This was a beautiful book that made me more interested in religion, and how faith plays a role in one's mission in life. In particular, it is an ode to institutions that outlive individuals, and how believing in something enduring can make individuals work together for a greater cause. There is also an interesting meditation on technology, and how cyclical humans are in our tribalism to liberalism. The central themes of the book are timeless - that during dark times, strong people rise up, and eventually we live through technological prosperity - only to become victims of our success again. It makes me optimistic that we can find beauty and faith as we go through change, and that change is constant.