I think this is the second such list I've created here on
NotePd.com, so here goes.
1. Man's Search For Meaning - Viktor Frankel
I've experienced what many would consider real adversity in my life. Still, it can always be worse. Reading Viktor Frankel's Man's Search For Meaning, a brutal, horrific, and yet inspiring account of his experience in a Nazi concentration camp, reminded me of that. Whenever I think I'm having a bad day, month, or year....on the spectrum of human suffering, what I've experienced, while certainly not fun and not what anyone would consider an easy path, is really not all that bad and I have many blessings to be grateful for.2. Leadership Strategy And Tactics - Jocko Willink
Jocko Willink is probably (definitely) the most impressive human I've had the privilege of meeting in person. Sure, sometimes I get tired of yet ANOTHER leadership book written by a Navy Seal, but you can't go wrong with anything Willink produces, whether a book or podcast. This man's (I'm still not convinced he's human) locked in mindset and level of discipline is something a mere mortal like myself can only dream of developing.3. Choose Yourself....or anything by James Altucher
I swear, this guy must be tired of me talking about him and his brilliant work, haha! But I've never known someone so brave and open about his struggles. A seemingly fearless thought leader who has an unwavering commitment to honesty and the truth, James gives permission to the masses to choose themselves through his terrific writing and brilliant idea muscle. He has an uncanny ability to identify the struggles of and build an audience with the millions of people that are drowning in the disappearing middle class. Bonus points for exposing the failing long held myths of the American Dream. A refreshing change of pace from the business "gurus" who are all forced smiles and fake positivity.4. Tribe of Mentors/Tools of Titans by Tim Ferriss
A wonderful book that gives the reader a front row seat into the mindsets and strategies of some of the world's greatest performers. Most of us normal humans can't get an audience with the people that we'd love to interview. Tim Ferriss uses his platform and fame to do this for the general public.5. Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu
An easy read that can be tackled in a day. Tao Te Ching is highly recommended for the more spiritually inclined, or those looking for purpose/life meaning. This was my first exposure to Taosim.6. Yale & The Ivy League Cartel - How a college lost its soul and became a hedge fund - by Edwin S. Rockefeller
Before many read this book, they might think "financial aid" is something good. Wrong. In fact, it's a system of discriminatory price discounts implemented by the Ivy League monopoly.
Equally dispiriting was is the realization that the biggest driver of high education costs is unchallenged and ongoing price increases by the Ivy League monopoly, well described in this book. The key question is when if ever it will end.
Beyond the Yale crowd, this book is a must read for anyone who wants to know why college costs so much and what to do about it.7. Principles by Ray Dalio
A rare glimpse into the secretive world of the largest hedge fund on Earth, written by a guy who grew up in a middle class family and got to live the American Dream, something that fewer and fewer people seem to be doing. Dalio created a fascinating "idea meritocracy" that encourages constructive criticism, the sharing of ideas from anyone regardless of rank, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.8. Walden and Civil Disobedience by Henry David Thoreau
Wonderful book. He was truly a great individual, scholar, survivalist. If only times were so simple now, as they were back then. Many people ready this book in high school and disregard it, but I recommend returning to this book in your adulthood. Thoreau makes you feel a lot less crazy about rejecting this mundane routine society sets up for us from the moment we are born.9. The Last Lecture by Jeffrey Zaslow and Randy Pausch
Inspired by his diagnosis with terminal cancer, former Carnegie Mellon professor Randy Pausch dispenses good life advice for his kids, who were young when he died, at age 47, about everything from pursuing their dreams to the lost art of thank-you notes. All the rest of us can benefit from it, too. In a reminder of how fragile life really is, Pausch’s co-author, the former Wall Street Journal columnist Jeffrey Zaslow, died in a car accident, at age 53, two years after their best-selling book was published.10. The Kite Runner - by Khaled Hosseini
I was moved by this author's skill in transporting you to his world in Afghanistan in a time of massive upheaval where age old themes of friendship, love, courage, truth, betrayal and finding "a way to become good again" make for a book you won't forget. I think this book is a classic and she be read by literature classes for years to come.
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