Trên cả giàu có

by Alexander Green

Là cây bút kỳ cựu về mảng tài chính đồng thời là chuyên viên tư vấn đầu tư nổi tiếng toàn nước Mỹ, Alexander Green rất hiểu giá trị của đồng tiền. Nhưng trong quyển sách sâu sắc và đầy cảm hứng này, ông nhìn xa hơn những chuẩn mực thông thường để khám phá một cuộc sống giàu có về ý nghĩa, chứ không đơn thuần là thành công về mặt tiền bạc.

Theo kinh nghiệm cá nhân Green, tiền bạc làm nên sự giàu có, nhưng tính cách, lương tâm, thái độ sống và sự thông thái cũng mang lại điều tương tự. Chỉ khi kết hợp tất cả các yếu tố này vào cuộc sống hàng ngày, bạn mới nếm trải được điều mà người xưa gọi là “cuộc sống tươi đẹp”.

Tác phẩm là cả quá trình nghiên cứu sâu rộng về những khía cạnh quan trọng nhất, Cuộc sống viên mãn là bản đồ kho báu đưa ta đến với cuộc sống phong phú, đến với điều tác giả gọi là “Giàu có đích thực”.

Trên Cả Giàu Có gồm hơn 50 bài viết ngắn xoay quanh các chủ đề tình yêu, sức khỏe, thú vui, danh dự, lòng dũng cảm, niềm tin, triết lý sống, lịch sử, khoa học và đời sống tâm linh. Quan điểm của tác giả về những khía cạnh này càng trở nên sâu sắc nhờ các câu nói của Shakespeare, Thoreau, Emerson, Gandhi, Einstein, Tolstoy cùng nhiều vĩ nhân khác.

Trên Cả Giàu Có đong đầy kinh nghiệm sống quý báu, và cả những tư duy sâu lắng. Nó khiến người đọc vừa mở mang trí tuệ vừa trầm tư mặc tưởng. Mỗi bài viết là một câu chuyện riêng lẻ, được viết bằng giọng văn súc tích, dí dỏm và sinh động, gợi nhớ đến những tác phẩm bất hủ của nhà văn nổi tiếng Montaigne và Swift.

Nội dung sách được kết hợp giữa tùy bút mang tâm sự gợi nhiều suy ngẫm của tác giả cùng những chân lý vĩnh hằng. Trên Cả Giàu Có là khám phá đầy thú vị về sự cộng hưởng độc đáo giữa tiền bạc, thành công cá nhân và lối sống tích cực.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Finance, Philosophy, Money, Personal Development, Business

Unknown Binding

First published March 31, 2011

Reviews

[Mark Gazica · Rating 4 out of 5]

By no means a book related to personal finance. But more a philosophical examination of the meaning of life once one has mastered personal finance. The idea that there is more to a wealthy life than riches alone escapes many people caught up in the rat race of Western culture. Though most of the essays in this book convey relatively basic models of what constitutes "the good life," I think that is likely the point. We don't need any sort of grandiose narratives to find contentment in life beyond our material possessions. These basic principles we've likely known since we are children are difficult enough to grasp over an entire lifetime. Green simply reminds us if that.

[Vhalros · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is mostly a bunch of platitudes and summaries of the authors personal preferences. Its well written, and some of the essays are enjoyable, but there is nothing particularly well thought out here.

[Marjorie Elwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of contemplative essays on different ways to make your life more meaningful (unplug, chocolate, classical music, wine, the art of conversation). The book slowed me down and made me think about what really matters in my life and how to make sure I get more of that.

[Tino · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thought provoking and well-written. 4 stars.

[Sijmen Kroon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it, I would recommend it for people that like to think about living a fulfilling life. The writer is noticeably a rich, religious American guy but for me that added an valuable extra layer of different perspectives.

[Dianne Oliver · Rating 2 out of 5]

The topics were interesting, but the author pompous beyond my tolerance level. His best thoughts were quotes. Just read them.

[Hoda Akl]

I am skipping wealth, going directly beyond.

