Tag: Book Recommendation

Recommended Book: Bushido, the Soul of Japan by Inazo Nitobé

Book Recommendation

“Kumazawa:—”When others blame thee, blame them not; when others are angry at thee, return not anger. Joy cometh only as Passion and Desire part.”
― Inazo Nitobe, Bushido, The Soul Of Japan

Image Source: Amazon UK

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Why Read This Book

This book gives you an in-depth understanding of the Samurai, as well as Japanese culture. Some of the principles explained in the book are principles we could live by, others such as redress not so much. Bushido, as a way of living is very profound and can enhance your life exponentially.

Contents

  • Bushido as an Ethical System
  • Sources of Bushido
  • Rectitude or Justice
  • Courage, the Spirit of Daring and Bearing
  • Benevolence, the Feeling of Distress
  • Politeness
  • Veracity or Truthfulness
  • Honor
  • The Duty of Loyalty
  • Education and Training of a Samurai
  • Self-Control
  • The Institutions of Suicide and Redress
  • The Sword, the Soul of the Samurai
  • The Training and Position of Woman
  • The Influence of Bushido
  • Is Bushido Still Alive?
  • The Future of Bushido

Summary

The book begins by looking at Bushido as an ethical system and the history of it, to give you a grounded understanding of Bushido. The main content of the book are chapters on the different principle of Bushido that all Samurai wee expected to follow. Many of these principles are universal, but the way they are established and used are intertwined with the Japanese culture and the book ends with a look at the future of Bushido. If you are interested in Japanese or Samurai culture, or you are looking for a better way to live, I recommend you read this book.

Book Recommendation: The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse by Charlie Mackesy

Book Recommendation

Images Source: Amazon.co.uk

Illustration Copyright Charlie Mackesy

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Why Read This Book

This book is beautifully illustrated that is full of gems of wisdom. There are pages that make you stop and think and others that uplift spirits. A joyful and philosophical book for children and adults alike.

Contents

There are no contents as such.

Summary

The book follows the journey of a boy, a mole, a fox and a horse on a journey through the wilderness. The book can be read from beginning to end, but you can dip into the book anywhere and find a nugget of wisdom and beautiful illustrations.

Two of my favourite pages are one where there is stain from a tea cup on the page and all the characters are illustrated looking at it. The words say “Is it the moon?” asked the boy. “It’s a tea cup stain… said the mole, “and where there’s tea there’s cake.” The mole loves cake. My other favourite page is an illustration of the boy riding the horse with the mole and the fox is walking alongside. The words say “What is the bravest thing you’ve ever said?” asked the boy. “Help”, said the horse. It is a truly beautiful book.

Book Recommendation: Man’s Search For Meaning by Viktor E Frankl

Book Recommendation, Happiness

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Why Read This Book


This book is an insider’s view of the Nazi concentration camps from a Psychiatrist who lived in them as a Jewish prisoner. A view that came to see meaning even in the greatest of suffering. It is a book that reflects the idea that we can choose our attitude in any given circumstances. It is an empowering read that includes Viktor E Frankl’s Logotherapy, which is a structured way to find meaning in one’s life. For someone who wants to reach their full potential this is a must read.

Contents

  • Preface by Gordon W. Allport
  • Preface to the 1992 Edition
  • PART ONE
  • Experiences in a Concentration Camp
  • PART TWO
  • Logotherapy in a Nutshell
  • POSTSCRIPT 1984
  • The Case for a Tragic Optimism
  • About the Author

Summary

As is evident from the contents list this book if primarily about two things, the experiences that Viktor Frankl had while he was a prisoner of Nazi concentration camps, which included harrowing accounts as well as moments of joy. Also, how these experiences and what he witnessed brought him to the realisation that the underlying drive of human beings is to find meaning in life, and that meaning can change depending on the momentary circumstances we find ourselves in and that this meaning can only be realised by the individual themselves. This then lead him to use his training as a Psychiatrist to develop his Logotherapy, which is explained in clear detail in the second part of the book. This book is difficult to read at times, but the challenges of reading Part One bring context and depth to the Logotherapy explanation in Part Two, so I would recommend reading the whole book if you can.

Book Recommendation: Start With Why by Simon Sinek

Book Recommendation, The Fullfilment Framework

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Why Read This Book

This book elegantly explains the importance of knowing your Why, which I believe is integral to living well, to be happy, successful and fulfilled. Defining your Why is an essential part of my Fullfilment Framework, a framework designed to help you live a fulfilling life.

Contents

INTRODUCTION: WHY START WITH WHY?

PART 1: A WORLDS THAT DOES NOT START WITH WHY

  • Assume you know
  • Carrots and sticks

PART 2: AN ALTERNATIVE PERSPECTIVE

  • The golden circle
  • This is not opinion, this is biology
  • Clarity, discipline, and consistency

PART 3: LEADERS NEED A FOLLOWING

  • The emergence of trust
  • How a tipping point tips

PART 4: HOW TO RALLY THOSE WHO BELIEVE

  • Start with WHY, but know HOW
  • Know WHY. Know HOW. Then WHAT?
  • Communication is not about speaking, it’s about listening

PART 5: THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE IS SUCCESS

  • When WHY goes fuzzy
  • Split happens

PART 6: DISCOVER WHY

  • The origins of a WHY
  • The new competition

 Summary

This book explores what it means to have a Why, which is the purpose behind all that we do. It is essentially a sum total of how we were raised and our experiences up to adulthood; it is who we are as an individual. We only have one Why and the level at which we can best use our Why to live a fulfilling life depends on our depth of understanding of it and if we can articulate it.

Simon Sinek used examples from business and history to explain the importance of knowing your Why. He explains what he calls the Golden Circle, which illustrate how we think and make decisions, we go from Why to How to What. He goes to discuss the impact of knowing your Why can have on leadership and how important it is to take care of those around us, especially if we are in a position of leadership. Also, the way that success can make our Why fuzzy and we can potentially deviate from our Why, as individuals and as a company, which causes problems. Therefore it is important to keep our Why in central focus to avoid getting lost.