The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam

Eli Schuster’s View:

Synoposis: The sun rises, the day begins, and old Khayyam brings everyone down with depressing poetry that reminds us we’re all gonna die some day.

What Did I Learn?: It took Omar 75 four-lined verses to basically say: Carpe Diem.

Memorable Line: “For in and out, above, about, below...’Tis nothing but a Magic Shadow-show. Play’d in a Box whose Candle is the Sun, Round which we Phantom Figures come and go.”

You Might Like This Book If: you need some inspiration to really enjoy your life and go for the gusto, and Tony Robbins just doesn't cut it, anymore.

Somebody’s Justifying Their Alcoholism: “And lately, by the Tavern Door agape, Came stealing through the Dusk and Angel Shape. Bearing a Vessel on his Shoulder; and he bid me taste of it; and ‘twas – the Grape!”

Krishna's Dialogue On the Soul

Eli Schuster’s View:

Synopsis: (chapters 10 to 18 of the Bhagvad Gita, part of the Mahabharata). Hindu god Krishna (self-described as “Lord of all the worlds...prince victorious...the cleverness of the gambler’s dice”, etc...) informs humble servant Arjuna about the secrets of life, the universe and everything...and praises himself a lot while doing so.

What Did I Learn?: Krishna is also Vishnu, Indra, and pretty much all of the other gods, heroes and mythical beings, too.

Memorable Line: “Listen and I shall reveal to thee some manifestations of my divine glory. Only the greatest, Arjuna, for there is no end to my infinite greatness.”

You Might Like This Book If: You need to learn something about Hinduism and you don’t have a lot of time.

Interesting Parallel to James Durrill’s country music classic, The Good Guys and the Bad Guys: “[Evil men] say: ‘this world has no truth, no moral foundation, no God. There is no law of creation – what is the cause of birth but lust?’”