In this review, we dive into Eagle Strike, the fourth Alex Rider book by Anthony Horowitz. Alex finds himself on his own against the billionaire villain Damian Cray, with MI6 refusing to back him. Packed with action, foreshadowing of Scorpia, and a surprising philosophical twist, this book marks the bridge between the light beginnings of the series and the darker arcs that follow.

(00:00) - Welcome & Intro to the Review
(00:55) - The Premise: Alex Rider in France & Damian Cray’s Rise
(02:20) - Action Highlights: Bikes, Gadgets, Air Force One
(02:43) - Why the Alex Rider Books are Accessible & Fun
(04:11) - Outdated Tech: The “Game Slayer” Detail
(05:20) - Nostalgia Factor vs. Modern Readers
(07:31) - Life Application of the Book’s Theme
(08:11) - Reflections on Villain & Alex’s Character
(08:32) - The Series Grows Darker & More Complex
(09:06) - Increasing Book Length & Depth Over Time
(09:24) - Closing Thoughts & Recommendations

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There will always be someone selling BS, but you can learn how to spot it.

'Bad Science' by Ben Goldacre is an expose of sorts showcasing instances of media (individuals & as a whole) distorting statistics & scientific data. He explains the various errors they commit while examining the various reasons as to why they occurred. There are 16 chapters focusing on topics like the placebo effect, the MMR Hoax, homeopathy & nutrition.

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Timeline:
(00:00:00) Intro
(00:02:39) Themes/Questions
(00:25:18) Author & Extras
(00:33:24) Summary
(00:36:11) Value 4 Value
(00:36:59) Coming Up/Join Live!

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The future of Asia is interesting but even more so is the man who created it!

'Lee Kuan Yew' by Allison & Blackwill is a compiled selection of speeches & quotes from Lee Kuan Yew bundled together to come across as a single interview. The focus is on his opinions over the years on what he imagines the future will look like. It's split into 10 chapters on topics like democracy, China/USA/India, geopolitics & Islamic Extremism.

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Timeline:
(00:00:00) Intro
(00:01:49) Themes/Questions
(00:26:56) Author & Extras
(00:33:57) Summary
(00:37:18) Value 4 Value
(00:39:10) Coming Up/Join Live!

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Tolkien doesn’t write chapters; he builds civilisations. The Fellowship of the Ring is a slow, deliberate march through languages, histories and the lived feel of time, a marathon of meaning more than a sprint of action. I respect the scope, loved the journey, but prefer punchier reads.

(00:00) “You shall not pass.”
(00:09) Welcome & why review Fellowship now
(01:14) Trilogy intent & page heft (535pp!)
(01:34) Comparing to The Hobbit — brisk romp vs dense saga
(02:15) Tolkien the philologist: languages → world → story
(03:46) Book vs films; songs, lore, and density
(04:50) When detail drags — what I skimmed & why
(06:25) Feeling the journey: Tolkien makes time pass on the page
(07:52) “Feels familiar” because it birthed the genre
(08:31) Fellowship in a nutshell (plot sketch)
(09:44) What I loved vs what I didn’t (I like punch)
(10:51) Verdict, who should read it, and why — 7/10
(11:31) Sign-off & CTAs

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A world changing industry that kind of happened by coincidence.

'Chip War' by Chris Miller is a detailed history of the semiconductor industry from its origins in the 1950's to the present day. Important individuals/companies rise and fall as it goes from a new emerging technology created by theorists/tinkers to the global powerhouse companies influenced by countries. It's split into 8 parts with 52 chapters in total.

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Timeline:
(00:00:00) Intro
(00:02:38) Themes/Questions
(00:21:57) Author & Extras
(00:26:10) Summary
(00:28:18) Value 4 Value
(00:29:28) Coming Up/Join Live!

