This week I finished:
Washington: A Life, by Ron Chernow: Last week I watched five documentaries about Washington after watching a movie about him and realizing my gaffe at not learning about this historic leader and influence on my nation and world.
I looked up biographies. Chernow’s topped many reviewers’ lists. The library had a copy. It’s long but engaging for many reasons: I found the language simple and engaging, the story meaningful and exciting, and of course the man a role model.
Washington was complex, as were his times. While it goes without saying, on a personal level, learning the details revealed aspects of leadership I hadn’t paid attention to before. I’ve worked with leaders in the military, in politics, in social movements, and other domains that overlapped with Washington’s life, but in several ways he operated on another level.
He led an army that didn’t really exist to fight for a nation that also didn’t really exist against the most powerful empire and navy in history. How do you create a vision in a situation like that, with nearly no role models in history to fall back on? He did, and we can learn from him.
He led patriots, many of whom were outstanding historical figures on their own, all of whom deferred to him.
I’ll be learning about him for years. I suppose the rest of my life. After seven works on him, I’ll hold off on my next book to read of him to digest.
The Real Dawn of Everything videos, by podcast guest Daniel of What Is Politics?: I first found the What Is Politics? videocast for its reviews of the book The Dawn of Everything, ended up watching all its videos, and it’s one of the few series I subscribe to.
This series of four videos brings together a lot of what other videos have covered, so you could start here if you haven’t watched any yet.
I find his analysis of politics—decision-makeing in groups—the best I’ve come across. It’s changed how I understand politics both a) in my life for how I vote and participate in group decision-making and b) how I understand and respond to politicians and people with influence. I like his humor, though if you don’t it won’t detract. He cites his sources. I’ve followed up on many to learn more.
I can’t recommend the videocast enough. Here’s its YouTube page. I recommend watching them all. Scroll down for the four in this series.
The Odyssey, directed by Christopher Nolan: I went to Columbia College, well-known for its Core Curriculum. Its two main classes are based in the foundational works of western literature and philosophy. Every graduate of the college took those courses, starting with the Iliad and the Odyssey.
The alumni club worked out a screening on opening night. I clicked to sign up as soon as I got the email but it was already booked. I gambled and went to the theater in case there was an empty seat and got one. How’s that for putting an Ivy League education to work.
I loved it! As with all Christopher Nolan movies, many parts interrelate and details you could miss if you blink sometimes carry big meaning. The story is about homecoming, deception, hosting, treachery, karma, honor, duty, faith, and more. Nolan shows an angle of living with having harmed people, the feelings of guilt and such, and the challenge of recovery. Steven Pressfield and I talked about this them in our recent podcast episode on his recent book. The Arcadian, so the theme was on my mind.
As with Inception and Nolan’s Batman movies, I’ll watch it several times to pick up details.