I would say that this is another highly over-rated book. Firstly, most of the points that the book is trying to convey is rather abstract. The author I would say that this is another highly over-rated book. Firstly, most of the points that the book is trying to convey is rather abstract. The author gives you a big picture, but does not show you the way to get there. Secondly, the examples in the book are mostly unnecessary and fails to show the author's point. But then again, that is the same problem with most self-help book, just that this one strikes me as more of a "chicken soup" type book....more
Did I fully understand the contents of the book? No. Did it change some of my perspective? Yes. Although some of the points and examples in this book mDid I fully understand the contents of the book? No. Did it change some of my perspective? Yes. Although some of the points and examples in this book might be obsolete, I personally feel that the ideas that is being conveyed through this book is quite valuable. The social contract and general will applies not only to countries, but also to organizations and anything related to human interdependence. When working as a team, it is important to make sure that everyone's motives align, leading a team with an iron fist would be efficient if the organization is huge, but if the size is moderate, it is best to take into account the general will of others. I also appreciate the political insights that this book has to offer. I often wonder what is the point of an election if the elected party does not represent our interest. In this book it is explained that although the constitution represents the general will of the people, it is often that members of the parliament or legal authorities that were supposed to act along the will, instead act in their personal interest. This is indeed a flaw in the system which cannot be prevented as long as the ratio of population to country size is huge as the transmission of the general will cannot be done smoothly and effectively. The touch on the relationship between religion and political bodies is also an interesting topic. An intolerant religion contradicts a political body that represents the interest of all its people. Two stars are deducted because of the hard time I had trying to understand the meaning that the author was trying to convey behind his abstruse sentences....more
I enjoyed King's writing style, it is amazing how he is able to put into words the subtleties of human behavior. The story is enjoyable and the characI enjoyed King's writing style, it is amazing how he is able to put into words the subtleties of human behavior. The story is enjoyable and the characters are very much alive. However, I personally feel that adding supernatural elements into the story has done more to mar the story than to make it more interesting. Perhaps this opinion of mine is partly due to the fact that I was hoping for a more realistic story line or hypothetical situation if a bio-weapon apocalypse do happen....more
Personally, I do not find this book neither "controversial" nor "life-changing".
The author is a fraud, with most of his encounters and "researches" bePersonally, I do not find this book neither "controversial" nor "life-changing".
The author is a fraud, with most of his encounters and "researches" being mostly made up.
I personally feel that a lot of the content is redundant. To summarize the whole book: You must have a positive mindset, an ability to think critically, good habits and perseverance to succeed. The rest of the content is just expanding on this and making it more confusing by using terms such as "hypnotic rhythm" to imply the meaning of strong habits.
Nevertheless, that does not matter as long as the content of the book is meaningful. However, I would say that the author often repeats his point over and over again throughout the book, and using the same argument over and over again. Additionally, most of his arguments are not scientific and mostly based on whatever "the devil" says, which is most probably his own personal opinion.
For an example, he mentions that public education is ruining the younger generation's ability to think, because most knowledge are passed down without putting focus on its practicality and its usage. Then again, there was no prove on this, just an statement of opinion from "the devil". Funny enough, throughout the whole book, Napoleon Hill states a few "laws of nature" and characteristics of a "non-drifter" without actually giving the readers practical ways of being one. For an example, he would often mention again and again that a non-drifter has the ability to think for himself. But how do one achieve the ability to think for oneself? Napoleon does not explain that. A person must break the "hypnotic rhythm" in order to be a non-drifter. But how do you achieve that? No practical solutions are given.
it's just another "how to be successful" genre book which mentions trite and ambiguous concepts without any practical methods and scientific studies behind. ( I would not believe his "research" was actually done since there was no actual record of him ever meeting Carnegie and Edison)...more
I picked up this book with low expectations, thinking it would be no different from the usual plethora of self-help books. I was too quick to judge.
UnI picked up this book with low expectations, thinking it would be no different from the usual plethora of self-help books. I was too quick to judge.
