This is the biography of General James Mattis written by Jim Proser written in 2018. This predates Gen. Mattis stepping down from the post of Secretary of Defense in the same year.
No Better Friend, No Worse Enemy
My Thoughts
A great story of a very impressive man. He reminds me of Grant in his honesty and honor without the vice of alcohol. Mattis led from the front and told it like it is. He didn’t expect special treatment and got the job done. There aren’t many men like him, if there ever were.
Recommendation
I highly recommend it, particularly if you are in a leadership role.
Leonard is the biography of Leonard Nimoy written by William Shatner and David Fisher (who helped Shatner with a couple other projects). Published in 2016, it is written from the perspective of William Shatner and largely about their shared experiences.
Leonard
My Thoughts
I really enjoyed the book. My love for Star Trek notwithstanding, I learned a great deal about someone who, I admit, I really didn’t know much. I particularly enjoyed the stories be brought to life with the energy of Bill Shatner.
Recommendation
If you like Star Trek. It was well worth the read.
Published in 2015, former CIA operative Jason Hanson shares his thoughts on personal safety and being ready when the unthinkable happens.
Spy Secrets that Can Save Your Life
My Thoughts
I believe the author was a little over the top on a few things but I was glad to think through some scenarios and I think I need to make a few changes…
Published in 2007, Why Marines Fight is a collection of interviews from some of the most noted Marines in the latter twentieth century. James Brady (author) himself served in Korea with the Marines and true to “once a Marine, always a Marine” he uses “we” and “our” when referring to the Marines.
Why Marines Fight
My Thoughts
This book was a great insight into the culture that is the United States Marine Corps. This band of brothers is hard to understand from the outside but Marines are fiercely loyal and famously tenacious. While there was no big reveal, it was interesting to see how so many people see the Marine Corps from different perspectives.
Recommendation
It was worth my time to read as I have strong interest in the Marines. However, I believe it will not keep interest in someone without a vested interest.
Originally published in 1992, Lincoln on Leadership is a compilation of the leadership styles and theories acted out by Abraham Lincoln.
Lincoln on Leadership
My Thoughts
Great book full of practical and actionable thoughts and theories. Some of it can be conflicting yet, when taken through the lens of true Christ-like love and compassion it is easy to see what “should” be done.
Brute is the biography of 3 star general Victor “Brute” Krulak by Robert Coram. It takes him through his entire storied life and career and highlights his impact on the United States Marine Corps and America as a whole.
Brute
My Thoughts
Tradition, honor, integrity, and being “squared away” have always been hallmarks of the Marines. None more so than Brute Krulak. His stories are legend and those stories impact both the morale and behavior of Marines today. (Even reading the book made me want to lose weight…)
However, he was a hard man both willing to embellish and outright lie when it suited him. I didn’t like that. I much more preferred the straight-shooting from other leaders like Grant and Lee. I much prefer the truth over what someone might want to be true.
Recommendation
A great read and imperative to understanding the modern Marine Corps.
Melinda Gates published this book in April of 2019. She takes us through her journey in creating the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation and finding how best to help.
The Moment of Lift
My Thoughts
I can’t say I really enjoyed this book although I do believe it was an important read. I felt she addressed some important issues surrounding poverty and gender inequality around the world. She also did a great job addressing the biases inherit in trying to help others while being an American billionaire.
I have tremendous respect for what both Bill and Melinda Gates are doing with their foundation. I didn’t know that Warren Buffet matched their endowment until I read this book so I have a newfound respect for him as well. The fact he was willing to hand over that much money is a testament to the thorough job the Gates Foundation is doing. Sometimes the worst thing someone can do is give another person money. Poverty is a much more complicated problem.
Recommendation
It is a hard book to read due to the unpleasant realities in the book. However, it was well written and left me with a little more hope that someone is taking these issues head on.
Originally published in 1932, Brave New World is one of the first dystopian novels and has been the subject of discussion for almost 90 years. Set in some distant future, people are encouraged to forgo their family ties and live only for the good of the whole. They are conditioned to be obedient to authority and are encouraged to pursue cheap pleasures to distract them from anything uncomfortable. They use drugs whenever they feel any need to question or just want to escape. They are repeatedly told, “Everyone is happy” and everyone acts that way or they might have to see the psychologists…
A “savage” from the Indian reservation in Arizona is brought to this world. He was raised by the “old” beliefs of family, religion, and individuality. He finds their world strange but they find him even more so.
Brave New World
My Thoughts
This book effectively makes the argument of there being no real happiness simply by pursuing pleasure and suppressing pain. One can’t know the good from the evil if there is no concept of either. It is particularly interesting to put this work in the context of history as “the war to end all wars” had concluded, the Bolshevik Revolution had occurred and Stalin ran unchecked. The discussions on what constituted an ideal society were being had everywhere and nations were starting to become entrenched in their doctrine.
The book was ahead of its time in many ways. There are some dated references but it could have easily been passed off as something written 50 years later or more. As American society is trending more populist, it is very interesting to read the words of those who went before. Can we learn from the past or do we even bother to listen since so many people give their “revisionist histories” these days.
Recommendation
An important book. It’s worth the time to read it but you may have to plow through sections.
7 Habits of Highly Effective People is likely the best-known book in personal development in the world. Originally published in 1989, it hit all the top seller’s lists and spawned a whole market of spinoffs. The book is meant to be a reference material to be accessed repeatedly rather than a book that is read from cover to cover.
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
My Thoughts
This is a great book and I have gotten a lot out of it. I get more out of it the more I really sit down and try to apply what it says. This time around, I moved my planning to a weekly basis. I think it is help.
Published in 2018, “The Year of Less” is a memoir written by Cait Flanders that details her journey of self-discovery and intentional living through a year-long shopping ban. Flanders, a recovering alcoholic and shopaholic, decides to confront her issues with consumption and excess by embarking on a 12-month challenge to limit buying material goods, including clothes, shoes, and household items. Along the way, she confronts her past mistakes, gains new insights into herself and her values, and learns to live a simpler, more fulfilling life.
The Year of Less
My Thoughts
I had heard about this book from a number of sources and thought it might be something good to read. However, I was wrong. I couldn’t get through it. I’m sure it resonated with many people but I just couldn’t get there. I kept seeing her as just a selfish person without a moral compass. I guess she is progressing but most of her epiphanies were things I would expect my 10-year-old to understand. However, perhaps that says more about me than about her.
Recommendation
I really didn’t find any reason to read it and I resent the time spent with it.
