These types of books that tell stories of individuals in war always have a big impact on me. This book was no different in that respect, the stories oThese types of books that tell stories of individuals in war always have a big impact on me. This book was no different in that respect, the stories of individuals here are just incredible and its emotionally jarring to get a glimpse of the soldiers’ struggles through these words. But this book is different and in a class of its own in how it tells those stories, it creates a big picture with them and it really reads like a novel. This makes it an indispensable guide through d-day, covering everything from the horrors to the triumphs. I put this on my “all time favorite must read” shelf because it is so well written and covers such important history all while playing the crucial role of illuminating the atrocity that is war, by showing the human impact through individual accounts....more
This is the second book dedicated to Adams that I have read and absolutely loved (the first being McCoullough’s award winning biography), and perhaps This is the second book dedicated to Adams that I have read and absolutely loved (the first being McCoullough’s award winning biography), and perhaps I’ve already known this and said this, but it bears repeating with more emphasis… Adams was an extraordinary person!
There is so much in this book to agree with, disagree with, and go into deep thought on. It focuses on Adam’s intellectual and political thought, not by rehashing his life, but instead focusing on the evidence we have from his post-political life and retirement. If you know the basics on Adams, you know he was well read and you know of his famous correspondence with Jefferson in retirement, but this book brings those things to life (and much more) as a worthy subject of their own (they are). I only wish it could have been longer so that Ellis could have dove into the Jefferson/Adams Plato metaphysics conversation that is mentioned but not evaluated. I say this a bit jokingly, as the book is actually a perfectly fine length for it’s goal and subject, but just that this is so firmly in my wheelhouse that I would have been happy to read more sidebars.
Some of the details in Adams’ thinking and in trying to understand how he differed in this realm from the other intellectual heavy weights of the time like Jefferson might be too much for some readers. There’s a lot of detailed analysis of thought. This would be especially true if you don’t have a solid background on Adam’s life already, or the generic landscape of early American politics. I would definitely recommend reading some less tightly focused works first if you haven’t already (McCoullough’s Adams is one of the best biographies I have ever read and should be read first imho). Once you have, and if you are interested in the political philosophy of the time, I think this is a must read to help understand the complexities of thought surrounding the founders, the different and nuanced opinions on general political philosophies that they had, and how remarkable some of these men were.
There are some things that aren’t great here, for example, like Adams himself, Ellis seems to be quite sure of his negative assessment of Hamilton. This not only creates a highly negative caricature of him, but also leads to leaving out another dimension that could have been explored in more detail. We are left only with some interesting introductory comments from Adams (and Jefferson) on capitalism and finance, without a figure that could provide ideas in that realm to be a springboard for Adams to play his contrarian role (given the nature of Adams, I know he could not have been silent here).
I think I've said enough here; I have to get back to my reading list and try to catch up, as I'm aiming to reach a point where I've read 1/100th of what Adams read....more
The ideas in this book totally changed the way I look at markets and investing, and now I can’t imagine my investing life without it.
This book isn’t aThe ideas in this book totally changed the way I look at markets and investing, and now I can’t imagine my investing life without it.
This book isn’t a get rich quick scheme and it doesn’t even give you a specific “system” to look at. It gives you something much more valuable: a philosophy for investing. It illuminates non obvious, fundamental principles from which you can understand the market and then teaches you the appropriate way to act on this knowledge.
Further, it dismantles the annoying (useless) advice you hear thrown around by just about every amateur investor (buy the dip, buy low sell high, etc.).
If you are an experienced investor, some of the ethics (how you should act while investing) may be familiar to you (e.g. cut your losses and let your winners run), as they have been espoused by other great investors of the past (Hoenig himself seems very influenced by Jesse Livermore). But Hoenig’s fundamentals and systemic approach that leads to these conclusions are definitely unique and satisfyingly complete. Why they are true has never been more clear, and with this new vision, one can separate other common, bad advice from the gems.
