Editor’s Comments: The joy of reading Lewis’ latest book is that obscure details are made interesting. That is, the author takes us into three fairly unknown and misunderstood departments of our federal government and – in context of the current administration – teaches us a lot of what’s at stake in each. Like most people I’ve viewed federal workers as bureaucrats, at best. Lewis however dives into specific lives and careers of fed workers that are quite honorable. Did you ever wonder what Agriculture, Commerce and Energy Departments really do? Nope, me either. But as one of the book reviewers wrote of Fifth Risk: “Lewis has a reputation for taking fairly arcane subjects — high finance, sovereign debt, baseball statistics, behavioral economics — and making them not just accessible but entertaining.” Indeed he does.

“Don't aim at success. The more you aim at it and make it a target, the more you are going to miss it. For success, like happiness, cannot be pursued; it must ensue, and it only does so as the unintended side effect of one's personal dedication to a cause greater than oneself.”

Editor’s Comment: Editor’s comment: This Christmas, I reviewed over 100 songs my daughter Caitlin has given me over time (she started creating Daddy Mixes when she was 14) and picked my 18 favorite to give back to her as a “Best of Caitlin Mix”. This was one of my favorites since I am so often “lost in my mind”.

"As I get older, the more I stay focused on the acceptance of myself and others, and choose compassion over judgment and curiosity over fear."

Editor’s Comment:My son and I finally saw the Cirque du Soleil  performance of “LOVE” last month.  Since then, I’ve spent some time going through my collection of Beatles music remembering how incredibly diverse their music is; their themes, their instruments and their orchestration and production values were all ahead of their time.  This song, from the Revolver album was and is a great reminder about the pace we choose for our lives. 

Editor’s Comments: You must bring at least an interest in economics to this reading or it’s pretty tough. I’m not business trained for economics but have interest enough to have passed a few courses and I eagerly read every issue of the Economist. The reason I read Economist is the same reason this book fascinated me: the political, social and policy implications of how economies run are massive. Haskell and Westlake hypothesize in fact that the rise in populism and tribal responses both in the USA elections and in England’s “Brexit” are fueled by frustration and misunderstanding. The big transition both the US and England are experience is from tangible capital to intangible capital. In 2006, for example, Microsoft was worth $250 billion, only $3 billion of which was tangible capital, assets such as buildings, manufacturing lines and cash. 99% of Microsoft’s worth then was in intangible capital including their technology, innovation (patents, research and development) and such things as branding and business models. This could change not only the definition of our economies but capitalism itself. The hardest to understand for me are the four affecting impacts the authors describe.

Editor’s Comments: Thanks, David Levine, for sending me this book.  I stumbled onto the “whole man theory” in my 20s and later shared it with my adolescent children by having them size a four quadrant box of “spiritual, mental, physical and social” when they needed to be reminded to seek balance.  In this easy to read book, authors Loehr and Schwartz 15 years ago went way beyond that simple theory.  I learned a ton and was reminded of plenty of healthy disciplines to keep in mind as I try to progress in this mortal coil.  It is filled with stuff you’ll want to highlight or write in your daily journal.

"The quest for certainty blocks the search for meaning.
Uncertainty is the very condition
to impel man to unfold his powers."