Mere Mortals Book Reviews

Move aside Sparta, there's a new power in town! 'Lords of the Sea: The Epic Story of the Athenian Navy and the Birth of Democracy' by John R. Hale is a historical book that recounts the period from 483-322 BC of Ancient Greece and in particular the navy armada of Athens. We witness the rise and fall of Athenian power via not only sea battles with other empires but the decisions made by it's democratic governments as well as influential politicians, generals, philosophers & artists.  If you got value from the podcast please provide support back in any way you best see fit! Timeline: (00:00:00) Intro (00:02:48) Themes/Questions (00:19:29) Author & Extras (00:25:12) Summary (00:27:33) Value 4 Value (00:28:58) Coming Up/Join Live! Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/ [https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/] Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU [https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU] Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspods [https://twitter.com/meremortalspods] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/ [https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcasts [https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcasts] Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/support [https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/support] Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast [https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast]

In this Mere Mortals book review, we dive into Point Blanc by Anthony Horowitz, a fast-paced youth fiction novel that sparks deeper questions about cloning, perfectionism and identity. Using the wild plot as a springboard, the episode unpacks modern obsessions with filtered personas and asks: what do we lose when we trade uniqueness for conformity? (00:00) - Intro & Series Overview (00:30) - What is Point Blank? A Quick Recap (01:10) - Crazy Plot Devices: Chimneys, Clones & Ironing Boards (02:40) - The Core Theme: Cloning and Control (04:00) - The Perfection Paradox in Parenting (06:00) - Modern Filters: From Fiction to Instagram (08:00) - Uniqueness vs Assimilation (09:30) - What Today’s Influencers Reveal About Us (10:45) - Are We Becoming Clones of Each Other? (12:00) - The Real Cost of Perfectionism (13:10) - Who Are You… Really? (14:00) - If Point Blanc Was Written Today… (14:45) - Final Thoughts on the Book & Concept Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ [https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/] Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU [https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU] Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspods [https://twitter.com/meremortalspods] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/ [https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast [https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast] Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/ [https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/] Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU [https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU] Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspods [https://twitter.com/meremortalspods] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/ [https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcasts [https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcasts] Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/support [https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/support] Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast [https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast]

Be wary of association with the Wizard Of Wall St .... unless you are family or friends! 'The Wizard Of Wall Street & His Wealth' by Trumbull White is a biography detailing the life of Jay Gould, at one point one of the wealthiest individuals in the world. It starts from his childhood and shows how he rose from poverty in the 1800's to become one of the robber barons of the Gilded Age. Plenty of stories showcasing his ruthless underhanded dealing in business yet a calm and generous personality outside of it. If you got value from the podcast please provide support back in any way you best see fit! Timeline: (00:00:00) Intro (00:02:26) Themes/Questions (00:19:03) Author & Extras (00:22:34) Summary (00:25:18) Value 4 Value (00:26:55) Coming Up/Join Live! Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/ [https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/] Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU [https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU] Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspods [https://twitter.com/meremortalspods] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/ [https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcasts [https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcasts] Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/support [https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/support] Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast [https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast]

In this episode, we dive into The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien, the timeless tale that launched the modern fantasy genre. You'll hear why Bilbo Baggins’ unlikely hero’s journey still resonates today, what Tolkien nailed in his storytelling, and how this short adventure carries deep philosophical punch. From dragons to dwarves to life-changing quotes, this one is pure gold. (00:00) - Fog Over the Misty Mountains (00:09) - Welcome & Why The Hobbit Still Matters (00:43) - Historical Facts: 1937 Legacy & First Draft Trivia (01:50) - Written for His Kids: Origins of the Story (02:26) - How Short It Really Is & Reading Experience (02:51) - Influence on Modern Fantasy Fiction (03:35) - Plot Breakdown: Bilbo’s Unexpected Journey (04:23) - Themes: Hidden Leadership & Simplicity (05:08) - A Classic Hero's Journey (06:43) - Final Rating & Europe Reading Story (07:19) - The Structure & Flow of the Book (07:55) - Key Takeaway: Good Stories Come From Struggle (10:45) - Final Thoughts & A Call to Read It Now Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/ [https://www.meremortalspodcast.com/] Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU [https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU] Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspods [https://twitter.com/meremortalspods] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/ [https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast [https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcast] Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/ [https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/] Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU [https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU] Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspods [https://twitter.com/meremortalspods] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/ [https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcasts [https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcasts] Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/support [https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/support] Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast [https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast]

The fun side of rather questionable behaviour. 'Reminiscences Of A Stock Operator' by Edwin Lefevre is a fictional 1st person account of a Wall St trader in the early 1900's, but largely based on the real life operator of Jesse Lauriston Livermore. He describes his early life trading in bucket shops before moving into more high leverage trading and ultimately market manipulation. Within you'll find amusing stories of trading hijinks, unbelievable trades, emotional discipline & bankruptcies galore. If you got value from the podcast please provide support back in any way you best see fit! Timeline: (00:00:00) Intro (00:02:31) Themes/Questions (00:20:48) Author & Extras (00:29:08) Summary (00:32:18) Value 4 Value (00:33:38) Coming Up/Join Live! Connect with Mere Mortals: Website: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/ [https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/] Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU [https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReU] Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspods [https://twitter.com/meremortalspods] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/ [https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcasts [https://www.tiktok.com/@meremortalspodcasts] Value 4 Value Support: Boostagram: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/support [https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/support] Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast [https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/meremortalspodcast]