Mere Mortals Book Reviews

In this Mere Mortals book review, I talk through The Odyssey by Homer the famous follow-up companion to The Iliad, and one of the great adventure stories of the Western canon.

Compared with The Iliad, I found The Odyssey much more readable, more story-driven, and honestly more enjoyable. This is the great soldier-returning-home story: Odysseus trying to make his way back to Ithaca after the Trojan War, while Telemachus searches for answers, Penelope holds off the suitors, and the gods keep interfering with everyone’s lives.

0:00 Intro — The Odyssey after The Iliad
0:54 The basic stru...

Art is hairy, art is context, art is beauty and ..... art is big butts!?

In this episode, I dive into 'Get the Picture' by Bianca Bosker, a 2024 book that explores the contemporary art world from the inside. Bosker approaches it through immersive journalism, working as a gallery assistant, art fair staffer, studio helper, museum guard and briefly as an artist herself. What I found most compelling was how the book uses those experiences to wrestle with the big questions: what counts as art, whether art is about beauty or context and how much of the industry is driven...

Abstract ideas made definite.

In this episode of Mere Mortals book reviews, I dive into Peter Thiel’s 'Zero To One' and why its big-picture thinking resonates more than tactical business how‑to. I explore Thiel’s blend of abstract philosophy and concrete startup stories (from PayPal to Palantir) and discuss his contrarian takes on competition, monopoly and the value of being the last mover. I unpack the optimistic vs pessimistic, determinate vs indeterminate lens Thiel uses to read cultures and markets and why these frames can guide founders to build something truly unique rather than drift into “zombie c...

I'm begging you PLEASE, I'll be your very best friend.

In this episode I review Dale Carnegie’s classic 'How to Win Friends & Influence People' nearly a century on from its publication. I walk through the book’s structure: principles on handling people, making people like you, winning others to your way of thinking and leading without resentment. Timeless advice still shines (smile, remember names, be genuinely interested, listen well) but some parts feels dated (the slow course‑shilling intro and lack of psychological depth on becoming “genuinely” interested). I also dig into the tension at the heart of the boo...

Most people approach The Iliad expecting the Trojan Horse. Instead, they find something darker: a story about wounded pride, uncontrollable rage, brutal violence and the moment vengeance finally gives way to pity.

In this review, I break down Samuel Butler’s translation of Homer’s epic, the feud between Achilles and Agamemnon, Hector’s terrifying presence, the petty interference of the gods, the oral tradition behind the poem, and whether a modern reader should actually tackle this ancient monster of a book.

00:00 — An Ancient Epic in My Hands
00:42 — The Samuel Butler Translation
01:03 — Did Homer Actual...

I was wrong and I admit it .... this is the real OG self help book.

Today I dive into James Allen’s 'As a Man Thinketh' (paired in my edition with From Poverty to Power) and it still lands today. It's short, punchy and refreshingly non-woo-woo with clear calls to personal responsibility, character-building and right thought leading to right outcomes. I read standout quotes, reflect on how its agnostic tone (with light biblical echoes) keeps the focus on self-mastery and share how it inspired me to become better. I also highlight where From Poverty to Power lost me (pr...

What happens if the game really is better than real life?

In this episode I dive into 'Ready Player One' by Ernest Cline and explore whether a virtual paradise can outshine the messy real world. I outline the OASIS, the 80s-saturated Easter egg hunt and the Gunter vs corporate showdown then share why the novel’s early gritty realism hooked me but later lost its footing as coincidences piled up and the real world became improbably rosy. While the tech flourishes feel contemporary and the ride is undeniably fun (especially for gaming and 80s pop-culture tragics) the lack of...

Are you entering into the dungeon? 

In this episode of Mere Mortals Book Reviews, I dive into 'Dungeon Crawler Carl' by Matt Dinniman, a fast-paced RPG romp that mixes real-world apocalypse with game-show chaos. I share why this was the perfect palate cleanser after some drier reads, how the humour lands (crude, clever and consistently fun) and what makes Carl and his imperious feline companion Princess Donut so engaging as they descend through deadly, rule-laden dungeons watched by an intergalactic audience.

I touch on the book’s setup: Earth flattened and repurposed into a subterranean dungeon, hum...

The classic self-help book is a bit different than I remember. 

