Terrific book which has completely changed my whole perspective on reading. Reading is a pretty time consuming hobby for those of us that love it. Yet most of us never get half the value from a good book that we would if we became as Adler says “active readers”, people who read with intentionality and aren‘t afraid to be in over their heads.

Before you read another book, read this one!

Shapiro‘s latest is an excellent exposition of the three pillars undergirding the US: philosophy, culture and history and why the disintigration of these things will inevitably endanger the Union as a whole.

Shapiro writes concisely and so much is packed into a mere 200 pages yet he manages never to overload his readers. The conclusion is one of the most beautiful and eloquent things I‘ve ever read from a modern political writer.

The story of one man‘s ten year journey home following a ten year war. The main theme of The Odyssey seems to be the different ways we are tested in life. Odysseus‘s love for his wife is tested by Calypso. His wits are tested by the Cyclops. His leadership is tested by his own men. His ability to win men‘s hearts by being genuine and unassuming is tested by King Alcinous. He is finally tested in battle by the men who tried to steal his wife.

You know it‘s a good book if you actually regret being done 730 pages later. Brilliant biography of Hamilton, certainly one of the most interesting Founding Fathers. A soldier, Washington‘s right hand man, vigorous defender of Federalism and the progenitor of America‘s financial system, Hamilton worked harder than anyone to actually effectuate that “more perfect Union”. Ron Chernow writes brilliantly and the sheer scale of his research is evident.

Well written biography of Jefferson by Meacham. An analytical account that helps us understand a statesman who‘s been much criticised for his apparent contradictions. After reading John Adams, I‘m unsure of which man‘s presidency should be ranked higher. In 1796, America needed Adams and Federalism to keep the country together post Washington but in 1800, America needed Jefferson to make sure the promise of his Declaration was fulfilled.

Enjoyable biography of Benjamin Franklin. He‘s definitely not my favourite Founding Father however, I was certainly more impressed with him after reading this book. The book‘s enthralling but not as well written as David McCullough‘s John Adams. Still well worth the read since I‘m on an early American history kick right now. Next up: Thomas Jefferson!

Absolutely terrific book. Dennis Prager‘s commentary on the first book of the Torah: Genesis. No matter your religious persuasion, whether you‘re a devout believer or an atheist or someone who‘s never opened the Bible in your life, this book makes accessible the book of Genesis. Prager devotes a lot of time to explaining the meaning of words and phrases in the context of the original Hebrew it was written in. There are life lessons here for all.

John Adams was intimately involved in the story of the American Founding from beginning to end. Of all the Founding Fathers, Adams was the one who “got it done”. He ensured that Congress passed the resolution for independence. He helped negotiate American‘s alliance with France and secured desperately needed loans from Holland. As President, he ensured that America was not ensnared in the Napoleonic Wars, all brilliantly told by McCullough.

Very interesting book full of good practical advice for dealing with people. Although it‘s a quick read, it‘s packed with sensible advice and I‘ll definitely be re-reading it multiple times (as the author suggests doing) in order to absorb as much of the advice as possible and put it into effect. I expect to update this review in the future as I try out Carnegie‘s tactics.

Like the other Thrawn novels, an enthralling combination between a Sherlock Holmes style mystery and an Aubrey/Maturin naval adventure.

Very enjoyable read.

Very enjoyable novel about the partnership between Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi before we meet them in Phantom Menace. Very well conceived and well written plot with believable characters and good development of the two Jedi‘s relationship. I was delighted to learn more about the backstory of Qui-Gon Jinn and Count Dooku. The two most criminally underused characters in the Prequel Trilogy!!!

Wow. That‘s all I can say. The intrigue, the character development, the brilliant prose. Impossible to put down!This novel is an essential companion to the Star Wars Prequel Trilogy. This Machiavellian tragedy is the story of how the Sith gradually accumulate power through subterfuge and political manoeuvring, laying the groundwork for the fall of the Republic and the Jedi Order as portrayed in Revenge of the Sith.

Brilliant and engaging introduction to the philosophy of Thomas Aquinas.

Well written book by the Roman Emperor discussing stoicism. The prose is quite beautiful but often feels like sentimental drivel compared to Aristotle or Plato (the only other ancient philosophers I‘ve read). I read the book mainly because it seems to occupy an important place in the western canon and because I was interested in learning about stoicism. However I was unimpressed by the overly passive outlook that stoics have on the world.

Fascinating account of the political manoeuvring that set the stage for the Cold War. The book is written in an exciting narrative style that gives tremendous insight into the character of each of “The Big Three.”

This book had potential if the author was willing to just allow both main characters to commit to eachother at some stage, even at the end of the book it‘s so frustrating. The sort of relationship espoused by the author appears neither romantic nor platonic but a sort “emotional friends with benefits”. It‘s quite obvious these people love each other and suit eachother. I just wish she‘d allow them to commit fully.