A Mind That Found Itself by Clifford W Beers (1908): Beers was one of four siblings to reach adulthood. All were to die in mental institutions. He was A Mind That Found Itself by Clifford W Beers (1908): Beers was one of four siblings to reach adulthood. All were to die in mental institutions. He was in and out from 1900 to 1904 and admitted himself again in 1939. In between he wrote this beautiful autobiography published in 1908, helped to form the 鈥渘ational committee for mental hygiene鈥� and worked tirelessly to improve the conditions of those in mental hospitals. The books introduction captures your attention from the start as it鈥檚 a letter from William James. The first page before chapter one: 鈥淭his book is written by one whose rare experiences impel him to plead for those afflicted. Thousands least able to speak for themselves.鈥� This is the type of prose you can expect from this book. Beers is a fantastic writer and he chronicles his journey through paranoia, mania, and back to sanity. I鈥檝e detailed my walk through this book on X....more
In 1855, Barnum gave a series of lectures across the country on 鈥淭he Art of Money Getting.鈥� He put his lectures togeth The Art of Money Getting (1882):
In 1855, Barnum gave a series of lectures across the country on 鈥淭he Art of Money Getting.鈥� He put his lectures together into a book that he published in 1882. In this short treatise, Barnum offers practical insights and time tested strategies for wealth accumulation. Although the examples discussed are in 1800s parlance, they are as relevant and relatable today as at anytime. Lessons in honesty and reputation, debt avoidance, health, perseverance and the need to advertise, are all expounded on in this manual. In the preface, Barnum moves quickly into the avoidance of debt (1) as well as what he calls 鈥渢rue economy鈥�(2). As I commonly tell my clients, it鈥檚 not what you make, it鈥檚 what you spend that鈥檚 most important for wealth accumulation I鈥檝e posted pictures and chronicled my journey through this book on X....more
A Mind That Found Itself by Clifford W Beers (1908): Beers was one of four siblings to reach adulthood. All were to die in mental institutions. He was A Mind That Found Itself by Clifford W Beers (1908): Beers was one of four siblings to reach adulthood. All were to die in mental institutions. He was in and out from 1900 to 1904 and admitted himself again in 1939. In between he wrote this beautiful autobiography published in 1908, helped to form the 鈥渘ational committee for mental hygiene鈥� and worked tirelessly to improve the conditions of those in mental hospitals....more
This book is part travelogue, part motorcycle maintenance + how this relates to everyday life, part a history of his teaching techniques and student lThis book is part travelogue, part motorcycle maintenance + how this relates to everyday life, part a history of his teaching techniques and student life, and part a story of philosophy, especially his obsession with defining "quality".
"What is the truth and how do you know it when you have it. How do we know anything?" "Is reality changing or is it fixed and permanent".
Immanuel Kant and his "critique of pure reason" is discussed. Of particular interest for the author is what is in the mind vs. what is outside the mind. This leads into a discussion of classic vs. romantic understanding. This discussion occurs throughout the book.
David Hume and his thinking is contrasted with Kant's. Hume thought all human knowledge derived solely from experience. The question "what is metal" and the subsequent answer(s) illustrate his thinking. The author delves into this discussion in some detail.
His discussion on teaching is interesting, especially the observation that teachers tend to grade "up" students who write in the style the teacher does. "If you use big words, you will like students who use big words".
Great discussion about hiking, as he divided folks into "ego" climbers and the fact that they always want to be somewhere else, unable to just enjoy the here and now, because his goal of getting to the top of the mountain is external and distant. In "just passing' through", there is a quote by one of the hikers, "it's not about the miles, it's about the smiles", which has always stuck with me.
Quality being subjective or objective, is taken to insane heights in chapters 20-25 and because of this, I skipped through much of this section.
His best writing may be the final 7 chapters. For me, 5 star all the way.
I enjoyed his analysis of the west coast. How the drivers navigate the road, their expression etc. His observation that physical distance between peoples living quarters is inversely correlated to loneliness rings true to me. He also is prescient in his analysis of how t.v., phones etc. lead people to become more disconnected from one another.
The book is written from a couple of different perspectives (I won't ruin it for people who have not read the book) and for me this was an especially interesting and disturbing issue to think about. The afterword is a bit of a "tear jerker", as he discusses what has occurred in the 10 years following the writing of his book.
Overall, worth the time. You may want to skim some of the heavier philosophical sections to make for a better read....more
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