Published in Sep of 2020, Think Like a Monk is the quasi-autobiographical experiences of a man who left relative wealth and success to join the Vedic monk lifestyle at an ashram in Mumbai, India. This book gives some of his story, some life lessons, and his thoughts in general.
Think Like a Monk
My Thoughts
I really enjoyed the book. In fact, I was on several long plane flights with a nasty case of poison ivy and I found his breathing techniques very helpful.
The real gem I found in the book was the perspective on introspection. What do we really need and what do we really want? I believe it is a very good idea to sit down and really think about your life from time to time.
Recommendation
It was a fun read. I would recommend it to anyone.
“How to Be Human: An Autistic Man’s Guide to Life” was published in April of 2021 and is the autobiographical account of Jory Fleming, a high functioning person with autism who won a Rhodes Scholarship for the University of Oxford. A writer (Lyric Winik) did a series of interviews with Jory and strung them into the narrative that became this book. The book attempts to explain how Jory thinks and his perspective on life.
How to be Human
My Thoughts
Though I found the material interesting, I don’t believe it is relatable to other people with autism. To paraphrase Jory, “this is just how I think” and “I find it harder to relate to other people with autism.” My hat is off to Jory for what he has been able to achieve. Or more specifically, my hat is off to Jory’s mom who has given him daily support for his entire life.
Honestly, I’m bothered by some aspects of the popular notion of autism. There seem to be many people who romanticize autism and seem to see it as a net benefit. (E.g. Someone might claim a person with autism has an above-average IQ. These people evidently don’t know what autism is or how IQ is measured.) While these people aren’t actually diagnosed with any disorder, they are more than happy to claim the benefits as they see them. The usual humble brag is something akin to “I have Asperger’s.” This is usually an excuse for being socially awkward and/or a poor attempt to claim superior skills in analytical tasks. However, I’m not sure most of these people have been confronted by someone who has severe autism. Someone who is incapable of communication and truly does not “see” the world around them. Just like Jory’s mom, there are unsung heroes who devote their lives to making the world a better place for these people.
In short, all of us think differently. Autism is a spectrum which means there comes a point when the spectrum bumps up against the “normal.” Of course, that leads to another question, “What is normal?” Answer? “Normal” is just another bell curve of behaviors. The line between “normal” and “autistic and even “sane” and “insane” is uncomfortable thin. It all comes down to definitions and those definitions are always in flux.
So… I believe there is likely a little autism in all of us and we are all just a little off. That doesn’t give us super rain-man mental powers and most of us are able to negotiate society. We all feel awkward at times and some of us are insensitive jerks. It’s how we play the hand we are given which makes the difference. If it was all you could do not to kill someone on the way to work then I say, “good for you!” (However, if that’s how close you are to the line, expect the rest of us to lock you up somewhere safe in the near future.) The rest of us will continue doing what we can to do our best, day by day and sometimes hour by hour.
Published in 2007, On Call in Hell is the story of a man who served a tour as a Marine officer and later became a Navy doctor. He shares his journey and juxtaposes those two perspectives as he served in Iraq.
On Call in Hell
My Thoughts
I’d never met a Marine who went into Navy medicine so this was an interesting read. Still, I’ve met a number of Navy Corpsman and the attitude was pretty close to what I would have expected. I would have preferred it be read by the author since some of the saying didn’t quite come out correctly. I felt like there may have been a bit of humble brag going on but hey, it’s his book.
Recommendation
A very interesting look at a relatively unknown field. If you have interest in military medicine, I feel this book would be a good place to start.
Published in December of 2020, Embrace the Suck is a book about taking on and overcoming the obstacles in life from the perspective of a former Navy SEAL.
Embrace the Suck
My Thoughts
This was a decent read and pretty motivating. I felt he was a little over the top with some of his descriptions and language but I guess that’s par for the course. He had some practical applications which, had I followed them, would have made the read more impactful.
Published in July of 2020, A Very Punchable Face is the biography of Colin Jost who has been a “head writer” and cast member of Saturday Night Live for several years.
