Review of Apotheosis Now

[Faith Chebet 8]

[Following is a volunteer review of "Apotheosis Now" by Yanhao Huang.]

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3 out of 4 stars

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Apotheosis Now by Yanhao Huang is a compact philosophical read that incites the writer to observe and question what they have learned to think of themselves, their processes, and their perceived destination. In the first chapter, a well-constructed argument of why thought should not be the primary seed for who we become is the perfect catalyst that shakes the dominos of the truths that pillars most modern self-development ideologies. The book then proceeds to question many other ideas in a manner that seems sporadic, cyclic, and uncomfortable. The author, seemingly aware of the pain points he is causing, urges the reader to continue receiving the book without judgment. After that brief muddle, Huang sets out a well-constructed strategy for finding the answers we seek in life and where to find the solutions.

This book is a gem. It delivers a broad idea with a humility that I took too. Huang does his best to separate himself from personal bias and instead weaves in ideas from modern thought leaders like Eckhart Tolle, Allan Watts, and Lau Tzu to justify his thought process. His style of quotations and citations make for the perfect roadmap to further reading for the curious. As for the few moments where the author's journey flares through, I found it to bring great humanity and realism to ideas that are at times abstract concepts.

Now let's delve into where this book falls short. In its attempt for brevity, I felt like the book glossed over many ideas in the first two chapters that it didn't fully explore. Examples of these occur when the author tries to conceptualize reality. In these instances, the author does not fully articulate his challenge of incomplete ideologies. These portions of the book where this occurs feel incomplete.

I would rate this book a strong 3 out of 4 stars. This score is owed to many aspects. First, a great tempo is developed and maintained throughout the majority book. Second, the core ideas are explored in an approachable manner. Third, honesty. This book does not attempt to lie and give what it can't. It simply sets out principles and parameters. The rest is up to you.

This book would be great for anyone who is strategic about their personal development and is willing to challenge what they have learned. I would suggest a weekend binge on this read. It would be a perfect setting to mull over the ideas when you need to and then pick up again while the new ideas still prevail.

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Apotheosis Now
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