Scan barcode
nfleow's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
4.0
alext2000's review against another edition
2.0
Whilst a decent read, I was left quite disappointed. The historical subtext was one-dimensional focusing on, in my opinion, a rather strange subset of examples from modern US history with only fleeting references to other periods and individuals. There is also virtually no meaningful mention of philosophical concepts here, bar a handful of slapdash references to Seneca and Aurelius.
bookph1le's review against another edition
5.0
This is the type of book that makes me feel as if I'm decluttering my brain. My own ego has definitely gotten in my way many times throughout my life, and I fully embrace the book's advice to do good work and to keep trying to be the best version of myself possible.
I fear I'm making the book sound like a cheesy self-help book, which it is not. It's grounded in philosophy, much of which matches up with the psychology I've read, in which it becomes obvious how our all-too-human attempts to salvage our wounded sense of self by employing counterproductive methods is possible. Rather than focusing on outward forces we can't control and railing against the unfairness of it all, it is far more productive to focus on what we can control: our own actions and reactions.
Reading this book was sometimes uncomfortable because it made me reflect on the times I've reacted badly and effectively sabotaged my own efforts. Books like this have helped me draw the conclusion that a little pain is a good thing because it forces us to reflect and to challenge ourselves to do better and be better.
I fear I'm making the book sound like a cheesy self-help book, which it is not. It's grounded in philosophy, much of which matches up with the psychology I've read, in which it becomes obvious how our all-too-human attempts to salvage our wounded sense of self by employing counterproductive methods is possible. Rather than focusing on outward forces we can't control and railing against the unfairness of it all, it is far more productive to focus on what we can control: our own actions and reactions.
Reading this book was sometimes uncomfortable because it made me reflect on the times I've reacted badly and effectively sabotaged my own efforts. Books like this have helped me draw the conclusion that a little pain is a good thing because it forces us to reflect and to challenge ourselves to do better and be better.
azureyoshi's review against another edition
1.0
Don't read this unless you want a preachy, obnoxious lecturing about a vague concept the author considers "ego". Definitely not for me.
robinhood2000's review against another edition
4.0
A book I will reread at least once a year! Full of wisdom!