One last thing: there are many, witty short passages that are fun to read and nicely encapsulate some great ideas, making this a book one can re-read for pleasure or motivation for your trading. Some of my favorites:
“Losers average losers”
“In the markets, we are all ‘dumb money’, but the dumbest among us constitute the ‘herd’, the slowest-moving irrational investors. To that end, it makes sense to figure out what the herd is doing, and then do something other than that”
What an incredible AND heartbreaking AND inspirational AND powerful story! All of these descriptors are needed to describe it and none of them are sufWhat an incredible AND heartbreaking AND inspirational AND powerful story! All of these descriptors are needed to describe it and none of them are sufficient on their own.
It is incredible to hear about the North Korean dictatorship and its life destroying effects on the people living there. In general, a lot of westerners know that evil is there and that people are suffering, but the actual reality of the situation is so clearly exposed in this story...and it is jaw dropping and tear jerking.
It is heartbreaking to know such an innocent and little girl went through all of this...and then to know so many other lives are impacted in similar fashions. I was brought to tears too many times to count throughout the story and also while writing this review.
It is inspirational because Yeonmi demonstrates the resilience of the human spirit, courage (writing and telling her story world wide) and work ethic/dedication by learning and making up for the years she was robbed of her freedom to grow.
It is powerful. This story has already impacted so many lives, and now I count myself among the impacted. It is bringing knowledge and awareness to this terrible situation, but it is also a much needed reminder that freedom is a necessary condition for humans, and that we need to do more to show this truth and expose destroyers of freedom everywhere.
Recently, as I work my way through American history, I've read a lot of books about the people and events surrounding WWI and WWII. There are countlesRecently, as I work my way through American history, I've read a lot of books about the people and events surrounding WWI and WWII. There are countless reading options on the intriguing people and events during these war periods, but this book is one of few that fall into the "must read" category for me.
It truly is a "story" of WWII, where the authors go through the chain of events, interspersing soldier accounts of battles/conditions/morale throughout the entire book. One doesn't need to be obsessed with WWII or even extremely interested to get through this book, as the accounts of people living through the hell make this more a human story than a recap of an event. This human story element really separates it from other books that may have more intellectual thoughts and descriptions towards the origins of the war and politics, which is also necessary to do, but for the new history reader pretty far divorced from the time period, this type of book is needed to remind us what World War II was to the people living it.
There are very few history books that have made me think about a time period/event as much as this book has made me think about WWII and war in general....more
There are two major schools of thought for understanding markets: value and technical analysis. Value investors look to stock fundamentals to make invThere are two major schools of thought for understanding markets: value and technical analysis. Value investors look to stock fundamentals to make investment decisions whereas technical analysis investors use price action. This book is the Bible for technical analysis, laying down the principles of the school in a beautifully written, non technical, narrative.
I just finished my second reading of this easy to read classic and I’ve found more to love about. I am of the technical analysis persuasion, so I am definitely biased toward the content within, but wasn’t completely convinced of this school upon my first read, and in reality, many investors steal from both schools to build their speculation method, so there’s something for everyone here.
The story is told from the perspective of a character based on Jesse Livermore, considered by many to be the best trader ever. The main wisdom, big gems, imparted through the various tales of his trading can be easily understood by beginners to stock trading, while a careful reading or re-reading by an experienced trader can yield the finer gems.
The book reads like a novel, and contains plenty of clever phrasings to inspire, some of which have become market adages. A must read for any trader.
The writing throughout is not dry, technical, market teachings: “He'd say good morning as though he had discovered the morning's goodness after ten years of searching for it with a microscope and was making you a present of the discovery as well as of the sky, the sun and the firm's bank roll.”
Some gem’s: “The desire for constant action irrespective of underlying conditions is responsible for many losses in Wall Street even among the professionals, who feel that they must take home some money every day, as though they were working for regular wages.”
“They say there are two sides to everything. But there is only one side to the stock market; and it is not the bull side or the bear side, but the right side.”
“But not even a world war can keep the stock market from being a bull market when conditions are bullish, or a bear market when conditions are bearish. And all a man needs to know to make money is to appraise conditions.”
“the average man doesn't wish to be told that it is a bull or a bear market. What he desires is to be told specifically which particular stock to buy or sell. He wants to get something for nothing. He does not wish to work. He doesn't even wish to have to think. It is too much bother to have to count the money that he picks up from the ground.”
A very timely re-read for me, as we go through a correction and potentially a recession (Apr 22)....more
Just some quick thoughts on some of the many reasons I've liked everything I've read by Isaacson....
