photo: Joi (flickr)
Internet entrepreneur, Digg founder, investor about the books he rereads. Explore his book suggestions
“Eight Weeks to OptimumHealth” by Andrew Weil M.D.
– Kevin Rose on Random show
Out of the many healthy living books available in America, Dr. Weil’s work focuses on the human body’s ability to heal itself without ignoring the advances of modern medicine. He combines advice on vitamins, exercise, weight loss, and ways to minimize stress. Dr. Weil also notes that health does not remain at an ideal level, once improvement has been reached, but is a fluctuating effort. The focus on gradual improvement and lifestyle changes make this book accessible to a busy public, and comes recommended on reading lists from PBS producer Gail Harris to Rainmaker Strategies.
“Zen Mind, Beginner’sMind” by Shunryu Suzuki
– Kevin Rose on Random show
Also recommended by Steve Jobs
Horse aficionados may be surprised that the Zen mind begins with types of horses (excellent, good, poor, and bad) and how they respond to the requests of the rider. The paradoxes of growth and appreciation, struggle and enlightenment, situation versus being, are scattered throughout this 1970’s classic. The virtues of remaining alert and observant are linked with parables and examples, such as carefully watching the rising of bread. Not surprisingly, Steve Jobs added Suzuki’s work to his favorites list, along with Be Here Now.
“The Miracle ofMindfulness: An Introduction to the Practice of Meditation” by T. N. Hanh
– twitter.com/kevinrose
English-speaking devotees of Buddhism will be interested in this book as a simple introduction to meditation, and observers of our own thinking. Translated from its original Vietnamese hasn’t detracted from the book’s emphasis on ignoring the stress of the future and past to focus on the present. Those wishing to embrace a whole life approach to dieting – enjoying food one bite at a time instead of gulping – will be intrigued by the book’s message on savoring fruit. Hanh’s work has been included on prestigious book lists such as the Vanderbilt Center for Integrative Health, the Association for Humanistic Psychology, and the psychology department of Murdoch University.
“EnvisioningInformation” by Edward Tufte
– Kevin Rose on Random show
A Presidential appointee to the Recovery Accountability and Transparency Board, Tufte has clearly outlined the difference between knowledge and information, and the role it plays in our world. From cave drawings to railway charts, data presentation is laid bare – in all its glory – because graphs by themselves do not always stimulate the brain. (Tufte gets quite enraged at the presumption and inadequacy of Powerpoint slides, in his Yale lectures and in other works.) Amazon competitor and CEO of Alibris, Brian Elliot, has put this book at the top of his reading list as “most influential”, along with the Evangelist at Microsoft, Jon Udell.
“The Tipping Point”by Malcolm Gladwel
– Kevin Rose on Random show
Gladwell himself was surprised by the success of this book, saying on an interview with Fast Company that he merely hoped that it would gain credibility with his mother. Well-recognized as a favorite on business book lists, from Oprah to Koch Capital Management, this book describes how small changes can add up to big changes, until the dominoes fall – positively or negatively. One of his inspirations came from the rapid crime decrease in New York City, which led him to speculate (and then to research) reasons why things change at the rate they do. Positive and negative examples of personality and context-laden trends abound, such as the rapid rise of syphilis in Baltimore to the popularity of certain shoe brands.
“The IntelligentInvestor” by Benjamin Graham
– Kevin Rose on Random show
Also recommended by Jamie Dimon, Bill Ackman, Whitney Tilson, Warren Buffett
If investors are intimidated by Graham’s prior groundbreaking work, “Security Analysis”, this book makes a good introduction to the difference between making investments and capitalizing on speculation – a risky business. Another favorite book of Warren Buffet’s (who wrote the introduction), it covers emotional decision-making versus rational analysis of markets and their fluctuations. Forbes magazine author Jason Zweig also counts it at the top of his favorite book list, calling it “prophetic”. Graham’s own history as a survivor of the Great Depression stock crash, and master of detailed company research yielding 14% annual returns, qualifies him to mentor others down the investment path.
