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stevenpirtle's review against another edition
5.0
Still a huge Ryan Holiday fan and this book is no different. The book overall is to be expected, but very well put together and researched. Learned more about several historical figures than before Very excited for the series and can’t wait to read the next one.
migggy's review against another edition
3.0
I love the Daily Stoic podcast, so I am trying to consume all of Ryan's books. If you are a daily listener you hear a lot of what he talks about in his books, so to me, they seem a little repetitive and blur together.
uakabanza's review against another edition
4.0
Courage - a word packed with so much meaning but seemingly little application to us in the modern world. Philosopher, author, and YouTuber Ryan Holiday writes compelling accounts of people displaying the most powerful forms of courage - whether it be Florence Nightingale defying the expectations of what women were capable of in her time, or Muhammad Ali risking his career in the name of his religion and beliefs, Holiday argues that we must continue to develop our own sense of courage - for all great developments have come from courageous men and women. He also describes what happens when we abandon courage, when we prioritise ourselves over those around us. Evil regimes come to power. Incivility becomes the norm . Toxic work cultures, like that Holiday experienced in American Apparel, become commonplace. In its extreme form, far right regimes like that led in Germany by Hitler can threaten to destroy world peace. Dictators like Bashar Al Assad are able to stay in power.
Courage may seem like a term that almost belongs in the relics of history, but if we fail to display it, we are little more than cowards. After all, if not us, then who else?
Courage may seem like a term that almost belongs in the relics of history, but if we fail to display it, we are little more than cowards. After all, if not us, then who else?
joefaulkenberry's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
stamos94's review against another edition
5.0
The main ideas of this book deeply resonated with me. Not only that courage, without the right cause is hollow, but also requires love to be carried through to the end. The other element of this book that I really loved is that history is filled with folks who both demonstrated extraordinary cowardice and incredible acts of courage throughout their lives. Which I think gives me hope. Speaking of which, Holiday makes it a point to go after cynicism and nihilism. Two characteristics I have always abhorred. In reading this book I felt vindicated in how I have approached life, always trying to view life through the lense of hope, rather cynical dickishness. The last point I'll make is that the chapter focusing on the 300 Spartans in Thermopolye was particularly beautiful.
If I were to implement one or two ideas from this book, I think the first is that to act courageously when the situation really needs it, requires that you consistently exercise courage in small ways. Secondly, to be heroic means to actually sacrifice something. Whether that be career, happiness, or even your very life. Whatever is done, the act of heroism must be done for the sake of others, not personal gain, which is a lesser kind of courage. Whereas heroism is the highest form of courage.
I would describe this book as an excellent and modern take on JFK's profile's in courage where he provides beautiful examples of courage in an easy to read way.
If I were to implement one or two ideas from this book, I think the first is that to act courageously when the situation really needs it, requires that you consistently exercise courage in small ways. Secondly, to be heroic means to actually sacrifice something. Whether that be career, happiness, or even your very life. Whatever is done, the act of heroism must be done for the sake of others, not personal gain, which is a lesser kind of courage. Whereas heroism is the highest form of courage.
I would describe this book as an excellent and modern take on JFK's profile's in courage where he provides beautiful examples of courage in an easy to read way.
rissarireads's review against another edition
3.0
I was thinking 3. I don’t know that I like the notion that all that are successful or achieving great things have courage. I’ve got to sit with this one a bit. May update.