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 Iliad0:54 The basic structure of The Odyssey1:18 Odysseus, Ulysses and the journey home2:03 Telemachus, Penelope and the suitors2:43 Where Odysseus has been3:09 Cyclops, monsters and the famous adventures3:46 Returning to Ithaca4:04 The original soldier-coming-home story4:25 Why The Odyssey reads better than The Iliad5:02 The book that kept me reading at night6:00 Why this story has lasted7:10 Iliad vs Odyssey: rage vs cunning8:19 Major themes: home, temptation, storytelling and justice10:03 The parts I skimmed10:43 Should you read The Iliad first?11:37 Final thoughts on The Odyssey12:26 Final recommendationConnect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUTwitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspodsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcastSubstack: https://substack.com/@meremortalsnotes Connect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/Xs9DjsurFqTwitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspodsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcastsValue 4 Value Support:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/supportPaypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast

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 by genuine appreciation versus status, money and insider games. I talk through the parts of the book that felt especially grotesque to me — the pretension, the coded language, the collector ego, and the sense that access and reputation often matter more than the work itself.Thankfully, the book also shows a far more meaningful side of art. I discuss the sections that felt uplifting and enlightening, especially Bosker’s time with artists, collectors and museum guards who engage deeply with artworks and encourage slow, personal looking rather than outsourced interpretation. That side of the book helped me understand why art still matters and why people are drawn to it so powerfully. Overall, I came away feeling that the art world isn’t inherently broken so much as structurally lopsided, with highly passionate creators often vulnerable to exploitation. I really enjoyed Bosker’s writing, admired the depth of her reporting and would recommend to give it a read. If you got value from the podcast please provide support back in any way you best see fit!Timeline: (00:00:00) Intro(00:02:10) Bianca Bosker's immersive tour of the art world(00:04:45) The pretence, power and status games of art(00:08:51) Shock art and the question of what counts as art(00:13:07) A more meaningful and uplifting side of art(00:16:16) Is the art world inherently broken?(00:21:20) Bianca Bosker's journalism(00:25:02) Final Verdict(00:27:20) Short hiatus and podcast closing notes  Connect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/Xs9DjsurFqTwitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspodsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcastsValue 4 Value Support:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/supportPaypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast

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 company” territory. I share what made the book engaging for me, where it might fall short if you’re after nuts-and-bolts execution and who I think will get the most out of it. Ultimately, it’s a concise, idea-rich read that can reorient how you think about differentiation, market definition and creating from zero to one.If you got value from the podcast please provide support back in any way you best see fit!Timeline:(00:00:00) Intro(00:00:35) Introducing Zero to One by Peter Thiel(00:04:27) Contrasting with other business classics(00:07:41) Why high‑level ideas can beat operational minutiae(00:11:03) Who is Peter Thiel? Background and ventures(00:12:52) Verdict: a solid read for entrepreneurs(00:14:00) Value for Value: how to support the show(00:15:08) What’s next: upcoming book reviews  Connect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/Xs9DjsurFqTwitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspodsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcastsValue 4 Value Support:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/supportPaypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast

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 book: wanting friends and influence while being told to act without obvious self‑interest.If you got value from the podcast please provide support back in any way you best see fit!Timeline:(00:00:00) Intro(00:01:52) Book structure overview: parts and principles(00:06:31) Key principles sampled: smile, names, listen, importance(00:11:17) Childhood lens on making friends and sorting people(00:13:41) Author background: Dale Carnegie’s path and motives(00:17:19) The hard part: becoming genuinely interested(00:20:34) Does it hold up? A dated yet durable self‑help classic(00:22:29) Wrap‑up, support links and what’s next  Connect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/Xs9DjsurFqTwitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspodsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcastsValue 4 Value Support:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/supportPaypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast

