War and Peace

In this book, a thesis is presented: history is but a sum of actions of all living people

that morals prevail over facts

and that "it takes about an hour with your teeth clinched, then you figure it all out for good"

Sapiens by Youval Harari

a couple things that i remember:


humans are not a priori in conflict with each other

sweating helps the brain grow in a long run (milion years)

hunters and gatherers

it may be true, that law are only stories. at the same time, these are enforceable

Der Zauberberg, by Thomas Mann

 

the kind of humour I used to like the most in cinematography as a kid. Thomas Mann wrote many stories few of which I read. the laughter these stories trigger rode me to tears at times. the perspective the author inspects their subjects from is uniquely sober. within a few sentences featuring insights of extraordinary intentisty, the reader becomes naive again. what a switch! often, we encounter the fine veil between tragedy and comedy. this strongly reminds of those moments in someone's life after escaping a loss or an injury. alternatively, it is the relief and indifference on such occasions, which eventually make us feel well.

The Art of War, by Sun Tzu

first, the reader would think of metaphors. then, of the dust, the water, the trees and a fray (struggle). then, of what is a fort in a business context, in the 21st century, then of one's own personal experience. then, again.

Meditations, by Marcus Aurelius

many times I attempted to complete a diaries which, ex-ante, would enrich the reader in their present state. here, thoughts of a Roman Emperor written down while residing in the present-day Slovakia, are compiled in an order which gives the reader a sense of a thematic- as well as timely succession. the thoughts are very, very clear. one thing escaping the grasp of my mind is "thou dost that which thy nature doth requireth" - a text to revert to at any stage of one's life for a reference, perhaps even to understand what earlier seemed unclear. Favourite book of Cecil Rhodes.

Thinking, fast and slow (by Daniel Kahnemann)

This is the most resourceful book I have read: there are two storylines - that of the author and his academic escapades on his way to accomplish this book, and that of the reader's own mind, led by the author. The light of the author's wisdom guides us towards a better life.

Three Musketeers, by Alexandre Dumas

my absolute childhood favourite and the first book I read several times. the historical setting of a disputedly fictional story teaches about European identity, while the protagonist is much like a student going to a boarding school. a pleasant summer read