Books That Challenge and Inspire
Recent nonfiction reads that have broadened my understanding of our world
As I spend this Thanksgiving with family, I have been reflecting on the nonfiction books I have read recently that have made a big impact on me. The books below have provoked my curiosity and broadened my understanding of our world. Perhaps one or more of these books may inspire you as well.
Mounk, Yascha. 2023. The Identity Trap: A Story of Ideas and Power in Our Time. Penguin Press. A critical examination of the cause, impact, and alternatives to our focus on identity. One of the best books I have read in years.
Burkeman, Oliver. 2021. Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals. Farrar, Straus and Giroux. A refreshing perspective on how we manage our time, encouraging us to embrace life’s limitations and find joy in the present. A much appreciated Father’s Day gift from my eldest child.
Bregman, Rutger. 2020. Humankind. Bloomsbury Publishing. Bregman offers history and science to support his hopeful view that the nature of humans is to be cooperative and kind.
Twenge, Jean M. 2023. Generations: The Real Differences Between Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X, Boomers, and Silents—and What They Mean for America's Future. Atria Books. Contrasts the distinctive characteristics and experiences between different American generations, crafting a compelling argument that technology is the primary driver of differences between generations.
Lewis, Hyrum, and Verlan Lewis. 2022. The Myth of Left and Right: How the Political Spectrum Misleads and Harms America. Oxford University Press. Challenges the traditional left-right political spectrum, documenting the negative consequences of socially constructed terms. This book has led me to stop using the terms “left,” “liberal,” “right,” and “conservative.” More about this in an upcoming blog.
Roberts, Russ. 2022. Wild Problems: A Guide to the Decisions That Define Us. Portfolio. An empowering approach to the complex decisions we all face, from what school to choose, what job to accept, which house to buy, and whom to marry.
Urban, Tim. 2023. What's Our Problem?: A Self-Help Book for Societies. Wait But Why. Popular podcaster Tim Urban uses humor and analysis to dissect modern societal issues, offering a new way of thinking and talking about what we think (our opinions and beliefs) and how we think (our thinking skills and habits).
Klein, Ezra. 2020. Why We're Polarized. Avid Reader Press. This book by Vox founder and New York Times columnist Ezra Klein is the one that first started me on my journey of understanding why America has become increasingly polarized and how we can make things better.
Gessen, Masha. 2012. The Man Without a Face: The Unlikely Rise of Vladimir Putin. Riverhead Books. A gift from a friend, this book provided perspective that was helpful when Putin instigated his disastrous invasion of Ukraine.
Koonin, Steven E. 2021. Unsettled: What Climate Science Tells Us, What It Doesn’t, and Why It Matters. BenBella Books. Climate change is real, but climate scientist and former Obama administration official Steven Koonin documents that the current state of climate science and potential solutions is far more nuanced than conventional wisdom suggests.
Sweig, Julia. 2021. Lady Bird Johnson: Hiding in Plain Sight. Random House. New research reveals the overlooked influence of the former First Lady during the Johnson presidency and her contributions to American history.
Brands, H.W. 2022. The Last Campaign: Sherman, Geronimo and the War for America. Anchor. Focuses on two bold leaders, Geronimo and William Tecumseh Sherman, to portray the fascinating history of the battle for the American West in the 1870s and 1880s.
Watch for an upcoming list of fiction that has similarly influenced me.
Happy Thanksgiving and good reading!
Peace through understanding.