On Living a Good Death, The Goddess of Victory, and An American Legend

Books that changed my life

Adam Rosh, MD

Apr 6, 2023

Hello all!

Here is your weekly dose of books that changed my life.

1. Memoir
Chasing Daylight: How My Forthcoming Death Transformed My Life

Summary
Beginning with the end in mind has always been a philosophy of mine. And while this may sound a bit morbid, I believe you can also apply this philosophy to death. I am grateful to those individuals who are in their final days due to a terminal illness, and share their most personal thoughts and feelings about their experience. In Chasing Daylight, Eugene O’Kelly shares his insights about life after he is diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. While this may come off as a depressive read, it is quite the opposite. Eugene becomes a stronger person in his final months and redefines how to live your last days on earth.

Principle: Some people don't think about how to make the most of their last stage because, by the time their end has clearly come upon them, they are no longer in a position, mental or physical, to make of their final days what they might have. Relief of pain is their primary concern.
Insight: You never know how you will be surprised.
Insight: But what schedule? What would happen if, rather than dissipating the energy I was spending on the current activity by always having the next one in mind, I concentrated completely on what I was doing at the moment, without a care about what came next? How slow or fast would time elapse if I completely immersed myself in what I was doing?
Quote: For anything that men can tell, death may be the greatest good that can happen to them: but they fear it as if they know quite well that it was the greatest of evils. And what is this but that shameful ignorance of thinking that we know what we do not know. -Socrates

Author: Eugene O’Kelly
Themes: Memoir, Living a full life
My personal notes from the book

2. Entrepreneurship
Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike

Summary
Another awesome recommendation by my friend David Mishkin. Whether through their sneakers, apparel, commercials, running apps, or athlete sponsorships, every one of us has been exposed to or impacted by Nike. Shoe Dog takes you on a wild ride of entrepreneurial adventure. It was one of my favorite books in the last 5 years and I am confident you’ll enjoy it, too. Like last week’s Greenlights, this is another great audiobook.

Principle: Don’t tell people how to do things, tell them what to do and let them surprise you with their results.
Principle: The man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.
Insight: I’d tell men and women in their mid-twenties not to settle for a job or a profession or even a career. Seek a calling. Even if you don’t know what that means, seek it. If you’re following your calling, the fatigue will be easier to bear, the disappointments will be fuel, the highs will be like nothing you’ve ever felt.
Quote: The cowards never started and the weak died along the way. That leaves us, ladies and gentlemen. Us.

Author: Phil Knight
Themes: Entrepreneurship, Memoir
My personal notes from the book

3. History
Seabiscuit: An American Legend

Summary
Bob Marley’s lyrics, The stone that the builder refuse, Will always be the head cornerstone, captures the story of Seabiscuit. I love underdogs and people (or animals in this case) who defy the odds by believing in themselves. Seabiscuit is a remarkable, memorable, and uplifting story that will benefit all of us. If you’ve seen the movie, the book, as usual, is even better. I even shed a tear when reading this book.

In 1938... the year's #1 newsmaker was not FDR, Hitler, or Mussolini. Nor was it Lou Gehrig or Clark Gable. The subject of the most newspaper column inches in 1938 wasn't even a person. It was an undersized, crooked-legged racehorse named Seabiscuit.
Insight: Everyone thinks we found this broken down horse and fixed him. But he fixed us. Every one of us.
Insight: ...maybe it was better to break a man's leg than to break his heart.

Author: Laura Hillenbrand
Themes: Fiction, Journey
My personal notes from the book

That’s a wrap. Thanks for reading!

Great feedback from you last week. Please continue to send me your thoughts about Three Book Thursday. Which aspects are you most enjoying?

Best,
Adam

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