Yukichi Yamamatsu - Stupid Guy Goes To India

Stupid Guy Goes To India by Yukichi Yamamatsu

My VARS rating: 3 of 5 stars


Interesting account, narrated graphically, of the time spent in Delhi by Japanese Manga artist Yukichi Yamamatsu. That said, it is most likely going to appeal only to readers of Indian origin.



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Guy Delisle - Burma Chronicles

Burma Chronicles by Guy Delisle
My VARS rating: 4 of 5 stars

Although the book is best described as a graphic novel, this description is not entirely accurate. Unlike a novel where there is a plot and a streamlined narrative (Persepolis, Kabul Disco, etc), this book is more aptly described as a collection of experiences gathered by the author when he spent a little over a year in Myanmar (Burma) when his doctor wife was posted there as part of MSF.

The book is insightful and revealing and offers a comprehensive though superficial canvas of what life in Burma can be like when seen through the eyes of an expat.

Delisle's sketches are simple but graceful and his style grew on me as I advanced into the novel. That said, the book only began to get interesting for me somewhere around the halfway mark - probably because I had managed to reconcile my expectations for the narrative style by then.

It makes me want to read his two other novels - Pyongyang and Shenzhen.

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Naresh Fernandes - City Adrift: A Short Biography of Bombay

City Adrift : A Short Biography of Bombay by Naresh Fernandes
My VARS rating: 3 of 5 stars

Interesting book that displays the meticulous research done by the author in trying to pen "a short biography of Bombay". He chooses to call the city by its older name - Bombay - and that is indicative of his thoughts and inclinations on the city and how it is evolving. There's snippets of trivia and interesting factoids, but overall, the big theme that the author takes forward is that Mumbai has never been subjected to "planned development" and probably never will be. And that is a constant lament through the book.

I felt he could have written some more about the Parsee community in Bombay and their contributions to its development, or when discussing socio-economic shifts, the unique Baugs that the Parsees created for themselves to house their kin.

But then, its a short biography. So, what we read is what we get.

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Josh Waitzkin: The Art of Learning – A Journey in the Pursuit of Excellence

VARS Score: 3.25/5

Josh Waitzkin is a child prodigy who achieved world championship in two seemingly disparate fields, chess and Tai Chi. In this book, he argues that there are a few basic principles that can take anyone to the top of their game, whatever it be. It is the assiduous application of these basic principles, he says, that allowed him to excel not once, but twice in two very different fields. He details various strategies and approaches to achieving excellence in your chosen field, largely based around a well structured, cohesive and long term strategy. Below are some of his hints to learn and grow and excel.

I notice that a number of his homilies are to do with common sense, and can be easily applied if one has enough persistence and dedication. Indeed, I have come across many of these suggestions elsewhere, and they make eminent sense. Where i felt this book was lacking was in dealing with roles which are generalist rather than specialist in nature (eg. Management) or when the environment is changing rapidly around you leaving no time for deep, structured and assimilated learning (eg. Current state of financial markets). Nonetheless, some of the principles he espouses should strike a chord in everyone, if only we are able to practise it as assiduously. Here goes:

• Put effort into making the conscious into the unconscious
• Ensure your workstyle is in sync with your personality
• Take time off for renewal (physical and mental – sprint vs. marathon)
• “Entity theorists” do not learn as well as “learning theorists”. Entity theory assumes skills to be fixed, feels safe in mediocrity, avoids challenges, while learning theory suggests skills can evolve, promotes tenacity, seeks challenges and improves long term learning
• All endeavour is a play between knowledge, intuition and creativity
• Dont avoid discomfort, become at peace with it
• Prevent a downward spiral after a serious error (deep breather, splash cold water on face, leave scene temporarily)
• Be process oriented – look for stronger competitors, and win enough to maintain confidence
• Adopt Tai Chi’s goal towards the rest of your life, i.e. its not winning, but just “being”
• Largest obstacle to calm presence is interrupted breathing
• Ego prevents learning. So invest in “loss”
• Putting yourself on the line is more important than trying to be perfect
• Move from expansiveness to potency, large to small, condense external manifestations of technique to something true to essence
• Depth beats breadth
• Turn chaos into advantage (be at peace with imperfection, use imperfection to advantag, constant bouts of inspiration)
• Appreciate simplicity
• Practise routine that you like to put you into flow before you have to do something stressful
• Dont be swept away by emotion, but sit with your thoughts, recognise them and have a tolerance for turbulence which allows you to ride your emotions
• Create emotional conditions that inspire peak performance

Links:
Homepage: www.vixabs.com
Viewings page: Notes
Amazon: The Book