Unlike most self-help books that brings up anecdotes unnecessarily and fail to get to the point, Atomic Habits is relatively concise, giving the readers a clear overview of the four tenets of habit formation: obvious, attractive, easy and satisfying. Not only that, James did not just serve us chicken soup and empty promises, he actually brought us down to the ground and show us how to actually implement his ideas.
I gave this book a 5-star because it exceeded my expectations of what a self-help book could bring to the table and I do hope that writers of this category can give more practical ideas instead of just throwing out abstract, vague concepts (I'm talking about you, 7-habits......more
I love how it gives concrete examples and advice instead of abstract ones. Although a lot of the anecdotes are redundant, I personally feel that the "I love how it gives concrete examples and advice instead of abstract ones. Although a lot of the anecdotes are redundant, I personally feel that the "tips" and "tricks" are still quite useful and relevant....more
Jeezus. At the beginning I thought it would be a story of realization and rebellion; in the middle I thought it would be a story of love and hope; onlJeezus. At the beginning I thought it would be a story of realization and rebellion; in the middle I thought it would be a story of love and hope; only till the end did the dark overtone surfaced to break down all hopes and dreams.
The story started of in a way that leaves you interested and wondering about the condition of the dystopian state. In the middle, the author tries to express his thoughts in the name of THE BOOK, mostly because these thoughts would be hard to be conveyed if shown but not mentioned. I don't really know the true purpose of inserting the love story between Julia and Smith, was it to make a contrast in the shattering hopes and dreams, or was it to show that there was no freedom in that dystopian world, even your innermost emotions are subjected to malleability then. The Party, Big Brother and O'Brien seemed overly omnipotent near the end of the book, but maybe that was the whole idea, to show that in that kind of state, nothing gets past the Party.
After finishing this book, it left me wondering, are any of our thoughts actually free at all? Or was it actually the byproducts of media and public manipulation? The advancement of social media might have reduced information asymmetry, but again, how sure can we be? Even my opinions are being changed after reading this book, inserting new notions and thoughts into my mind, so how free can our thoughts be in a world rife with information?...more
Don't really understand the hype behind this book. The author took an autobiographical approach in explaining the history of natural sciences, insertiDon't really understand the hype behind this book. The author took an autobiographical approach in explaining the history of natural sciences, inserting numerous stories and events regarding the person involved, which most of the times made the whole book more confusing.
After reading the whole book, I felt as if I have learnt nothing. Sometimes the point the author tries to get across are too technical, and other times too lengthy with his description of the character's history. Personally, I feel that the "main point" or the main scientific knowledge in the book can actually be written down in 50 pages. The rest is just random events and character background stories that is more confusing than it is helpful....more
Started out to be a slight disappointment to me, mostly because I read it under the recommendation that this book was supposed to be the book of the yStarted out to be a slight disappointment to me, mostly because I read it under the recommendation that this book was supposed to be the book of the year. It felt like there was a lot of loopholes in the story(Going to Australia with your friend? Oh well, she ends up dead. Decided to marry your ex-fiancee? Oh well, he cheated on you), and the way the story progressed felt a bit too forced at the beginning. Not to mention I couldn't really appreciate the abundance of monologues and philosophical quotes (Some of them even wrong).
Near the second half of the book, I find it to be more enjoyable. The ending was also great. The story itself felt like a Mitch Albom series, which is not really my cup of tea. And I guess the whole moral of the story is: There is no specific way of living your life, as life is full of possibilities. What matters most is your perspective. ...more
Another well written book by Jeffrey Archer, although this early work of his seemed to be a little bit more lurid. A masterful storyteller, Jeffrey buiAnother well written book by Jeffrey Archer, although this early work of his seemed to be a little bit more lurid. A masterful storyteller, Jeffrey builds up the plot and character slowly, reels you in and make it impossible to put down this book. Although certain plot twists were albeit too predictable, and the story might unfold in an unexpected manner(spoiler alert: the ending might not be too satisfying for readers who are used to perfect endings), nevertheless, the story is still very much character driven and both protagonists seemed very much alive and consistent throughout the whole story....more
Most part of the books are talking about the limits of rationality, interesting in theory, but in terms of practicality, the first few chapters sufficMost part of the books are talking about the limits of rationality, interesting in theory, but in terms of practicality, the first few chapters suffice....more
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