Book Recommendations | Code, Crumbs and dry ink

More than a list of books

More than a list of books

A list of books I’ve read and recommend. Some of these are books I’ve read multiple times, but most of them - at least once. I can’t recommend books I didn’t finish because they were too dull, long, and difficult to read for the uninformed or unenthusiastic reader. I’ve listed the books in no particular order, but some I have read in print or on a digital device. I’ve included a short description of each book, but it’s not aimed to be a summary. If you have any questions about any of these books, feel free to ask me. I’m happy to talk about them.

Philosophy

The Structure of Scientific Revolutions - Thomas S. Kuhn

In this book, Kuhn argues that science is not the steady, linear accumulation of knowledge that we thought it was. Instead, scientific progress is made in fits and starts, with paradigm-shifting revolutions that fundamentally change our understanding of the world. Basically, it’s like a game of Jenga where you keep pulling out blocks until the whole tower comes crashing down, and then you build a new tower with completely different blocks.

Man’s Search for Meaning - Viktor E. Frankl

This book is like a cross between a memoir and a self-help book. Frankl was a psychiatrist who survived the Holocaust in Auschwitz, and he writes about how he found meaning in life even in the darkest of circumstances. If you’re feeling down in the dumps, this book might just give you the perspective that’ll kick in the pants you need to get up and start living your life.

Meditations - Marcus Aurelius

When you think of ancient Roman emperors, you probably don’t think of them as being particularly introspective or philosophical. But Marcus Aurelius was different. In this book, he reflects on the nature of the universe and the human condition and offers up some pretty good life advice along the way. It’s like having a wise old grandfather who’s seen it all and has some sage advice to pass down to you.

Popular Science, Psychology, Sociology, Economics, and Urbanism

The Misbehavior of Markets: A Fractal View of Financial Turbulence - Benoit Mandelbrot

A book about math for people who don’t like math. It’s like “The Da Vinci Code,” but with fractals instead of art and chaos theory instead of conspiracy theories. Get ready to have your mind blown by the power of numbers.

The Black Swan: The Impact of the Highly Improbable - Nassim Nicholas Taleb

A book that reads like a horror movie, but instead of a monster, the scary thing is the unpredictability of the world. Just when you think you have it all figured out, a black swan event comes along and ruins everything. Prepare to question your assumptions about everything.

Algorithms to Live By: The Computer Science of Human Decisions - Brian Christian, Tom Griffiths

It’s a great book for anyone who wants to learn how to think like a computer scientist and how to use algorithms to make better decisions in their own lives.

Thinking, Fast and Slow - Daniel Kahneman

a book that will make you feel like you’re smarter than you actually are. You’ll learn about the quirks of the human brain and how we make decisions, and you’ll be amazed at how irrational we can be. It’s a great book for anyone who wants to understand how the world works.

The Undoing Project - Michael Lewis

Basically tell the story of Daniel Kahneman and Amos Tversky, two Israeli psychologists who developed the field of behavioral economics. It’s a great book for anyone who wants to understand how the world works and hasn’t read “Thinking, Fast and Slow” yet.

Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies - Jared Diamond

In a Pulitzer prize-winning book, Diamond argues that the reason why some societies are more advanced than others is that their geography, environment, and availability of resources shaped the development of human societies throughout history. It was written in 1997, but it’s still relevant today, and you may find ideas that are quite similar to Yuval Noah Harari’s “Sapiens.”

21 Lessons for the 21st Century - Yuval Noah Harari

In this book, Harari provides insights into the most important issues facing humanity in the 21st century, such as the impact of technology, politics, and culture on our lives.

Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow - Yuval Noah Harari

This book looks at what the future holds for humanity, exploring the impact of technology, AI, and other emerging trends.

Ninety Percent of Everything: Inside Shipping, the Invisible Industry That Puts Clothes on Your Back, Gas in Your Car, and Food on Your Plate - Rose George

This book uncovers the world of shipping and logistics and how it powers the global economy. It’s like a backstage tour of the world’s largest supply chain but with less drama and more shipping containers.

