For the Holidays, I finished Ryan Holiday’s “Ego is The Enemy” – a sobering read about the powerful narcosis of the ego and it’s negative effects in life, business, and the Universe.

We may remember Ryan Holiday as the American Apparel ad-man that shocked his way to success, using the updraft of social media and media manipulation – his tell-all book “Trust Me, I’m Lying” was the first book I covered with these MicroReviews. A LOT has changed for Mr. Holiday – this book is a far-cry from his manipulations, and it seems that he uses this book as penance for his crimes against humanity. By illustrating the weapons of the ego (paranoia, entitlement, control) and covering the war we wage with our higher selves every day in gritty, existential detail, Holiday has provided a concise and pointed read, aimed at making the world a better place. From the flap –

“In an era that glorifies social media, reality TV, and other forms of shameless self-promotion, the battle against ego must be fought on many fronts. Armed with the lessons in this book, as Holiday writes, “you will be less invested in the story you tell about your own specialness, and as a result, you will be liberated to accomplish the world-changing work you’ve set out to achieve.”

GET THE BOOK –> Ego Is the Enemy