Post: #51

I also read Alexander Dolgun's story this year. It's very good and helps you remember that pretty much anything you go through in the West is nothing, there are people who suffer worse and still get on.

The Exile - Mark Ames and Matt Taibbi. This is about the feeling of being young and free as an expatriate, where life is easier and more fun for a time.

Griftopia - Matt Taibbi. A very good and easy-to-understand explanation of the 2008 crisis.

Kitchen - Banana Yoshimoto. A weird story about a young woman in Tokyo, and very good. A love story of sorts.

Post: #52

Blindsight

Peter Watts

its a science fiction book with very interesting concepts. Its not a light read and can be mind fucking.
   

Post: #53

The Wolf of Wall Street. Just too damn entertaining to pass up. Although right now I'm reading Emerson's Self-Reliance Essays giving it a run for its money. Not quite the same type of read, but stimulating as hell.

Post: #54

Re-read a book from my university days.

The Magus - John Fowles

The most interesting work of fiction I have ever read. About the nature of truth, what we hide from ourselves, how powerful the ego or self is. Really an amazing book I would recommend all younger men to read.

Post: #55

(12-26-2013 05:55 AM)Cyr Wrote:  I read a lot this year compared to 2012 and 2011 (about 30 books), but my two favourites were Guns, Germs and Steel by Jared Diamond, and Black Swan by Taleb. I thought Gun, germs and steel was incredible, because it was such an in depth study and there were lots of interesting points and case studies (such as why Tasmania was the most primitive country on earth). There were a few things which weren't explained (such as why England was the most successful European country when it lacked the advantages of many mainland nations, but overall I learnt a lot, and it triggered further reading as I want to learn more about Polynesian, South American history etc.

Just got Guns, Germs and Steel on CD. Fascinating.

Post: #56

(02-10-2015 03:20 PM)samsamsam Wrote:  

(12-26-2013 05:55 AM)Cyr Wrote:  I read a lot this year compared to 2012 and 2011 (about 30 books), but my two favourites were Guns, Germs and Steel by Jared Diamond, and Black Swan by Taleb. I thought Gun, germs and steel was incredible, because it was such an in depth study and there were lots of interesting points and case studies (such as why Tasmania was the most primitive country on earth). There were a few things which weren't explained (such as why England was the most successful European country when it lacked the advantages of many mainland nations, but overall I learnt a lot, and it triggered further reading as I want to learn more about Polynesian, South American history etc.

Just got Guns, Germs and Steel on CD. Fascinating.

You guys should follow up with his book: Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed. Also an interesting read.

Post: #57

Viper Pilot by LT. Col. Dan Hampton a look at what its like to be in F-16 Pilot in the USAF. He covers everything from training to daily life to combat missions in huge detail. Its an excellent read and look into the world of a fighter pilot, as this world is largely secret and very unknown to the general public.

Post: #58

Currently wrapping up Mark Mansons " The Art of Not Giving a Fuck" a very solid book that opened my eyes to some insecuritys I was never aware of

Post: #59

(12-08-2016 11:53 PM)Phil Jackson Wrote:  Currently wrapping up Mark Mansons " The Art of Not Giving a Fuck" a very solid book that opened my eyes to some insecuritys I was never aware of

Thanks for this recommendation. Started it this week. Pretty good so far.

Post: #60

Pre-Suasion by Rovert Cialdini.

This is the guy who wrote the landmark Influence. Read that one first but this one is very good too. Guy is a professor of psychology or advertising or something similar. He is an academic but writes in a friendly, Freakonomics style.

Not a game guide per se but has a lot of insights that can be adapted to game.

Post: #61

(12-08-2016 11:53 PM)Phil Jackson Wrote:  Currently wrapping up Mark Mansons " The Art of Not Giving a Fuck" a very solid book that opened my eyes to some insecuritys I was never aware of

I'm a big fan of his blog and his "Models" book, but seeing your post now, I might read that.

The honesty thing is downplayed a lot around gaming. I think it's just two sides to the same coin of gaming. Own your shit, you'll be more comfortable and come off as sincere, and you'll be more at ease to tease and banter.

Post: #62

Here's two: Pre-suasion by Cliadini and MAGA Mindset by Cernovich

Post: #63

(12-08-2016 11:53 PM)Phil Jackson Wrote:  Currently wrapping up Mark Mansons " The Art of Not Giving a Fuck" a very solid book that opened my eyes to some insecuritys I was never aware of

Can you expound on some things you picked up from the book?

Post: #64

Submission by Michel Houellebecq

It's about France being politically taken over by Muslims written from the perspective of a very non-academic "academic." I read the English translation and kind of wished it wasn't over when I finished.

Post: #65

It's too tough to choose just one, so I'll say it's a tossup between Robert Greene's "The 33 Strategies of War" and "The 50th Law." I'm still working on "The 48 Laws of Power."

Post: #66

(12-13-2016 06:07 PM)Huey Wrote:  

(12-08-2016 11:53 PM)Phil Jackson Wrote:  Currently wrapping up Mark Mansons " The Art of Not Giving a Fuck" a very solid book that opened my eyes to some insecuritys I was never aware of

Can you expound on some things you picked up from the book?