The Death and Life of Great American Cities: 50th Anniversary Edition - Jane Jacobs

In a classic work of urban planning and sociology, Jane Jacobs argues that the vitality of cities comes from the diverse, chaotic, and unpredictable interactions of their inhabitants. Jacobs’s observations and insights have profoundly influenced urban planning, design, and policy around the world. Jacobs argues for the importance of vibrant and diverse urban communities and how they contribute to the success of cities. It’s like a love letter to city life, but with less Hallmark cliches and more city planning jargon. Specifically, it’s a love letter to the city of New York, but it’s still a great book for anyone who wants to understand how cities work.

Endure: Mind, Body, and the Curiously Elastic Limits of Human Performance - Alex Hutchinson

Hutchinson explores the limits of human performance and how much of it is determined by the mind rather than the body.

Boomerang: Travels in the New Third World - Michael Lewis

A travelogue that examines the economic crisis of the late 2000s, with a particular focus on how the crisis affected the countries of Iceland, Greece, and Ireland.

Debt - Updated and Expanded: The First 5,000 Years - David Graeber

A historical and anthropological exploration of the concept of debt, tracing its origins back to the beginning of human civilization. It turns out that debt is a lot more complicated than we thought, and it’s not just a simple exchange of money for goods and services; it predates the invention of money by thousands of years. It’s also linked to the rise of civilization, slavery, and the development of the modern economy.

Bullshit Jobs: A Theory - David Graeber

Graeber wrote a social and political critique of the modern workplace, arguing that many jobs today are pointless and create no real value. While it’s hard to argue with his points, it’s also hard to argue with his conclusions because he doesn’t really offer any solutions to the problem. He mentions universal basic income, but he doesn’t really go into detail about how it would work or how it would be funded, which is undoubtedly the biggest obstacle to implementing it.

The Selfish Gene - Richard Dawkins

Published in 1976, the book is a landmark in the field of evolutionary biology, which argues that genes are the fundamental units of natural selection and that organisms are merely vehicles for their replication.

The Price of Altruism: George Price and the Search for the Origins of Kindness - Oren Harman

A biography of George R. Price, an American population geneticist who made significant contributions to our understanding of kin and group selection, and evolutionarily stable strategy, a game theory model that explains the evolution of altruism in animals. He made those contributions while living a tumultuous life.

History

Tuxedo Park: A Wall Street Tycoon and the Secret Palace of Science That Changed the Course of World War II - Jennet Conant

The book tells the story of Alfred Lee Loomis, a wealthy American turned scientist who transformed his mansion into a top-secret laboratory during WWII to develop radar technology that changed the course of the war. Among his inventions and contributions (in collaboration with others, as a sponsor, and as an advocate for funding from the National Defense Research Committee) were a gun chronograph, a long-range navigation system, a ground-controlled approach, and a radar system that could detect enemy aircraft at a distance of 200 miles. He also worked on Electroencephalography, which led to the development of the EEG machine, and he was the first person to use the EEG machine to study the brain during sleep.

The New New Thing: A Silicon Valley Story - Michael Lewis

Published in 1999, I didn’t read this book when it was published, so having read it 20 years later, I read the book more like a historical time capsule than a comprehensive biography. The book follows the chronicles of Jim Clark, the co-founder of Netscape and Silicon Graphics, as he creates and builds new tech startups and becomes one of the most influential figures in the tech industry in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

The English and Their History - Robert Tombs

I read this book while I lived in England, and I wanted to understand the place better. The book provides a detailed and comprehensive overview of English history, from the Anglo-Saxons to the modern era, exploring the country’s political, social, and cultural evolution over time.

