Tag: lists

Wissam Charafeddineโ€™s Top 10 Reads for 2024

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This year, Wissam Charafeddine explored a diverse range of books that broadened his understanding of history, humanity, and innovation. Here are his top 10 picks for 2024, complete with a synopsis of each book, its author, a memorable quote, and resources for readers.

1. War Against the People by Jeff Halper

  • Synopsis of the Book: A critical exploration of Israel’s global influence through its military-industrial complex and security policies.
  • About the Author: Jeff Halper, an Israeli anthropologist and activist, focuses on human rights and peace efforts in Palestine-Israel.
  • Memorable Quote: โ€œThis is not just a story about oppression; it is a blueprint for global control.โ€
  • Amazon Link: Buy on Amazon
  • YouTube Review: Watch Review
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1xYJcHbKUY

2. Imaginable by Jane McGonigal

  • Synopsis of the Book: Learn how to predict and prepare for the future by imagining tomorrow’s challenges today.
  • About the Author: Jane McGonigal is a futurist and game designer helping people solve complex problems creatively.
  • Memorable Quote: โ€œThe future isnโ€™t something to be feared; itโ€™s something we create.โ€
  • Amazon Link: Buy on Amazon
  • YouTube Review: Watch Review
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JG9Y2E2Uvw

3. The Anarchy by William Dalrymple

  • Synopsis of the Book: The rise and fall of the East India Company, detailing its impact on India and global history.
  • About the Author: William Dalrymple is an award-winning historian specializing in the colonial history of South Asia.
  • Memorable Quote: โ€œThe East India Company was the original corporate raider.โ€
  • Amazon Link: Buy on Amazon
  • YouTube Review: Watch Review
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OzHmyvWHoc8

4. The Great Syrian Revolt by Michael Provence

  • Synopsis of the Book: A detailed history of Syria’s 1925-1927 revolt against French colonial rule, showcasing local resilience and leadership.
  • About the Author: Michael Provence is a historian focusing on Middle Eastern independence movements.
  • Memorable Quote: โ€œThis revolt united Syrians across religious and regional lines.โ€
  • Amazon Link: Buy on Amazon
  • YouTube Review: Watch Review
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PKaXf_cxNkE

5. Humankind by Rutger Bregman

  • Synopsis of the Book: This book redefines our understanding of human nature, presenting evidence that people are inherently good.
  • About the Author: Rutger Bregman is a historian and author known for his optimistic view of humanity and societal progress.
  • Memorable Quote: โ€œItโ€™s our shared humanity that has brought us this farโ€”and will carry us further.โ€
  • Amazon Link: Buy on Amazon
  • YouTube Review: Watch Review
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPbuylTogHI

6. Muhammad and the Believers by Fred M. Donner

  • Synopsis of the Book: Reframing early Islam as a movement of faith uniting monotheists, this book explores the formative years of the Islamic world.
  • About the Author: Fred M. Donner is a scholar of early Islam and Islamic history.
  • Memorable Quote: *โ€œThe

early Islamic movement was one of inclusiveness and shared belief.โ€*

7. Crossing Borders by Christa Bruhn

  • Synopsis of the Book: An exploration of the challenges and opportunities presented by international education and collaboration.
  • About the Author: Christa Bruhn is an education consultant focusing on cross-cultural understanding and global partnerships.
  • Memorable Quote: โ€œBridging borders begins with understanding and mutual respect.โ€
  • Amazon Link: Buy on Amazon
  • YouTube Review: Watch Review
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gSfDjIH4YY

8. Flights of Fancy by Richard Dawkins

  • Synopsis of the Book: A beautifully illustrated journey into the mechanics and wonder of flight, from birds to airplanes.
  • About the Author: Richard Dawkins is an evolutionary biologist and renowned science communicator.
  • Memorable Quote: โ€œFlight is natureโ€™s poetry written in physics.โ€
  • Amazon Link: Buy on Amazon
  • YouTube Review: Watch Review
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUdNjGqOB1c

