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Courage Is Calling

A Book About Bravery

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Courage Is Calling

By: Ryan Holiday
Narrated by: Ryan Holiday
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About this listen

Fortune favours the bold. All great leaders of history have known this, and were successful because of the risks they dared to take. But today, so many of us are paralysed by fear.

Drawing on ancient Stoic wisdom and examples across history and around the world, Ryan Holiday shows why courage is so important, and how to cultivate it in our own lives. Courage is not simply physical bravery but also doing the right thing and standing up for what you believe; it's creativity, generosity and perseverance. And it is the only way to live an extraordinary, fulfilled and effective life.

Everything in life begins with courage. This book will equip you with the bravery to begin.

©2021 Ryan Holiday (P)2021 Hachette Audio UK Economic History Economics Greek & Roman History Personal Development Personal Success Philosophy Inspiring Thought-Provoking

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I bought this book as Ryan Holiday was repeatedly suggested by Audible algorithms.
I found this book was mostly anecdotes on the importance of courage with exanples of figures who went against the thinking of their time or who risked embarassment, loss of status or their life for what they believed was right.

Thats fine but I found little practical guidance here on  how to develop this courage in my own life or why it is that some people become more couragous than most. He doesn't write about the blocks that come from self image formed during a person's development growing up and the impact that self image has on confidence and asseriveness. It might feel good to put myself in the shoes of Serpico as he uncovered crooked fellow police officers and imagine I could do the same but its not that simple.

The  book is broken into mostly short chapters. The chapters should be a clue as to the lessons as they each have titles like " seize the offense". or "You have to own it" but 4 hours in, I felt I had not really learned anything or felt very inspired.

The author narrates the book which was painful to listen to. He leaves odd pauses in his sentences at time and nt enough at other times. He also had a tone that sounded like he was reading an essay or giving a lecture, like he was projecting to be heard at the back of the room.

Finally the writing itself made me feel like I was constantly being berated for not being couragpus enough. I dont think that wa the intention but it seemed like every chapter implied "Look at how great and courageous these people were, if you could just stop being a cowardly idiot you might be successful too"
With 90 minutes to go I gave up. It started to feel like torture.

Painful to listen to and not very insightful

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Another superb slice of stoicism from Ryan Holiday.

Nobody does modern stoicism better than Holiday and this is another excellent addition to his work.

The chapter on the Spartan 300 is perhaps his finest singular piece of writing ever.

Another superb slice of stoicism from Ryan Holiday

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I've listened to Ryan's podcast previously and found it easy to get into his reading of this book.

I find the books based on the four virtues to be a great guide in life

Very enjoyable series

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Develop a greater understanding of what it means to be courageous.
It’s so well written and brilliantly read. I will listen to it again and again.

Listen to it again and again

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The first of what will be a must have collection on the virtues of Stoicism. An inspirational book on having the courage to be authentic, speak your truth and do right in the world.

Yet another must read

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