“I consider that a man’s brain originally is like a little empty attic, and you have to stock it with such furniture as you choose. A fool takes in all the lumber of every sort that he comes across, so that the knowledge which might be useful to him gets crowded out, or at best is jumbled up with a lot of other things, so that he has a difficulty in laying his hands upon it. Now the skillful workman is very careful indeed as to what he takes into his brain-attic. He will have nothing but the tools which may help him in doing his work, but of these he has a large assortment, and all in the most perfect order. It is a mistake to think that that little room has elastic walls and can distend to any extent. Depend upon it there comes a time when for every addition of knowledge, you forget something you knew before. It is of the highest importance, therefore, not to have useless facts elbowing out the useful ones.”
Books are a marvelous gift. They help fill our minds with the right furniture, so to speak. August was a wondrous month filled with the accumulation of several new additions. What follows is the collection of books that filled the empty space in my mind. They added new and useful insights. It is my hope that they would do the same for you.
True Believer by Jack Carr
Jack Carr quickly became a favorite author of mine last month when I listened to his story on Jocko Podcast 183. I quickly read his first novel, The Terminal List, and it was phenomenal. Fortunately, Carr’s second act of the James Reece saga hit shelves August 3rd. I can think of no better way to introduce you to the writing of Jack Carr than to share a piece from the preface to True Believer. While one normally skips the preface, this one is worth reading in full. What follows are the last few paragraphs of what is one of my favorite pieces of writing from the pen of Jack Carr.
“In the pages of True Believer, I examine a similar transition for my protagonist, James Reece. Feeling responsible for the deaths of his family and teammates, betrayed by the country to which he pledged his allegiance and sacred honor, what could possibly give him purpose? What mission could make him want to live again? These issues are the same ones confronting those who have fought in the mountains of the Hindu Kush and along the banks of the Tigris and Euphrates in the cradle of civilization, and, though explored through the medium of a fictional narrative, are no less valid. We are the accumulation of our past experiences. How we channel those experiences and knowledge into wisdom as we move forward is critical.
What’s past is prologue. Written by William Shakespeare in The Tempest, it is also inscribed on a monument outside of the National Archives in Washington, D.C.
How true that is.”
Raising A Modern Day Knight
How do you help your young boy become a man? How do you guide him in this journey? What are the things you need to consider in this pursuit? These are some of the primary questions Raising A Modern Day Knight helps answer. It seeks to provide a road map for fathers seeking to help their boys become great men by giving them a clear target to aim at, marking milestones, and a clear notice of when they’ve reached the destination.
Meditations by Marcus Aurelius
Aurelius served as emperor of Rome from161 A.D. until 180 A.D. He served as the great philosopher–king to which Plato pointed in his Republic. As one of the most remembered emperors of the empire he led Marcus left his legacy within the pages of his personal writings. These personal writings amounted to little more than notes to himself but constitute some of the greatest works in philosophy. Men throughout the ages found these writings helpful and it is my estimation you will as well.
About Face by David Hackworth
I first heard the name of Col. David Hackworth on episode two of the Jocko Podcast. Yes, I am obsessed with Jocko’s podcast and reference it often. It contains some of the most relevant information on topics that matter to everyday life. These lessons are captured in a powerful manner as Jocko unpacks life’s tangled mess that so often is life, especially its dark side. You must acquaint yourself with the darkness of life. It not only adds perspective, but understanding it helps prepare you for your own bouts with it as life rolls on.
Col. David Hackworth epitomizes that journey. Enlisting in the Army in 1946 at the age of fifteen and remaining engaged with military life until his departure from it over thirty-five years later. Hackworth served in both Korea and Vietnam earning the moniker “Mr. Infantry” in addition to numerous awards and citation reflecting his exemplary service. His memoirs reflect the lessons learned and applied in that service, lessons that you can implement in your quest for personal victory.
For more on Col. David Hackworth: Jocko Podcast #2, Jocko Podcast #28
Jesus Among Other Gods by Ravi Zacharias
Ravi Zacharias is a stalwart in Christian apologetics circles. He stands and delivers answers in defense of the Christian worldview to the questions of an increasingly hostile world. Ravi does so with tenderness, grace, and a disarming whit. In Jesus Among Other Gods he continues to present and provide a rational defense in his now classic fashion.
Past Tense by Lee Child
I am a fan of the Jack Reacher novels. When the movie bearing the name of Child’s marvelous character hit theatres, I went back to read the books serving as its inspiration. Starting with Killing Floor I quickly made my way through them all. Since then I’ve kept up with the series and read each new addition as they’re released. This month, I finally made my way to this past year’s novel, Past Tense.
Transformed by Remi Adeleke
Late one night I put in my headphones and turned on Episode 32 of the Mike Drop podcast. What unfolded over the next almost two hours is the incredible story of Remi Adeleke. His life is ultimately one, as the title of his autobiography suggests, of transformation. As his story unfolds not only does his world change geographically, but the man he is transforms to an even greater degree. Transformed is the telling of his amazing story of redemption and transformation.