Man's Search for Meaning provided me with profound meaning. It was written by a German Jew who, through luck, survived the Nazi concentration camps. Soon after the war, it became a bestseller, translated into many languages. While recounting his experiences in the...
Jail Journal
Explore my journey through incarceration with a unique collection of daily journals and in-depth book reports. Each entry offers a raw, personal perspective, transforming moments of confinement into reflections of growth and resilience.
BR: History of Sexuality: An Introduction by Michel Foucault
History of Sexuality: An Introduction was recommended to me by ChatGPT. I knew it was an acclaimed book but had little other background. Written in the late 1970s, it examines the development and use of sexuality over the past three centuries. I found the writing...
BR: The Tao of Pooh by Benjamin Hoff
The Tao of Pooh is a small book that teaches "the principles of Taoism as demonstrated by Winnie-the-Pooh." I'm trying to learn about various philosophies during my time in prison, and a friend recommended this book as an accessible introduction to Taoism (Daoism). It...
BR: Meditations by Marcus Aurelius, Translated by George Long
I've often heard Meditations recommended in forums and pop culture as a must-read. I borrowed this copy from a more affluent fellow inmate. It was a beautiful edition: hardcover with gold leaf pages and a ribbon bookmark. However, the more I appreciated the book's...
BR: The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene
The 48 Laws of Power is a book I've always wanted to read but never had the chance. One of the few positive aspects of being in prison is the time it provides for reading. The 48 Laws of Power isn't a novel or philosophy book; it's more of a self-help guide outlining...
BR: Dataclysm: Who We Are (When No One’s Looking) by Christian Rudder
Dataclysm explores the insights we can glean about human behavior from massive data sets. The author, a co-founder of OkCupid, one of the longest-running dating sites, discusses his role in analyzing the vast amounts of data collected by the platform. It's astonishing...
BR: Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson
Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island is a classic coming-of-age adventure that I recently had the pleasure of reading. While it's often considered a young adult novel, its impact on popular culture is undeniable. I've been working my way through classic...
BR: The Art of War by Sun Tzu
The Art of War by Sun Tzu has been on my reading list for a considerable time. I even attempted the audiobook during my time in San Francisco, spurred by its frequent appearance on lists for CEOs and self-improvement enthusiasts. The book is structured into 13...
BR: Visual Thinking by Temple Grandin
Visual Thinking is a book I came across in the library. I was looking for something educational or informative. This book definitely fits the bill. The author is autistic and on the sounds of it, pretty far down the spectrum. He couldn't speak till age 4 and not...
BR: The Old Man and the Sea
I first read The Old Man and the Sea two years ago during the middle of my house arrest. At the time, I was dealing with the constant weight of unpaid bills and an unhappy wife. The struggle felt endless—each day was its own battle, and I never knew what would come...