[June 26, 2022] You are molded and shaped by culture, and as a consequence, you are a historical creature. But culture is corrupt, oppressive, and tyrannical. Implicit in your being is the moral necessity to breathe new life into the ancient culture that has had it way with you. This is the hero and the dragon metaphor, where the hero slays the fire-breathing dragon (old culture), rescues the princess (representing the new), and lives happily ever after (despite the flaws and challenges of the new culture).
This idea means that you have to face that which you fear most. And when you do that, you will refresh culture and rid it of its corruption and its tyranny (even if a small amount). You have to do this before you can become who you could be. Culture may be a straight-jacket but it is also protective and benevolent, and the very reason great care must be taken to not reject the beneficial elements of culture.
To rejuvenate your culture is accomplished by adopting responsibility for your own being and then acting as a moral agent in the culture. This is why you become educated. Read books, read the books of the great authors. Read them carefully, focus your attention on the words and meaning, absorb what the authors have written, and think about what they tell us about you. They will change your life and you will become something greater than you are now.
Today, I’ve listed seven books to consider. Read them this year. For additional, classic books that I find most educational and thought-provoking, go to my Reading List page: https://www.theleadermaker.com/reading-list/
- As a Man Thinketh, James Allen, 1903
The underlying premise is that noble thoughts make a noble person, while lowly thoughts make a miserable person. In his book, James Allen reveals how our thoughts determine reality; our underlying beliefs shape our character, our health and appearance, our circumstances, and our destinies.
- The Power of Positive Thinking, Norman Vincent Peale, 1952
The book starts with the “will.” Does one really want to get better? The techniques and thought processes taught in this book won’t magically remove bad circumstances. However, it can change your approach to them, which can cause you to reverse the ones that are self-imposed. It starts with the desire to change your own life.
- Man’s Search for Meaning, Viktor E. Frankl, 1946
Frankl relates the severe conditions in the Nazi concentration camp. Those without any purpose seemed to perish. Those that had developed purpose and meaning to the harsh conditions got out of bed every morning to face another unbearable day.
- Extreme Ownership, Jocko Willink, 2019
Extreme Ownership is a mindset which applies to everything you do. These principles can be applied to any relationships or walks of life; they are simple enough for anyone to understand, and broad enough to use in any situation. The book focuses on taking aim at being a great leader and that you must have extreme internal motivation to accomplish it.
- Who Moved My Cheese?, Spencer Johnson, 1998
A bestselling seminal work and motivational business. The text describes the way one reacts to major change in one’s work and life, and four typical reactions to those changes by two mice and two “Littlepeople”, during their hunt for “cheese.”
- Nineteen Eighty-Four, George Orwell, 1949
The book is a dystopian novel that centers on the consequences of totalitarianism, mass surveillance, and repressive regimentation of people. The novel examine the role of truth and facts within politics and the way in which they are manipulated.
- Awaken the Giant Within, Tony Robbins, 1992
Robbins provides a step-by-step program teaching the fundamental lessons of self-mastery that will enable you to discover your true purpose, take control of your life, and harness the forces that shape your destiny.
————–
Please read my new book, “Our Longest Year in Iraq,” on Amazon (link here).
1984, my favorite.
Yes, and George Orwell was truly insightful. Some day, read about his past and you can get a little insight into why he wrote the book. Read it. Don’t just order the book and put it on your shelf. Reading this book – really READ IT – will change your perspective. Oh, but millennials don’t read any more, and well, that explains their ignorance. A bunch of snowflakes.
Great list of books. Thanks, sir.
Wow, nice list and a bit of good philosophy to boot. Ha Ha. Thank you Gen. Satterfield for a really great article.
Just another reason to keep coming back to this website. I know that I’ve repeated myself on occasion but let’s not forget to support Gen. S. by getting his book, ‘OUR LONGEST YEAR IN IRAQ.’ Yeah, I know that it sounds like I’m repeating myself (and I am) but that is how your get better … by reading books from successful people. That is one good thing we can do today.
Excellent books suggested for reading this year!
Each day when I open my laptop, I have bookmarked this leadership website and enjoy reading what Gen. Satterfield has written for us (for me). It is a good morning when I’m again forced to think about how I can be a better person and a much better leader. If you are reading this website, then you are lightyears ahead of others.
Interesting comment, Mikka. Glad to see you online.
Thanks mainer, 👍👍👍👍👍
I think it’s safe to say that most of us here are big fans of this blog and Gen. S. I find that most of what I read here gives me just a little more motivation to read more, think about what I read, and sometimes write it down so I can remember it. Great website you have here, Gen. S.
reading is hard
Gen. Satterfield, thank you for the short explanation of each book. Good list but I think most of these are for early, or junior leaders, less so for those of us who are much more experienced. In your READING LIST you list 10 books that are truly great books and should be read and re-read. Thanks again for your article today. More like this is okay with me.
Right, time to get started is NOW. Read, read, read.
What are you afraid of more than anything else? Can you face your fear?
I just read Extreme Ownership, Jocko Willink, 2019…. great book and a whole series of books are also written for young teenagers too. Go out and get one for your kds/grandkids.
I read it last year. I passed my book along to my uncle, who is now reading it. He said that so far he is enjoying the book. “Discipline” is what the book is all about. Giving up something today for what you might gain in the future.
Good article, Gen. S. Thanks.
Excellent list, Gen. Satterfield and thanks for bringing them up to us now in mid year. Seems like we should jump on getting these books read and, if I may be so bold, also read your book, “Our Longest Year in Iraq.” Just giving our readers a little nudge.
https://www.amazon.com/Our-Longest-Year-Iraq-Construction/dp/1737915510/
JT, you got that right. Reading is the first area of learning and with some encouragement, we can gain enormously in our thinking abilty if only we read and thought about what is written in the greatest texts. 😊
If ONLY, if ONLY. That is what the question is when it comes to reading or not. If ONLY we read that book.
I would like to see more lists like this in Gen. Satterfield’s blog. Anyone else have suggestions? 👀
Yep!!!!! Dosh darn it. I agree.