[Giulio Ciacchini · Rating 1 out of 5]

A waste of time, unless you've never read a (divulgative) philosophy book
Green essentially cherry-picks ideas that the Stoics (and other thinkers) articulated far more powerfully, then packages them in bite-sized essays. That makes his book useful for beginners or for readers in the finance world who would never touch philosophy otherwise. But if you already have the curiosity and discipline, then the original Stoic texts are richer, more nuanced, and timelessly relevant.
In fact the author is not a professional philosopher; he’s an investment strategist writing from his personal reading and reflections.
Some essays are focused on news from when the book was written, which makes sense both obsolete and useless.
So you'd better off reading Marco Aurelio or Seneca who are both highly accessibile.
Also I don't particularly enjoy the form: each essay can stand alone, which makes it a book to dip into rather than read linearly.
This is not to say that some of the essays impressed me positively, but they were too few to justify such a long journey.
Even though, again, nothing unheard of.

Over more than seven decades, participants were monitored, interviewed, and studied from every conceivable angle, including eating and drinking habits, exercise, mental and physical health, career changes, financial successes and setbacks, marital history, parenthood, grandparenthood, and old age. They were subjected to general aptitude tests and personality inventories, and were required to provide regular letters and documentation.
Many of the Grant study men achieved dramatic success. Some became captains of industry. One was a best-selling author. Four members ran for the U.S. Senate. One served in a presidential cabinet.
Over the past four decades, the lives of the Grant men were Vaillant's personal and professional obsession. In his book Adaptation to Life (Little, Brown, 1977), he writes, "Their lives were too human for science, too beautiful for numbers, too sad for diagnosis and too immortal for bound journals." Yet more than seventy years of data and analysis enabled Vaillant to reach some broad conclusions.
(...)
He found seven major factors that predict healthy aging, both physically and psychologically: education, stable marriage, healthy weight, some exercise, not smoking, not abusing alcohol, and "employing mature adaptations." (Vaillant believes social skills and coping methods are crucial in determining overall life satisfaction.

At last I've found interesting this long list of things to teach children

Respect your elders.
Two ears, one mouth: Listen twice as much as you talk.
When you give your word, keep it. Always.
Look people in the eye when you talk to them.
Stand up for yourself.
Smile-it doesn't cost anything.
If you don't have the time to do it right, how will you find the time to do it over?
Spend less than what you earn. Save and invest the difference.
Always say "please" and "thank you," "yes sir," and "no ma'am."
Understand that the workplace is a hierarchy, not a democracy.
If you borrow something, return it in better condition than you got it.
Learn to think for yourself.
If you don't know something, look it up.
Cigarettes don't make you look cool. They make you look dumb.
Drugs deliver short-term highs and lifelong lows.
Sex is great, but unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases are not.
When you need help, ask for it. When others need help, give it.

[Elena Radulova · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved reading this books, especially since I don’t think that I have ever read something similar before. The topics are so wide-ranging, yet so universal. Green’s perspective on life and how one ought to live is so though-provoking that I found myself constantly highlighting passages to re-read later! I would definitely recommend.

[Nick Straw · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting approach to exploring life beyond wealth and the little things that have more meaning in life. I felt a little bit bored and didn't finish the book, interesting, although it failed to inspire me to take that beyond wealth step.

[هشام السعيد · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wealth is not only material Wealth

Spiritual Wealth, health , family and relationships are more important than material Wealth.

A great reminder to all of us.


Thanks Alexander.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not too bad. I would say it was actually a pleasant read.

Very short chapters each different but sometimes connected that teaches you about a new concept regarding living a better life.

I personally knew about most of them as this book was written around 2010, in the 12 years since its publication there are numerous other books that aproach the subject.

Personally i found it a nice book to have next to your bed to read a chapter or two before going to sleep

[Nadia Shobnam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay but some things were a bit dated.

[Donnell · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a bad book and makes good points. One of my favorites: notes that people can "use up" their location, drain it of what it can teach you. It seems if you stay too long in such a place you can begin to shrivel intellectually, emotionally, like people born of a too limited gene pool.

Also, could not overlook the seeming obvious: that Alexander Green is the new Richard Carlson (of Don't Sweat the Small Stuff fame.)

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

These essays really make you stop and think about what's important in life. Accumulating things and making lots of money aren't at the top of the author's list. Instead he writes about enjoying nature, poetry, jazz, people, learning more about science to make informed decisions. The list goes on. I have many notes about things I want to do or learn more about.

[Parth Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was expecting some finance related stuff... But was surprised by subjects and topics covered by the author.