In Napoleon Hill’s 'Think And Grow Rich' I discover it’s not quite the book I remembered. I walk through what still shines—its optimism, self‑analysis prompts and the motivational push that helped me as a younger bloke to build self‑confidence, set goals and act with intention. I share the quotes and practices that I used to use as inspiration for growth.

Then I dig into the doozies: dated claims, sciencey overreach, baldness-by-hat myths, telepathy talk, name-dropping and a tendency to state opinions as...

 Just how reliant are we on fossil fuels ..... well it turns out a lot! 

'How The World Really Works' by Vaclav Smil showed me just how much we still need petroleum and coal to make plastics, ammonia, concrete and steel. So they're not going away any time soon.

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Ins...

After a short hiatus, I’m back with a paired review of The World According to Coco and The Little Book of Chanel. Truthfully, neither book is extraordinary on its own. But together, they open a far bigger question: what does it cost to reinvent yourself so completely that the myth becomes more powerful than the person?

In this review, I explore Coco Chanel’s brutal beginnings, her obsession with uniqueness, the creation of Chanel No. 5 and the little black dress, the moral ambiguity of her wartime years, and the deeper tension beneath it all — greatness, ego, loneli...

 In this episode of Mere Mortals, I review Solve Everything: Achieving Abundance by 2035 by Dr Peter H. Diamandis and Dr Alexander D. Wissner-Gross, a bold manifesto arguing that AI could give humanity the capability to solve nearly every major problem within a decade. I break down the article’s moonshot vision, the idea of directing intelligence with precision, and the hard truth that culture, government, and human inertia may still trap us in the muddle.

00:00 Intro
00:49 The promise of abundance by 2035
01:10 Who are Peter Diamandis and Alexander Wissner-Gross?
01:53 Was this article written with AI?

In this episode of Mere Mortals Book Reviews, I break down The Adolescence of Technology by Dario Amodei and why it reads less like a tech article and more like a civilisational warning memo. We explore AI safety, misuse, power, economic disruption, and the frightening speed at which these systems are advancing. The core tension is brutal: if this technology keeps accelerating without real guardrails, humanity may not get a second chance to correct the course.

https://www.darioamodei.com/essay/the-adolescence-of-technology

(00:00) – Welcome Back to Mere Mortals
(00:39) – Why I’m Reviewing More Long-Form Articles
...

I don’t even have the physical book… because Accelerando is free online and after reading it, I understand why it’s become a cult recommendation.

This is dense, idea-heavy sci-fi that doesn’t hold your hand.
It throws you into transhumanism, post-human economics, AI evolution, and singularity-level futures… and expects you to keep up.

You’ll get:

uploaded “lobsters”
humans splitting into multiple versions of themselves
“alien” civilisations that look suspiciously like corporate structures
and a final twist involving a cat… that reframes the entire story

I didn’t understand ev...

 Welcome back to the Mere Mortals Book Reviews. Today I’m reviewing Habits of High Performance by James Laughlin, a practical, activity-driven book built around foundational principles like getting radically clear, strengthening belief systems, leading life on purpose, multiplying motivation, doing the work, focusing priorities, and taking no shortcuts.

(00:00) — Welcome + What We’re Reviewing
(00:23) — Who is James Laughlin? (Author background)
(01:51) — What the Book Covers (Core sections)
(02:50) — The Structure: Short Chapters + Practical Activities
(03:29) — QR Codes + Guided Exercises (How it’s meant to be used)
(05:05) — My Experience: Entertaining, but Surface-Level
(07:02) — Example Principle: Purpose + ‘When your why is clear…...

 Welcome back to another edition of the Mere Mortals Book Reviews — and this time it’s the final instalment of Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.

(00:00) Welcome back + final instalment setup
(00:47) I literally ripped the book in half (and why it fits the story)
(02:30) The split storylines: battles vs Frodo & Sam
(03:51) Sam as the real hero (stronger in the book)
(04:32) Book vs movie: the extra Shire material
(06:52) Writing mastery: descriptions that put you there
(07:11) Suffering, sacrifice, and carrying Frodo
(08:11) Appendices: deep lore (and why I skipped...

 This is the book learnings companion to my Mastery book review: I pulled 17 personal takeaways (from ~70 notes) and unpack what they mean in real life. We go from vocation and apprenticeship, to why “not even enlightenment is enough”, to the prepared mind, the dimensional mind, and why tech (especially AI) is collapsing the walls between fields.

