Inspirational Books
Discussion
On a similar note, If This Is A Man / The Truce by Primo Levi of his experiences in Auschwitz and surviving in the immediate chaotic aftermath may be the best book I've ever read.
For some reason it moved me much more than Frankl's book, perhaps because I was expecting a grim read but instead got a raft of character studies, of what survives and what doesn't, with little in the way of moralising over the towering atrocity he's living through daily, it being relegated by a burning imperative to be remembered.
His reflections on his own usefulness, the things he does and doesn't judge people on, etc, his descriptions of characters and his interpretations of their moral codes are remarkable in their sensitivity.
For some reason it moved me much more than Frankl's book, perhaps because I was expecting a grim read but instead got a raft of character studies, of what survives and what doesn't, with little in the way of moralising over the towering atrocity he's living through daily, it being relegated by a burning imperative to be remembered.
His reflections on his own usefulness, the things he does and doesn't judge people on, etc, his descriptions of characters and his interpretations of their moral codes are remarkable in their sensitivity.
Edited by glazbagun on Sunday 14th March 12:20
I'd third Frankl, amazing book. He was a practicing psychiatrist before he was imprisoned. I can vouch that some of the methods he suggests for dealing with adversity have real everyday applications.
On a different tack, I'll also chuck in Pirsig's Zen and art of motorcycle maintenance. A really inspirational mash up of travelogue, novel, philosophy and engineering.
On a different tack, I'll also chuck in Pirsig's Zen and art of motorcycle maintenance. A really inspirational mash up of travelogue, novel, philosophy and engineering.
It depends on what depresses you and what you consider inspiring, I guess. Triumph over adversity needs adversity, after all.
Frankl's book is frequently cited as inspiring. He was a psychologist concerned with methods for preventing suicide before the Nazi's took away his old life and threw him in a camp where they took away everything else. In this place where noone had anything and had every reason to despair, he noticed a difference between those who continued to live and those who gave up. In fact he could even spot the moment when people did. At the same time, he noticed that the Nazi's couldn't take away his freedom of choice within his own mind, and that although he faced adversity, he could choose how to face it.
His experiences led him (after the war) to refine his ideas from before the war and emphasized the power of having meaning in life, any meaning at all. That those who could find meaning could endure anything and that those who could not were lost.
It's a good book, with lots of good observations. If I were to criticise it, it would be to say that it was perhaps a little neat, given the books central theme of meaning which runs through it. I felt underwhelmed by it, but that's a subjective thing.
Levi's book doesn't propose any great meaning and in fact is a record of the completely arbitrary debasement that men can be reduced to. In a system designed to kill you, noone survives by following the rules and Levi himself gets out alive only by the most random collection of chances and proactivity and at the cost of much of his own humanity.
What strikes me as inspirational in Levi's book is his survival in the aftermath and his observations of other people, the way that "good" and "bad" can be down to something as simple as a gesture that betrays your values. The way that a pair of good shoes and a full stomach is a luxury beyond all imagination. That, even in a system where goodness can't survive, good people still exist. By having his bar set so low, he is able to appreciate gestures and character traits that we miss all the time in our civilised life.
I haven't read Zen & Motorcycle Maintenance, but it has a good reputation. If you want a quick feel-good slap up the side of the head, The Subtle Art of Not Giving a f
k by Mark Manson is good at reframing your perspectives and as irreverent as you'd expect given the title.
Frankl's book is frequently cited as inspiring. He was a psychologist concerned with methods for preventing suicide before the Nazi's took away his old life and threw him in a camp where they took away everything else. In this place where noone had anything and had every reason to despair, he noticed a difference between those who continued to live and those who gave up. In fact he could even spot the moment when people did. At the same time, he noticed that the Nazi's couldn't take away his freedom of choice within his own mind, and that although he faced adversity, he could choose how to face it.
His experiences led him (after the war) to refine his ideas from before the war and emphasized the power of having meaning in life, any meaning at all. That those who could find meaning could endure anything and that those who could not were lost.
It's a good book, with lots of good observations. If I were to criticise it, it would be to say that it was perhaps a little neat, given the books central theme of meaning which runs through it. I felt underwhelmed by it, but that's a subjective thing.
Levi's book doesn't propose any great meaning and in fact is a record of the completely arbitrary debasement that men can be reduced to. In a system designed to kill you, noone survives by following the rules and Levi himself gets out alive only by the most random collection of chances and proactivity and at the cost of much of his own humanity.