A Very Punchable Face
My Thoughts
Seeing the how the “sausage is made” can be unpleasant at times. This was one of those times for me. In short, I didn’t enjoy the book. For me, it was a reminder of how different some people’s lives are and how little hope and reason they see in their own existence. Still, I was pleasantly surprised with the archetypal story of a “regular guy” making it to the top. That was a fun story arc but most of the antidotes along the way just didn’t need to be told.
The version I read was published in 2009 and is story of the beginning of the Korean War and how the 10,000 Marines of 1st Division fought their way through 100,000 Chinese soldiers. More specifically, how Captain William Barber and the 234 Marines of Fox Company held the Toktong Pass against all odds.
The Last Stand of Fox Company
My Thoughts
This is the modern day equivalent of the Battle of Thermopylae. The Marines held the pass against incredible odds and some made it out to tell the story. This book is foundational to the ethos of the United States Marines. They celebrate the pure grit it took to hold when anyone else would have run.
Recommendation
A good read if you want to understand the Marine Corps. The books is graphic so it should not be read by children.
Decorated planetary scientist Sara Seager wrote this biography about the time in her life between the death of her first husband and the marriage of her 2nd. She details the journey of discovering planets orbiting other stars and the advances and awards she had been given along the way.
The Smallest Lights in the Universe
My Thoughts
I almost threw this book down more than once. I found the author to be self absorbed, selfish, and completely disconnected from reality. I felt great pity for her first husband for having to deal with her crap for the rest of his life and worse for the wife of the man she became interested in later on. I’m not sure why I kept reading.
I’m very interested in planetary science and the possibilities of worlds outside of our own. I liked that part of the book. However, her plight didn’t resonate with me at all. At the end of the book, she makes the announcement that she found out she was autistic. That ticked me off even more because it came across as a justification for her actions.
Hell and Other Destinations: A 21st-Century Memoir is the biography of Madeleine Albright who was the first female Secretary of State under President Clinton.
Hell and Other Destinations
My Thoughts
I’m always interested in people who have lived interesting lives and that certainly applies to Madeleine Albright. As an immigrant from Eastern Europe, she certainly had some interest in the world outside of the United States.
I enjoyed hearing about her journey and how she thought others perceived her. I even enjoyed hearing about her pins and feel like I’m part of the insider crowd by knowing about them. The book was well written and I feel it did a good job representing her personality and beliefs. (For all I know about them.)
In general, I’m not really a fan of hers when it comes to politics. The world is a complex place and it is imperative we understand other countries. I believe she does a good job of that. However, I don’t share her optimize that most people in power will work for the good of everyone. It is sad commentary but people in power rarely want to give it up and do destructive things when they are faced with the possibility.
Published in April of 2020, “Don’t Burn this Book” is the story of how a gay-Jewish-liberal crossed into “Classical Liberalism”.
Don’t Burn this Book
My Thoughts
Another book I really didn’t know what it was about until I started reading it. I was pleased with the read. It served to reinforce a lot of my existing stereotypes of both liberals and conservatives and had the added bonus of reminding me that I had stereotypes. The irony of the book trying to teach critical thinking while stroking my ego didn’t go unnoticed.
I certainly agree that the media is far too political. I go out of my way to find some news source that just gives the news without just spitting out their tribal loyalty. (I don’t know that really exists.)
Dave gave some well reasoned arguments and I like he had the guts to stand up for what he thinks is right. He also had a lot of praise for Dr. Jordan Peterson who I have followed for some time now. Both of which, I liked…
“Your Blue Flame” was published in April of 2020 by Jennifer Fulwiler who has a radio talk show on SiriusXM and is a standup comedian. In this book, she challenges readers to follow their passions and do the things they were meant to do in this life.
Your Blue Flame
My Thoughts
First, I had never heard of Jennifer Fulwiler and had no idea what the book was about. (It was listed under Biography which it sort of is.) As I started into it, I thought, “Oh great! Another you-can-do-it book”. It was just that but, this time, I actually thought of a couple of things I’ve been meaning to do.
This book had my mind turning and I really enjoyed it. I didn’t think I would but I was wrong.
Of course, there are problems with just following your passion and Jennifer did a good job of giving some ideas about it. However, some things just have to be done. For example, someone has to clean the toilet. I’m sure that isn’t their “blue flame” or what they were meant to do. However, I have 3 boys, that toilet needs attention…
Recommendation
A good read. Particularly if you need some motivation.
