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PODCAST

Mere Mortals Book Reviews

Kyrin Down & Juan Granados

Hey we are the Mere Mortals and we review books of all genres/styles but with an emphasis on those that have stood the test of time (the "classics" if you will). Join us on Weekly live episode on Thurs 11am AEST (Thurs 1am UTC+0) plus bonus episodes from my cohost Juan.

education self-improvement

All Episodes

00:05:53

Tribe of Mentors (Timothy Ferriss) - Book Review

Mere Mortals Book Reviews ·

2021/02/13

Tim Ferriss, the #1 New York Times best-selling author of The 4-Hour Workweek, shares his book a Tribe of Mentors, a choose your own adventure type book where you can pick and reach from 130+ of the world's top successes. Tim uses a great selection of questions that allows each of the individuals in the book to share open and honest insights into their life and how they handle things like "how to say no" and "the best things they have bought under $100". An insightful book, best served as a pick up

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00:33:13

The Gulag Archipelago: Abridged (Aleksandr...

Mere Mortals Book Reviews ·

2021/02/13

In this video I go over some of my favourite quotes from abridged version of 'The Gulag Archipelago'. These are select snippets that highlight the most important passages of the book where I will then adding my own personal reflections on the quote and why it struck me so deeply. If you are looking for a general overview of the book, please head to the Book Review, which gives a synopsis of the principal themes.I summarised the book as follows. "The Gulag Archipelago is a monumental work and truly

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00:11:45

The Call Of The Wild (Jack London) - Book Review

Mere Mortals Book Reviews ·

2021/02/13

Nature vs Nurture, which is more influential? This is one of the queries that pop up when reading 'The Call Of The Wild' by Jack London. Probably the most well known of his works, it is very similar to 'White Fang' in many ways. We follow a St Bernard cross Scotch Collie named Buck as he returns to the icy wilderness of Northern Canada. Along his journey he rediscovers his baser, deep rooted instincts.Kyrin of the Mere Mortal crew had this to say. "Sometimes you can read two very similar books and

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00:18:49

The Gulag Archipelago: Abridged (Aleksandr...

Mere Mortals Book Reviews ·

2021/02/13

What can be learned from the senseless death of millions and how can we ensure it never happens again? 'The Gulag Archipelago' is a three-volume work that transformed the World's opinion on the USSR and communist ideology. The author, Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, spent 8 years in the forced labour camps before being released under the sweeping reforms put in place after Stalin's death. He wrote of his experiences and those of his comrades in the frozen Russia tundra under essentially unliveable

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00:18:02

The Alchemist (Paulo Coelho) - Book Review

Mere Mortals Book Reviews ·

2021/02/13

"To realize one's destiny is a person's only obligation". This is a quote taken from the book 'The Alchemist' by Paulo Coelho. It is a relatively short book of a simple story; a young shepherd goes on a journey to find his treasure. However the tale is enrapturing and one can't help but be drawn in and identify parts of oneself in Santiago, the Andalusian shepherd. Although it primarily addresses the spiritual/psychological barriers that prevent us from fulfilling our dreams, it also packs in

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00:17:52

100 Years Of Solitude (Gabriel García Márquez) - Book...

Mere Mortals Book Reviews ·

2021/02/13

Have you read one of the best books that Latin America has to offer? '100 Year of Solitude' is the magnus opus of the Nobel laureate Gabriel García Márquez. Although only published in 1967 it is already a classic book of worldwide literature. It is a long meandering tale that tells the story of the Buendía family in the magical town of Macondo. Numerous generations are born and die as they interact with the introduction of technology, magic and oppression from within and without.I summarised the

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00:11:46

The Food Of The Gods (H.G. Wells) - Book Review

Mere Mortals Book Reviews ·

2021/02/13

How would 19th century British folk handle a situation of their children growing to the size of 4 story buildings? If you have ever asked yourself this very specific question than 'The Food of The Gods and How It Came To Earth' by H.G. Wells is the perfect book for you. The book raises some interesting questions one of these being: are there inventions/discoveries that can or should be un-invented?I was very excited after reading the initial pages and the basic premise of the plot, but was let down

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00:16:46

An Unquiet Mind (Kay Redfield Jamison) - Book Review

Mere Mortals Book Reviews ·

2021/02/13

What is it like to have bipolar disorder? 'An Unquiet Mind: A Memoir of Moods and Madness' is a biography by Kay R. Jamison, a doctor/psychologist who researches this very topic and who also is afflicted with the same disorder. Previously known as manic depression, it is a mental disorder with a strong genetic component that results in intense mood swings with little ability of regulation. She tells of the highs and lows, public perception/misconceptions and the necessity of those afflicted to take

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00:15:32

White Fang (Jack London) - Book Review

Mere Mortals Book Reviews ·

2021/02/13

'White Fang' is the tale of a wolf cub who is born in the wild, learning the call of the wild and the brutal lessons of nature. Through a gradual period of interacting with indigenous and white Americans, he gradually becomes tamer, but still with the spirit of a wolf within. The story lends itself to children but is masterfully told and can draw in a reader of any age.While a captivating tale, it is not exactly a pleasant story. White Fang fully experiences Thomas Hobbes description of life 'nasty,

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00:17:19

Meditations (Marcus Aurelius) - Book Review

Mere Mortals Book Reviews ·

2021/02/13

'Meditations' are the reflections of Marcus Aurelius, Roman Emperor from 161-180 AD, renowned for his wise ruling as 'The Philosopher'. The book is a collection of personal notes to himself and is split into 12 chapters (or books) each containing many small quotes/larger thoughts on Stoic philosophy, the nature of Death, living in the present moment and dealing with emotions (amongst other subjects).He never intended for his writings to be published as a book, so we gain the unadulterated wisdom of

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00:16:54

Storm of Steel (Ernst Jünger) - Book Review

Mere Mortals Book Reviews ·

2021/02/13

A hectic account of trench warfare by a born soldier!'Storm of Steel' by Ernst Jünger is a first person account of life during World War I as told through the eyes of a young German soldier. There is no particular plot, closer to a diary of his experiences on the Western Front during engagements such as the: Battle of Ypres, Battle of Cambrai & the final German spring offensive. It's not a political book and is simply an account of what Jünger saw/felt during this period of his life.I summarised

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00:13:31

All Quiet On The Western Front (Erich Maria Remarque)...