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In this Mere Mortals book review, we revisit Skeleton Key, the third Alex Rider novel, blending teenage espionage with lessons on stoicism, discipline, and composure. Beyond the action-packed spy drama, I explore how the book’s villain, the General, embodies a powerful, minimalistic strength that shaped my early understanding of discipline and quiet resilience. This isn’t just about the plot, it’s about the philosophy hidden between the lines.

(00:00) – Welcome & New Studio Setup
(00:19) – Introducing Skeleton Key by Anthony Horowitz
(00:42) – Why Revisit Alex Rider as an Adult
(01:15) – Plot Setup: From Wimbledon to the World of Spies
(02:09) – CIA Involvement & Dangerous Missions
(02:28) – Enter the Villain: The General and His Henchman
(03:16) – High-Stakes Action: Submarines & Survival
(04:13) – The Real Focus: A Villain Worth Admiring
(05:16) – Strength Without Noise: The General’s Philosophy
(06:16) – Stoicism Before I Knew What It Was
(07:22) – Composure in a World That Sees It as Weakness
(08:35) – Final Thoughts & Recommendation
(09:14) – Closing & Future Book Reviews

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Not only is history written by the victors, but it's altered by the academics!

'The Lessons Of History' by Will & Ariel Durant is a small book that attempts to sum-up the history of humanity across several categories of human activity. They use examples from ancient civilisations but also add their own personal opinions into the mix. 13 chapters on Biology, Race, Character, Morals, Religion, Economics, Socialism, Government, War and a few others.

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Timeline:
(00:00:00) Intro
(00:01:47) Themes/Questions
(00:08:39) Authors & Extras
(00:12:43) Summary
(00:15:06) Value 4 Value
(00:16:40) Coming Up/Join Live!

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Move aside Sparta, there's a new power in town!

'Lords of the Sea: The Epic Story of the Athenian Navy and the Birth of Democracy' by John R. Hale is a historical book that recounts the period from 483-322 BC of Ancient Greece and in particular the navy armada of Athens. We witness the rise and fall of Athenian power via not only sea battles with other empires but the decisions made by it's democratic governments as well as influential politicians, generals, philosophers & artists. 

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Timeline:
(00:00:00) Intro
(00:02:48) Themes/Questions
(00:19:29) Author & Extras
(00:25:12) Summary
(00:27:33) Value 4 Value
(00:28:58) Coming Up/Join Live!

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In this Mere Mortals book review, we dive into Point Blanc by Anthony Horowitz, a fast-paced youth fiction novel that sparks deeper questions about cloning, perfectionism and identity. Using the wild plot as a springboard, the episode unpacks modern obsessions with filtered personas and asks: what do we lose when we trade uniqueness for conformity?

(00:00) - Intro & Series Overview
(00:30) - What is Point Blank? A Quick Recap
(01:10) - Crazy Plot Devices: Chimneys, Clones & Ironing Boards
(02:40) - The Core Theme: Cloning and Control
(04:00) - The Perfection Paradox in Parenting
(06:00) - Modern Filters: From Fiction to Instagram
(08:00) - Uniqueness vs Assimilation
(09:30) - What Today’s Influencers Reveal About Us
(10:45) - Are We Becoming Clones of Each Other?
(12:00) - The Real Cost of Perfectionism
(13:10) - Who Are You… Really?
(14:00) - If Point Blanc Was Written Today…
(14:45) - Final Thoughts on the Book & Concept

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Be wary of association with the Wizard Of Wall St .... unless you are family or friends!

'The Wizard Of Wall Street & His Wealth' by Trumbull White is a biography detailing the life of Jay Gould, at one point one of the wealthiest individuals in the world. It starts from his childhood and shows how he rose from poverty in the 1800's to become one of the robber barons of the Gilded Age. Plenty of stories showcasing his ruthless underhanded dealing in business yet a calm and generous personality outside of it.

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Timeline:
(00:00:00) Intro
(00:02:26) Themes/Questions
(00:19:03) Author & Extras
(00:22:34) Summary
(00:25:18) Value 4 Value
(00:26:55) Coming Up/Join Live!

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