The March of Folly: From Troy to Vietnam - Barbara W. Tuchman

The book examines four historical cases of governments pursuing policies contrary to their own interests: the Trojan War, the Renaissance Popes in Italy, the British loss of America, and the American involvement in Vietnam.

The Zimmermann Telegram - Barbara W. Tuchman

The Zimmermann Telegram details the 1917 diplomatic crisis between the US and Germany that helped lead America into WWI. The book delves into the history of Germany’s attempt to form an alliance with Mexico, how the British intercepted and decoded the telegram, and how the US used the information to help convince the American public to support the war effort.

Rouge Heroes - Ben Macintyre

The story of the creation of the Special Air Service (SAS), a British military unit formed by an elitist risk-taking group of soldiers during WWII to conduct covert operations behind enemy lines, and the role the unit played in the Allied victory.

Crime, Financial Fraud, and Corruption

American Kingpin: The Epic Hunt for the Criminal Mastermind Behind the Silk Road - Nick Bilton

A thrilling true crime story about Ross Ulbricht, the young man who created the notorious Silk Road website, which became a hub for the dark web’s illegal drug trade. Follow the story of his rise as a tech-savvy criminal mastermind and the efforts of law enforcement to bring him down.

Den of Thieves - James B. Stewart

An in-depth exploration of the insider trading scandals of the 1980s, focusing on the rise and fall of junk bond king Michael Milken and the notorious investment bank Drexel Burnham Lambert.

The Smartest Guys in the Room: The Amazing Rise and Scandalous Fall of Enron - Bethany McLean

A gripping account of the Enron scandal, one of the biggest financial frauds in history. Follow the story of the corrupt executives who manipulated the company’s books to keep stock prices high, only for the house of cards to come crashing down in a spectacular fashion.

Billion Dollar Whale - Bradley Hope, Tom Wright

An investigative account of the 1MDB scandal, one of the largest financial frauds in history, and the man behind it all, Jho Low. Follow the story of how he pulled off the scam of the century, defrauding billions of dollars from the Malaysian government and international investors.

Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup - John Carreyrou

An unbelievable true story of the rise and fall of Theranos, a Silicon Valley startup that claimed to have revolutionized the medical industry with a revolutionary blood-testing device. Follow the unraveling of CEO Elizabeth Holmes’ web of lies and deceit as she and her company are exposed for the massive fraud they were.

Business, Management, Entrepreneurship, Leadership, and Self-Improvement

The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable - Patrick Lencioni

A recommended book for anyone who wants to learn how to build a high-performing team. This book is about a dysfunctional team and its struggles. The author uses a leadership fable to explain the five dysfunctions of a team, which are the absence of trust, fear of conflict, lack of commitment, avoidance of accountability, and inattention to results. It’s a must-read for anyone who wants to understand how to build an effective team and how to avoid the pitfalls that can lead to a dysfunctional team.

Goodbye, Things: The New Japanese Minimalism - Fumio Sasaki

A book about the Japanese concept of minimalism and how it can help you declutter your life and live a more meaningful life. The author explains how the Japanese have been practicing minimalism for centuries and how it has helped them live more meaningful life. Sure, he’s a single guy living in a tiny apartment, but the book is still a good read.

Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance - Angela Duckworth

This book is about grit. Confusingly, grits is food, while grit is a self-described personality trait. Grit is the ability to persevere in the face of adversity, imagined or real. It’s the ability to keep going when things get tough, or it can be described as the combination of passion and perseverance. The author explains how grit is a better predictor of success than talent or intelligence. She also shares inspiring stories of people who have achieved success through grit and provides practical advice on how to develop grit.

Smarter Faster Better: The Secrets of Being Productive in Life and Business - Charles Duhigg

This book is about productivity and how to be more efficient. The author explains the science behind motivation, goal setting, decision-making, and teamwork. He also provides practical tips on how to apply these concepts to your personal and professional life.