I love his full length conclusions at the end of hJust some quick thoughts on some of the many reasons I've liked everything I've read by Isaacson....
I love his full length conclusions at the end of his works and his added analyses throughout. In his conclusions, he integrates everything he just wrote into great summations, and you can compare your take-aways with his. I've read many biographies and history books that just end...they leave me wanting some opinions about legacies or final thoughts from the subject matter expert. I like re-visiting his books and reading the conclusions as a way to remember the great things within it. Regarding analyses throughout: in the life of Leonardo da Vinci, there are many mysteries and differing opinions on seemingly everything surrounding his work, and hearing Isaacson's opinions and reasons for them after clearly hearing both sides of the story is refreshing.
If you are looking for reasons why this specific Isaacson book is worth reading, entertaining, and definitely 5 stars, I think David McCullough's blurb on the back cover sums it up best:
"To read this magnificent biography of Leonardo da Vinci is to take a tour through the life and works of one of the most extraordinary human beings of all time in the company of the most engaging, informed, and insightful guide imaginable. Walter Isaacson is at once a true scholar and a spellbinding writer. And what a wealth of lessons there are to be learned in these pages."...more
I had my doubts when I started reading this... Is this book too long given the subject? The Civil War portion surely deserves the time commitment, butI had my doubts when I started reading this... Is this book too long given the subject? The Civil War portion surely deserves the time commitment, but is the Grant presidency going to be too tedious? This was my second Grant biography, do I need another?…But Chernow once again proved to me that I can read everything he writes without doubt, it’s always worth it. The length of his books are correct for his style, a style that is very detailed but easy to read, and he brings every subject out to their fullest potential. They hook you early and Grant was no different. I was immediately convinced that Grant was worth reading about again right from Chernow’s introduction. So if you are cautious to start like I was, begin with a commitment to the introduction, because the story here is awesome. Grant rose from obscurity and pre-war civilian life poverty to be the greatest major general in the Civil War, both tactically and morally. He agreed with and firmly executed Lincoln’s evolving war time aims that targeted slavery. He then carried on Lincoln’s legacy by fostering rights to enslaved people in the United States after the war politically.
The book is broken up into four parts: early life, civil war, presidency, and post presidency reflections. In the first part we get a glimpse of early family life, education at West Point, the Mexican-American War, resignation from the army, and early struggles as a civilian. This is a relatively short part in the book and it reads very easily, but Chernow elucidates some very important details and traits that continuously pop up during the rest of his life. We get introduced to his difficult father, his love for animals, aversion to violence in general, and his elite horsemanship. His military school performance at West Point was ‘lackluster’, but he was great in mathematics and geography, was an avid reader, and if judged relative to the original group that started school with him (82, not the graduating 39), his 21st standing looks better than what he is usually given credit for. Chernow also places a lot of emphasis on figuring out Grant’s troubles with alcohol addiction (which start here) and I appreciate getting all of the details throughout the book so we can see how Chernow formed his opinion on this murky area of Grant’s life, instead of just being told a conclusion on this important topic.
The next part, the Civil War, is a huge chunk of the book. I’ve said this in many different reviews, but the Civil War is a beast of a subject. I’ve struggled in trying to understand all of the conditions that led to the start and continuation of the catastrophe, but getting Grant’s perspective as well as Chernow’s commentary really helped me. Great biographies almost allow you to live in the same world as the subject, that is, in their time and with their context. In doing so, they create insights into historical events that are much more powerful than just reading a history of what happened. They properly anchor the human element onto the events. Grant, growing in political convictions and choosing sides while living with both camps, with his wife on a Missouri plantation and his abolitionist father in Illinois, gives a very enlightening perspective to the start of the war drama. As his political and moral convictions matured and merged with Lincoln’s during the war years, you get a real grasp on how the war started to keep the union together at all costs but was ultimately and inextricably tied to ending slavery. When reflecting on this point later in life during a discussion with Otto von Bismarck, Grant is very elegant and succinct in describing this:
Grant: “But it had to be done” Bismarck: “Yes, you had to save the Union just as we had to save Germany” Grant: “Not only save the Union, but destroy slavery” Bismarck: “I suppose, however, the Union was the real sentiment, the dominant sentiment Grant: “In the beginning, yes, but as soon as slavery fired upon the flag… we all felt, even those who did not object to slaves, that slavery must be destroyed. We felt that it was a stain to the Union that men should be bought and sold like cattle.
