The Second Mountain

The subject of Brooks' work is living a fulfilling and committed life. Although I picked up the book on a whim, the topic of moral and spiritual value has been on my mind ever since finishing Brothers Karamazov. Brooks advocates for creating four pillars that will contribute to living a fulfilled life: to meaningful work, to a spouse and family, to a philosophy or religion, and to a community. Brooks is very well-read and he's not shy about showing off, and on that same vein he isn't very subtle about pushing his beliefs onto the reader. I found this detail a bit nauseating since the more subtle artists often find their messages conveyed more powerfully to the reader than the loud, albeit reasonable preacher.

The central point of the book is stressing the importance of interdependence, which I've only recently come to start valuing. In my life only a few people really make a lasting impression, enough that I can count on two hands. Although more distant friends and acquaintances often go far in on the professional side of life, sometimes confusing the two made me value the closer friends less by being less communicative with them. I've always had a hard time opening up to anyone, because I've a high pride and that pride hates and fears being stripped naked - yet learning how to open up more in the past year or so has helped me go a long way in interacting more and investing more in my small web of interdependence. Brooks' advocacy is important since the Hegelian pendulum of history is swinging a bit too far in the direction of independence, resulting in common isolation and loneliness. Although not my favorite read, it's reminded me to spend more time thinking about adding that supportive interdependence that makes an independent person strong, yet not brittle.