Mere Mortals Book Reviews

A hectic account of trench warfare by a born soldier!

'Storm of Steel' by Ernst Jünger is a first person account of life during World War I as told through the eyes of a young German soldier. There is no particular plot, closer to a diary of his experiences on the Western Front during engagements such as the: Battle of Ypres, Battle of Cambrai & the final German spring offensive. It's not a political book and is simply an account of what Jünger saw/felt during this period of his life.

I summarised the book as follows. "Jünger faces unending blood, raining steel, bone-numbing cold, asphyxiating gas, energy snapping mud and a meeting with death. If you ever wanted to know what the experience of a modern day adrenaline junkie would be during war time, then this is the book for you. Though it might glorify war in some aspects 'Storm of Steel' is as real as it gets and the author is also as real as it gets."

I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!

If you would like to support the channel, you can grab yourself a copy of the book here! https://amzn.to/3lnmgni

Timeline:

(0:00) - Intro & Synopsis

(3:51) - Excitement of the fight

(8:10) - The tricks & turns of fate

(9:35) - Personal Observations

(14:17) - Summary

(16:12) - Pragmatic Takeaway: Start reading books in pairs of two

Connect with Mere Mortals:

Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/

Support the show

'All Quiet On The Western Front' is the harrowing experiences of fighting and dying, as told by a German WWI soldier. The author uses an alter-ego of Paul Baümer to fully describe the brutal reality of average life in the trenches. The book details the minutiae of frayed shell shocked nerves, mind-numbing boredom and explosive sudden bloodshed. One of the central themes we understand from the book is that nobody comes out of this experience for the better. Even those who survive come out apathetic and indifferent to the new daily monotony, their dreams have already been taken from them.

For me this book really hit home the tragedy of the generation of men lost in not only WWI but WWII as well. This book has some vivid memorable scenes that I don't think I'll forget easily (the shelling in the recently buried cemetery for example). Reading it is not exactly a pleasant experience, but will give you gratitude for your current circumstances and a greater appreciation of the men and women protecting our countries. As always, we hope you enjoy, Mere Mortals out!

If you would like to support the channel, you can grab yourself a copy of the book here! https://amzn.to/3z31vSA

Connect with Mere Mortals:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/

Support the show

'Pinocchio' by Carlo Collodi is the 1883 classic children's book of a puppet come to life . Though written for children it initially had a very tragic ending, with poor Pinocchio left for dead, hung by the neck from a tree. Thankfully Collodi added more chapters to the book and we now have an uplifting ending to the tale. It is is surprisingly deep with many life lessons (such as reaping what you sow, developing virtue, not to case pearls before swine, etc.,), which is why it is one of the most translated books of all time. The original tale is very different from the Disney movie and well worth a read, for young and old.

I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!

If you would like to support the channel, you can grab yourself a copy of the book here! https://amzn.to/3zT7xqk

Connect with Mere Mortals:

Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/

Support the show

From one of the most distinguished admirals of our time and a former Supreme Allied Commander of NATO, a meditation on leadership and character refracted through the lives of ten of the most illustrious naval commanders in history, alongside the 10 characteristics of effective leadership.

Connect with Mere Mortals:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/Support the show

"In the beginning the Universe was created. This has made a lot of people very angry and been widely regarded as a bad move."

Above is a typical funny passage that one can find in 'The Restaurant At The End Of The Universe' by Douglas Adams. This is the 2nd book of the Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy trilogy and follows the adventure of Arthur, Ford, Zaphod and Trillian as they continue their random, absurd, highly illogical journey. They travel through time and space to get a good meal and enjoy the end of the universe.

I summarised the book as follows. "The plot (if you can even call it that) is so zany and has so little structure that each chapter could almost be read as a stand-alone short story. What comes out in the writing of Adams is the classic British deadpan humour and his unique gift with wordplay. A fun, forget the troubles of the world type of book. Hope you enjoy it as I did!"

I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!

If you would like to support the channel, you can grab yourself a copy of the book here! https://amzn.to/3jJEsYs

Timeline:

(0:00) - Synopsis

(2:58) - Wordplay and classic British deadpan

(6:08) - Personal Observations

(10:27) - Summary 

(11:55) - Pragmatic Takeaway: Learn some new words

Connect with Mere Mortals:

Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/

Support the show

This episode of the Mere Mortals book review covers 'The Wealth of Nations' by Adam Smith. This is a classic book of economics that lays out the general principles of wealth, particularly in relation to nations. It is a dense, long book to get through and has the old style of English language (it was first published in 1776), making it very difficult to read. I personally could only get through about 10% of the 570-something pages. A good book for those who want to read what would be one of the first ground-breaking books on economics, as long as you are prepared to grind away. 

