343X Aaron 0 to-read 4.15 2003 Consciousness: An Introduction
author: Susan Blackmore
name: Aaron
average rating: 4.15
book published: 2003
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]]> The Histories 831106 336 Tacitus 0140441506 Aaron 0 to-read 4.14 The Histories
author: Tacitus
name: Aaron
average rating: 4.14
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date added: 2024/06/20
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]]> <![CDATA[Quicksilver (The Baroque Cycle, Vol. 1, Book 1)]]> 45277 (back cover)]]> 456 Neal Stephenson 0060833165 Aaron 5 4.15 2003 Quicksilver (The Baroque Cycle, Vol. 1, Book 1)
author: Neal Stephenson
name: Aaron
average rating: 4.15
book published: 2003
rating: 5
read at: 2015/07/19
date added: 2024/05/15
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]]> History of Philosophy 7927799 652 Alfred Weber 1144850061 Aaron 0 to-read 3.76 2013 History of Philosophy
author: Alfred Weber
name: Aaron
average rating: 3.76
book published: 2013
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]]> The Persians 237794 48 Aeschylus 1419177060 Aaron 0 to-read 3.64 -472 The Persians
author: Aeschylus
name: Aaron
average rating: 3.64
book published: -472
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]]> <![CDATA[Montaigne, Philosopher of Life: How to Believe]]> 21124616
The How to Believe series of ebooks explores the teachings, philosophies and beliefs of major thinkers and religious texts. In a short, easy-to-access format, leading writers present new understandings of these perennially important ideas.]]> 19 Sarah Bakewell Aaron 0 to-read 4.22 2010 Montaigne, Philosopher of Life: How to Believe
author: Sarah Bakewell
name: Aaron
average rating: 4.22
book published: 2010
rating: 0
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date added: 2024/03/17
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]]> <![CDATA[One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich]]> 17125 The only English translation authorized by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn

First published in the Soviet journal Novy Mir in 1962, One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich stands as a classic of contemporary literature. The story of labor-camp inmate Ivan Denisovich Shukhov, it graphically describes his struggle to maintain his dignity in the face of communist oppression. An unforgettable portrait of the entire world of Stalin's forced work camps, One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich is one of the most extraordinary literary documents to have emerged from the Soviet Union and confirms Solzhenitsyn's stature as "a literary genius whose talent matches that of Dosotevsky, Turgenev, Tolstoy"--Harrison Salisbury

This unexpurgated 1991 translation by H. T. Willetts is the only authorized edition available, and fully captures the power and beauty of the original Russian.]]> 182 Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn Aaron 0 to-read 3.98 1962 One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich
author: Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
name: Aaron
average rating: 3.98
book published: 1962
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]]> <![CDATA[Watching the English: The Hidden Rules of English Behavior]]> 22798736 Updated, with new research and over 100 revisions Ten years later, they're still talking about the weather! Kate Fox, the social anthropologist who put the quirks and hidden conditions of the English under a microscope, is back with more biting insights about the nature of Englishness. This updated and revised edition of Watching the English - which over the last decade has become the unofficial guidebook to the English national character - features new and fresh insights on the unwritten rules and foibles of "squaddies," bikers, horse-riders, and more. Fox revisits a strange and fascinating culture, governed by complex sets of unspoken rules and bizarre codes of behavior. She demystifies the peculiar cultural rules that baffle the rules of weather-speak. The ironic-gnome rule. The reflex apology rule. The paranoid pantomime rule. Class anxiety tests. The roots of English self-mockery and many more. An international bestseller, Watching the English is a biting, affectionate, insightful and often hilarious look at the English and their society.]]> 602 Kate Fox Aaron 0 currently-reading 3.90 2004 Watching the English: The Hidden Rules of English Behavior
author: Kate Fox
name: Aaron
average rating: 3.90
book published: 2004
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]]> Last Night in Montreal 40605629
Last Night in Montreal is a story of love, amnesia, compulsive travel, the depths and the limits of family bonds, and the nature of obsession. In this extraordinary debut, Emily St. John Mandel casts a powerful spell that captures the reader in a gritty, youthful world charged with an atmosphere of mystery, promise and foreboding where small revelations continuously change our understanding of the truth and lead to desperate consequences. Mandel's characters will resonate with you long after the final page is turned.]]> 230 Emily St. John Mandel 1936071452 Aaron 0 3.77 2009 Last Night in Montreal
author: Emily St. John Mandel
name: Aaron
average rating: 3.77
book published: 2009
rating: 0
read at: 2024/03/06
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]]> Rick Steves England 74849276 Hike the wild moors of Dartmoor, explore the scenic bays of Cornwall, and dive into history at Hadrian's England is yours to discover with Rick Steves! Inside Rick Steves England you'll Comprehensive coverage for spending two weeks or more in England Rick's strategic advice on how to get the most out of your time and money, with rankings of his must-see favorites Top sights and hidden gems, from the ancient and mysterious Stonehenge to cozy corner pubs How to connect with local Enjoy an evening at the theatre, take high tea in a classic hotel, or cheer on the team with fans at a football match Beat the crowds, skip the lines, and avoid tourist traps with Rick's candid, humorous insight The best places to eat, sleep, and relax with a pint Self-guided walking tours of lively neighborhoods, historic sites, and museums Detailed neighborhood and museum maps for exploring on the go Useful resources including a packing list, a phrase book of British slang, a historical overview, and recommended reading Over 900 bible-thin pages include everything worth seeing without weighing you down Complete, up-to-date information on London, Windsor and Cambridge, Canterbury, Dover, Brighton, Portsmouth, Dartmoor, Cornwall, Penzance, St. Ives, Penwith Peninsula, Bath, Glastonbury, Wells, Avebury, Stonehenge, Salisbury, Oxford, the Cotswolds, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwick, Coventry, Ironbridge Gorge, Liverpool, Blackpool, the Lake District, Yorkshire, Durham, and more Make the most of every day and every dollar with Rick Steves England.

Visiting for less than two weeks? Try Rick Steves Best of England.]]> 1826 Rick Steves Aaron 0 currently-reading 4.53 2006 Rick Steves England
author: Rick Steves
name: Aaron
average rating: 4.53
book published: 2006
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]]> The Lola Quartet 20550359 From the bestselling author of Station Eleven and Sea of Tranquility—Gavin Sasaki was a promising young journalist in New York City until the day he was fired for plagiarism. The last thing he wants is to sell foreclosed real estate for his sister Eilo’s company in their Florida hometown, but he’s in no position to refuse her job offer. Plus, there’s another reason to go Eilo recently met a ten-year-old girl who looks very much like Gavin and has the same last name as his high-school girlfriend, Anna, who left town abruptly after graduation. Determined to find out if this little girl might be his daughter, Gavin sets off to track down Anna, starting with the three friends they shared back when he was part of a jazz group called “The Lola Quartet.� As Gavin pieces together their stories, he learns that Anna has been on the run for good reason, and soon his investigation into her sudden disappearance all those years ago takes a seriously dangerous turn.Look for Emily St. John Mandel’s bestselling new novel, Sea of Tranquility!]]> 285 Emily St. John Mandel 1609530802 Aaron 0 3.74 2012 The Lola Quartet
author: Emily St. John Mandel
name: Aaron
average rating: 3.74
book published: 2012
rating: 0
read at: 2024/02/05
date added: 2024/02/05
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]]> <![CDATA[What's Your Story?: Using Stories to Ignite Performance and Be More Successful]]> 741160 240 Craig Wortmann 1419535560 Aaron 0 to-read 3.84 2006 What's Your Story?: Using Stories to Ignite Performance and Be More Successful
author: Craig Wortmann
name: Aaron
average rating: 3.84
book published: 2006
rating: 0
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date added: 2024/01/31
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]]> <![CDATA[Belle & Sebastian's Formative Year: In The All–Night Café]]> 52204083 “Stuart David brings warmth and wit to tales of mixtapes, house shows, and their haphazard path to becoming one of indie rock’s greatest acts� ROLLING STONE
“We meet scattered label heads, and industry types; crash a few ill-fated open mics; and sit in on epic house parties, train rides, and bitterly cold recording sessions…David’s prose, light and airy but blessed with a wonderful eye for detail and nuance, interestingly mimics the feel of a Belle and Sebastian song…The book’s best moments come when David delves into Stuart Murdoch’s creative headspace. David gives great insight into Murdoch’s staunch commitment to his musical vision and his polite refusal to settle for anything less� CONSEQUENCE OF SOUND
“In the All-Night Café is the work of a gifted prose writer, and is easily set apart from rock hagiography, documentary or diary by its sheer specificity� GLASGOW REVIEW OF BOOKS
“You don’t have to be a Belle and Sebastian fan to enjoy this charming story of the band’s formation…It’s a privilege to be allowed into this witty world� THE BOOKSELLER
“A moving, amusing account…Best of all are David’s masterful and often-moving vignettes� THE GUARDIAN]]> 225 Stuart David Aaron 5 4.32 2015 Belle & Sebastian's Formative Year: In The All–Night Café
author: Stuart David
name: Aaron
average rating: 4.32
book published: 2015
rating: 5
read at: 2024/01/21
date added: 2024/01/21
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]]> <![CDATA[Developing The Qualities of Success : How to Stay Motivated Volume One]]> 2628039 0 Zig Ziglar 1562072323 Aaron 0 to-read 4.46 1993 Developing The Qualities of Success : How to Stay Motivated Volume One
author: Zig Ziglar
name: Aaron
average rating: 4.46
book published: 1993
rating: 0
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date added: 2024/01/11
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]]> <![CDATA[It's OK That You're Not OK: Meeting Grief and Loss in a Culture That Doesn't Understand]]> 35993689 Challenging conventional wisdom on grief, a pioneering therapist offers a new resource for those experiencing loss

When a painful loss or life-shattering event upends your world, here is the first thing to know: there is nothing wrong with grief. “Grief is simply love in its most wild and painful form,� says Megan Devine. “It is a natural and sane response to loss.�

So, why does our culture treat grief like a disease to be cured as quickly as possible?

