Chapters: Ch 1 · Ch 2 · Ch 3 · Ch 4 · Ch 5
Adventure & Nature Writing
‘Barbarian Days: A Surfing Life’ by William Finnegan nytimes.com — https://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/19/books/review/barbarian-days-a-surfing-life-by-william-finnegan.html
A New York Times review of William Finnegan’s Pulitzer Prize-winning memoir about a lifetime of surfing, from childhood in California to Fiji, South Africa, and New York. The book is considered one of the finest sports/adventure memoirs ever written. The personal notes cite it as among the best adventure books read. [→ books-literature; outdoor/adventure angle → travel-outdoors]
Grand Canyon adventure personal note “A truly magical real life story set in the Grand Canyon. Right up there with ‘Barbarian days: A surfing life’ in terms of best adventure book I’ve read!” (personal reflection, Oct 2025)
A personal note comparing an unnamed Grand Canyon adventure book favorably to Barbarian Days — the personal recommendation format suggests strong enthusiasm. The book is likely The Emerald Mile by Kevin Fedarko or a similar Grand Canyon narrative. [→ books-literature; travel-outdoors]
From Kidnapping to Kids, My Life on and off the Rock (Beth Rodden) outsideonline.com — https://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-adventure/climbing/we-tell-it-it/?scope=anon
A first-person Outside Magazine essay by elite rock climber Beth Rodden, who survived a kidnapping in Kyrgyzstan (with Tommy Caldwell) in 2000 and reflects on how that trauma shaped her life as an athlete and mother. A powerful long-form personal essay. [→ books-literature; outdoor/adventure → travel-outdoors]
Philosophy & Essays
Ichi-go ichi-e — Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ichi-go_ichi-e
The Wikipedia article on ichi-go ichi-e (一期一会), the Japanese concept meaning “one time, one meeting” — the idea that each encounter is unique and unrepeatable, and should be treated accordingly. Rooted in tea ceremony philosophy. [→ books-literature; personal philosophy → career-personal]
On the Emails Between Jeffrey Epstein and Noam Chomsky counterpunch.org — https://www.counterpunch.org/2026/02/03/on-the-emails-between-jeffrey-epstein-and-noam-chomsky/
A CounterPunch analysis of revealed email correspondence between Jeffrey Epstein and Noam Chomsky — examining what the relationship reveals about intellectual celebrity culture, moral inconsistency, and the dangers of separating ideas from biography. [→ books-literature; political dimension → current-events-politics]