That we should always buckledown and understand the bottom line why we have the values we have. Their is always a underlying story and)or event that explains why we act the way we act. Another thing that I picked up is buckling down to having a few strong values in your life that you protect relentlessly is much happier and healthier way to live your life rather than trying to do everything and have everything. Having the ' YOLO" mentality.

Post: #67

Pre-Suasion and AONGAF are fantastic books, both worthy of the honor, if not for Tools of Titans by Tim Ferriss. Got it a week ago, and it's one of the most amazing books I have ever held in my hands. The distilled practices and wisdom of numerous people at the pinnacle of success, even (okay, especially) if you don't listen to his podcast, it's worth taking a look if you're at a bookstore any time soon.

Among the wisdom gained from this book:
"Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage" - Anais Nin
A recounting of Tim's experience at Tony Robbins' Unleash The Power Within, with a detailed overview of the process used there for examining limiting beliefs
"Think about how old you are, and think about being a 10-year-older version of yourself. Then think 'What would I probably tell myself as an older version of myself?' That is the wisdom I think you found in that exercise...[If you do this exercise and then start living the answers,] I think you're going to grow exponentially faster than you would otherwise." - Shay Carl
Maria Popova (of Brain Pickings') method for taking notes on books, as well as many other words of wisdom from some legendary writers. This is probably a big part of why I like the book so much.

To even fathom someone actually writing this 700-page behemoth is pretty astounding. Only the best of the best from Tim's podcast. I'm not a big fan of his other books, but this one is a clear work of mastery.

Post: #68

I have to second Submission by Michel Houellebecq. Great book.

As for my own, I'd say the book(s) of the year were the Bhagavd Gita, Upanishad and Dhammapadda translations by Eknath Easwaran. If you want to understand eastern philosophy, start here - three easy to read, quick books. Warning: you may actually become more spiritual. There's a surprising amount of 'red pill' in these books.

For 2017: I started The Story of Civilization by Will and Ariel Durant. No doubt I'll come back to this thread end of 2017 and be: yup, best history books I've ever read. Halfway through the first book and it's absolutely amazing.

My goal for 2017 is to get away from personal development books. I have nothing per second against self-improvement, but I've read too many for one lifetime. Mark Manson and Tim Ferriss' new books sound great, but shit I already have enough self-improvement stuff on my plate. Don't need more stuff to fix/improve/do. As for inner game, I'll probably be reading more eastern philosophy books and re-sending the Stoics.

Post: #69

On Duties by our very own Quintus Curtius in which Cicero describes how a Man should behave, act and deal with life's trials to his son from a stoic perspective.

The Bible, which I read after being inspired by Samseau, Dr. Howard and scorpion when they were throwing around Biblical wisdom in various threads.

Honestly, I felt ashamed. I always considered myself a Christian but I never finished the Bible from cover to cover. Now I did - from Genesis to Revelations. Nothing omitted.

I don't give a damn anymore about anyone who says that the Bible is without worth. Every Man should read the Proverbs of Solomon and the Ephesians - once when they are teenager, when they are in their twenties and when they are older. I was baffled with how Red Pilled the Bible truly is.

My eyes have been opened; my soul's become a lot calmer.

Christianity combined with stoicism and Eastern Spirituality - I believe this is the path which leads to worldly wisdom, inner calm and peace of mind.

It makes you accept what you cannot change and kindles a fire to change what you can. Beautiful.

MAGA Mindset by another member of our board, MikeCF or as he is better known - Mike Cernovich. It's a book about politics and Trump as much as it is about life and how to win. Buy it, read it, use it and be thankful for Trump and MAGA.

Post: #70

(12-15-2016 05:57 AM)Genghis Khan Wrote:  I have to second Submission by Michel Houellebecq. Great book.

As for my own, I'd say the book(s) of the year were the Bhagavd Gita, Upanishad and Dhammapadda translations by Eknath Easwaran. If you want to understand eastern philosophy, start here - three easy to read, quick books. Warning: you may actually become more spiritual. There's a surprising amount of 'red pill' in these books.

Nice. I have the Easwaran translation of the twelve major Upanishads and would like to read more by him. The translation of Shankara's "Crest Jewel of Wisdom" I have is a little too academic for me. I spent a lot of this year delving into Vedic philosophy.

Post: #71

A Guide to Rational Living. It was a no contest for me.

Post: #72

How to Fail by Scott Adams is excellent. Lots of advice on how to set yourself up for success, even if you'll experience some failures along the way. Failure opens new doors.

I also read his short fiction book, God's Debris. Highly recommended if you are interested in philosophical ideas and the nature of reality.

Currently reading The Undoing Project and Pre-Suasion. Both are very good.

Post: #73

Siddhartha by Herman Hesse. I've read some great books this year and it's difficult to narrow it down to one. I put Siddhartha in the lead because the idea that wisdom isn't communicable was a massive takeaway for me. What leads one guy to success can't be distilled and read to subsequently lead you to success. Every man has to experience the world in his own unique way, so...stop taking advice/knowledge from others as gospel and go experience/judge everything for yourself.

Post: #74

I would have to say Nietzsche's Twilight of the Idols. A must read for anybody that wants to know the man and his ideas.

Post: #75

I am currently re-reading 'Inside the Third Reich' by Albert Speer - stunningly informative, and has such fascinating insight from a man in Hitler's inner circle from the early 30s.