Adwait

My Insights

Two Minute Insights on books that help you decide whether to read them

Candide

Voltaire

Candide

Voltaire

For

I say everyone in the world should read it. More so if you hate the "Whatever happens, happens for the best" crowd.

100 Word Summary

I was in splits several times when I was reading this book. It is a satire of the highest quality, and I think I enjoyed it because it aligns well with my philosophical views. It is written to ridicule the "Whatever happens, happens for the best" notion, but through the journey it also makes other sarcastic comments against art and culture, and jabs at the various European civilizations of that age. Even if you disagree with everything written in the book, you will still enjoy the satire / commentary, and the author's pettiness in calling out his contemporary critics. My favourite quote: 'Fools admire everything in an author of reputation. For my part, I read only to please myself. I like only that which serves my purpose'.

Impact

Something I discovered after finishing this book is that the critique is written against Gottfried Leibniz. What surprises me is that the inventor of Calculus, and possibly the greatest logician the world has seen, believed in God. I think my next article will be an argument against the idea that only foolish/gullible people are religious.

Deep Work

Cal Newport

Deep Work

Cal Newport

For

Every single person on earth who spends >4hrs of their workday on a computer must read this

100 Word Summary

From a work-life perspective, this is the only productivity book you will ever need. The instructions / strategies outlined are by no means easy to implement, but are incredibly valuable. The author outlines how to achieve a state of deep work, which is an intentional state free from any distractions. There is also section on the importance of scheduling, which I was not sold on at all, but implementing it changed my mind and view

Impact

I believe focus, concentration and cognitive load-bearing are just like any other muscles of the body. You have to work them out to keep them in shape. I've started with 2 deep work blocks of 2 hours each every day, and I get more done in that time than I do in all the rest of my work time during the day combined.

The Prince

Niccolo Machiavelli

The Prince

Niccolo Machiavelli

For

If you have any political ambitions whatsoever, it is a must-read. Some insights may be applicable to office politics.

100 Word Summary

Machiavelli walks through princedoms ancient and contemporary (for him), and makes observations and inferences on what caused certain kingdoms to succeed and others to fail. I initially thought this book had similar issues to the Art of Seduction, i.e. anecdotal evidence, but I don't think Machi had any more information to go on. The Logistician in me agrees with his inferences - based on what he observed, the conclusions drawn make sense. Overall, I think it is an excellent historical book that offers nuggets of information about rulers from ancient history up to the 1500s. Pair it with the Art of War by Sun Tzu, and you have the beginnings of a lesson in politics / ruling.

Impact

None yet, but some things I would definitely have done differently in my career had I read this book before

View All My Books

My Articles

I love writing about patterns I observe around me. I always offer unique perspectives rooted in my (yet) rudimentary knowledge of philosophy and psychology.

View All

Subscribe to my blog

Get updates via email

Adwait Mardikar

My Insights

Candide

Deep Work

The Prince

My Articles

Attachment Styles - The One Common Indian Relationship Dynamic No One Talks About

Should Any Dating Filters Be Considered Shallow?

Should You Not Question Your Elders?

Subscribe to my blog