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 Hands00:42 — The Samuel Butler Translation01:03 — Did Homer Actually Write The Iliad?02:23 — What Is an Epic Poem?03:05 — This Is Not the Trojan Horse Story03:40 — Achilles, Hector and the Gods04:53 — How This Edition Structures the Story06:15 — The Core of The Iliad: Rage07:33 — Achilles Loses Everything08:19 — The Gods Are Petty as Hell09:49 — Violence, Nature and Ancient Imagery11:41 — The Sections I Fast-Read13:19 — The Power of Oral Storytelling15:00 — The Brutality of Battle15:43 — Hector Smashes Through the Gates17:29 — No Simple Villains, Only Human Beings18:13 — Honour, Glory and the Heroic Code19:03 — Should You Read The Iliad?19:22 — The Odyssey Review Is Coming Connect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/Xs9DjsurFqTwitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspodsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcastsValue 4 Value Support:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/supportPaypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast

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 (preachier with some outlandish claims about illness and sin) while acknowledging Allen’s hard-earned optimism given his tough life story. Overall verdict: skip Poverty To Power, but As a Man Thinketh is a timeless, motivating read that influenced Hill, Peale and Carnegie. If you got value from the podcast please provide support back in any way you best see fit!Timeline: (00:00:00) Intro(00:02:16) Core premise: thoughts shape character and outcomes(00:05:40) From Poverty to Power: preachiness and sermon feel(00:13:22) Author profile: James Allen’s hard‑earned optimism(00:16:12) Overall take: the real OG of self‑help(00:18:39) Value for Value, feedback and support(00:19:27) What’s next: upcoming reviews and schedule  Connect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/Xs9DjsurFqTwitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspodsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcastsValue 4 Value Support:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/supportPaypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast

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 deeper philosophical bite kept it from being more than entertaining sci‑fi for me. I touch on Cline’s screenwriter sensibilities and how the book’s cinematic qualities likely helped its rapid path to film. If you got value from the podcast please provide support back in any way you best see fit!Timeline: (00:00:00) Intro(00:04:19) Big theme: Choosing virtual worlds over a broken reality(00:09:06) From gritty realism to full fantasy stakes(00:11:49) Why the ending undercuts the books premise(00:14:17) Author focus: Ernest Cline, screenwriting vibes(00:16:55) Verdict: a fun 6/10 for gamers and 80s fans(00:17:20) Closing and ways to support the podcast(00:18:26) Live schedule and what is next  Connect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/Xs9DjsurFqTwitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspodsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcastsValue 4 Value Support:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/supportPaypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast

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, humans given a stark choice to enter or struggle topside and reflect on the “would you go in?” dilemma. Expect comparisons to The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy in premise vibe (but with very different humour), thoughts on the world-building quirks, and where I’m at with committing to a six-book series. Final verdict: a brisk, entertaining read that hit the spot for escapist fun 7.5/10 and I’m keen for book number two.If you got value from the podcast please provide support back in any way you best see fit!Timeline:(00:00:00) Intro(00:03:41) Carl and Princess Donut(00:06:08) Gags, dry vs absurd humour and running jokes(00:08:43) Would you enter the dungeon? Personal reflection(00:13:15) Author notes, community and Reddit mentions(00:15:24) Summary, rating 7.5/10 and sign-off  Connect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/Xs9DjsurFqTwitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspodsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcastsValue 4 Value Support:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/supportPaypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast

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 facts. I contrast Hill’s inspiration-first approach with more modern, evidence-based self-help and explain why I’d now recommend reading it with a strong filter. Take the useful 50% and discard the rest. I wrap with some context on Hill himself and why timing likely supercharged the book’s impact post-Depression.Timeline:(00:00:00) Intro(00:02:55) Core promise: riches, goals, and optimism(00:04:25) Personal history: how the book helped in early 20s(00:09:16) Turning defeat into advantage: key quotes and reframes(00:12:35) Persistence, ambition, and study outside work(00:16:01) Where it falls apart: pseudoscience and bold claims(00:22:55) Name‑dropping, experts and borrowed authority(00:25:02) The Wallis Simpson example and selective narratives(00:28:25) Author profile: grift vibes, success without substance?(00:32:12) Final verdict and how to read it: keep half, discard half  Connect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/Xs9DjsurFqTwitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspodsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcastsValue 4 Value Support:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/supportPaypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast

 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.If you got value from the podcast please provide support back in any way you best see fit!  Connect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/Xs9DjsurFqTwitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspodsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcastsValue 4 Value Support:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/supportPaypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast