books
Book Summary
Born Dead, Die Alive is a thought-provoking and soulful manifesto that challenges readers to reimagine their existence in an age where technology is rapidly evolving—but humanity is struggling to keep up. Written by futurist Tariq Qureishy, the book urges readers to wake up, break free from unconscious living, and actively choose to be alive—emotionally, spiritually, and intellectually.
The title reflects a powerful idea: most people are born into a system that deadens creativity, purpose, and awareness. But through conscious choices and humane use of technology, we can “die alive”—having truly lived.
Buy here: https://amzn.to/4cytFKt
Key themes include:
• Reclaiming human potential in a world driven by AI and automation
• Creating meaningful work and connections
• Developing emotional intelligence, empathy, and inner awareness
• Rethinking education, leadership, and innovation from a values-based lens
This book serves as both a wake-up call and a guidebook for creating a better future—where technology empowers rather than enslaves.
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Ratings (Based on Available Data & Reader Reviews)
Platform Rating
Goodreads (4.5/5 – niche readership)
Amazon (4.7/5 – thoughtful, deep, futuristic)
Critics and readers appreciate the book’s depth, clarity of vision, and humanistic philosophy—especially relevant for leaders, educators, and change-makers.
Buy here: https://amzn.to/4cytFKt
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A Moving Story from the Book
One of the most powerful reflections in the book is when Qureishy shares a personal story about losing his father—and how, in the grief, he was forced to confront life’s deeper meaning. Instead of being crushed, it awakened something in him: the realization that most people are alive but not truly living.
This turning point led him to explore why so many people settle for numbness in a world bursting with opportunity. The story becomes a metaphor: death is inevitable, but a “living death” is optional.
He challenges us: What would it look like to live with eyes wide open? To live as if our life matters?
Buy here: https://amzn.to/4cytFKt
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Top Quotes from Born Dead, Die Alive
1. “Most people are not afraid of dying. They are afraid of not having lived.”
2. “The future will be built not by those with the best technology, but by those with the most humanity.”
3. “If you’re living on autopilot, you’re not living. You’re surviving. And survival is not the purpose of life.”
4. “Die alive, not because you reached the end—but because you finally woke up.”
5. “We must design a world where technology serves consciousness, not consumerism.”
6. “Your humanity is your competitive advantage in the age of AI.”
7. “We can’t create the future unless we first learn how to be present.”
Buy here: https://amzn.to/4cytFKt
books
Book Summary
Never Split the Difference is a masterclass on high-stakes negotiation by former FBI hostage negotiator Chris Voss. Drawing from real-life FBI experiences, Voss challenges traditional negotiation tactics, emphasizing the psychological and emotional aspects over logic and compromise.
Buy here: https://amzn.to/3ExSKZq
Rather than meeting in the middle (splitting the difference), Voss argues for tactical empathy, calibrated questions, mirroring, and labeling emotions to gain the upper hand. Each chapter introduces powerful techniques backed by gripping hostage negotiation stories, business scenarios, and personal experiences.
The book ultimately teaches you how to:
• Gain trust rapidly
• Defuse tension
• Make people feel heard and understood
• Achieve better outcomes in business and life
?? Ratings (Based on Major Platforms)
Platform Rating
Goodreads ?????????? (4.38/5 from 130K+ reviews)
Amazon ?????????? (4.8/5 from 45K+ ratings)
Audible ?????????? (4.9/5 for narration & content)
Highly praised for its practical advice, engaging storytelling, and real-world applicability, especially in sales, relationships, leadership, and everyday decision-making.
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A Moving Story from the Book
One particularly gripping story in the book is the negotiation with a bank robber holding hostages. Voss recalls using emotional intelligence and “tactical empathy” rather than brute force or demands. He didn’t say, “We’ll send in SWAT if you don’t surrender.” Instead, he used mirroring and labeling:
“It seems like you’re feeling trapped. Like there’s no good way out.”
This approach diffused the tension. The hostage-taker started talking. And eventually, without violence, surrendered. It was a powerful example of how empathy and listening can de-escalate the most dangerous confrontations—proof that emotional tools are stronger than logic or coercion.
The story isn’t just about hostage negotiations—it’s a metaphor for everyday conflicts, whether with clients, colleagues, or loved ones.
Buy here: https://amzn.to/3ExSKZq
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Top Quotes from Never Split the Difference
1. “He who has learned to disagree without being disagreeable has discovered the most valuable secret of negotiation.”
2. “No deal is better than a bad deal.”
3. “Tactical empathy is understanding the feelings and mindset of another in the moment, and also hearing what is behind those feelings.”