Chernow also debunks “the butcher” view of Grant’s military success (that he succeeded just because of his numbers), as well as conspiracy type theories trying to place credit elsewhere, thoroughly convincing me of the excellence of his wartime leadership, fighting tactics ingenuity, and overall military genius.
Post war and through Grant’s Presidential years make up the third part, and this is where Chernow differentiates himself from other popular biographies of Grant in terms of content focus. This portion of his life is given thorough treatment and almost as much space as the Civil War years (~293 vs ~406 pages). For me, the narrative was a bit more difficult here but still thoroughly readable and worth it. There are many events, characters, and lessons in this part, but the main story arc is the post war goals of reunion, starting with Grant’s decisive break from Andrew Johnson leading naturally to reconstruction policies and the overseeing of the re-entry of the confederate states into the Union. The violent chaos incited in the south by normal civilians and paramilitary/terrorist groups refusing to accept the new law of the land, including the 15th amendment urged on by Grant, was eye opening and disturbing. The story of how Grant decisively led the military occupation of the South and crushed movements such as the Ku Klux Klan with federal power early in his tenure as President is fascinating. The political ramifications of these actions, which led to future inaction both in Grant’s second term and after his presidency, were aspects I was not familiar enough with until I read this.
The final part, post Presidency and reflections, is relatively short but the narrative is just as strong as the Civil War period. The portion covering Grant’s world tour and diplomacy is superb. He becomes more refined as a speaker and politician and we get a good dose of witty humor and wisdom. This part and the book wraps up with Grant’s heartbreaking cancer diagnosis in new found poverty that leads him to write his memoirs in a remarkable fashion, as he dies and in severe pain, against tight deadlines to ensure his family is taken care of financially after his death. The feat is remarkable given the circumstances, and the memoirs are considered by many to be a masterpiece. It’s just more examples of his determination and decisiveness, but also the uniqueness of his mind, and his intellectual capabilities that are often dismissed.
“When did [Grant] ever turn back? He was not that sort; he could no more turn back than time! . . . Grant was one of the inevitables; he always arrived; he was invincible as a law: he never bragged” - Whitman
My review tries to paint a great picture of Grant because I think he is clearly a positive historical figure that deserves such a portrait. He easily atones for his flaws and mistakes, which should be mostly inconsequential to the essence of his legacy. Chernow covers everything though, the good, bad and the ugly so you can make up your own mind. To name some of the bad and ugly: Grant had serious lapses in his alcoholism and judgment throughout his life, note-ably including Order No. 11 which expelled all Jews from his military district. His Presidential tenure was riddled with scandals and his lack of scrutiny and baffling aloofness in his business post Presidency caused his second poverty. He had a blind spot for people he perceived as friends, he was loyal to a fault, and it hurt him over and over again. For Chernow, I wish he would have touched on more of the details of the panic of 1873 and perhaps more of the leisure preferences of Grant, for example, reading preferences. In the final part he mentions that Grant couldn’t put down Victor Hugo’s Les Miserables but just uses this fact as a tie-in for showing Grant’s vast knowledge of military campaigns (Hugo writes expertly on Napoleon’s Waterloo defeat in the book and Chernow captures Grant’s comments on the treatment). He could have used it to talk more about personal preferences generally. These really are minor gripes and potentially just me selfishly wanting this long book to be even longer.
I've long wanted to add a Civil War era book to my 'All Time Favorites - Must Read' shelf, and Chernow's Grant finally fills that spot. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in learning more about Grant and the Civil War. It also offers valuable insights into leadership, difficult choices, and life in general....more
"But any true understanding of Einstein's imagination and intuition will not come from poking around at his patterns of glia and grooves. The relevant"But any true understanding of Einstein's imagination and intuition will not come from poking around at his patterns of glia and grooves. The relevant question was how his mind worked, not his brain."
I think this out of context quote from the epilogue really captures Isaacson's approach to covering Einstein, and his approach is why I loved this book.