In It’s OK That You’re Not OK, Megan Devine offers a profound new approach to both the experience of grief and the way we try to help others who have endured tragedy. Having experienced grief from both sides—as both a therapist and as a woman who witnessed the accidental drowning of her beloved partner—Megan writes with deep insight about the unspoken truths of loss, love, and healing. She debunks the culturally prescribed goal of returning to a normal, “happy� life, replacing it with a far healthier middle path, one that invites us to build a life alongside grief rather than seeking to overcome it. In this compelling and heartful book, you’ll learn:

� Why well-meaning advice, therapy, and spiritual wisdom so often end up making it harder for people in grief
� How challenging the myths of grief—doing away with stages, timetables, and unrealistic ideals about how grief should unfold—allows us to accept grief as a mystery to be honored instead of a problem to solve
� Practical guidance for managing stress, improving sleep, and decreasing anxiety without trying to “fix� your pain
� How to help the people you love—with essays to teach us the best skills, checklists, and suggestions for supporting and comforting others through the grieving process

Many people who have suffered a loss feel judged, dismissed, and misunderstood by a culture that wants to “solve� grief. Megan writes, “Grief no more needs a solution than love needs a solution.� Through stories, research, life tips, and creative and mindfulness-based practices, she offers a unique guide through an experience we all must face—in our personal lives, in the lives of those we love, and in the wider world.

It’s OK That You’re Not OK is a book for grieving people, those who love them, and all those seeking to love themselves—and each other—better.]]> 282 Megan Devine 1622039084 Aaron 0 currently-reading 4.42 2017 It's OK That You're Not OK: Meeting Grief and Loss in a Culture That Doesn't Understand
author: Megan Devine
name: Aaron
average rating: 4.42
book published: 2017
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date added: 2023/11/22
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]]> <![CDATA[The Life of Alexander the Great]]> 398122
The Life of Alexander the Great is one of the ď¬rst surviving attempts to memorialize the achievements of this legendary king, remembered today as the greatest military genius of all time. This exclusive Modern Library edition, excerpted from Plutarch’s Lives , is a riveting tale of honor, power, scandal, and bravery written by the most eminent biographer of the ancient world.]]> 96 Plutarch 0812971337 Aaron 0 to-read 3.99 100 The Life of Alexander the Great
author: Plutarch
name: Aaron
average rating: 3.99
book published: 100
rating: 0
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]]> Oblomov 254308 586 Ivan Goncharov 1933480092 Aaron 0 to-read 4.09 1859 Oblomov
author: Ivan Goncharov
name: Aaron
average rating: 4.09
book published: 1859
rating: 0
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date added: 2023/08/01
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]]> A History Of Rome To 565 A.D. 9135705 462 Arthur Edward Romilly Boak 1440043779 Aaron 0 to-read 3.40 1977 A History Of Rome To 565 A.D.
author: Arthur Edward Romilly Boak
name: Aaron
average rating: 3.40
book published: 1977
rating: 0
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date added: 2023/07/25
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]]> <![CDATA[Welcome to the Monkey House: The Special Edition: Stories]]> 17834865 Welcome to the Monkey House has been one of Kurt Vonnegut's most beloved works. This special edition celebrates a true master of the short-story form by including multiple variant drafts of what would eventually be the title story. In a fascinating accompanying essay, "Building the Monkey House: At Kurt Vonnegut's Writing Table," noted Vonnegut scholar Gregory D. Sumner walks readers through Vonnegut's process as he struggles—false start after false start—to hit upon what would be one of his greatest stories. The result is the rare chance to watch a great writer hone his craft in real time.]]> 416 Kurt Vonnegut Jr. 0812993608 Aaron 0 to-read 4.25 1968 Welcome to the Monkey House: The Special Edition: Stories
author: Kurt Vonnegut Jr.
name: Aaron
average rating: 4.25
book published: 1968
rating: 0
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date added: 2023/04/30
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]]> <![CDATA[Lucullus: A Life (Classical Lives)]]> 1114258 288 Arthur Keaveney 0415032199 Aaron 0 to-read 4.00 1992 Lucullus: A Life (Classical Lives)
author: Arthur Keaveney
name: Aaron
average rating: 4.00
book published: 1992
rating: 0
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date added: 2022/08/27
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]]> <![CDATA[A Dance with Dragons (A Song of Ice and Fire, #5)]]> 10664113 Alternate cover edition of ASIN B004XISI4A

In the aftermath of a colossal battle, the future of the Seven Kingdoms hangs in the balance—beset by newly emerging threats from every direction. In the east, Daenerys Targaryen, the last scion of House Targaryen, rules with her three dragons as queen of a city built on dust and death. But Daenerys has thousands of enemies, and many have set out to find her. As they gather, one young man embarks upon his own quest for the queen, with an entirely different goal in mind.

Fleeing from Westeros with a price on his head, Tyrion Lannister, too, is making his way to Daenerys. But his newest allies in this quest are not the rag-tag band they seem, and at their heart lies one who could undo Daenerys’s claim to Westeros forever.

Meanwhile, to the north lies the mammoth Wall of ice and stone—a structure only as strong as those guarding it. There, Jon Snow, 998th Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch, will face his greatest challenge. For he has powerful foes not only within the Watch but also beyond, in the land of the creatures of ice.

From all corners, bitter conflicts reignite, intimate betrayals are perpetrated, and a grand cast of outlaws and priests, soldiers and skinchangers, nobles and slaves, will face seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Some will fail, others will grow in the strength of darkness. But in a time of rising restlessness, the tides of destiny and politics will lead inevitably to the greatest dance of all.]]> 1125 George R.R. Martin Aaron 4 fantasy, fiction 4.33 2011 A Dance with Dragons (A Song of Ice and Fire, #5)
author: George R.R. Martin
name: Aaron
average rating: 4.33
book published: 2011
rating: 4
read at: 2022/07/12
date added: 2022/07/12
shelves: fantasy, fiction
review:

]]> <![CDATA[A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1)]]> 13496
Sweeping from a harsh land of cold to a summertime kingdom of epicurean plenty, A Game of Thrones tells a tale of lords and ladies, soldiers and sorcerers, assassins and bastards, who come together in a time of grim omens. Here an enigmatic band of warriors bear swords of no human metal; a tribe of fierce wildlings carry men off into madness; a cruel young dragon prince barters his sister to win back his throne; a child is lost in the twilight between life and death; and a determined woman undertakes a treacherous journey to protect all she holds dear. Amid plots and counter-plots, tragedy and betrayal, victory and terror, allies and enemies, the fate of the Starks hangs perilously in the balance, as each side endeavors to win that deadliest of conflicts: the game of thrones.]]> 835 George R.R. Martin 0553588486 Aaron 5 fantasy, fiction, favorites 4.44 1996 A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1)
author: George R.R. Martin
name: Aaron
average rating: 4.44
book published: 1996
rating: 5
read at: 2022/05/10
date added: 2022/05/10
shelves: fantasy, fiction, favorites
review:

]]> Dune (Dune, #1) 43419431 Frank Herbert’s classic masterpiece—a triumph of the imagination and one of the bestselling science fiction novels of all time.

Set on the desert planet Arrakis, Dune is the story of the boy Paul Atreides, heir to a noble family tasked with ruling an inhospitable world where the only thing of value is the “spice� melange, a drug capable of extending life and enhancing consciousness. Coveted across the known universe, melange is a prize worth killing for....

When House Atreides is betrayed, the destruction of Paul’s family will set the boy on a journey toward a destiny greater than he could ever have imagined. And as he evolves into the mysterious man known as Muad’Dib, he will bring to fruition humankind’s most ancient and unattainable dream.

A stunning blend of adventure and mysticism, environmentalism and politics, Dune won the first Nebula Award, shared the Hugo Award, and formed the basis of what is undoubtedly the grandest epic in science fiction.]]> 883 Frank Herbert Aaron 0 4.44 1965 Dune (Dune, #1)
author: Frank Herbert
name: Aaron
average rating: 4.44
book published: 1965
rating: 0
read at: 2021/08/15
date added: 2021/08/15
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]]> <![CDATA[Laelius, on Friendship and the Dream of Scipio (Classical Texts)]]> 400300 ]]> 188 Marcus Tullius Cicero 0856684414 Aaron 0 to-read 3.93 Laelius, on Friendship and the Dream of Scipio (Classical Texts)
author: Marcus Tullius Cicero
name: Aaron
average rating: 3.93
book published:
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2021/08/08
shelves: to-read
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]]> Just Kids 7741657 Just Kids begins as a love story and ends as an elegy. It serves as a salute to New York City during the late sixties and seventies and to its rich and poor, its hustlers and hellions. A true fable, it is a portrait of two young artists' ascent, a prelude to fame.]]> 306 Patti Smith 0060936223 Aaron 0 to-read 4.33 2010 Just Kids
author: Patti Smith
name: Aaron
average rating: 4.33
book published: 2010
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2021/07/07
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[This Is the Story of a Happy Marriage]]> 17616210 State ofĚý Wonder, Run,Ěý˛ą˛Ô»ĺĚýBel Canto,Ěýexamines her deepest commitments—to writing, family, friends, dogs, books, and her husband—creating a resonant portrait of a life inĚýThis is the Story of a Happy Marriage.

This Is the Story of a Happy Marriage takes us into the very real world of Ann Patchett’s life. Stretching from her childhood to the present day, from a disastrous early marriage to a later happy one, it covers a multitude of topics, including relationships with family and friends, and charts the hard work and joy of writing, and the unexpected thrill of opening a bookstore.

