The Road to Character
by David Brooks
Brooks' earlier book profiles people who built character through struggle and distinguishes 'résumé virtues' from 'eulogy virtues.' The biographical chapters are the strength; the framing essay has been criticized for nostalgia. Read it for the portraits and the question of what you would want said at the end.
Read it if…
you enjoy biography and want to think about character rather than productivity for a change.
Skip it if…
you want a how-to; the lessons are implied, not instructed.
Three things you will actually use
- Build eulogy virtues on purpose; résumé virtues take care of themselves.
- Study people who struggled well.
- Practice humility as a daily discipline.
Do this first
Write a short paragraph of your own eulogy and compare it with your current calendar.
Our verdict
Elegant and a bit wistful; a worthwhile pause from the self-improvement treadmill.
Compare with other Character books
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
Stephen R. Covey · Character
The foundational text of the genre; dated in tone, undiminished in substance.
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Leadership and Self-Deception
The Arbinger Institute · Character
A disarming little book about blame; it reads quickly and lingers.
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How Will You Measure Your Life?
Clayton M. Christensen · Character
Short, grave and clear; a good book to read every few years.
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