Over the years, I have read many good summations of the theories of special relativity and general relativity for the general public. The portion of this book that summarizes these theories is also great, but there is so much more to Einstein than the technical aspects of his theories that you can only get in a work like this. The book really gives the reader a feeling for the state of science before his theories, and where Einstein and his interests fell in, which allows you to understand the significance and brilliance of his contributions. More importantly, it allows you to understand why Einstein's approach, or how his "mind worked", was so crucial to his success.
I loved reading about Einstein's thought experiments and how he came up with the basic ideas for this theories, his philosophical principles and how they applied to his physics and political activism (even though I am very much opposed to his politics), and how both thought experiments and philosophy culminated in his struggle with Quantum Mechanics, leading to Schrodinger's cat type paradoxes.
Issaacson really does a great job in exploring the fundamentals of Einstein's character and how is mind worked....more
Over the past 5 years I've been reading biographies of US Presidents. Bole's Jefferson is among the best of them. It goes right up there with works frOver the past 5 years I've been reading biographies of US Presidents. Bole's Jefferson is among the best of them. It goes right up there with works from McCullough and Chernow in terms of quality. Jefferson is an especially tricky subject and Boles does an awesome job: he highlights and focuses on the best of Jefferson while not hiding the bad, all while writing in an entertaining, "not dry", style....more
The Suez Canal, A French Entrepreneur, President Grant, a first plan, not understanding yellow fever and malaria, a wrong plan, a failed first undertaThe Suez Canal, A French Entrepreneur, President Grant, a first plan, not understanding yellow fever and malaria, a wrong plan, a failed first undertaking, corruption proceedings, Nicaragua vs. Panama debates in Congress, a Panama revolution backed by the states, Teddy Roosevelt, brilliant engineering, understanding yellow fever and malaria, 3 chief engineers, and a project that lasted decades.
When I first saw the book, I didn’t know why it was so big, but that’s because I didn’t know that everything above and more is important to the story.
McCullough kept me interested throughout the entire book, like always, and had me thinking to myself, multiple times: “Wow, that’s [amazing/crazy/awesome/sad/brilliant]”
If you like other works from McCullough, you will most likely love this book.
In the intro to another book of his, "Brave Companions", McCullough writIf you like other works from McCullough, you will most likely love this book.
In the intro to another book of his, "Brave Companions", McCullough writes about his style, and how it might have derived from his original desire to be a portrait painter:
"....I am still drawn to the human subject, to people and their stories, more often than to large current issues or any particular field of academic inquiry. The explorer interests me more than geography, the ichthyologist more than his fish, Theodore Roosevelt before, say, the Progressive Movement. Not have I ever been able to disassociate people or stories from their settings, the "background." If character is destiny, so too, I believe, is terrain."........ "So the portraits here are often figures in a landscape"
The above applies to this book.
The human portraits he creates here are of extraordinary Americans who travel to Paris between the ~1830s and ~1900 in order to fine tune their chosen crafts in music, medicine, sculpting, painting, etc.. Their backdrops are times in history including the 1848 revolutions in France, the American Civil War, and the birth of modern medicine.
McCullough expertly weaves these interesting human stories together to give the reader a feeling of their exceptional journeys and of the times that they lived....more
Chernow splits the dynasty history into three major periods: the Baronial Age, Diplomatic Age, and Casino Age. The Baronial Age and the Diplomatic AgeChernow splits the dynasty history into three major periods: the Baronial Age, Diplomatic Age, and Casino Age. The Baronial Age and the Diplomatic Age best fit Chernow's style, because they are filled with huge characters and events like Junious Morgan, J.P. Morgan, the birth of anti-trust, Thomas Lamont, Jack Morgan, World War I, the passing of Glass Stegal, the Great Depression/FDR's New Deal, and World War II. Chernow dives very deep with details while expertly holding together the big picture and storyline during these periods. I would describe myself as having casual interest in finance and banking, but I especially enjoyed reading about J.P. Morgan, and would consider this book 5 stars if it ended after the Diplomatic Age.
Unfortunately, the Casino Age really has too much information that does not seem essential, and a lack of characters and events to justify them. I lost track of the overall story he was telling in this age. This might be due to the fact that I wasn't really interested in this period to begin with, but it's hard to imagine any casual reader enjoying this section....more
Loading...