(00:00) Book learnings (and why you should watch the review first)
(00:19) Pen-in-hand reading + 70 notes → 17 key lessons
(01:23) Lesson 1: “Mind under the lights of the world” (focus beats distraction)
(02:32) Lesson 2: Vocation — the well-employed life
(03:55) Lesson 3: “Seed/uniqueness” — and my pushback (life can change you...

 Mastery is not a gift handed to the “talented", it’s a ruthless process: time, patience, humility, apprenticeship, and the emotional control to not quit when it gets boring. In this review, I break down Greene’s core ideas, why social intelligence matters as much as skill, and how intuition gets forged through long exposure to the craft.

(00:00) — Go against the tide: develop mastery
(00:11) — Why this book, why now
(00:38) — Context: comparing to 48 Laws of Power
(00:57) — Reading experience: chunky, dense, “Greene” style
(02:42) — Power vs Mastery: maturity and intent
(03:24) — Who this book is (and isn’t) for
(04:32...

 Ever looked at the art world and thought: how does any of this actually work?
I read How to Collect Art (2024) by Magnus Resch to figure out whether a normal person can buy a single great piece… and whether art is actually a good investment.

Resch approaches the art market like an economist: data, power structures, and the brutal reality of gatekeepers. The big theme? The art world isn’t a free market, it’s a pyramid. A tiny number of fairs, galleries, curators, and institutions sit at the top… and they decide what becomes valuable.

 A short snippet on the way we do things behind the scenes as the new year approaches and a concerted effort in our book reviews rises.

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Connect with Mere Mortals:
Website: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/
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Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspods
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 In this Mere Mortals book review, I dive into Secret Weapon, the 12th entry in the Alex Rider series, but not a traditional one. Instead of a full-scale mission, Horowitz delivers seven short, fast-paced stories set early in Alex’s spy career. It’s action-packed, easy to consume, and offers small bursts of worldbuilding without fundamentally shifting the universe.

(00:00) - Welcome & Book Intro 
(01:17) - What Makes Secret Weapon Different 
(02:39) - Horowitz’s Intentions Behind The Stories 
(02:53) - High-Paced Nature of the Book 
(05:27) - Will I Re-read It? Probably Not 
(05:55) - Worldbuilding at the Margins ...

A raw, no-fluff review of The Two Towers — the darker, tighter middle act of LOTR. I cover the split structure, why Book III feels punchier (Helm’s Deep, Ents), why Book IV slows to a crawl before the Shelob crescendo, and how pain trains the will through Frodo’s burden and Sam’s rise. I read this over a couple of months and felt the weight, the world-building, and the payoff.

Spoilers ahead: Gandalf’s return, the march to war, Frodo/Sam/Gollum through the marshes, and that spider. If you value integrity, patience and quiet courage, this one h...

Alex Rider returns in Never Say Die — a fast, zany, throwback instalment that swaps grit for velocity. I break down what works (pace, scale, that classic Rider ingenuity), what doesn’t (the Jack twist), and the one big philosophy that matters: leadership is action, not announcement.

What you’ll hear:

How the plot kicks off post-Egypt and why Alex goes rogue to follow a single clue.
Why the “Jack is alive” reveal felt forced compared to the darker mid-series tone.
The pivotal switch: when Alex stops following orders and starts leading.
The core lesso...

Horowitz turns the camera away from Alex and into the fire that forged Yassen. Set around the Stormbreaker timeline, this darker companion novel binds the series together with grit, symmetry and consequence. It’s not for first-timers, it’s a reward for the faithful.

00:00 “Assassins aren’t born; they’re forged.”
00:25 What this book is (context + where it fits)
01:40 Non-spoiler thoughts, tone, pacing, payoff
03:20 Themes, the 14-year-old crucible, mirror principle
04:45 Accessibility, fans vs newcomers
05:20 Spoilers start, key backstory beats that matter
07:10 Series connections you’ll actually feel
08:15 Who should read this (and in w...

Alex Rider stops being bulletproof. In Scorpia Rising, Anthony Horowitz cashes in every IOU the series has dodged: real stakes, identity games, and a gut-punch that actually lands. Today I break down why this is the first truly adult entry in the YA spy saga and what it teaches about cost, courage, and growing up without permission.