What strikes me as inspirational in Levi's book is his survival in the aftermath and his observations of other people, the way that "good" and "bad" can be down to something as simple as a gesture that betrays your values. The way that a pair of good shoes and a full stomach is a luxury beyond all imagination. That, even in a system where goodness can't survive, good people still exist. By having his bar set so low, he is able to appreciate gestures and character traits that we miss all the time in our civilised life.
I haven't read Zen & Motorcycle Maintenance, but it has a good reputation. If you want a quick feel-good slap up the side of the head, The Subtle Art of Not Giving a f
k by Mark Manson is good at reframing your perspectives and as irreverent as you'd expect given the title.Edited by glazbagun on Sunday 14th March 15:59
A different kind of life - Virginia Williams
As much as Frank was utterly determined to continue as normal (or as close as possible), so was she. The lengths she went to and the things she took on without a second thought were quite remarkable. Interest int he book was re-kindled a few years ago when the Williams film came out, sadly she had passed a couple of years before that.
As much as Frank was utterly determined to continue as normal (or as close as possible), so was she. The lengths she went to and the things she took on without a second thought were quite remarkable. Interest int he book was re-kindled a few years ago when the Williams film came out, sadly she had passed a couple of years before that.
Thanks again for all the suggestions and insights. Fair point about the need to overcome adversity being a necessary component of an inspirational book.
I read 'The Subtle Art of Not Giving ....' a few years ago and really liked it. I'd like to re-read it but threw it out in a house move a few years ago. The Williams book hadn't occurred to me - I vaguely remember really enjoying a TV documentary about their story a few years ago.
The replies to my original post have helped me to focus on what I'm looking for:
'Can anyone recommend an inspirational book which tells the true story of someone with mental health problems (or a dysfunctional personality) who overcame their innate weaknesses and made something of themselves?'
Asking for a friend, obviously.
I read 'The Subtle Art of Not Giving ....' a few years ago and really liked it. I'd like to re-read it but threw it out in a house move a few years ago. The Williams book hadn't occurred to me - I vaguely remember really enjoying a TV documentary about their story a few years ago.
The replies to my original post have helped me to focus on what I'm looking for:
'Can anyone recommend an inspirational book which tells the true story of someone with mental health problems (or a dysfunctional personality) who overcame their innate weaknesses and made something of themselves?'
Asking for a friend, obviously.
Slowboathome said:
Any suggestions for an inspirational book? Was thinking in terms of biographies (maybe by sports people) but open to all suggestions.....
I thought of this thread whilst reading the thread below. Pics of cool people, from sports, film etc. I bet their biographies are inspirational. https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
I like most of the books mentioned, but they sound a bit 'broccoli'. Some times you need something with a bit more butter.
Lee_sec said:
Cant Hurt Me by David Goggins - a true warriror who's been through some tough situations and pushed his body and mind further than most would dream possible
I've read this! The guy is an absolute machine. Great suggestion.ACCYSTAN said:
Hunter, Hammer and Heaven, Three Worlds Gone Mad - Robert Young Pelton
The hiding place - Corrie Ten Boom
Never hear of these - I'll investigate. Thank you!The hiding place - Corrie Ten Boom
aparna said:
I thought of this thread whilst reading the thread below. Pics of cool people, from sports, film etc. I bet their biographies are inspirational.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
That's a really good idea - thanks. I read one of Michael Johnson's books ages ago and it switched me on to the idea of discipline and hard work. Maybe I just need to reread some stuff.https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
By chance, about 10 mins ago I finished reading "Marvellous" by Neil Baldwin and Malcolm Clarke. It's an autobiography about a fella (Neil Baldwin) with "learning difficulties" who becomes a clown, a kit-man at Stoke City football club and an unofficial/unpaid, but well established part of Keele University. Toby Jones played the lead role in a TV film of the same name.
Candide by Voltaire. Reads incredibly quickly and combines more tragedies than any other book i've read. It's an epic in which optimism and cynicism are constantly battling through 2 of the main characters with Candide in the middle.
Meditations by Marcus Aurelius. How the most powerful man in the world(at the time) wrote a book of reflection which has some incredible understanding/views. Admittedly his lifestyle wasn't for everyone (Especially his son) but the "Waste no more time arguing what a good man should be. Be one." says it all for the book and his stoicism.
Anything by Alan Watts
If you want a biography/memoir - With the Old Breed - Eugene Sledge
Meditations by Marcus Aurelius. How the most powerful man in the world(at the time) wrote a book of reflection which has some incredible understanding/views. Admittedly his lifestyle wasn't for everyone (Especially his son) but the "Waste no more time arguing what a good man should be. Be one." says it all for the book and his stoicism.
Anything by Alan Watts
If you want a biography/memoir - With the Old Breed - Eugene Sledge
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