This work was approached with a degree of trepidation for two reasons: number one, it was ‘gifted’ to me by Ross Yarrow, and number two, it is classified by the publisher as ‘business/self-help’. Having low expectations can only be a good thing, but the publisher made a clear category error as Discipline Is Destiny would be better described as popular philosophy. Credit to Holiday - a seemingly prolific author - in popularising the Stoics and making them relevant for a 21st-century audience. Beyond the ancient Greeks, Discipline Is Destiny features a cast as diverse as Churchill, the Queen, and many American baseball players. Holiday's ‘purpose’ should be evident from the work's title: To master anything, we must first master ourselves - our emotions, thoughts and actions. Self-control matters. It is hard to dispute this principle, and also the idea that it is important to lead by example. Although there was a degree of repetition in the work, its short sections helped to sustain engagement, some useful takeaways, and a book worth returning to. Not rated.
By Ryan Holiday