The Black Swan by Nassim Nicholas Taleb vs. Born a Crime by Trevor Noah
The Black Swan by Nassim Nicholas Taleb
Skin in the Game may be nice but The Black Swan is the OG Nicholas Taleb. Read this book to learn how to think and avoid biases and reread at least once very couple of years.
Born a Crime by Trevor Noah
Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood is Trevor Noah’s autobiography, published in 2016. It tells the story of his early years growing up in South Africa during and after apartheid. The title comes from the fact that his birth—he had a black Xhosa mother and a white Swiss-German father—was literally considered a crime under apartheid laws that banned interracial relationships at the time. The book is a mix of humor and tough truths. Much of it focuses on Trevor’s relationship with his mother, Patricia, who plays a huge role in his life. She’s portrayed as tough, religious, and fiercely independent—someone who dragged him to multiple church services every week, even during times of violence and unrest. Her strong influence shapes his character, often through strict discipline and sharp lessons about right and wrong. Trevor shares stories from his childhood that range from funny to intense. There’s a scene where his mother throws him out of a moving minibus to save him f...
Reviews
Reviews
Reviewed on 2/25/2025
I'm a sucker for audiobooks read by the author and this is one of them. Trevor Noah is a skilled comedian and his stories of his growing up in South Africa are genuinely hilarious. It's like listening to a book-length stand up show.
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Frequently Asked Questions
The Black Swan is focused on complex theories about randomness and uncertainty, providing deep insights into how we perceive and react to unpredictable events. In contrast, Born a Crime offers a humorous and personal narrative about Trevor Noah's experiences growing up in South Africa, which is entertaining and relatable but less focused on theoretical insights. If you're looking for profound philosophical insights, The Black Swan may be more suitable, while Born a Crime excels in humor and storytelling.
Born a Crime is narrated by Trevor Noah himself, which adds a personal touch and enhances the comedic elements of the stories, making it a highly engaging audiobook. The Black Swan, while insightful, is typically read in a more traditional format and may not have the same level of engaging narration. Therefore, if you prefer an audiobook experience that feels like a stand-up show, Born a Crime would likely be the better choice.
'The Black Swan' by Nassim Nicholas Taleb explores the concept of unpredictable and rare events that have a massive impact on the world. The book delves into how these events are often rationalized in hindsight, despite being unexpected. It encourages readers to understand and embrace uncertainty, and to recognize the limitations of predictive models and human biases.
Nassim Nicholas Taleb is a Lebanese-American essayist, scholar, statistician, and former trader and risk analyst. He is known for his work on probability, uncertainty, and randomness, and has authored several books including 'The Black Swan,' 'Antifragile,' and 'Skin in the Game.' Taleb's work mainly focuses on the unpredictability of events and how individuals and systems can be robust or even benefit from disorder.
The main themes of 'The Black Swan' by Nassim Nicholas Taleb include the impact of rare and unpredictable events, the flaws of predictive models, human cognitive biases, and the concept of robustness and fragility in systems. Taleb argues that these 'Black Swan' events are often underestimated and can have profound consequences on societies and economies.
You should read 'The Black Swan' by Nassim Nicholas Taleb to gain a deeper understanding of how rare and unpredictable events can shape our world. The book provides valuable insights into recognizing and mitigating biases, improving decision-making under uncertainty, and preparing for the unexpected. It’s a thought-provoking read that challenges conventional wisdom and encourages critical thinking.
'Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood' is Trevor Noah’s autobiography that recounts his early years growing up in South Africa during and after apartheid. The book explores themes of race, identity, and resilience, focusing on his relationship with his mother and the challenges they faced due to the apartheid laws that deemed his very existence a crime.
Trevor Noah is a South African comedian, television host, and political commentator, best known for hosting 'The Daily Show' on Comedy Central. He gained international fame for his insightful and humorous takes on current events, and his autobiography 'Born a Crime' has been widely praised for its storytelling and humor.
Pros of 'Born a Crime' include that it is read by Trevor Noah himself, making it an engaging audiobook experience. Many listeners find it funny and appreciate its easy listening quality. There are currently no cons listed for the book.
'Born a Crime' has an engaging and warm ambiance, as Trevor Noah uses humor to navigate serious topics. His storytelling style creates a relatable and entertaining atmosphere, making listeners feel as though they are part of his journey.
Readers have praised 'Born a Crime' for its humor and authenticity. Many enjoy listening to the audiobook version, especially since it is narrated by Trevor Noah himself, which adds a personal touch to the stories he shares about his childhood in South Africa.