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change - Stephen R. Covey

This book is about personal development and how to become more effective. The author shares seven habits that highly effective people possess, such as being proactive, beginning with the end in mind, and seeking to understand before being understood. He also provides practical advice on how to apply these habits to your life.

Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World - Cal Newport

In today’s economy, the ability to focus is becoming increasingly valuable. This book is about how to focus in a world filled with distractions. The author explains the importance of deep work, which is the ability to focus without distraction on a cognitively demanding task. He provides practical advice on how to cultivate deep work habits and create an environment that supports focused work. As a professor and author of eight books, he’s a great example of someone who has mastered the art of deep work.

Principles: Life and Work - Ray Dalio

A book you want to receive from your boss, this book is about principles and how they can help you succeed in life and work. Dalio, a successful founder of Bridgewater Associates, an investment firm, shares the principles he has developed over the course of his career, such as radical transparency and meritocracy. He also provides practical advice on how to apply these principles to your personal and professional life.

The Founder’s Dilemmas - Noam Wasserman

This book is about the dilemmas that founders face when starting a business. The author shares the common dilemmas that founders encounter, such as choosing the right co-founder and deciding when to give up control. He also provides practical advice on how to navigate these dilemmas and build a successful business.

The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life - Mark Manson

This book challenges readers to question their beliefs and values and to stop sweating the small stuff. Manson argues that happiness comes from living a life of purpose rather than from trying to avoid pain or seek pleasure.

The Hard Thing About Hard Things: Building a Business When There Are No Easy Answers - Ben Horowitz

Horowitz is a successful entrepreneur and investor (he’s the Horowitz from Andreessen Horowitz, a VC he co-founded after co-founding and selling Opsware to HP). Horowitz offers advice on how to navigate the challenges of building and running a business. He emphasizes the importance of making tough decisions, managing people effectively, and staying focused on the long-term vision.

The Lean Startup: How Today’s Entrepreneurs Use Continuous Innovation to Create Radically Successful Businesses - Eric Ries

In his 2011 book, Ries advocates for a scientific approach to entrepreneurship based on experimentation, rapid iteration, and customer feedback. He argues that by building a minimum viable product and learning from early adopters, entrepreneurs can reduce the risk of failure and create successful businesses.

Engineering, Computer Science, and Technology

Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products - Nir Eyal, Ryan Hoover

A practical guide for entrepreneurs and product managers on how to create products that form habits. By leveraging the latest research in psychology and behavioral economics, the authors provide a step-by-step process for designing products that are not only engaging but also addictive. The book explores the psychology of habit formation and how to apply these insights to create products that people love to use.

The American project

The Color Purple - Alice Walker

Walker tells the story of Celie, a young black woman in the early 20th century who endures abuse and oppression from men in her life. Celie’s story is told through a series of letters to God, and the book explores themes of love, family, and identity. It feels like a unique perspective on the American experience, as it is being told by a woman of color at a time when racism was not only prevalent but also accepted, and women were often treated as second-class citizens.

Of Mice and Men - John Steinbeck

A short novel about the friendship between two migrant workers in California during the Great Depression and the tragic consequences that result from their dreams and struggles in a world that is often cruel and unfair, where understanding and compassion are in short supply.

The Grapes of Wrath - John Steinbeck

Steinbeck follows the Joad family, a family of displaced internal refugees that have left their land in Oklahoma. The family migrates to California during the Dust Bowl era in search of work and a better life, only to face poverty and discrimination.

East of Eden - John Steinbeck

A family saga spanning three generations in the Salinas Valley of California, exploring themes of good and evil, love and hate, and the power of choice.

True Grit - Charles Portis

A classic Western novel about a young girl named Mattie Ross who hires a U.S. Marshal named Rooster Cogburn to track down and bring to justice the man who murdered her father.

Light in August - William Faulkner

A complex novel that intertwines the stories of several characters in the South, including a pregnant woman searching for the father of her child and a young man struggling with his racial identity.