4. “Yes is nothing without how.”
5. “The sweetest two words in any negotiation are ‘That’s right.’”
6. “We fall in love with ‘yes’, we fear ‘no’, but we live in ‘maybe’.”
7. “When the pressure is on, you don’t rise to the occasion—you fall to your highest level of preparation.”
Buy here: https://amzn.to/3ExSKZq
books
Book Summary: Super Thinking: The Big Book of Mental Models
Super Thinking is a comprehensive guide that introduces readers to the concept of mental models—powerful thinking tools used by the world’s smartest problem-solvers to make better decisions. The authors, Gabriel Weinberg and Lauren McCann, argue that success in life and work often comes down to how effectively we think. Mental models are essentially frameworks that help us understand how the world works.
Get your copy here: https://amzn.to/3Y0JAv8
The book offers over 300 mental models from various disciplines including economics, psychology, physics, and statistics. These models serve as shortcuts to help us avoid cognitive biases, spot opportunities, and make sound judgments. Rather than relying on one way of thinking, Super Thinking encourages building a broad mental toolbox—a concept inspired by Charlie Munger’s idea of a “latticework of mental models.”
Some of the key mental models include:
• Second-Order Thinking – Considering the long-term consequences of actions
• Opportunity Cost – Weighing what you give up for every choice you make
• Confirmation Bias – Being aware of our tendency to seek information that supports our beliefs
• Circle of Competence – Knowing what you know and admitting what you don’t
• Inversion – Thinking backwards from the outcome you want to avoid
The book is practical, filled with examples, and aims to train the reader’s mind to make clearer, more strategic decisions every day.
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Get your copy here: https://amzn.to/3Y0JAv8
Book Review
Super Thinking is widely appreciated for its clarity, practicality, and wide-ranging applications. Readers praise the book for breaking down complex concepts into digestible, real-world advice. It doesn’t just teach you what to think—it teaches you how to think.
The writing is accessible and engaging, and the use of cartoons and illustrations makes abstract concepts easier to understand. Many readers find themselves returning to the book again and again as a mental reference guide. It’s especially useful for entrepreneurs, managers, students, and lifelong learners who want to improve their decision-making skills.
If you’re someone who wants to upgrade your thinking and avoid common mental traps, this book is a must-read.
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Inspiring Story from the Book
One of the standout stories in the book is about second-order thinking in environmental policy. The authors explain how banning plastic straws might seem like a good idea at first glance (first-order thinking), but when viewed through the lens of second-order effects, it raises questions about the unintended consequences of alternatives. For instance, replacing plastic with paper or metal might lead to increased energy use or emissions. This story highlights how deep thinking—beyond surface-level solutions—leads to better decision-making.
It inspires readers to look beyond immediate results and think in systems and chains of effects, which is vital for long-term success in any field.
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Best Quotes from Super Thinking
Here are some thought-provoking quotes from the book:
• “If you want to be smarter, the first thing to do is to build a latticework of mental models.”
• “You can’t make a good decision without understanding the forces at play.”
• “Second-order thinking means thinking farther ahead and thinking holistically.”
• “Mental models are how we understand the world, and better models lead to better thinking and better decisions.”
• “If you don’t know what you’re doing, you can’t know if you’re doing it well.”
Get your copy here: https://amzn.to/3Y0JAv8
books
? Book Summary
Shane Parrish’s Clear Thinking delves into the cognitive traps that hinder effective decision-making and offers strategies to overcome them. He identifies four primary “defaults” that cloud our judgment.
Get your copy here: https://amzn.to/4lxmXbN
1. Emotion Default: Reacting based on feelings rather than facts
2. Ego Default: Prioritizing self-image over optimal outcomes
3. Social Default: Conforming to group norms instead of thinking independently
4. Inertia Default: Resisting change and clinging to the familiar. To counteract these defaults, Parrish emphasizes cultivating four key strengths.
• Self-Accountability: Taking responsibility for one’s actions and decisions
• Self-Knowledge: Understanding one’s strengths, weaknesses, and biases
• Self-Control: Managing impulses and emotions to respond thoughtfully
• Self-Confidence: Trusting in one’s abilities and judgments By developing these attributes, individuals can navigate challenges more effectively and make decisions that align with their long-term goals.
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? Book Review
Clear Thinking has garnered positive reviews for its practical insights into decision-making. Readers appreciate Parrish’s ability to distill complex cognitive concepts into actionable advice. The book is praised for its clarity, relevance, and applicability across various aspects of life, from personal growth to professional development. Notably, James Clear, author of Atomic Habits, describes it as “an indispensable guide to making smarter decisions each day”.