As she shares stories of the people, places, ideals, and art to which she has remained indelibly committed, Ann Patchett brings into focus the large experiences and small moments that have shaped her as a daughter, wife, and writer.]]> 320 Ann Patchett Aaron 0 currently-reading 4.08 2013 This Is the Story of a Happy Marriage
author: Ann Patchett
name: Aaron
average rating: 4.08
book published: 2013
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2021/05/10
shelves: currently-reading
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Stop Living on Autopilot: Take Responsibility for Your Life and Rediscover a Bolder, Happier You]]> 53285208 A raw and inspiring how-to guide that will help you recommit to your life, find your drive, and take action to stay bold, honest, and accountable for lasting happiness.

"If it's time to make a bold and courageous shift in your life, Stop Living on Autopilot is the guide you need."--Marie Forleo, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Everything Is Figureoutable

Take stock of your life: Based on your last 30 days of work (or marriage, or parenting), would your company rehire you? Would your partner immediately recommit to you? Would your children want you to continue to be their parent?

The easy answer is, "Absolutely!" But it's probably not the honest answer. Your life might read like a success story, and your parents and friends might even think you have it all figured out, but you have a secret: You've stopped caring about much of anything. You feel out of place in your own life. You'd rather binge-watch Netflix than think about what's next. You're living on autopilot. You have two choices: Experience a slow self-destruction, or commit to a course correction. The good news is, it's never too late to find your drive again.

Popular speaker and success coach Antonio Neves is here to offer hard-won lessons and remind you that you do have a say--that you can reboot your life and find fulfillment right where you are. You don't have to quit your job or move to Bali to follow your passion. You do, however, need to shift your perspective and commit to living courageously, replacing passivity with boldness.

Stop Living on Autopilot will guide you to confront hard truths about where you are and how you got there, inviting compassion, honesty, and accountability. There's no better time than now to reevaluate your life and lay a stronger foundationfor your next 30 days. Step by step, you can become an active player in your own life and rediscover what makes you great.]]> 256 Antonio Neves 0593136837 Aaron 5 3.92 2021 Stop Living on Autopilot: Take Responsibility for Your Life and Rediscover a Bolder, Happier You
author: Antonio Neves
name: Aaron
average rating: 3.92
book published: 2021
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 2021/05/01
shelves:
review:
Living in a conflicted, demanding, always-on society, it’s easy to lose track of what we truly want our lives to be, and to coast along, falling prey to temptations and short-term thinking, slowly but steadily drifting away from our most deeply-held values and dreams. I was there. Antonio gave me the language to describe what I was feeling and seeing, the right questions to ask myself about my life, and the tools to change it. This book is powerful and empowering, and you can begin using it right now.
]]> Writing to Change the World 39296 236 Mary Pipher 1594489203 Aaron 4 3.94 2006 Writing to Change the World
author: Mary Pipher
name: Aaron
average rating: 3.94
book published: 2006
rating: 4
read at: 2021/03/01
date added: 2021/03/01
shelves:
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]]> <![CDATA[The Splendid and the Vile: A Saga of Churchill, Family, and Defiance During the Blitz]]> 51227088 The #1 New York Times bestselling author of Dead Wake and The Devil in the White City delivers a startlingly fresh portrait of Winston Churchill and London during the Blitz

On Winston Churchill's first day as prime minister, Hitler invaded Holland and Belgium. Poland and Czechoslovakia had already fallen, and the Dunkirk evacuation was just two weeks away. For the next twelve months, Hitler would wage a relentless bombing campaign, killing 45,000 Britons (30,000 of them Londoners) and destroying two million homes. It was up to Churchill to hold the country together and persuade President Franklin Roosevelt that Britain was a worthy ally--that she was willing to fight to the end.

In The Splendid and the Vile, Erik Larson shows, in cinematic detail, how Churchill taught the British people "the art of being fearless." It is a story of political brinksmanship but also an intimate domestic drama, set against the backdrop of Churchill's prime-ministerial country house, Chequers, and his wartime residence, Ditchley, where Churchill and his entourage go when the moon is brightest and the bombing threat is highest. Drawing on a wealth of untapped sources, including recently declassified files, intelligence reports, and personal diaries only now available, Larson provides a new lens on London's darkest year through the day-to-day experience of Churchill and his family: his wife, Clementine; their daughters, Sarah, Diana, and the youngest, Mary, who chafes against her parents' wartime protectiveness; their son, Randolph, and his beautiful, unhappy wife, Pamela; her illicit lover, a dashing American emissary; and the cadre of close advisors who comprised Churchill's "Secret Circle," including his dangerously observant private secretary, John Colville; newspaper baron Lord Beaverbrook; and the Rasputin-like Federick Lindemann.

The Splendid and the Vile takes readers out of today's political dysfunction and back to a time of true leadership, when--in the face of unrelenting horror--Churchill's eloquence, strategic brilliance, and perseverance bound a country, and a family, together.]]> 585 Erik Larson Aaron 4 4.28 2020 The Splendid and the Vile: A Saga of Churchill, Family, and Defiance During the Blitz
author: Erik Larson
name: Aaron
average rating: 4.28
book published: 2020
rating: 4
read at: 2021/02/24
date added: 2021/02/24
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]]> <![CDATA[Jungian Psychology in Perspective]]> 3453772 352 Mary Ann Mattoon 0029206502 Aaron 0 currently-reading, jungian 4.25 1981 Jungian Psychology in Perspective
author: Mary Ann Mattoon
name: Aaron
average rating: 4.25
book published: 1981
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2021/01/31
shelves: currently-reading, jungian
review:

]]> Jung: A Biography 233233 928 Deirdre Bair 0316159387 Aaron 4
My one major concern with the book is that it doesn't delve as deeply into Jung's psychology as I'd have liked. Perhaps I've been spoiled by recently reading James Gleick's meticulous scientific treatment of Richard Feynman's life (Genius: The Life and Science of Richard Feynman). This book, in contrast, is heavier on the purely biographical details than on the ideas, and there are portions that focus overly on names, dates, and other minutiae.

That said, there are plenty of references in the appropriate places, along with the background behind the theories as Bair mines it. She accomplishes well the primary task of the biographer: to retract the curtain of mystery so we can glimpse the human behind.

For a man with such a thick curtain, Bair presents a breathtaking view. It's important to understand the mortality of great thinkers, especially those with a seemingly immortal aura. For those looking to achieve such an understanding of Jung, this is a place to begin.]]> 4.13 2003 Jung: A Biography
author: Deirdre Bair
name: Aaron
average rating: 4.13
book published: 2003
rating: 4
read at: 2016/01/31
date added: 2021/01/29
shelves:
review:
A wonderfully thorough and balanced portrait of an immensely complex man. Walt Whitman, with your contradictions and multitudes: Jung is the proof in your pudding. And Deirdre Bair serves that pudding up as a scrumptious and filling dish.

My one major concern with the book is that it doesn't delve as deeply into Jung's psychology as I'd have liked. Perhaps I've been spoiled by recently reading James Gleick's meticulous scientific treatment of Richard Feynman's life (Genius: The Life and Science of Richard Feynman). This book, in contrast, is heavier on the purely biographical details than on the ideas, and there are portions that focus overly on names, dates, and other minutiae.

That said, there are plenty of references in the appropriate places, along with the background behind the theories as Bair mines it. She accomplishes well the primary task of the biographer: to retract the curtain of mystery so we can glimpse the human behind.

For a man with such a thick curtain, Bair presents a breathtaking view. It's important to understand the mortality of great thinkers, especially those with a seemingly immortal aura. For those looking to achieve such an understanding of Jung, this is a place to begin.
]]> <![CDATA[World Without End (Kingsbridge, #2)]]> 45145958 #1 New York Times Bestseller

In 1989, Ken Follett astonished the literary world with The Pillars of the Earth, a sweeping epic novel set in twelfth-century England centered on the building of a cathedral and many of the hundreds of lives it affected.

World Without End is its equally irresistible sequel—set two hundred years after The Pillars of the Earth and three hundred years after the Kingsbridge prequel, The Evening and the Morning.

World Without End takes place in the same town of Kingsbridge, two centuries after the townspeople finished building the exquisite Gothic cathedral that was at the heart of The Pillars of the Earth. The cathedral and the priory are again at the center of a web of love and hate, greed and pride, ambition and revenge, but this sequel stands on its own. This time the men and women of an extraordinary cast of characters find themselves at a crossroads of new ideas—about medicine, commerce, architecture, and justice. In a world where proponents of the old ways fiercely battle those with progressive minds, the intrigue and tension quickly reach a boiling point against the devastating backdrop of the greatest natural disaster ever to strike the human race—the Black Death.

Three years in the writing and nearly eighteen years since its predecessor, World Without End is a "well-researched, beautifully detailed portrait of the late Middle Ages" (The Washington Post) that once again shows that Ken Follett is a masterful author writing at the top of his craft.]]> 1030 Ken Follett Aaron 0 4.60 2007 World Without End (Kingsbridge, #2)
author: Ken Follett
name: Aaron
average rating: 4.60
book published: 2007
rating: 0
read at: 2020/11/27
date added: 2021/01/29
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]]> <![CDATA[The Bullet Journal Method: Track the Past, Order the Present, Design the Future]]> 39100905 The long-awaited first book by the founder of the enormously popular Bullet Journal® organizational system.

For years Ryder Carroll tried countless organizing systems, online and off, but none of them fit the way his mind worked. Out of sheer necessity, he developed a method called the Bullet Journal that helped him become consistently focused and effective. When he started sharing his system with friends who faced similar challenges, it went viral. Just a few years later, to his astonishment, Bullet Journaling is a global movement.

The Bullet Journal Method is about much more than organizing your notes and to-do lists. It's about what Carroll calls "intentional living:" weeding out distractions and focusing your time and energy in pursuit of what's truly meaningful, in both your work and your personal life. It's about spending more time with what you care about, by working on fewer things. His new book shows you how to...

� Track the past: Using nothing more than a pen and paper, create a clear and comprehensive record of your thoughts.

� Order the present: Find daily calm by tackling your to-do list in a more mindful, systematic, and productive way.

� Design the future: Transform your vague curiosities into meaningful goals, and then break those goals into manageable action steps that lead to big change.

