Gain Perspective - Book of the Week

This first weekend in October, 2014 is tumultuous around the globe.  There are events underway on each continent with potentially far-reaching effects: massive street demonstrations in Hong Kong, war against ISIS in the Levant, Ebola in Africa with cases spreading via international air travel links, Presidential elections in Brazil, fears of resumption of combat in Eastern Ukraine, and unexpected diplomatic dialogue on the Korean peninsula.

Seeking perspective is always useful.  To that end, The Agile Strategist respectfully submits an (Inaugural) Book of the Week recommendation.   The Lessons of History by Will & Ariel Durant is well-suited for helping one see that turbulence is not particularly unusual.

The Durants were a husband and wife team that devoted the decades of their lives together to write the magisterial, multi-volume Story of Civilization.  If you are unfamiliar with this work, treat yourself to selecting any of the 11 volumes, opening it at random, and spending a few moments reading one of the segments.  I guarantee you will learn something (probably several somethings), that you didn’t know.

The Lessons of History is a thin summary work – the Durants’ own attempt at perspective.  With Chapters like “Biology and History” and “ and “History and War”, they “zoom out” succinctly and effectively.  Read the Durants this week.  As the headlines unfold, you’ll be more resilient and discerning.  Good qualities in tumult.