Books

Tribe

Sebastian Junger posits that the cure for modern ennui is fierce loyalty and intense belonging in a small, tight knit group.

The thesis of the book starts with the assumption that people are miserable despite society’s fabulous wealth. He’s such a good writer that I have to actively remind myself to query whether that’s even true.

But hey, buy the ticket, take the ride. Assuming it is true, he asserts that the reason for the misery is a lack of belonging and purpose. He cites as evidence the fact that people sometimes miss wars and fondly remember crises, because situations like those force us into tribes. You need to be willing to die for someone else for life to have meaning, he asserts.

Regardless of whether the whole line of reasoning holds up, his prescription is a good one: double down on loyalty and dedication to your people to make yourself happier. 

Go call your mom, partner, kids, whatever. Tell them Sebastian Junger sent you.

Three stars by SJ standards. High bar; worth reading!

Norse Mythology 

Neil Gaiman retells a few choice cuts of Norse mythology. 

If you’re tempted to blow this off because Marvel made you think Norse mythology is bland, here’s an antidote: Loki gets banged by a horse at one point. This is the real, unhinged thing. Not some sanitized soap opera adaptation. 

The stories are great, the writing is masterful, the graphic novels are excellent, the audiobook (read by Gaiman) is outstanding. Everything about it fires on all cylinders. 

It’s one of those times where the right person for the job takes on the task at the perfect point in his career. 

Maybe you’ve made a New Year’s resolution to read stuff with a longer shelf life. Maybe you just want to mix some fiction into your usual how-to-run-a-startup rotation. Whatever excuse will work, find it and read this book. 

Five stars.

way to make a strong case sailor. added to the list

Read this last year as well

Quite enjoyable