Carroll wrote this book for frustrated list-makers, overwhelmed multitaskers, and creatives who need some structure. Whether you've used a Bullet Journal for years or have never seen one before, The Bullet Journal Method will help you go from passenger to pilot of your own life.]]> 310 Ryder Carroll 0525533338 Aaron 0 currently-reading 4.18 2018 The Bullet Journal Method: Track the Past, Order the Present, Design the Future
author: Ryder Carroll
name: Aaron
average rating: 4.18
book published: 2018
rating: 0
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date added: 2021/01/18
shelves: currently-reading
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]]> Giovanni’s Room 38462 here.

Baldwin's haunting and controversial second novel is his most sustained treatment of sexuality, and a classic of gay literature. In a 1950s Paris swarming with expatriates and characterized by dangerous liaisons and hidden violence, an American finds himself unable to repress his impulses, despite his determination to live the conventional life he envisions for himself. After meeting and proposing to a young woman, he falls into a lengthy affair with an Italian bartender and is confounded and tortured by his sexual identity as he oscillates between the two.

Examining the mystery of love and passion in an intensely imagined narrative, Baldwin creates a moving and complex story of death and desire that is revelatory in its insight.]]> 159 James Baldwin Aaron 0 to-read 4.31 1956 Giovanni’s Room
author: James Baldwin
name: Aaron
average rating: 4.31
book published: 1956
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2021/01/04
shelves: to-read
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]]> Homegoing 27071490 An alternate cover edition can be found here.

A novel of breathtaking sweep and emotional power that traces three hundred years in Ghana and along the way also becomes a truly great American novel. Extraordinary for its exquisite language, its implacable sorrow, its soaring beauty, and for its monumental portrait of the forces that shape families and nations, Homegoing heralds the arrival of a major new voice in contemporary fiction.

Two half-sisters, Effia and Esi, are born into different villages in eighteenth-century Ghana. Effia is married off to an Englishman and lives in comfort in the palatial rooms of Cape Coast Castle. Unbeknownst to Effia, her sister, Esi, is imprisoned beneath her in the castle's dungeons, sold with thousands of others into the Gold Coast's booming slave trade, and shipped off to America, where her children and grandchildren will be raised in slavery. One thread of Homegoing follows Effia's descendants through centuries of warfare in Ghana, as the Fante and Asante nations wrestle with the slave trade and British colonization. The other thread follows Esi and her children into America. From the plantations of the South to the Civil War and the Great Migration, from the coal mines of Pratt City, Alabama, to the jazz clubs and dope houses of twentieth-century Harlem, right up through the present day, Homegoing makes history visceral, and captures, with singular and stunning immediacy, how the memory of captivity came to be inscribed in the soul of a nation.

Generation after generation, Yaa Gyasi's magisterial first novel sets the fate of the individual against the obliterating movements of time, delivering unforgettable characters whose lives were shaped by historical forces beyond their control. Homegoing is a tremendous reading experience, not to be missed, by an astonishingly gifted young writer.]]> 305 Yaa Gyasi Aaron 0 to-read 4.48 2016 Homegoing
author: Yaa Gyasi
name: Aaron
average rating: 4.48
book published: 2016
rating: 0
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date added: 2021/01/04
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]]> No Small Plans 35843892
The 144-page novel will be published in July 2017. It was inspired by the 1911 Wacker's Manual textbook that taught Chicago's young people about Daniel Burnham's 1909 Plan of Chicago. Over the next three years, CAF will work to give free copies of the novel to 30,000 teens and catalyze conversations in Chicago Public Schools and Chicago Public Libraries about what makes a good neighborhood.]]> 144 Gabrielle Lyon Aaron 0 to-read 3.80 2017 No Small Plans
author: Gabrielle Lyon
name: Aaron
average rating: 3.80
book published: 2017
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2021/01/04
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]]> <![CDATA[The 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth: Live Them and Reach Your Potential]]> 13529210 265 John C. Maxwell 1599953668 Aaron 0 to-read 4.30 2012 The 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth: Live Them and Reach Your Potential
author: John C. Maxwell
name: Aaron
average rating: 4.30
book published: 2012
rating: 0
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date added: 2021/01/04
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]]> Memories, Dreams, Reflections 612188 Memories, Dreams, Reflections includes Jung's VII Sermones ad Mortuos. It is a fully corrected edition.ĚýFrom the Trade Paperback edition.]]> 430 C.G. Jung 0679723951 Aaron 0 currently-reading 4.16 1962 Memories, Dreams, Reflections
author: C.G. Jung
name: Aaron
average rating: 4.16
book published: 1962
rating: 0
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date added: 2021/01/04
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]]> <![CDATA[The Moral Animal: Why We Are the Way We Are - The New Science of Evolutionary Psychology]]> 681941 496 Robert Wright 0679763996 Aaron 0 currently-reading 4.08 1994 The Moral Animal: Why We Are the Way We Are - The New Science of Evolutionary Psychology
author: Robert Wright
name: Aaron
average rating: 4.08
book published: 1994
rating: 0
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date added: 2021/01/04
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review:

]]> <![CDATA[The Three Marriages: Reimagining Work, Self and Relationship]]> 6052036 Drawing from his own experience and the lives of some of the world's great writers and poets, David Whyte brings compelling insights to our three most important commitments—to another, to our work, and to ourselves—to frame a complete picture of a satisfying life.

David Whyte knows there are three crucial relationships, or marriages, in our lives: the marriage or partnership with a significant other, the commitment we have to our work, and the vows, spoken or unspoken, we make to an inner, constantly developing self. In The Three Marriages, the bestselling author, poet, and speaker argues that it is not possible to sacrifice one relationship for the others without causing deep psychological damage. Too often, he says, we fracture our lives and split our energies foolishly, so that one or more of these marriages is sacrificed and may wither and die, in the process impoverishing them all. Whyte looks to a different way of seeing and connecting these relationships and prompts us to examine each marriage with a fierce but affectionate eye as he shows us the importance of cherishing all three equally.

Drawing from his own struggles to achieve this goal as well as exploring the lives of some of the world's great writers and activists—from Dante to Joan of Arc, from Austen to Dickinson—Whyte reveals that our core commitments are irrevocably connected. Only by understanding the simultaneously robust and delicate nature of the three marriages and the stages of their maturation, he maintains, can we create a real portrait of what makes us tick and a real sense of finding a place in the world.

In prose that's at once lyrical and inviting, Whyte investigates captivating ideas for bringing a deeper satisfaction to our lives, one that goes beyond our previously held ideas of balance.

]]> 352 David Whyte 1594488606 Aaron 5 3.91 2009 The Three Marriages: Reimagining Work, Self and Relationship
author: David Whyte
name: Aaron
average rating: 3.91
book published: 2009
rating: 5
read at: 2020/01/04
date added: 2021/01/04
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]]> <![CDATA[The Pillars of the Earth (Kingsbridge, #1)]]> 50881608 The Pillars of the Earth tells the story of Philip, prior of Kingsbridge, a devout and resourceful monk driven to build the greatest Gothic cathedral the world has known . . . of Tom, the mason who becomes his architect—a man divided in his soul . . . of the beautiful, elusive Lady Aliena, haunted by a secret shame . . . and of a struggle between good and evil that will turn church against state and brother against brother.

A spellbinding epic tale of ambition, anarchy, and absolute power set against the sprawling medieval canvas of twelfth-century England, this is Ken Follett’s historical masterpiece.

For the miniseries tie-in edition with the same ASIN go to this Alternate Cover Edition]]> 1008 Ken Follett Aaron 0 4.51 1989 The Pillars of the Earth (Kingsbridge, #1)
author: Ken Follett
name: Aaron
average rating: 4.51
book published: 1989
rating: 0
read at: 2020/11/27
date added: 2020/11/27
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]]> <![CDATA[Novel Advice: Practical Wisdom for Your Favorite Literary Characters]]> 50891266
Why do we love literature? There are many reasons, of course, but one of them has to be that we find the characters relatable. Even while fictional, their problems and predicaments feel real, speaking to human nature and reality even when wrapped in fantastical or romantic packaging.

When a real-world person has a problem, they turn to their friends, family, therapists—and advice columnists. In Novel Advice , our favorite characters from classic literature do just that, writing in to Aunt Antigone, the “agony aunt for the fictional� who dishes out practical advice, along with a fair dose of snark.

By turns amusing, touching, and enlightening, see what Aunt Antigone has to say about:
-Relationships , with advice for Ophelia and Ishmael about their dating woes
-Careers and Work , when Dr. Jekyll searches for the perfect work/life balance
-Mental Health , when Scarlett O’Hara wants tips about the best way to handle stress
-Finances , in response to Mrs. Bennet’s request for tips to manage her money woes
-Community and Society , as when Hester Prynne writes in for help with her judgy neighbors�

Emmy Award–winning writer Jay Bushman imaginatively considers those scenarios and dozens more. He shines a light not only on the key themes and plot points found in our favorite classic novels and plays, but also on the human nature that lies beneath these enduring works of fiction.

Perfect for fans of Texts from Jane Eyre , Tequila Mockingbird , and booklovers everywhere, this book is a hilarious and thought-provoking look at our favorite literary characters seeking help from an advice columnist with her own dramatic background.]]> 224 Jay Bushman 1982156295 Aaron 5 3.63 2020 Novel Advice: Practical Wisdom for Your Favorite Literary Characters
author: Jay Bushman
name: Aaron
average rating: 3.63
book published: 2020
rating: 5
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date added: 2020/11/08
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]]> The Good Captain 13439080 69 Jay Bushman Aaron 0 to-read 0.0 The Good Captain
author: Jay Bushman
name: Aaron
average rating: 0.0
book published:
rating: 0
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date added: 2020/11/08
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]]> <![CDATA[The Stone Sky (The Broken Earth, #3)]]> 34017126 The Moon will soon return. Whether this heralds the destruction of humankind or something worse will depend on two women.

Essun has inherited the phenomenal power of Alabaster Tenring. With it, she hopes to find her daughter Nassun and forge a world in which every outcast child can grow up safe.

For Nassun, her mother's mastery of the Obelisk Gate comes too late. She has seen the evil of the world, and accepted what her mother will not admit: that sometimes what is corrupt cannot be cleansed, only destroyed.]]> 398 N.K. Jemisin Aaron 5 4.47 2017 The Stone Sky (The Broken Earth, #3)
author: N.K. Jemisin
name: Aaron
average rating: 4.47
book published: 2017
rating: 5
read at: 2020/10/08
date added: 2020/10/08
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]]> <![CDATA[The Obelisk Gate (The Broken Earth, #2)]]> 28147302 The second novel in a new fantasy trilogy by Hugo, Nebula & World Fantasy Award nominated author N.K. Jemisin.

THIS IS THE WAY THE WORLD ENDS... FOR THE LAST TIME.

The season of endings grows darker as civilization fades into the long cold night. Alabaster Tenring -- madman, world-crusher, savior -- has returned with a mission: to train his successor, Essun, and thus seal the fate of the Stillness forever.

It continues with a lost daughter, found by the enemy.

It continues with the obelisks, and an ancient mystery converging on answers at last.

The Stillness is the wall which stands against the flow of tradition, the spark of hope long buried under the thickening ashfall. And it will not be broken.
]]> 321 N.K. Jemisin Aaron 5 4.44 2016 The Obelisk Gate (The Broken Earth, #2)
author: N.K. Jemisin
name: Aaron
average rating: 4.44
book published: 2016
rating: 5
read at: 2020/09/24
date added: 2020/09/24
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]]> <![CDATA[The Fifth Season (The Broken Earth, #1)]]> 38213103 355 N.K. Jemisin Aaron 5 4.39 2015 The Fifth Season (The Broken Earth, #1)
author: N.K. Jemisin
name: Aaron
average rating: 4.39
book published: 2015
rating: 5
read at: 2020/09/05
date added: 2020/09/05
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]]> A Tear and a Smile 2549 228 Kahlil Gibran 0394448049 Aaron 0 to-read 4.13 1950 A Tear and a Smile
author: Kahlil Gibran
name: Aaron
average rating: 4.13
book published: 1950
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2020/07/20
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[The Innocents Abroad, Or, the New Pilgrims' Progress]]> 2443 560 Mark Twain 0812967054 Aaron 0 to-read 3.83 1869 The Innocents Abroad, Or, the New Pilgrims' Progress
author: Mark Twain
name: Aaron
average rating: 3.83
book published: 1869
rating: 0
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date added: 2020/04/30
shelves: to-read
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]]> <![CDATA[Become a Key Person of Influence: Five-Step Sequence to Becoming One of the Most Highly Valued and Highly Paid People in Your Industry]]> 11175371 187 Daniel Priestley 1905823843 Aaron 0 to-read 3.93 2010 Become a Key Person of Influence: Five-Step Sequence to Becoming One of the Most Highly Valued and Highly Paid People in Your Industry
author: Daniel Priestley
name: Aaron
average rating: 3.93
book published: 2010
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2019/12/07
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Ancient Greece: A History in Eleven Cities]]> 7117015 An innovative approach to ancient Greece & its legacy, both in terms of the time span covered & in its unique city-by-city organization, this volume provides an ideal concise introduction to the history & culture of this remarkable civilization.]]> 283 Paul Cartledge 0199233381 Aaron 0 to-read 3.29 2009 Ancient Greece: A History in Eleven Cities
author: Paul Cartledge
name: Aaron
average rating: 3.29
book published: 2009
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2019/10/13
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Crafting Rails 4 Applications: Expert Practices for Everyday Rails Development (The Facets of Ruby)]]> 18051754
This second edition of the bestselling Crafting Rails Applications has been updated to Rails 4 and discusses new topics such as streaming, mountable engines, and thread safety.

Rails is one of the most extensible frameworks out there. This pioneering book deep-dives into the Rails plugin APIs and shows you, the intermediate Rails developer, how to use them to write better web applications and make your day-to-day work with Rails more productive.

Rails Core developer Jose Valim guides you through eight different tutorials, each using test-driven development to build a new Rails plugin or application that solves common problems with these APIs. You'll learn how the Rails rendering stack works and customize it to read templates from the database while you discover how to mimic Active Record behavior, such as validations, in any other object. You'll find out how Rails integrates with Rack, the different ways to stream data from your web application, and how to mix Rails engines and Sinatra applications into your Rails apps, so you can choose the most appropriate tool for the job. In addition, you'll improve your productivity by customizing generators and responders.

This book will help you understand Rails' inner workings, including generators, template handlers, internationalization, routing, and responders. With the knowledge you'll gain, you'll create well-tested, modular, and robust solutions for your next project.

What You Need

This book requires previous experience with Ruby on Rails.]]> 208 José Valim 1937785556 Aaron 0 to-read 4.20 2011 Crafting Rails 4 Applications: Expert Practices for Everyday Rails Development (The Facets of Ruby)
author: José Valim
name: Aaron
average rating: 4.20
book published: 2011
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2019/04/26
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> The Complete Essays 30735 The Complete Essays is translated from the French and edited with an introduction and notes by M.A. Screech.

In 1572 Montaigne retired to his estates in order to devote himself to leisure, reading and reflection. There he wrote his constantly expanding 'assays', inspired by the ideas he found in books contained in his library and from his own experience. He discusses subjects as diverse as war-horses and cannibals, poetry and politics, sex and religion, love and friendship, ecstasy and experience. But, above all, Montaigne studied himself as a way of drawing out his own inner nature and that of men and women in general. The Essays are among the most idiosyncratic and personal works in all literature and provide an engaging insight into a wise Renaissance mind, continuing to give pleasure and enlightenment to modern readers.

With its extensive introduction and notes, M.A. Screech's edition of Montaigne is widely regarded as the most distinguished of recent times.

Michel de Montaigne (1533-1586) studied law and spent a number of years working as a counsellor before devoting his life to reading, writing and reflection.

If you enjoyed The Complete Essays, you might like Francois Rabelais's Gargantua and Pantagruel, also available in Penguin Classics.

'Screech's fine version ... must surely serve as the definitive English Montaigne'
A.C. Grayling, Financial Times

'A superb edition'
Nicholas Wollaston, Observer]]> 1344 Michel de Montaigne 0140446044 Aaron 0 to-read 4.24 1580 The Complete Essays
author: Michel de Montaigne
name: Aaron
average rating: 4.24
book published: 1580
rating: 0
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date added: 2019/03/30
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire]]> 19400
The work covers the history of the Roman Empire, Europe, and the Catholic Church from 98 to 1590 and discusses the decline of the Roman Empire in the East and West. Because of its relative objectivity and heavy use of primary sources, unusual at the time, its methodology became a model for later historians. This led to Gibbon being called the first "modern historian of ancient Rome"

This version includes working footnotes unobtrusively placed at the back of the book with active links for easy navigation, maps from the original book, modern maps, and links to audiobook of all volumes.
]]> 1312 Edward Gibbon Aaron 0 3.97 1776 The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire
author: Edward Gibbon
name: Aaron
average rating: 3.97
book published: 1776
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2019/03/30
shelves: history, non-fiction, war, to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Advanced Bash-Scripting Guide 5.0]]> 12951211 0 Mendel Cooper 1257337092 Aaron 0 to-read 4.25 2011 Advanced Bash-Scripting Guide 5.0
author: Mendel Cooper
name: Aaron
average rating: 4.25
book published: 2011
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2019/03/30
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[A Critical Dictionary of Jungian Analysis]]> 1570697 184 Andrew Samuels 0415059100 Aaron 0 currently-reading 4.33 1986 A Critical Dictionary of Jungian Analysis
author: Andrew Samuels
name: Aaron
average rating: 4.33
book published: 1986
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2019/03/30
shelves: currently-reading
review:

]]> The Flinch 13159280
Julien Smith has delivered a surprise, a confrontation, a book that will push you, scare you and possibly stick with you for years to come.

The idea is simple: your flinch mechanism can save your life. It shortcircuits the conscious mind and allows you to pull back and avoid danger faster than you can even imagine it’s there.

But what if danger is exactly what you need?

What if facing the flinch is the one best way to get what you want?

Here’s a chance to read the book everyone will be talking about, before they do.

What are you afraid of? Here's how to find out.]]> 38 Julien Smith Aaron 0 to-read 3.75 2011 The Flinch
author: Julien Smith
name: Aaron
average rating: 3.75
book published: 2011
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2019/03/30
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Rest: Why You Get More Done When You Work Less]]> 29502354 Overwork is the new normal. Rest is something to do when the important things are done-but they are never done. Looking at different forms of rest, from sleep to vacation, Silicon Valley futurist and business consultant Alex Soojung-Kim Pang dispels the myth that the harder we work the better the outcome. He combines rigorous scientific research with a rich array of examples of writers, painters, and thinkers---from Darwin to Stephen King---to challenge our tendency to see work and relaxation as antithetical. "Deliberate rest," as Pang calls it, is the true key to productivity, and will give us more energy, sharper ideas, and a better life. Rest offers a roadmap to rediscovering the importance of rest in our lives, and a convincing argument that we need to relax more if we actually want to get more done.]]> 320 Alex Soojung-Kim Pang 0465074871 Aaron 0 to-read 3.77 2016 Rest: Why You Get More Done When You Work Less
author: Alex Soojung-Kim Pang
name: Aaron
average rating: 3.77
book published: 2016
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2019/03/30
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Lafayette in the Somewhat United States]]> 24602886 From the bestselling author of Assassination Vacation and Unfamiliar Fishes, a humorous and insightful account of the Revolutionary War hero Marquis de Lafayette--the one Frenchman we could all agree on--and an insightful portrait of a nation's idealism and its reality.

On August 16, 1824, an elderly French gentlemen sailed into New York Harbor and giddy Americans were there to welcome him. Or, rather, to welcome him back. It had been thirty years since the Revolutionary War hero the Marquis de Lafayette had last set foot in the United States, and he was so beloved that 80,000 people showed up to cheer for him. The entire population of New York at the time was 120,000.

Lafayette's arrival in 1824 coincided with one of the most contentious presidential elections in American history, Congress had just fought its first epic battle over slavery, and the threat of a Civil War loomed. But Lafayette, belonging to neither North nor South, to no political party or faction, was a walking, talking reminder of the sacrifices and bravery of the revolutionary generation and what they wanted this country to be. His return was not just a reunion with his beloved Americans, it was a reunion for Americans with their own astonishing singular past.

Lafayette in the Somewhat United States is a humorous and insightful portrait of the famed Frenchman, the impact he had on our young country, and his ongoing relationship with some of the instrumental Americans of the time, including George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, and many more.]]> 274 Sarah Vowell 1594631743 Aaron 4 3.82 2015 Lafayette in the Somewhat United States
author: Sarah Vowell
name: Aaron
average rating: 3.82
book published: 2015
rating: 4
read at: 2018/10/30
date added: 2019/03/30
shelves:
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Enchiridion and Selections from the Discourses]]> 213981 100 Epictetus 1420925792 Aaron 0 to-read 4.20 125 Enchiridion and Selections from the Discourses
author: Epictetus
name: Aaron
average rating: 4.20
book published: 125
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2018/12/03
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> Samnium and the Samnites 8506040 472 Edward T. Salmon 0521135729 Aaron 0 to-read 4.50 1967 Samnium and the Samnites
author: Edward T. Salmon
name: Aaron
average rating: 4.50
book published: 1967
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2018/10/06
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead (30 Minute Expert Summary)]]> 17185947
Daring Greatly ...in 30 Minutes is the essential guide to quickly understanding how to embrace fears and live vulnerably as outlined in Brené Brown's best-selling book, Daring Greatly.

Understand the key ideas behind Daring Greatly in a fraction of the time:

* Concise chapter-by-chapter synopses
* Essential insights and takeaways highlight the importance of daring greatly
* Illustrative case studies reveal Brown's groundbreaking research on shame and vulnerability

In Daring Greatly, best-selling author and research professor Brené Brown explores the world of shame and vulnerability. Having spent ten years conducting research on the subject, Brown posits that life is not about winning or losing, but about having the courage to enter the arena and dare greatly.

According to Brown, people's belief that they are not enough, and do not have enough, spills over into their workplaces, affects their social lives, and causes distress within their families. The way to counteract this condition, says Brown, is to cultivate Wholeheartedness--to feel a sense of self-worth in the face of uncertainty and risk.

In Daring Greatly, Brown explains that if people can learn to practice vulnerability, they can find deeper connections with family members, friends, and coworkers--and, perhaps most important, they can establish compassionate and loving relationships with themselves. An essential read for anyone who aspires to bring purpose to their life, Daring Greatly provides the tools for living a worthy, connected, and authentic life.

A 30 Minute Expert Summary of Daring Greatly

Designed for those whose desire to learn exceeds the time they have available, the Daring Greatly expert summary helps readers quickly and easily become experts ...in 30 minutes.]]> 36 Brené Brown 1623150655 Aaron 0 to-read 4.34 2012 Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead (30 Minute Expert Summary)
author: Brené Brown
name: Aaron
average rating: 4.34
book published: 2012
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2018/09/04
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[NOT A BOOK: Understanding Complexity]]> 13640622 212 Scott E. Page 1598035606 Aaron 0 to-read 4.02 2009 NOT A BOOK: Understanding Complexity
author: Scott E. Page
name: Aaron
average rating: 4.02
book published: 2009
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2018/07/16
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[The Drama of the Gifted Child: The Search for the True Self]]> 4887 The bestselling book on childhood trauma and the enduring effects of repressed anger and pain.

Why are many of the most successful people plagued by feelings of emptiness and alienation? This wise and profound book has provided millions of readers with an answer—and has helped them to apply it to their own lives.

Far too many of us had to learn as children to hide our own feelings, needs, and memories skillfully in order to meet our parents' expectations and win their "love." Alice Miller writes, "When I used the word 'gifted' in the title, I had in mind neither children who receive high grades in school nor children talented in a special way. I simply meant all of us who have survived an abusive childhood thanks to an ability to adapt even to unspeakable cruelty by becoming numb.... Without this 'gift' offered us by nature, we would not have survived." But merely surviving is not enough. The Drama of the Gifted Child helps us to reclaim our life by discovering our own crucial needs and our own truth.]]> 136 Alice Miller 0465016901 Aaron 0 to-read 4.05 1979 The Drama of the Gifted Child: The Search for the True Self
author: Alice Miller
name: Aaron
average rating: 4.05
book published: 1979
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2018/06/22
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Ancient Israel: What Do We Know and How Do We Know It?]]> 2274641
In Ancient Israel Lester L. Grabbe sets out to summarize what we know through a survey of sources and how we know it by a discussion of methodology and by evaluating the evidence. Grabbe's aim is not to offer a history as such but rather to collect together and analyze the materials necessary for writing such a history. His approach therefore allows the reader the freedom, and equips them with the essential methodological tools, to use the valuable and wide-ranging evidence presented in this volume to draw their own conclusions.

The most basic question about the history of ancient Israel, how do we know what we know, leads to the fundamental questions of the What are the sources for the history of Israel and how do we evaluate them? How do we make them 'speak' to us through the fog of centuries?

Grabbe focuses on original sources, including inscriptions, papyri, and archaeology. He examines the problems involved in historical methodology and deals with the major issues surrounding the use of the biblical text when writing a history of this period. Ancient Israel makes an original contribution to the field but also provides an enlightening overview and critique of current scholarly debate. It can therefore serve as a 'handbook' or reference-point for those wanting a catalog of original sources, scholarship, and secondary studies.

Its user-friendly structure and Grabbe's clarity of style make this book eminently accessible not only to students of biblical studies and ancient history but also to the interested lay reader.]]> 328 Lester L. Grabbe 056703254X Aaron 0 to-read 3.72 2007 Ancient Israel: What Do We Know and How Do We Know It?
author: Lester L. Grabbe
name: Aaron
average rating: 3.72
book published: 2007
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2018/05/17
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[The Bible Unearthed: Archaeology's New Vision of Ancient Israel and the Origin of Its Sacred Texts]]> 169479
In this iconoclastic and provocative work, leading scholars Israel Finkelstein and Neil Asher Silberman draw on recent archaeological research to present a dramatically revised portrait of ancient Israel and its neighbors. They argue that crucial evidence (or a telling lack of evidence) at digs in Israel, Egypt, Jordan, and Lebanon suggests that many of the most famous stories in the Bible—the wanderings of the patriarchs, the Exodus from Egypt, Joshua’s conquest of Canaan, and David and Solomon’s vast empire—reflect the world of the later authors rather than actual historical facts.

Challenging the fundamentalist readings of the scriptures and marshaling the latest archaeological evidence to support its new vision of ancient Israel, The Bible Unearthed offers a fascinating and controversial perspective on when and why the Bible was written and why it possesses such great spiritual and emotional power today.]]> 385 Israel Finkelstein 0684869136 Aaron 0 to-read 4.10 2001 The Bible Unearthed: Archaeology's New Vision of Ancient Israel and the Origin of Its Sacred Texts
author: Israel Finkelstein
name: Aaron
average rating: 4.10
book published: 2001
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2018/05/17
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Engines of Logic: Mathematicians & the Origin of the Computer]]> 982791 Martin D. Davis 0393322297 Aaron 0 to-read 4.01 2000 Engines of Logic: Mathematicians & the Origin of the Computer
author: Martin D. Davis
name: Aaron
average rating: 4.01
book published: 2000
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2018/04/15
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[The Other Side of History: Daily Life in the Ancient World]]> 20421960
The past truly comes alive as you take a series of imaginative leaps into the world of history's anonymous citizens, people such as a Greek soldier marching into battle in the front row of a phalanx; an Egyptian woman putting on makeup before attending an evening party with her husband; a Greek citizen relaxing at a drinking party with the likes of Socrates; a Roman slave captured in war and sent to work in the mines; and a Celtic monk scurrying away with the Book of Kells during a Viking invasion.

Put yourself in the sandals of ordinary people and discover what it was like to be among history's 99%. What did these everyday people do for a living? What was their home like? What did they eat? What did they wear? What did they do to relax? What were their beliefs about marriage? Religion? The afterlife?

This extraordinary journey takes you across space and time in an effort to be another person - someone with whom you might not think you have anything at all in common - and come away with an incredible sense of interconnectedness. You'll see the range of possibilities of what it means to be human, making this a journey very much worth taking.]]> 384 Robert Garland 1598038621 Aaron 0 to-read 4.30 2010 The Other Side of History: Daily Life in the Ancient World
author: Robert Garland
name: Aaron
average rating: 4.30
book published: 2010
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2018/04/07
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[The Rise and Fall of the British Empire]]> 25281744
At its peak in the early 20th century, Britain's empire was the largest in the history of the world, greater even than that of ancient Rome. It embraced more than a fourth of the world's population and affected the course of Western civilization in ways almost too numerous to imagine.]]> 18 Patrick N. Allitt 1598035843 Aaron 0 to-read 4.17 2009 The Rise and Fall of the British Empire
author: Patrick N. Allitt
name: Aaron
average rating: 4.17
book published: 2009
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2018/04/07
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Harry Potter, #1)]]> 3 309 J.K. Rowling 0439554934 Aaron 5 fantasy, fiction 4.47 1997 Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Harry Potter, #1)
author: J.K. Rowling
name: Aaron
average rating: 4.47
book published: 1997
rating: 5
read at: 2011/01/07
date added: 2018/01/16
shelves: fantasy, fiction
review:

]]> To the Finland Station 694282 507 Edmund Wilson 1590170334 Aaron 0 to-read 4.11 1940 To the Finland Station
author: Edmund Wilson
name: Aaron
average rating: 4.11
book published: 1940
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2017/12/05
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Tragedy and Hope: A History of the World in Our Time]]> 726546 1348 Carroll Quigley 094500110X Aaron 0 to-read 4.32 1966 Tragedy and Hope: A History of the World in Our Time
author: Carroll Quigley
name: Aaron
average rating: 4.32
book published: 1966
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2017/11/23
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> The Birth of Tragedy 2823 The Birth of Tragedy has become a key text in European culture and in literary criticism.]]> 121 Friedrich Nietzsche 0140433392 Aaron 0 to-read 4.01 1871 The Birth of Tragedy
author: Friedrich Nietzsche
name: Aaron
average rating: 4.01
book published: 1871
rating: 0
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date added: 2017/11/23
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Hauntings: Dispelling the Ghosts Who Run Our Lives]]> 18136765 Are we here just to propagate the species anew?
Do any of us really believe that we are here to make money and then die?
Does life matter, in the end, and if so, how, and in what fashion?
What guiding intelligence weaves the threads of our individual biographies?
What hauntings of the invisible world invigorate, animate, and direct the multiple narratives of daily life?

