Truman Tome Thoughts

I finished a big book today, the first time I've finished reading one in a while: Truman by David McCullough. I was emotionally moved upon completing it. And I can say I learned so much from this biography—incredible history (and the importance of always learning more history), but also insight into how to be good, how to be great, and how to live a life well lived.

Harry Truman may not have been our smartest President, but he worked hard and acted on principle (during his entire political career, not just during his time in the White House), in some of the most consequential times in United States history.​ I feel lucky he was our President at the close of World War II, the dawn of the Nuclear Age, and the birth of the United Nations. He served, as politicians ought to do—to the best of his ability.

It's been said reading enables us to live many lives. I think that's true. There's a unique feeling you encounter when racing through the final pages, eager to finish, but at the same time, dreading it being over. It can be emotional finishing a book, and it stimulates the mind, but I feel it's also almost a spiritual experience, especially when transversing the barrier of time and communing with the dead.

Thank you for your incredible service President Truman. And thank you David McCullough for writing a wonderful book.

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline seemed a timely read given recent tech magnate speculation about the “metaverse.” Futuristic fun and pop culture references aside, the book lays out a possible future. 

In the story a dystopian world is largely ignored by the majority of the impoverished population, ditched for a persistent three dimensional virtual online reality. While foreboding in the year it was published, 2011, the scenario invokes fear in 2021. 

But the novel’s main message, even if not fully developed or featured, resonates deeply in current times as well: people are good, this world is worth saving…and never give up. Still fiction, but Ready Player One is a highly relevant tale and a short fun ride. 

Born to Run

I’ve found it difficult to get back to reading this year, and that’s why Born to Run by Christopher McDougall was a great entry point. It’s a quick read that’s easy to follow. Although McDougall can be hyperbolic throughout the story, and the plot does bounce around, the book flows quickly and inspires one to give running a fair shot. For me, having grown up running but healing from a serious ankle injury, it was great material. The anthropological sections were my favorite; even if it was only anecdotal evidence for the running man theory, it’s still interesting to consider the origins of our species’ evolution, and McDougall’s writing provides such an opportunity. For anyone with any inkling of interest in running, I’d give the book a solid three out of five stars. Running certainly provides me solace. Perhaps we are born to run. 

Tools of Titans

Tools of Titans by Tim Ferriss is a compendium of quotes, habits, and knowledge from world-class performers from virtually every arena. I read it on my Kindle but will be buying the book in the near future, because as the author himself suggests, it’s a great source of reference, whether it be wisdom, motivation, or perspective you seek. The book is a series of excerpts from Tim’s podcast interviews, and is divided into 3 parts: healthy, wealthy, and wise. There’s some great nutrition and lifting insight in the healthy section, if you’re into those particular domains. The wealthy segment proved very inspiring, not in terms of getting rich, but in generating value for the world, in contributing something to humanity. And the last section reads as a poignant reassurance that everything will be okay, that we are all human, and to enjoy the most precious commodity we own—time. I would highly recommend a perusal of Tools of Titans, as there’s probably something powerful inside for just about everyone, no matter who you are. With so many varying points of view on offer, the most important lesson from its pages may simply be: consider why you want what you do, determine what works for you, and strike as great a balance as you can between getting after that, and enjoying the ride. 

A Brief History of Time

It’s been several weeks since I finished Stephen Hawking’s book, but it has still resonated with me. Hawking magnificently breaks down some very complicated subject matter, so that a layperson like me can understand the awe of the universe. By explaining the basics of physics, from string theory to black holes to the origin of the universe, he exposes you to the real world, the real universe: you are able to glimpse the true essence of matter and space and time. It transports you to a higher plane of awareness and contemplation. This book was not a good before-bed read, because the concepts were so abstract and counterintuitive and deep that it either put me to sleep before I gained significant traction, or kept me awake for 3 hours past my bed time. Stephen Hawking’s wisdom and diction will live on through this book. I would recommend it to anyone looking to expand their understanding of this zany experience we call life, or existence. It invigorated me to continue my aspiration for global consciousness, because it makes clear that if we understand our universe on the truly grand scale, we can maintain the resolve necessary to solve our biggest problems. Physics powers perspective, and we can most certainly use more of that. Five full stars from me, A Brief History of Time provides an opportunity for deep exploration, and that’s the greatest praise I can offer it.