My Bookshelf
My bookshelf reflects my curiosity. I choose books that explore history, politics, philosophy, and the human condition. These books challenge me to think, question assumptions, and connect dots between unrelated ideas. The more I read, the more connections I make.
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📚 Currently Reading
The Righteous Mind
Jonathan Haidt
Social psychologist Jonathan Haidt explores the roots of our moral divisions, arguing that moral judgments stem more from intuition than reason. Through moral foundations theory and the “rider and elephant” metaphor, he explains how different groups prioritize values differently.
Night
Elie Wiesel
A haunting memoir of Elie Wiesel’s experiences as a teenage boy in Nazi concentration camps during the Holocaust. This profound account chronicles the loss of faith, family, and humanity in the face of unimaginable evil, bearing witness to one of history’s darkest chapters.
Fantasyland
Kurt Andersen
A comprehensive analysis of America’s 500-year history of embracing fantasy and its impact on contemporary society. Andersen traces how the nation’s foundation on dreamers has led to a blurred line between reality and illusion, culminating in today’s post-truth era.
✅ Recently Completed
Abundance
Ezra Klein & Derek Thompson
Klein and Thompson argue that America’s persistent shortages stem from outdated regulations and bureaucratic inertia. They advocate for renewed liberalism focused on building and innovation to overcome self-imposed scarcities.
The Color of Law
Richard Rothstein
Rothstein examines how governments systematically imposed residential segregation in the United States. This compelling work provides extensive evidence of de jure segregation and its lasting impact on African American communities.
Let’s Get Real or Let’s Not Play
Mahan Khalsa & Randy Illig
A fresh approach to sales emphasizing clarity, authenticity, and emotional intelligence. The authors argue that focusing entirely on helping clients succeed leads to mutual benefits for both buyer and seller.
The Policy-Making Process
Charles E. Lindblom & Edward J. Woodhouse
A foundational text examining the complexities of decision-making in government. The authors explore the incremental nature of policymaking and the factors that shape it.
Jesus and John Wayne
Kristin Kobes Du Mez
Historian Du Mez examines how white evangelical culture embraced militant masculinity, intertwining Christian faith with rugged individualism and nationalism over the past 75 years.
A People’s History of the United States
Howard Zinn
A groundbreaking reinterpretation of American history from the perspective of the marginalized. Zinn highlights the struggles of workers, women, Black Americans, and Indigenous peoples.
On Tyranny
Timothy Snyder
A concise guide on resisting authoritarianism, drawing lessons from history to protect democracy. Snyder distills complex historical patterns into actionable steps for modern citizens.
The Men With the Pink Triangle
Heinz Heger
A harrowing account of the persecution of homosexuals in Nazi concentration camps, shedding light on a lesser-known aspect of history.
They Thought They Were Free
Milton Mayer
An exploration of how ordinary Germans came to accept and support the Nazi regime, offering insights into the nature of conformity.
📖 2024 Reading List
The Limits of Power
Andrew Bacevich
A critical examination of America’s foreign policy and its overreliance on military power.
Easy Spanish Step-By-Step
Barbara Bregstein
An accessible guide for beginners learning Spanish, focusing on essential grammar and vocabulary.
Four Thousand Weeks
Oliver Burkeman
A profound reflection on time management, urging readers to embrace life’s limitations and focus on what truly matters.
How to Win Friends and Influence People
Dale Carnegie
A timeless classic offering practical advice on effective communication and building meaningful relationships.
Master of the Senate
Robert Caro
An in-depth biography of Lyndon B. Johnson, focusing on his tenure in the U.S. Senate and mastery of legislative power.
Means of Ascent
Robert Caro
The second volume in Caro’s series on LBJ, detailing his controversial 1948 Senate campaign.
The Passage of Power
Robert Caro
Chronicles Johnson’s vice presidency and transition to presidency after JFK’s assassination.
The Path to Power
Robert Caro
The first installment exploring Johnson’s early life and political rise in Texas.
Man’s Search for Meaning
Viktor E. Frankl
A moving memoir by a Holocaust survivor on finding purpose amidst suffering.
Sapiens
Yuval Noah Harari
A sweeping narrative of human history, examining how Homo sapiens came to dominate the world.
Dreyer’s English
Benjamin Dreyer
An informative and entertaining guide to writing and grammar from a seasoned copy editor.
Lean Enterprise
Jez Humble, Joanne Molesky, Barry O’Reilly
A guide for organizations adopting lean principles to drive innovation and growth.
Remarkably Bright Creatures
Shelby Van Pelt
A heartwarming story about unexpected friendships and healing, featuring a giant Pacific octopus.
Animal Farm
George Orwell
A satirical allegory on totalitarianism and power dynamics, as relevant today as when written.
How We Learn
Stanislas Dehaene
Cognitive neuroscientist Dehaene explores learning mechanisms, combining insights from multiple fields.
A Walk in the Woods
Bill Bryson
Bryson’s humorous memoir of attempting to hike the 2,190-mile Appalachian Trail.
📚 Past Favorites
Salt: A World History
Mark Kurlansky
Explores the profound impact of salt on civilization, trade routes, economies, and revolutions throughout history.
Dataclysm
Christian Rudder
OkCupid co-founder analyzes online data to reveal patterns about human behavior and relationships.
The Phoenix Project
Gene Kim, Kevin Behr, George Spafford
A novel illustrating IT operations challenges and the journey to implement DevOps practices.
The Reason I Jump
Naoki Higashida
A thirteen-year-old with autism offers extraordinary insight into his mind and experiences.
Who Moved My Cheese?
Spencer Johnson
A motivational fable about adapting to change through the story of mice searching for cheese in a maze.
The Bogleheads’ Guide to Investing
Taylor Larimore, Mel Lindauer, Michael LeBoeuf
Comprehensive guide offering straightforward advice on investing and long-term wealth building.
The Surprising Science of Meetings
Steven G. Rogelberg
Evidence-based strategies to enhance meeting quality and transform collaboration.
Can’t Hurt Me
David Goggins
Former Navy SEAL shares his own path from poverty to becoming a top endurance athlete through mental toughness.
The Demon-Haunted World
Carl Sagan
Sagan makes a compelling case for scientific literacy and critical thinking against pseudoscience.