Make a Fist: A Life of Starting Over

by Mark Lilly

169 pages, Paperback

Published June 14, 2026

Reviews

[Matthew Thomson · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s not often that I get the privilege of reading a book written by someone I know as a friend, but once in a long while, these moments come about. This comfortable read comes from the life of a man who likes to remind me that it was his first book written by a career mathematician, and so I can forgive some of the shaky writing structures or instances of repetition. Past those early writing jitters though, is a most incredible life, filled to the brim with experiences and lessons. Mark Lilly tells is that “when the people whose job it is to know, tell you what you cannot do, listen carefully – they may be right, and you should not dismiss their expertise – but then make your own assessment of what you can do”, and in doing so reminds us that sometimes, we know ourselves better than those around us. The lesson that he takes from his life is evident, do not hold yourself back just because someone else thinks you should, or thinks that you cannot do what you believe you can. Live your life. He also soberly tells us that “some people do not appreciate what they have until they lose it”, reminding us that even if we do know ourselves better than most other people around us… all too often, we still have much to learn about ourselves. This book serves as a carrier for both of these lessons, and from his life well-lived around our giant globe, he has found many stories very much worth sharing, all under the heavy theme of starting over. Whether you’re curious about the life of an international expat teacher, or are yourself struggling with an instance of starting over, this is a book well worth a read.