00:00 Cold Open — “The end begins here”
00:38 Why Scorpia Rising Matters
02:02 Spoiler-Safe Synopsis
04:05 What Horowitz Does Differently
06:11 Villains That Bite: Razim
08:03 Identity Warfare: Julius Grief
10:02 The Cost of Winning
12:09 Major Spoiler: The Blow That Lands<...

A new villain and a new frontier. Crocodile Tears throws Alex Rider into the jaws—literally. We open in Scotland, meet philanthropist-on-paper Desmond McCain of the First Aid charity, and quickly discover a disaster-profit scheme that weaponises tragedy for donations. From GM-food labs and biodomes to fake cops, forced travel and a crocodile interrogation in Kenya, this one moves.

Highlights we cover:

The McCain playbook: create chaos, cash in on sympathy
The school sequence & realism check (fun, if implausible)
Nuclear-plant scare, dam finale, and why the collateral “cost” is part of the message
B...

“The enemy isn’t out there. It is within.” That line sets the tone for Snakehead, the seventh Alex Rider novel: darker, sharper, and closer to the bone. We open in Australia (very on-brand for me), surge into Bangkok, and tangle with human-trafficking rings and a bomb plot on the water. Along the way, we meet Ash and face the kind of betrayal that doesn’t fit neatly into “good guy / bad guy.”

Big idea: Reality is messy. Moral clarity often arrives after the decision. I’ll show you how to act decisively when you can’t see the full boa...

Into space we go!
Ark Angel takes Alex Rider higher, literally, as he stumbles from a hospital bed into a conspiracy that leads straight into orbit. Anthony Horowitz throws his young spy into billionaire plots, CIA entanglements, and finally, a space station showdown that decides the fate of nations.

(00:00) – Welcome: Alex Rider in Ark Angel
(00:19) – Why the series always feels limitless
(00:56) – Picking up after Scorpia
(01:22) – The hospital incident & mistaken identity
(01:59) – Enter Nikolei Drevin, billionaire philanthropist or villain?
(02:26) – The plot escalates: CIA, Washington, and Ark Angel
(02:45) – Yes, Alex actually goes into space
(03...

Scorpia isn’t just another Alex Rider adventure, it’s the book where everything shifts. Darker, grittier, and more morally complex, this is where Alex discovers the terrifying legacy of his father, the manipulative power of Scorpia, and the harsh truth that both MI6 and his enemies will use him as a pawn.

In this review, I explore how Scorpia raises the stakes, the deeper philosophical undertones about identity and manipulation, and why this is the turning point that makes the Alex Rider series unputdownable.

(00:00) – Welcome & Introduction
(00:23) – Recap of Alex Rider so far
(01:04) – Why Scorpi...

In this review, we dive into Eagle Strike, the fourth Alex Rider book by Anthony Horowitz. Alex finds himself on his own against the billionaire villain Damian Cray, with MI6 refusing to back him. Packed with action, foreshadowing of Scorpia, and a surprising philosophical twist, this book marks the bridge between the light beginnings of the series and the darker arcs that follow.

(00:00) - Welcome & Intro to the Review
(00:55) - The Premise: Alex Rider in France & Damian Cray’s Rise
(02:20) - Action Highlights: Bikes, Gadgets, Air Force One
(02:43) - Why the Alex Rider Books ar...

There will always be someone selling BS, but you can learn how to spot it.

'Bad Science' by Ben Goldacre is an expose of sorts showcasing instances of media (individuals & as a whole) distorting statistics & scientific data. He explains the various errors they commit while examining the various reasons as to why they occurred. There are 16 chapters focusing on topics like the placebo effect, the MMR Hoax, homeopathy & nutrition.

If you got value from the podcast please provide support back in any way you best see fit!

Timeline:
(00:00:00) Intro
(00:02:39) Themes/Questions<...

The future of Asia is interesting but even more so is the man who created it!

'Lee Kuan Yew' by Allison & Blackwill is a compiled selection of speeches & quotes from Lee Kuan Yew bundled together to come across as a single interview. The focus is on his opinions over the years on what he imagines the future will look like. It's split into 10 chapters on topics like democracy, China/USA/India, geopolitics & Islamic Extremism.

If you got value from the podcast please provide support back in any way you best see fit!

Timeline:<...

