A little gem amidst the hysterical, positive thinking, self-help literature. The basic premise of the book is that the effort to try to feel happy is often precisely the thing that makes us miserable. Some of us probably know this to be true, and yet we can’t help ourselves. We want to feel secure. Alas,ContinueContinue reading “Meandering with a purpose”
Category Archives: Bookshelf
We still can save our future
The gold standard of climate change books. Compulsory reading for anyone wanting to contribute to the debate about the future of our earth. Requires multiple sittings, as David Wallace-Wells’ analysis is far from optimistic (although he places some faith in technological solutions). Book Interview Rolling Stone Interview The Guardian
Make nature wild again
The concept of rewilding is simple: bring back grassland mega-fauna (large herbivores as Konik horses, European Bison and Taurus) to make our ecosystem diverse again. Rich in plants and animals. Centuries of domestication and the spread of agriculture have done terrible harm to nature’s capacity to restore itself. It has downgraded earth. It is alsoContinueContinue reading “Make nature wild again”
Bijzondere koeientaal
Marieke Lucas Rijneveld schrijft prachtig, en even gemakkelijk over koeien als over de dood. Wat een metaforen, wat een zinnen. Het verhaal is beklemmend, in de oud-hollandsche traditie van ‘t Hart en Siebelink. Inderdaad, een daverend debuut. Boek
Beter leven
Het leven is gewoon leuker met Etgar Keret naast je bed.Boek
There’s no formula
Hailed as one of the start-up bibles, this classic on how to build a business does indeed hold great lessons. Horowitz manages to avoid most of the worn-off cliches on the need for excellent leadership and relentless focus, and instead shows the more brutal side of building out an idea. This is due to hisContinueContinue reading “There’s no formula”
Schrijven doe je zo
Jan Brokken schrijft prachtige boeken, zoals Baltische Zielen. Hij blijkt ook zeer bedreven in de het uitleggen van de kunst van het schrijven. Na lezing, krijg je geheid zin om een start te maken met je literaire oeuvre. Dat succesvol romans en verhalen schrijven slechts weinig gegeven is weten we, maar met deze handleiding naastContinueContinue reading “Schrijven doe je zo”
too much silence
Don de Lillo – according to many “one of the greatest” – has published a new book. To raving reviews. Not sure I understand all the praise. I like the way he leaves dialogues unfinished, he’s clearly comfortable with uncomfortable situations and has a great eye for detail. But that doesn’t make this a greatContinueContinue reading “too much silence”
Leaders do matter
Not only has Tim Bouverie written a real page-turner, this beautiful book is also a great reminder of the importance of moral courage and thorough intellectual analysis. Many other narratives of the European pre-war years portray Chamberlain as a fool, as Hitler’s puppet. Bouverie is more nuanced: the prime minister was a good man withContinueContinue reading “Leaders do matter”
Mental fitness
Tougher, calmer and more resilient: clearly the way forward for me. William Irvine is an engaging writer on stoicism. Little by little I’m uncovering my inner stoic. Can’t think of a better way to become a ‘good’ person. This book is great. Book
Rutte: de Polder-Biden
Ik las de Rutte-biografie van Petra de Koning tegelijkertijd met die van Joe Biden. De overeenkomsten tussen de toekomstige Amerikaanse president en Mark Rutte zijn opvallend. Beiden zeggen niet veel met visie te hebben, beiden voelen goed het maatschappelijke sentiment aan (en handelen ernaar, gelijk een windvaan) en beiden ambieerden vanaf hun jonge jaren hetContinueContinue reading “Rutte: de Polder-Biden”
Joe Biden, the right man after all?
Evan Osnos’ timing is perfect. His biography of Joe Biden was published when his protagonist was declared President-elect. Most of us know, by now, his all American story. Joe Biden’s life is one of great highs and incredible lows: from contemplating suicide after losing his wife and daughter at early age to traveling the worldContinueContinue reading “Joe Biden, the right man after all?”
De Publieke Zaak: herinneringen ophalen
Een geanimeerd gesprek met Vincent Everts over mijn tijd als algemeen manager van De Publieke Zaak (2008-2013). We praten over @TheFactClub 21minuten.nl, en maatschappelijke innovatie. Leuk! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9ndSLcH6z4
John Fante – Ask The Dust ****
Sometimes, you just need to follow the advice of experts. Ask the Dust figures on many list of “most underrated books ever”. It is used in writing classes to teach the importance of having your own style and rhythm. It was the book that made Charles Bukowski finally understand what literature was meant to be.ContinueContinue reading “John Fante – Ask The Dust ****”
Hans Rosling – How I Learned to Understand the World ****
Hans Rosling’s book Factfulness did a fantastic job demonstrating how little we know about the world and how ignorant our models and assumptions are. His biography, published posthumously, takes us on a tour around the world, following Rosling’s career as doctor and researcher.It is a great story of a man guided by curiosity and theContinueContinue reading “Hans Rosling – How I Learned to Understand the World ****”
The Ride Of A Lifetime – Bob Iger ***
As long time CEO of Walt Disney, Bob Iger has some lessons and insights to share with us. It’s wonderful to get a peek into the famous entertainment company, but as a creative leadership guide book it is somewhat disappointing. Iger is a business man, proud of his deals and his great success, which heContinueContinue reading “The Ride Of A Lifetime – Bob Iger ***”
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