9. The Option Method by Bruce Di Marsico

  • Synopsis of the Book: A guide to achieving emotional well-being through introspection and self-awareness.
  • About the Author: Bruce Di Marsico was a psychotherapist who developed the “Option Method” for personal growth and happiness.
  • Memorable Quote: โ€œHappiness is not something we chase; itโ€™s something we choose.โ€
  • Amazon Link: Buy on Amazon
  • YouTube Review: Watch Review
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWgyRZVb8R

10. Common Sense by Thomas Paine

  • Synopsis of the Book: A revolutionary pamphlet that galvanized American colonists to seek independence from Britain.
  • About the Author: Thomas Paine was a political activist and philosopher whose writings greatly influenced revolutionary movements.
  • Memorable Quote: โ€œThese are the times that try menโ€™s souls.โ€
  • Amazon Link: Buy on Amazon
  • YouTube Review: Watch Review
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHI5bsZ0sFk

These books showcase Wissam Charafeddineโ€™s passion for learning, humanity, and progress. Each offers a unique perspective on the world, inspiring reflection and action. Which one will you read next? Let us know in the comments!

5 Best Documentaries I watched in 2023-2024 And You Should

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1. The Settlers (inside the Jewish settlements)

Scary look at the mentality of the Jewish settlers in Israel. A Jewish version of ISIS. More dangerously, it has manifested itself today into the burning of villages and killings innocent Palestinians by the settlers in the West Bank in 2023, which then lead to Hamas retaliation on October 7, 2023, and consequently started the Gaza Genocide which is still on going with over 40,000 civilian deaths mostly women and children so far.

It is a must watch to understand the complexity of the region and the mentality of what is forming the State of Israel.

2. Chimp Empire | Mahershala Ali on Netflix

Enter into the world of our closest cousin. We have 98% same DNA. Understanding them is understanding some of our basic instincts. The largest group of chimpanzees ever discovered have built a complex society deep in the forest of Ngogo, Uganda โ€” but ambition and neighboring rivals threaten to destabilize their empire. Narrated by Academy Awardยฎ Winner Mahershala Ali and directed by Academy Awardยฎ winner James Reed, Co-Director of My Octopus Teacher.

3. My Octopus Teacher

A filmmaker forges an unusual friendship with an octopus living in a South African kelp forest, learning as the animal shares the mysteries of her world. Gives you a new perspective to look at all creatures around us at a time of environmental crisis.

4. Lakota Nation vs. United States

A provocative, visually stunning testament to a land and a people who have survived removal, exploitation and genocide โ€“ and whose best days are yet to come.

5. Navalny

Well, he is dead now. But this documentary was made before his mysterious death in a Russian prison. Poison always leaves a trail. The fly-on-the-wall documentary follows Russian opposition leader, Alexey Navalny, through his political rise, attempted assassination and search to uncover the truth.

10 films to watch in 2022

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10. The Last Duel

The Last Duel is a historical action drama film directed by Ridley Scott from a screenplay by Nicole Holofcener, Ben Affleck, and Matt Damon, based on the 2004 book The Last Duel: A True Story of Crime, Scandal, and Trial by Combat in Medieval France by Eric Jager.

I would not have added this to my list if it wasn’t that the events leading up to the duel are divided into three distinct chapters, reflecting the contradictory perspectives of the three main characters. This is a depiction of every human story, when there exists different perspectives about them from the same members of the event, sometimes contradictory. I think that applies to all stories from history. If we keep that in mind when reading stories from history, we will give some space for difference in prespective.

Continue reading “10 films to watch in 2022” →

Best 5 Shows I Watched in 2021-2022

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5. Call Soul Season 5

Dark, and entertainingly disappointing at times, Call Soul gets too close to comfort but then always manages to depart. A show that will leave you neither happy nor sad. You are not happy because no ending is happy in its numerous intertwined stories; You are not sad because at least it is only a show.

4. Inventing Anna

True story that continues till today to unfold. A classical millennial mix up between reality and delusion, and pop culture unquenched pursuit of fame and luxury.

3. The Squid Game

Existential game that is riddled with symbolism, and too cruel to leave you waiting for the next episode. A game of life, obsessive to teenagers and adults alike.

2. Narcos Mexico Season 3 and 4

1. Lake Ozark Season 4

Leaves you wanting more. It will indulge you to the point of hate and love together. Morality is extremely pragmatic and the whole show rotates around moral judgements and entangles you in them.