Review: Stealing Fire: How Silicon Valley, the Navy SEALs, and Maverick Scientists Are Revolutionizing the Way We Live and Work

Stealing Fire: How Silicon Valley, the Navy SEALs, and Maverick Scientists Are Revolutionizing the Way We Live and Work by Steven Kotler
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

If you read this book, prepare to be provoked. It delves into many taboo topics, like microdosing LSD, and engaging in super risky behaviors. It doesn't promote these things but it does promote the pursuit of the flow state that these things produce (think: all systems in blissful sync). The authors call this state ecstasis. I really enjoyed the content, both the historical context and the futuristic posturing. The simple idea that we are limited by three things - geography, religion and the state - was somewhat arresting. I have a list of things to research and I will most certainly look for another book to read which addresses this same topic, so it planted a few seeds - something I consider the hallmark of a good read. Riveting though it was, I do believe the authors are too caught up in technologistics. There are many people who are content and who like the unhacked version of themselves - not all of the achievers in the world want to "steal fire". Or do they? See.....I just have to get another book on this topic!

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Review: The Road to Sparta : Retracing the Ancient Battle and Epic Run That Inspired the World's Greatest Foot Race

The Road to Sparta : Retracing the Ancient Battle and Epic Run That Inspired the World's Greatest Foot Race by Dean Karnazes
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

If you are curious about the history of Greece, this is the book for you. I am more interested in what makes Dean Karnazes tick, so I'm going to pick up one of his other books. This I did not find compelling. The writing was a bit flat but mostly I chose poorly. Ancient Greece and the ancient battles - Marathon, Thermopylae, etc - hold no special place in my heart and occupy no real estate in my brain. I think I'll go back to 2005 and read UltraMarathon Man!

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Review: What Doesn't Kill Us: How Freezing Water, Extreme Altitude and Environmental Conditioning will Renew our Lost Evolutionary Strength

What Doesn't Kill Us: How Freezing Water, Extreme Altitude and Environmental Conditioning will Renew our Lost Evolutionary Strength by Scott Carney
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A fascinating book which reports in detail on the emerging science of "biohacking", through author Scott Carney's direct experiences while following Wim Hof (aka the Iceman).

Carney exposes himself to extreme environmental conditions using The Wim Hof Method. He steps into Wim Hof's world as a critic but he comes out of it as a true believer. He doesn't just summarize Hof's ideas and methodology, he gets in to the whole idea of controlling your own immune system and self-healing. The book is packed with science but it never, ever gets boring because Carney continually returns to the individual stories - the moving accounts of the people who have completely or partially cured themselves of very serious diseases.

After training and conditioning using Hof's methods, the author climbs Kilimanjaro along with Wim Hof and twenty others. The group did this in two days - shirtless. Most will take 6 days in order to not DIE from acute mountain sickness. And most will be fully dressed for the sub-freezing temperatures.

I think we will be hearing a lot more on cold therapies, meditation, and deep breathing. These are a proven path to returning to the conditions that once threatened our existence, and through them we can tap in to extraordinary personal powers.



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Review: The Barbell Prescription: Strength Training for Life After 40

The Barbell Prescription: Strength Training for Life After 40 by Jonathon M. Sullivan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is one of those books that just grabs ya by the wrist and won't let go, especially if you are a grey hair who wants to get stronger. It contains the most sensible, honest exercise/strength training advice you'll ever read. Sullivan and Baker speak directly to seniors who want to get stronger. It inspired me and it changed my entire approach to fitness. And, what matters most - I am stronger, now. I will never go back to a gym routine of bouncing from one convoluted machine to the next. I'm gonna keep on raising that sublimely simple albeit heavy bar.

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