Get your copy here: https://amzn.to/4lxmXbN
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? Inspiring Story
While Clear Thinking doesn’t center around a single narrative, it incorporates numerous real-life examples to illustrate its principles For instance, Parrish discusses how leaders like General George C. Marshall emphasized understanding problems at their source, often by visiting front lines or consulting trusted individuals This approach underscores the importance of firsthand information and deliberate analysis in effective decision-making.
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? Notable Quotes
Here are some impactful quotes from Clear Thinking:
• “What happens in ordinary moments determines your future.”
• “Results are a function of position. You don’t need to be smarter than others to outperform them if you can out-position them.”
• “It’s only after we accept reality that we can attempt to change t.”
• “Self-accountability means taking responsibility for your abilities, your inabilities, and your actions.”
• “Our desire to feel right overpowers our desire to be right.”
Get your copy here: https://amzn.to/4lxmXbN
books
Book Review
Rating: (5/5)
Tone: Bold, practical, inspiring
Audience: Entrepreneurs, aspiring leaders, and anyone who wants to think several steps ahead in life and business.
Buy here: https://amzn.to/4lv1VKQ
“Your Next Five Moves” is not your typical business book. Patrick Bet-David, an entrepreneur and founder of Valuetainment, writes with fire and clarity. He challenges readers to approach life and business like a grandmaster plays chess—always thinking five moves ahead. Each move represents a level of strategy, self-mastery, and vision.
This book is part autobiography, part masterclass in decision-making, and all about clarity, confidence, and calculated action. It stands out because it asks the deeper questions: Who are you? What do you want? What’s your game plan?
You’ll walk away not just with business insights—but with tools to completely reshape your mindset and approach to leadership.
Summary of the Five Strategic Moves
Move #1: Know Yourself
Clarity is power.
This move is about radical self-awareness. Before building an empire, build a blueprint of your own identity, values, fears, desires, and contradictions. Patrick forces you to ask hard questions like:
- Who do I want to be?
- What drives me?
- What am I willing to suffer for?
Deep Insight:
Most failures are not from lack of effort, but from lack of clarity. You can’t dominate your field if you don’t know your lane.
Move #2: Reason Strategically
A chess player doesn’t just make moves. They make moves based on likely responses.
Learn to see multiple outcomes. Develop mental models. Start thinking in sequences—what happens after this decision, and then what?
Deep Insight:
Strategic thinkers are not reactive—they are proactive pattern recognizers. They see the ripple effect of decisions before making them.
Move #3: Build the Right Team
Don’t just hire for skill. Hire for hunger and alignment.
You’re only as strong as your team. Patrick shows you how to assess people fast, identify culture fits, and build loyalty. He also covers firing and leadership dynamics without fluff.
Deep Insight:
Leadership is not about being liked—it’s about creating an environment where people win together.
Move #4: Master Strategic Scaling
Scale requires systems, leverage, and boldness.
Learn how to go from a small operator to a big player. This move dives into business models, sales structures, marketing systems, and how to escape the trap of doing everything yourself.
Deep Insight:
Growth is about letting go of control and building machines that work without you.
Move #5: Master Power Plays
In business, power isn’t evil. It’s a necessity.
This is where things get real. Patrick covers negotiation, influence, handling enemies, and making decisive moves under pressure. He shares personal battles and how calculated moves saved or scaled his business.
Deep Insight:
The highest level of the game is mastering perception, timing, and leverage. You must become a tactician and a storyteller.
Favorite Quotes
- “The most important question you will ever ask yourself is, ‘Who do I want to be?’”
- “Entrepreneurship is a philosophy of rebellion.”
- “The clearer your vision, the fewer distractions you’ll entertain.”
- “Strategy is thinking about what you want to accomplish and how to make it happen.”
- “The world rewards the person who communicates their vision with bold clarity.”
How This Book Can Help You,
Since you’re managing multiple software products, exploring marketing strategies, and growing a YouTube channel, here’s how each move aligns with your journey:
- Move 1: Define the kind of entrepreneur you want to be. Is it product-focused? Influence-focused? Or a hybrid?
- Move 2: Map out your marketing funnel and software scaling with “next five move” logic.
- Move 3: Start building a small team (even if remote) to handle marketing, sales, support.
- Move 4: Prepare Spark-Ed, WaitWise, and PowerPOS for scaling with subscription models, demos, and automated pipelines.
- Move 5: Make bold plays (like AppSumo launches, affiliate programs, YouTube automation) that leapfrog you into visibility.
Buy here: https://amzn.to/4lv1VKQ