In Hauntings, James Hollis considers how we are all governed by the presence of invisible forms spirits, ghosts, ancestral and parental influences, inner voices, dreams, impulses, untold stories, complexes, synchronicities, and mysteries which move through us, and through history. He offers a way to understand them psychologically, examining the persistence of the past in influencing our present, conscious lives and noting that engagement with mystery is what life asks of each of us. From such engagements, a deeper, more thoughtful, more considered life may come.]]> 154 James Hollis 1888602627 Aaron 0 to-read 4.38 2013 Hauntings: Dispelling the Ghosts Who Run Our Lives
author: James Hollis
name: Aaron
average rating: 4.38
book published: 2013
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2017/11/22
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> Theophrastus: Characters 323023
This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.

Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. To ensure a quality reading experience, this work has been proofread and republished using a format that seamlessly blends the original graphical elements with text in an easy-to-read typeface.

We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.]]> 612 Theophrastus 0521839807 Aaron 0 to-read 3.78 -300 Theophrastus: Characters
author: Theophrastus
name: Aaron
average rating: 3.78
book published: -300
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2017/10/19
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> The Bootstrapper's Bible 20662353 The Bootstrapper's Bible: How to Start and Build a Business with a Great Idea and (Almost) No Money, Godin shows precisely how his own venture, and a slew of others like Dell Computer, Burton Snowboards, Bose Corporation, Starbucks, and many lesser-known companies, ultimately managed to turn that nothing into something quite substantial. "Bootstrappers built this country, and they continue to make it great," he writes. "Virtually every business--from IBM to the local dry-cleaner--was bootstrapped, usually by people with far less smarts, less money, fewer connections, and less vision than you have right now." He elaborates on specific practices that he believes are critical to entrepreneurs who may have great ideas and boundless enthusiasm but lack the financial resources to launch their businesses in the traditional way. Writing in a clear and straightforward manner, he lays out Nine Magical Rules (such as "Find people who care about cash less than you do"), Ten Commandments (including "Don't forget where you came from"), and lots of other helpful tips. --Howard Rothman ]]> 103 Seth Godin Aaron 5 4.26 1998 The Bootstrapper's Bible
author: Seth Godin
name: Aaron
average rating: 4.26
book published: 1998
rating: 5
read at: 2014/07/15
date added: 2017/06/15
shelves: business, entrepreneur, favorites, non-fiction, own-digital
review:
I love Seth Godin, and I stumbled across this book he wrote almost 15 years ago about bootstrapping a business. Considering venture-backed startups are all the rage, it's refreshing to find a tract to back up my theory that you can build a business without up-front investment. Some details/examples in the book are out of date, but the principles are solid and portable, and there are plenty of golden bits that are as applicable as ever.
]]> <![CDATA[The Structures of Everyday Life]]> 103434 623 Fernand Braudel 0060912944 Aaron 0 to-read 4.33 1979 The Structures of Everyday Life
author: Fernand Braudel
name: Aaron
average rating: 4.33
book published: 1979
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2017/06/12
shelves: to-read
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI]]> 29496076 Ěý
In the 1920s, the richest people per capita in the world were members of the Osage Indian Nation in Oklahoma. After oil was discovered beneath their land, the Osage rode in chauffeured automobiles, built mansions, and sent their children to study in Europe.

Then, one by one, they began to be killed off. One Osage woman, Mollie Burkhart, watched as her family was murdered. Her older sister was shot. Her mother was then slowly poisoned. And it was just the beginning, as more Osage began to die under mysterious circumstances.

In this last remnant of the Wild West—where oilmen like J. P. Getty made their fortunes and where desperadoes such as Al Spencer, “the Phantom Terror,� roamed � virtually anyone who dared to investigate the killings were themselves murdered. As the death toll surpassed more than twenty-four Osage, the newly created F.B.I. took up the case, in what became one of the organization’s first major homicide investigations. But the bureau was then notoriously corrupt and initially bungled the case. Eventually the young director, J. Edgar Hoover, turned to a former Texas Ranger named Tom White to try unravel the mystery. White put together an undercover team, including one of the only Native American agents in the bureau. They infiltrated the region, struggling to adopt the latest modern techniques of detection. Together with the Osage they began to expose one of the most sinister conspiracies in American history.

In Killers of the Flower Moon, David Grann revisits a shocking series of crimes in which dozens of people were murdered in cold blood. The book is a masterpiece of narrative nonfiction, as each step in the investigation reveals a series of sinister secrets and reversals. But more than that, it is a searing indictment of the callousness and prejudice toward Native Americans that allowed the murderers to operate with impunity for so long. Killers of the Flower Moon is utterly riveting, but also emotionally devastating.]]> 359 David Grann 0385534256 Aaron 4
And then they began to be killed off. So was anyone who tried to learn anything about the murders. It took J. Edgar Hoover's Bureau of Investigation to finally start unravelling the conspiracy.

Part of what makes this so emotionally devastating is what it shows about how the Osage were treated once they got money. Any full-blooded Indians were declared incompetent to manage their funds and assigned "guardians" to do so on their behalf. And then Congress decided that they should also be barred from accessing more than a few thousand dollars of their fortunes per year, even if they needed it to stay out of poverty or keep their sick children alive. And the book shows clearly how these policies, aside from being despicable on merit, created the conditions for the mass murder of the Osage.

Of course I knew some things about how Indians were treated in this country, but this is a completely different spin on it. Once the Osage got money they were exploited in every way possible and treated like imbeciles. Just when you think you've heard of all the ways a group of people can be oppressed, here comes a new one.

My only criticism of the book is that it is so focused on the narrative and so spare and taut that it doesn't spend enough time at the end taking stock of the poisonous environment that our country created and perpetuated which allowed these atrocities to flower. But perhaps that would take a whole other book.]]> 4.12 2017 Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI
author: David Grann
name: Aaron
average rating: 4.12
book published: 2017
rating: 4
read at: 2017/04/23
date added: 2017/04/23
shelves:
review:
This is a story I have never heard anything about, but which is fascinating and dramatic. The Osage Indians were forced onto this rocky bit of land in Oklahoma that nobody wanted, and within a decade oil was discovered there, making the Osage the richest people per-capita in the world.

And then they began to be killed off. So was anyone who tried to learn anything about the murders. It took J. Edgar Hoover's Bureau of Investigation to finally start unravelling the conspiracy.

Part of what makes this so emotionally devastating is what it shows about how the Osage were treated once they got money. Any full-blooded Indians were declared incompetent to manage their funds and assigned "guardians" to do so on their behalf. And then Congress decided that they should also be barred from accessing more than a few thousand dollars of their fortunes per year, even if they needed it to stay out of poverty or keep their sick children alive. And the book shows clearly how these policies, aside from being despicable on merit, created the conditions for the mass murder of the Osage.

Of course I knew some things about how Indians were treated in this country, but this is a completely different spin on it. Once the Osage got money they were exploited in every way possible and treated like imbeciles. Just when you think you've heard of all the ways a group of people can be oppressed, here comes a new one.

My only criticism of the book is that it is so focused on the narrative and so spare and taut that it doesn't spend enough time at the end taking stock of the poisonous environment that our country created and perpetuated which allowed these atrocities to flower. But perhaps that would take a whole other book.
]]> Growth Hacker Marketing 20335339
It wasn’t luck that took them from tiny start-ups to millions of users and massive valuations. They have a new strategy, called Growth Hacking. And it works.

In this e-special, bestselling author Ryan Holiday shows how the marketing game has changed forever. He explains the growth hacker mindset and provides a new set of rules—critical information whether you’re an aspiring marketer, an entrepreneur, or a Fortune 500 executive.

"Growth hackers are the new VPs of marketing, and this book tells you how to make the transformation."
—Andrew Chen, Silicon Valley entrepreneur, essayist and advisor

"This book is a wake up call for every marketing exec in the business. And a tutorial for engineers, IT, founders and designers. Read it."
—Porter Gale, Former VP of Marketing at Virgin America and author of Your Network is Your Net Worth

“Holiday is part Machiavelli, part Ogilvy, and all results…this whiz kid is the secret weapon you’ve never heard of.�
—Tim Ferriss, #1 bestselling author of The 4-Hour Workweek, investor in Twitter, Uber and TaskRabbit

"Ryan captures the power of the growth hacker mindset and makes it accessible to marketers at companies of all types and sizes. If you don't see a boost in results after reading this book, something is wrong with your product.�
—Sean Ellis, former growth hacker at Dropbox, and founder of Qualaroo

"Finally, a crystallization and explanation of growth hacking in easy to understand terms—and better yet, real strategies and tactics for application."
—Alex Korchinski, Director of Growth, Soma

"Ryan's book will help every lean entrepreneur trying to grow their business and master the art of marketing and growth."
—Patrick Vlaskovits, author of The Lean Entrepreneur

]]> 56 Ryan Holiday 0698138244 Aaron 5 3.74 Growth Hacker Marketing
author: Ryan Holiday
name: Aaron
average rating: 3.74
book published:
rating: 5
read at: 2015/05/13
date added: 2017/04/20
shelves:
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]]> Brutus. Orator 780475 Brutus gives an account of the Roman tradition of public and lawcourt speeches from its beginning to what Cicero described as the polished and entertaining speeches of his own day. Along the way Cicero has interesting things to say about the influence of the speaker's audience on his style and technique. Also notable here is an autobiographical sketch.

Cicero's own very wide practical experience informs Orator, which depicts the ideal speaker. Here he details the principles of eloquent oratory and quotes instructive examples. Both works date from 46 BCE and are dedicated to the author's promising young friend, Brutus, later famous in the conspiracy against Caesar.

]]> 544 Marcus Tullius Cicero 0674993772 Aaron 0 to-read 3.72 -46 Brutus. Orator
author: Marcus Tullius Cicero
name: Aaron
average rating: 3.72
book published: -46
rating: 0
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date added: 2017/04/06
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]]> Welcome to the Monkey House 4985 Welcome to the Monkey House is a collection of Kurt Vonnegut’s shorter works. Originally printed in publications as diverse as The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction and The Atlantic Monthly, these superb stories share Vonnegut’s audacious sense of humor and extraordinary range of creative vision.

Alternative cover edition here ]]> 331 Kurt Vonnegut Jr. 0385333501 Aaron 5 4.14 1968 Welcome to the Monkey House
author: Kurt Vonnegut Jr.
name: Aaron
average rating: 4.14
book published: 1968
rating: 5
read at: 2017/03/17
date added: 2017/03/21
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]]> <![CDATA[You Can't Grow Up Till You Go Back Home: A Safe Journey to See Your Parents as Human]]> 705006 194 William F. Nerin 096467890X Aaron 4 3.00 1993 You Can't Grow Up Till You Go Back Home: A Safe Journey to See Your Parents as Human
author: William F. Nerin
name: Aaron
average rating: 3.00
book published: 1993
rating: 4
read at: 2017/03/03
date added: 2017/03/03
shelves:
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Words on the Move: Why English Won't—and Can't—Sit Still (Like, Literally)]]> 28696604
Language is always changing -- but we tend not to like it. We understand that new words must be created for new things, but the way English is spoken today rubs many of us the wrong way. Whether it’s the use of literally to mean “figuratively� rather than “by the letter,� or the way young people use LOL and like , or business jargon like What’s the ask? -- it often seems as if the language is deteriorating before our eyes.

But the truth is different and a lot less scary, as John McWhorter shows in this delightful and eye-opening exploration of how English has always been in motion and continues to evolve today. Drawing examples from everyday life and employing a generous helping of humor, he shows that these shifts are a natural process common to all languages, and that we should embrace and appreciate these changes, not condemn them.

Words on the Move opens our eyes to the surprising backstories to the words and expressions we use every day. Did you know that silly once meant “blessed�? Or that ought was the original past tense of owe ? Or that the suffix -ly in adverbs is actually a remnant of the word like ? And have you ever wondered why some people from New Orleans sound as if they come from Brooklyn?

McWhorter encourages us to marvel at the dynamism and resilience of the English language, and his book offers a lively journey through which we discover that words are ever on the move and our lives are all the richer for it.]]> 257 John McWhorter 1627794719 Aaron 4 4.14 2016 Words on the Move: Why English Won't—and Can't—Sit Still (Like, Literally)
author: John McWhorter
name: Aaron
average rating: 4.14
book published: 2016
rating: 4
read at: 2017/02/26
date added: 2017/02/26
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]]> Shantaram 33600
So begins this epic, mesmerizing first novel set in the underworld of contemporary Bombay. Shantaram is narrated by Lin, an escaped convict with a false passport who flees maximum security prison in Australia for the teeming streets of a city where he can disappear.

Accompanied by his guide and faithful friend, Prabaker, the two enter Bombay's hidden society of beggars and gangsters, prostitutes and holy men, soldiers and actors, and Indians and exiles from other countries, who seek in this remarkable place what they cannot find elsewhere.

As a hunted man without a home, family, or identity, Lin searches for love and meaning while running a clinic in one of the city's poorest slums, and serving his apprenticeship in the dark arts of the Bombay mafia. The search leads him to war, prison torture, murder, and a series of enigmatic and bloody betrayals. The keys to unlock the mysteries and intrigues that bind Lin are held by two people. The first is Khader Khan: mafia godfather, criminal-philosopher-saint, and mentor to Lin in the underworld of the Golden City. The second is Karla: elusive, dangerous, and beautiful, whose passions are driven by secrets that torment her and yet give her a terrible power.

Burning slums and five-star hotels, romantic love and prison agonies, criminal wars and Bollywood films, spiritual gurus and mujaheddin guerrillas—this huge novel has the world of human experience in its reach, and a passionate love for India at its heart. Based on the life of the author, it is by any measure the debut of an extraordinary voice in literature.]]> 936 Gregory David Roberts 192076920X Aaron 4 4.27 2003 Shantaram
author: Gregory David Roberts
name: Aaron
average rating: 4.27
book published: 2003
rating: 4
read at: 2017/02/11
date added: 2017/02/12
shelves:
review:

]]> <![CDATA[History of Animals: In Ten Books]]> 6903474 340 Aristotle 0559691343 Aaron 0 to-read 3.69 -300 History of Animals: In Ten Books
author: Aristotle
name: Aaron
average rating: 3.69
book published: -300
rating: 0
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date added: 2017/01/25
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]]> <![CDATA[Who Killed Homer? The Demise of Classical Education and the Recovery of Greek Wisdom]]> 101487 Who Killed Homer? is must reading for anyone who agrees that knowledge of classics acquaints us with the beauty and perils of our own culture.]]> 323 Victor Davis Hanson 1893554260 Aaron 0 to-read 3.91 1998 Who Killed Homer? The Demise of Classical Education and the Recovery of Greek Wisdom
author: Victor Davis Hanson
name: Aaron
average rating: 3.91
book published: 1998
rating: 0
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date added: 2016/12/26
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]]> <![CDATA[The Savior Generals: How Five Great Commanders Saved Wars That Were Lost - From Ancient Greece to Iraq]]> 16034214 The Savior Generals, a set of brilliantly executed pocket biographies of five generals who single-handedly saved their nations from defeat in war. War is rarely a predictable enterprise--it is a mess of luck, chance, and incalculable variables. Today's sure winner can easily become tomorrow's doomed loser. Sudden, sharp changes in fortune can reverse the course of war.
These intractable circumstances are sometimes mastered by leaders of genius--asked at the eleventh hour to save a hopeless conflict, created by others, often unpopular with politics and the public. These savior generals often come from outside the established power structure, employ radical strategies, and flame out quickly. Their careers often end in controversy. But their dramatic feats of leadership are vital slices of history--not merely as stirring military narrative, but as lessons on the dynamic nature of consensus, leadership, and destiny.]]> 320 Victor Davis Hanson 160819163X Aaron 0 to-read 3.90 2013 The Savior Generals: How Five Great Commanders Saved Wars That Were Lost - From Ancient Greece to Iraq
author: Victor Davis Hanson
name: Aaron
average rating: 3.90
book published: 2013
rating: 0
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date added: 2016/12/26
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]]> The End of Sparta 11215777
We follow these epic historical events through the eyes of MĂŞlon, a farmer who has left his fields to serve with Epaminondas-swept up, against his better judgment, in the fever to spread democracy even as he yearns to return to his pastoral hillside.

With a scholar's depth of knowledge and a novelist's vivid imagination, Hanson re-creates the ancient world down to its intimate details-from the weight of a spear in a soldier's hand to the peculiar camaraderie of a slave and master who go into battle side by side. The End of Sparta is a stirring drama and a rich, absorbing reading experience.

Praise for Victor Davis Hanson:

"I have never read another book that explains so well the truth that 'war lies in the dark hearts of us all' but that history offers hope."-William Shawcross on The Father of Us All

"Few writers cover both current events and history-and none with the brilliance and erudition of Victor Davis Hanson."-Max Boot on The Father of Us All

"Enthralling."-Christopher Hitchens on The Western Way of War]]> 445 Victor Davis Hanson 1608191648 Aaron 0 to-read 3.38 2011 The End of Sparta
author: Victor Davis Hanson
name: Aaron
average rating: 3.38
book published: 2011
rating: 0
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date added: 2016/12/26
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]]> <![CDATA[Carnage and Culture: Landmark Battles in the Rise of Western Power]]> 177766
Looking beyond popular explanations such as geography or superior technology, Hanson argues that it is in fact Western culture and values–the tradition of dissent, the value placed on inventiveness and adaptation, the concept of citizenship–which have consistently produced superior arms and soldiers. Offering riveting battle narratives and a balanced perspective that avoids simple triumphalism, Carnage and Culture demonstrates how armies cannot be separated from the cultures that produce them and explains why an army produced by a free culture will always have the advantage.]]> 526 Victor Davis Hanson 0385720386 Aaron 0 to-read 4.04 2001 Carnage and Culture: Landmark Battles in the Rise of Western Power
author: Victor Davis Hanson
name: Aaron
average rating: 4.04
book published: 2001
rating: 0
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date added: 2016/12/26
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]]> <![CDATA[History of Warfare: The Wars of the Ancient Greeks]]> 901260 ]]> 224 Victor Davis Hanson 0304359823 Aaron 0 to-read 3.77 2002 History of Warfare: The Wars of the Ancient Greeks
author: Victor Davis Hanson
name: Aaron
average rating: 3.77
book published: 2002
rating: 0
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date added: 2016/12/26
shelves: to-read
review:

]]>