Tolkien doesn’t write chapters; he builds civilisations. The Fellowship of the Ring is a slow, deliberate march through languages, histories and the lived feel of time, a marathon of meaning more than a sprint of action. I respect the scope, loved the journey, but prefer punchier reads.

(00:00) “You shall not pass.”
(00:09) Welcome & why review Fellowship now
(01:14) Trilogy intent & page heft (535pp!)
(01:34) Comparing to The Hobbit — brisk romp vs dense saga
(02:15) Tolkien the philologist: languages → world → story
(03:46) Book vs films; songs, lore, and density
(04:50) When detail drags — what I skimmed & why
(06:25) F...

A world changing industry that kind of happened by coincidence.

'Chip War' by Chris Miller is a detailed history of the semiconductor industry from its origins in the 1950's to the present day. Important individuals/companies rise and fall as it goes from a new emerging technology created by theorists/tinkers to the global powerhouse companies influenced by countries. It's split into 8 parts with 52 chapters in total.

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Timeline:
(00:00:00) Intro
(00:02:38) Themes/Questions
(00:21:57) Author...

In this Mere Mortals book review, we revisit Skeleton Key, the third Alex Rider novel, blending teenage espionage with lessons on stoicism, discipline, and composure. Beyond the action-packed spy drama, I explore how the book’s villain, the General, embodies a powerful, minimalistic strength that shaped my early understanding of discipline and quiet resilience. This isn’t just about the plot, it’s about the philosophy hidden between the lines.

(00:00) – Welcome & New Studio Setup
(00:19) – Introducing Skeleton Key by Anthony Horowitz
(00:42) – Why Revisit Alex Rider as an Adult
(01:15) – Plot Setup: From Wimbledon to the World of Spies
...

Not only is history written by the victors, but it's altered by the academics!

'The Lessons Of History' by Will & Ariel Durant is a small book that attempts to sum-up the history of humanity across several categories of human activity. They use examples from ancient civilisations but also add their own personal opinions into the mix. 13 chapters on Biology, Race, Character, Morals, Religion, Economics, Socialism, Government, War and a few others.

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Timeline:
(00:00:00) Intro
(00:01:47...

Move aside Sparta, there's a new power in town!

'Lords of the Sea: The Epic Story of the Athenian Navy and the Birth of Democracy' by John R. Hale is a historical book that recounts the period from 483-322 BC of Ancient Greece and in particular the navy armada of Athens. We witness the rise and fall of Athenian power via not only sea battles with other empires but the decisions made by it's democratic governments as well as influential politicians, generals, philosophers & artists. 

If you got value from the podcast please provide support back i...

In this Mere Mortals book review, we dive into Point Blanc by Anthony Horowitz, a fast-paced youth fiction novel that sparks deeper questions about cloning, perfectionism and identity. Using the wild plot as a springboard, the episode unpacks modern obsessions with filtered personas and asks: what do we lose when we trade uniqueness for conformity?

(00:00) - Intro & Series Overview
(00:30) - What is Point Blank? A Quick Recap
(01:10) - Crazy Plot Devices: Chimneys, Clones & Ironing Boards
(02:40) - The Core Theme: Cloning and Control
(04:00) - The Perfection Paradox in Parenting
(06:00) - Modern Filters: From...

Be wary of association with the Wizard Of Wall St .... unless you are family or friends!

'The Wizard Of Wall Street & His Wealth' by Trumbull White is a biography detailing the life of Jay Gould, at one point one of the wealthiest individuals in the world. It starts from his childhood and shows how he rose from poverty in the 1800's to become one of the robber barons of the Gilded Age. Plenty of stories showcasing his ruthless underhanded dealing in business yet a calm and generous personality outside of it.

If you got value...

In this episode, we dive into The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien, the timeless tale that launched the modern fantasy genre. You'll hear why Bilbo Baggins’ unlikely hero’s journey still resonates today, what Tolkien nailed in his storytelling, and how this short adventure carries deep philosophical punch. From dragons to dwarves to life-changing quotes, this one is pure gold.

(00:00) - Fog Over the Misty Mountains
(00:09) - Welcome & Why The Hobbit Still Matters
(00:43) - Historical Facts: 1937 Legacy & First Draft Trivia
(01:50) - Written for His Kids: Origins of the Story
(02:26) - How Short It R...