Reviews and thoughts related to noteworthy non-fiction books and documentaries
“The War of Art” by Steven Pressfield piqued my interest because of its inclusion on many influential people’s must read lists. It’s not the typical book about business or optimization that I typically review on here, but it does deal with craft and productivity. I like reading about the daily routines of writers and discovering …
“Dolly Parton’s America” is a podcast series I recently finished that left an impression on me. If you know me you know I admire Dolly Parton. As a business person, an artist, and a humanitarian she is incredibly fascinating. Most people think of the big boobed country singer, or the park in Pigeon Forge when …
More pandemic and no sports means more sports documentaries. Here are a few more I found that I like digging around our subscription services. “24/7: Kelly Slater” (2019) – HBO Kelly Slater is referred to as the Michael Jordan of competitive surfing. This documentary follows him on the back end of his career as he …
Since there are no live sports right now I’m taking the opportunity to catch up on some of the really great sports documentaries available. If you have HBO, ESPN+, or NBA TV you already have access to all of these. “Lindsey Vonn – The Final Season” (2019) – HBO Lindsey Vonn is a world class …
I am drawn to stories about extreme endurance and dedication to excellence, wherever that may occur. Whether it’s watching the riders on the Tour de France every year or triathletes competing in the Iron Man, I find myself puzzling over the mindsets these athletes have to reach their goals. I also love watching excellence at …
I tend to only review books about business, psychology, and technology on my blog. These subjects interest me. However, I believe “Hillbilly Elegy” by J.D. Vance to be a particularly impactful work to comment on. In fact, it is a treatise on understanding the Appalachian diaspora that affects the region I live in. Anyone growing …
I am a fan of productivity tips. The book I am going to review here, “Eat That Frog” by Bryan Tracy, was recommended to me by the same person I mentioned in the Work Week Manifesto. She was a stickler for time and getting as much done in the day as possible, so of course …
Finding a “Blue Ocean” has become a cliche that pops into conversations regarding markets and how businesses compete in them. In general, it connotes a space that’s virgin and calm, whereas the “Red Ocean” is clouded with blood as sharks devour each other. In a Blue Ocean, strategy reigns supreme as a company reaps tremendous …
I was introduced to Jocko Willink as he made his rounds on a podcast I like by Tim Ferriss. Willink is a former Navy SEAL Commander and current motivational/organizational culture speaker that co-wrote a book that shares a life philosophy derived from his time in the Armed Forces and in combat. I was preparing for …