I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!

Connect with Mere Mortals:

Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/

Support the show

An exploration into the inner world of yourself.

'Demian' by Hermann Hesse is a psychological journey of facing fear, pursuing the inner voice and preparing oneself for a life of lonesome transcendence. Young Emil Sinclair grows out of adolescence into early manhood with the help from his enigmatic friend Max Demian. The book is narrated by Sinclair and reveals the challenges he must confront to transform beyond his initial, somewhat weak and naïve beginning. 

I summarised the book as follows. "Somewhat bizarre at times but the calm mood that runs throughout is perfect. I personally gained much wisdom from this book and believe there are many life lessons to be gained from it. Highly recommended, especially for those interested in understanding the inner voice/mind and how it can be used as a force for good."

I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!

If you would like to support the channel, you can grab yourself a copy of the book here! https://amzn.to/3n4gBVv

Timeline:

(0:00) - Synopsis

(4:40) - The inner voices

(8:31) - Depression: Requires conscious confrontation to defeat

(11:20) - The moral voice and unlearning preconceptions

(14:42) - Summary

(15:49) - Pragmatic Takeaway: 

Connect with Mere Mortals:

Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/

Support the show

'Invisible Man' is a commentary of American society in the late 1940's as told from the perspective of an unnamed African American narrator. The book is fictional but contains similarities to real events experienced by Ralph Ellison during his lifetime. It changes between pure narration to lyrical prose, poetic drama and even fantastical dreamlike scenarios. The narrator experiences a loss of identity due to the societal insistence of viewing him solely as part of his racial group. He undergoes a journey from hopeful and naïve to hardened and calloused, almost to the point of breaking. It is a sad, gloomy and at times, downright disgusting portrayal of American life (battle royal scene for example) as seen through the eyes of the narrator. Recommended for those looking for a perspective of American racism and willing to endure a long book (581 pages). As always, we hope you enjoy, Mere Mortals out!
Connect with Mere Mortals:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/Support the show

A book that is 'For Madmen Only'!

'Steppenwolf' by Hermann Hesse is the semi-fictional, semi-autobiographical tale of Harry Haller, a man whose nature is part man and part wolf. Hesse wrote this (his 10th novel) in 1927 during a prolonged existential crisis caused by the Great War, marriage problems and a severe depression. It explores themes of suicidal depression, the plurality of inner voices/desires and intense loneliness.

I summarised the book as follows. "It's rather gloomy and sad with parts of ecstatic exuberance. It does explore some deep (rather unpleasant) aspects of the human condition and for certain types of people I think will really connect. However, I really didn't like the character of Haller, in fact I detested him. He displayed such bad personal qualities that I found it hard to empathise with him and the ending in the magical theatre was just a bit too weird for me.

I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!

If you would like to support the channel, you can grab yourself a copy of the book here!

https://amzn.to/3DNXHZ1

Timeline:

(0:00) - Intro & Synopsis

(4:02) - Plurality of inner voices

(8:26) - The importance of direction

(10:00) - Personal Observations

(14:54) - Summary

(16:09) - Pragmatic Takeaway: Read more Hermann Hesse!

Connect with Mere Mortals:

Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/

Support the show

What can terrorists teach you about how to negotiate?

'Never Split The Difference' by Chris Voss (with Tahl Raz) is about how to use negotiation skills in real life. The main author is an ex-FBI negotiator who learnt the principles of effective negotiation from real world experience with kidnappers, bank robbers, terrorists, sales people, academics and businessmen. The book is an exposition of his main lessons, told through a mix of history, stories, advice and psychology.

I summarised the book as follows. "There are some key pieces of information that can be applied to negotiations in every day life. These range from using techniques (such as mirroring and finalising affirmation), creating empathy and controlling your emotions to simple advice (make sure you are negotiating with the people who actually make the decisions). A great book for someone looking to improve their negotiation skills, but without the whole 'system' that usually comes with such books." 

I hope you have a fantastic day wherever you are in the world. Kyrin out!

If you enjoyed this review and would like to support the team, feel free to use our referral link here! 
https://amzn.to/3kOuEM6

Timeline:

(0:00) - Synopsis

(4:49) - Negotiation tips

(8:14) - Never split the difference

(13:44) - Summary 

(15:22) - Pragmatic Takeaway: Examine my own negotiation skills 

Connect with Mere Mortals:

Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcast/

Support the show