[Sarah Alamoudi · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I must say that the content of the book is quite informative, it falls short in terms of presentation. The author has shared some valuable insights and tips on living a rich life, but unfortunately, the printed version of this book is not engaging enough.

I found the writing style to be dull and lacking in personality, making it difficult for me to stay engaged with the material. Additionally, the formatting and layout of the book felt outdated, which further contributed to my lack of enthusiasm while reading.

Despite the book's shortcomings in terms of presentation, it still offers valuable advice on personal finance and life management. However, I would recommend readers to consider purchasing the digital version of this book as it may be a more enjoyable reading experience than the printed version. Overall, I would give Beyond Wealth a three-star book review.

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

When I read a non-fiction book, I do so with the expectation that I will learn something. While this was a very quick listen via audio book, I felt as though the book meandered all over the place without a cohesive means of pulling the topics together. The book also started off as 10 minutes of bragging or convincing the audience that the author was, in fact, qualified to write a book on this topic. TIP: If you're recording a book for audio, do not read the reviews. This was quite a turn-off? Was the author convincing himself that he was qualified? So, much of what is contained in this book, I already knew. Let me end with this philosophical quote in regards to having enough: "So why would I not relax and enjoy it (life) now."

[Jenny Kimball · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes you read a book exactly when you're ready for the message. This book was probably that for me. I've been searching for a path that is beyond...TV? Social media?

What I liked about the book: the essays were well-written and the topics mostly interested me. The author is clearly well-read, and I liked all of the references to other books I might find interesting.

What was slightly sub-optimal: he sort-of takes a shotgun approach to some topics (particularly, it seemed to me, the religion section).

Anyway - this book solidified my decision to quit TV. That alone was worth the price of admission.

[Martin Iotchev · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5, rounding to 4. A collection of essays that deal with the topic of "how do you live life". None of them are really meant to be prescriptive, but rather a collection of the author's thoughts. Some of them are things like "go listen to more jazz/classical music", "don't disregard historical literacy", etc. I wouldn't say this is like a traditional self-help book: it's not selling you anything, it's not giving you a quick hack - just food for thought. I appreciate that there is a large collection of essays covering a lot of topics, as opposed to beating you over the head about the same thing for 300 pages.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the first book I've read on philosophy and living your best life and must say I feel as though it is the perfect introduction. While he doesn't say a whole lot that was highly complex and thought out by himself, he does a great job of compiling, organizing, and commentating on the deep thoughts of the men and women throughout history who have explored what it means to be human, and how we can live our best lives.

[Danielle Morrill · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read if you’ve reached some level of professional/career/financial success and need a reminder that there are more than just economic achievements in life. I read this on the recommendation of Mr Money Mustache and highly recommend.

[laura · Rating 1 out of 5]

1.5 ⭐️ - recommended by Ali Abdaal, figured i'd give it a shot. generally i'm not a big fan of essay collection books and this was no exception. there were a few good quotes here and there but nothing strongly memorable for me. it was at least novel the focus placed on the importance of charity.

[Rudy Rune · Rating 1 out of 5]

Terrible book with nothing to offer. The author basically tells you that once you’re rich you should allow yourself to focus on meaningless things like drinking wine. The recipe to a good life is seeking out knowledge, not spending the second half of your life on useless things.

[Tyler Prehl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is purely just a series of Green’s opinions and thoughts on life, so take it all with that grain of salt. BUT, it was well worth the read for me to take a step back and try to better appreciate the more important/simpler things in my life.

[Joe Stover · Rating 2 out of 5]

A third of the chapters are neat essays I could take something away from. Others are surface level musings but readable. Would've liked some more detailed research and less repetition. Really a collection of short blog posts surveying Green's lifelong wisdom

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a selection of short essays previously published in a newsletter. I like Mr. Green's writings because I not only learn from them, but they lead me to study/read something new, try something new, or travel to someplace that I may not have found otherwise.

[Stuart · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was a nice collection of essays and I enjoyed the parallels the suggestions the author made to live the "rich life".

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book about the human condition and what is really important in life. Some very well thought out perspectives on spirituality and how to live the best life possible.

[Adam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wisdom is knowing what to overlook. Be sure not to overlook beyond wealth if you want to fully encapsulate being Rich.