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raven_morgan's review against another edition
3.0
There's some good info in here on the value of resting, but unfortunately most of it is based very much on privilege - sure, getting a good night of sleep, getting up early, taking naps and sabbaticals might work, but not everyone is in a place where they can do that. Also, child care and housework is a thing that apparently gets done by other people.
Still, some good ideas on rest, if you're in a position where you have the privilege to implement them.
Still, some good ideas on rest, if you're in a position where you have the privilege to implement them.
dmaurath's review against another edition
3.0
Starts off a five with some quotable sections on why rest habits are as important as work habits but soon devolves into the usual litany of anecdotal examples from cherry picked studies and famous people's lives. And these examples conflict. He praises Hemingway and Churchills rest habits ignoring their alcoholic habits. He praises Bill Gates 18hr reading binges without going outside but then has an entire chapter on importance of exercise. Like all of these books it gives too much breadth and no depth.
jlsjourneys's review against another edition
2.5
Great ideas but WAY too many examples of everything.
tfrankman62's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
informative
reflective
fast-paced
4.5
lauraborkpower's review against another edition
3.0
It's an interesting book and makes a good companion to Deep Work by Cal Newport. A lot of the anecdotes about famous people using walks and down time for deep-thinking are repeated here, and, honestly, I felt that Pang relies too heavily on them (feels like a third of the book). I found the more science-based first two-thirds more interesting and relevant since I don't find it useful to compare myself and my life to the old white male scholars and creatives Pang lists as examples, one after another.
And that last third is especially alienating if you're non-white or non-male or non-middle class (or non-upper middle class [or non-Bill Gates-class--sure it's interesting to hear about his week-long thinking retreat in a cabin with his staff that only includes a personal chef, but those last two words, "personal chef," are enough to keep me from truly relating to anything Bill Gates does]).
I found this book most useful in the section Pang talks about the value of waking up early and starting your day, in spite of your circadian rhythm. It was compelling enough for me to come up with my own schedule and try it, and I got a lot of writing done!
Luckily, this book is short enough that you can read it and just zone out during the sections about white men training for marathons or playing golf or taking month-long sabbaticals to sit in the woods and think. You'll still get something useful out of it, though I won't say that the privilege won't drive you a bit crazy.
And that last third is especially alienating if you're non-white or non-male or non-middle class (or non-upper middle class [or non-Bill Gates-class--sure it's interesting to hear about his week-long thinking retreat in a cabin with his staff that only includes a personal chef, but those last two words, "personal chef," are enough to keep me from truly relating to anything Bill Gates does]).
I found this book most useful in the section Pang talks about the value of waking up early and starting your day, in spite of your circadian rhythm. It was compelling enough for me to come up with my own schedule and try it, and I got a lot of writing done!
Luckily, this book is short enough that you can read it and just zone out during the sections about white men training for marathons or playing golf or taking month-long sabbaticals to sit in the woods and think. You'll still get something useful out of it, though I won't say that the privilege won't drive you a bit crazy.
glowbird's review against another edition
informative
fast-paced
3.0
So I guess I’m looking for four hours…