Mere Mortals Book Reviews ·

2021/02/13

'All Quiet On The Western Front' is the harrowing experiences of fighting and dying, as told by a German WWI soldier. The author uses an alter-ego of Paul Baümer to fully describe the brutal reality of average life in the trenches. The book details the minutiae of frayed shell shocked nerves, mind-numbing boredom and explosive sudden bloodshed. One of the central themes we understand from the book is that nobody comes out of this experience for the better. Even those who survive come out apathetic

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00:13:07

Pinocchio (Carlo Collodi) - Mere Mortals Book Review

Mere Mortals Book Reviews ·

2021/02/13

'Pinocchio' by Carlo Collodi is the 1883 classic children's book of a puppet come to life . Though written for children it initially had a very tragic ending, with poor Pinocchio left for dead, hung by the neck from a tree. Thankfully Collodi added more chapters to the book and we now have an uplifting ending to the tale. It is is surprisingly deep with many life lessons (such as reaping what you sow, developing virtue, not to case pearls before swine, etc.,), which is why it is one of the most

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00:09:14

Sailing True North (James Stavridis) - Book Review

Mere Mortals Book Reviews ·

2021/02/13

From one of the most distinguished admirals of our time and a former Supreme Allied Commander of NATO, a meditation on leadership and character refracted through the lives of ten of the most illustrious naval commanders in history, alongside the 10 characteristics of effective leadership. Connect with Mere Mortals:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/Support the show

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00:13:11

The Restaurant At The End Of The Universe (Douglas...

Mere Mortals Book Reviews ·

2021/02/13

"In the beginning the Universe was created. This has made a lot of people very angry and been widely regarded as a bad move."Above is a typical funny passage that one can find in 'The Restaurant At The End Of The Universe' by Douglas Adams. This is the 2nd book of the Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy trilogy and follows the adventure of Arthur, Ford, Zaphod and Trillian as they continue their random, absurd, highly illogical journey. They travel through time and space to get a good meal and enjoy

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00:06:35

The Wealth of Nations (Adam Smith) - Book Review

Mere Mortals Book Reviews ·

2021/02/13

This episode of the Mere Mortals book review covers 'The Wealth of Nations' by Adam Smith. This is a classic book of economics that lays out the general principles of wealth, particularly in relation to nations. It is a dense, long book to get through and has the old style of English language (it was first published in 1776), making it very difficult to read. I personally could only get through about 10% of the 570-something pages. A good book for those who want to read what would be one of the

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00:16:46

Demian (Hermann Hesse) - Mere Mortals Book Review

Mere Mortals Book Reviews ·

2021/02/13

An exploration into the inner world of yourself.'Demian' by Hermann Hesse is a psychological journey of facing fear, pursuing the inner voice and preparing oneself for a life of lonesome transcendence. Young Emil Sinclair grows out of adolescence into early manhood with the help from his enigmatic friend Max Demian. The book is narrated by Sinclair and reveals the challenges he must confront to transform beyond his initial, somewhat weak and naïve beginning. I summarised the book as follows

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00:12:32

Invisible Man (Ralph Ellison) - Mere Mortals Book Review

Mere Mortals Book Reviews ·

2021/02/13

'Invisible Man' is a commentary of American society in the late 1940's as told from the perspective of an unnamed African American narrator. The book is fictional but contains similarities to real events experienced by Ralph Ellison during his lifetime. It changes between pure narration to lyrical prose, poetic drama and even fantastical dreamlike scenarios. The narrator experiences a loss of identity due to the societal insistence of viewing him solely as part of his racial group. He undergoes a

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00:16:52

Steppenwolf (Hermann Hesse) - Mere Mortals Book Review

Mere Mortals Book Reviews ·

2021/02/13

A book that is 'For Madmen Only'!'Steppenwolf' by Hermann Hesse is the semi-fictional, semi-autobiographical tale of Harry Haller, a man whose nature is part man and part wolf. Hesse wrote this (his 10th novel) in 1927 during a prolonged existential crisis caused by the Great War, marriage problems and a severe depression. It explores themes of suicidal depression, the plurality of inner voices/desires and intense loneliness.I summarised the book as follows. "It's rather gloomy and sad with parts of

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00:16:10

Never Split The Difference (Chris Voss With Tahl Raz)...

Mere Mortals Book Reviews ·

2021/02/13

What can terrorists teach you about how to negotiate?'Never Split The Difference' by Chris Voss (with Tahl Raz) is about how to use negotiation skills in real life. The main author is an ex-FBI negotiator who learnt the principles of effective negotiation from real world experience with kidnappers, bank robbers, terrorists, sales people, academics and businessmen. The book is an exposition of his main lessons, told through a mix of history, stories, advice and psychology.I summarised the book as

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388 results

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