Don's Bookshelf’s Comments (group member since Dec 08, 2021)

Don's Bookshelf’s comments from the Books That Change Us group.

Cues: Master the Secret Language of Charismatic Communication is an investigation into the invisible language that gives people charisma. Vanessa Van Edwards explains how the way we move and speak can make ourselves seem more charismatic along with actionable tips and tricks on every page.

Read my full summary and get more recommendations at:
https://donsshelf.com/blog/cues-summary

Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art is a deep dive into the science behind the breathing of humans and its effects.

Author James Nestor presents a mountain of information from experts along with his own research and experience to explain the most beneficial way to breathe and the positive effects that come as a result.

Read my full summary at: https://donsshelf.com/blog/breath-sum...

Predictably Irrational is an investigation into some of the strange reasons that people make the choices they do. Dan Ariely shows us not only that these illogical behaviors are consistent, but that they can be explained as well.

In each of the books chapters, Ariely explains experimental data along with real life examples of how people make seemingly irrational choices every day. These range from economic decisions to romance. The data shown throughout the book will surprise you and make you question the reasons for some of the choices you have made while also informing you how you can hack these behaviors to improve your decisions in the future.

The things I learned in this book were surprising and counterintuitive but all in all were very interesting and informative into some of the ways people behave economically.

Read my full summary of this book here: http://donsshelf.com/blog/predictably...

Captivate is a comprehensive toolbox for social interaction. Vanessa Van Edwards has compiled a wide array of science backed tips and tricks that teach how to win at networking events, read facial expressions, and create lasting relationships along with many other useful skills.

I found this book an incredibly easy read with useful tips and tricks on every page. Van Edwards' playful articulation of ideas in this book makes it a page turner that I did not want to put down. You will leave each reading with actionable steps to try out in your own life.

I discussed more about this book in a summary here: donsshelf.com/blog/captivate-summary

Ves wrote: "I can't be sure if I can say this book changed me for the worse, or the better. It depicts a man who finds out his child is not his, and his wife has been in an affair for years, and his revenge. A..."

Wow, thanks for sharing Ves. A good book takes us to a new place that we cannot see but through the expression of another. Often these explorations end well but some of the most useful do not.

It sounds like this book helped you to explore the dark side of what can be our existence or what Carl Jung would call the shadow. It is important for us to examine this side of ourselves and incorporate it consciously so it does not grow unchecked in the back of our mind. Sometimes this is best done through a story and not an explanation.

It is easy to dismiss people as being evil but we often are unaware of the small building blocks that led them to the place they inhabit when they cross paths with us. And we therefore do not understand that the same could happen to us.

As Solzhenitsyn said, "The line between good and evil cuts through the heart of every man"