To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee

A coming-of-age story set in Alabama during the 1930s that follows young Scout Finch as she learns about racism and injustice through her father’s defense of a black man accused of rape.

A Farewell to Arms - Ernest Hemingway

Published in 1929, not that long after the war, it tells the story of an American ambulance driver serving in Italy during World War I who falls in love with a British nurse. The novel explores themes of love, war, disillusionment, and mortality. The book has an autobiographical element, as Hemingway served as an ambulance driver in Italy during the war, and the book is based on his experiences, but it’s not a memoir, and it’s written in a language that is both accessible and poetic.

Cybersecurity, Hacking, Digital Culture, Technology, and the Internet

Tracers in the Dark: The Global Hunt for the Crime Lords of Cryptocurrency - by Andy Greenberg

The Global Hunt for the Crime Lords of Cryptocurrency: In this book, Andy Greenberg investigates the dark side of cryptocurrency and the world of cybercrime, tracing the global hunt for the criminals behind some of the biggest cyber-attacks and frauds in history.

The Man Who Invented the Computer: The Biography of John Atanasoff, Digital Pioneer - by Jane Smiley

The Biography of John Atanasoff, Digital Pioneer: Jane Smiley tells the story of John Atanasoff, the little-known inventor of the first electronic digital computer. His computer, the Atanasoff–Berry, was years ahead of other computers developed around the world and was the first to incorporate novel ideas like vacuum tubes and binary arithmetics. The book explores Atanasoff’s life and work and the impact that his invention had on the world. We are lucky to have this book, as Atanasoff’s story is often overlooked in the history of computing. If it wasn’t for a court case between Honeywell v. Sperry Rand from 1973 (some 31 years after its creation), Atanasoff’s invention would have been forgotten.

Ghost in the Wires: My Adventures as the World’s Most Wanted Hacker - Kevin Mitnick, William L. Simon

A Kevin Mitnick autobiography, Mitnick shares his thrilling true story of becoming the world’s most wanted hacker and his downfall; the book offers a fascinating glimpse into the world of 80s hacking and the cat-and-mouse game between early American hackers and law enforcement.

Red Team: How to Succeed by Thinking Like the Enemy - Micah Zenko

Zenko explores the world of red teaming, the practice of using alternative perspectives to challenge conventional thinking and identify weaknesses in security and strategy. The book offers insights and practical advice on how to apply red teaming to various fields, from business to cybersecurity.

War, Espionage, Intelligence, and Spy Stories

The Spy with No Name - Jeff Maysh

The incredible story of a Czech spy who worked for the Czechoslovakian intelligence service during the cold war, impersonating a lost child.

A Spy Among Friends: Kim Philby and the Great Betrayal - Ben Macintyre

The incredible but true story of Kim Philby, a high-ranking British intelligence officer who was secretly a double agent for the Soviet Union, serving as a mole in the heart of the British government, and has managed to evade capture for decades.

The Spy and the Traitor: The Greatest Espionage Story of the Cold War - Ben Macintyre

Macintyre tells the story of Oleg Gordievsky, a KGB officer who became a double agent for MI6, risking his life to pass vital intelligence to the West during the height of the Cold War. Gordievsky’s story is a fascinating look at the inner workings of a man who was a spy for both sides of the cold war and how he managed to survive.

Charlie Wilson’s War: The Extraordinary Story of the Largest Covert Operation in History - George Crile

The story of Charlie Wilson, a Texas congressman who helped arm the Afghan mujahideen in their fight against the Soviet Union in the 1980s, and how his efforts helped to bring down the Soviet Union and end the cold war.

No Place to Hide: Edward Snowden, the NSA, and the US Surveillance State - Glenn Greenwald

Greenwald tells the story of Edward Snowden, the former NSA contractor who leaked classified documents revealing the extent of the US government’s surveillance programs. Greenwald was one of the first journalists to receive the documents, and he shares his experiences and insights into the story.

The good spy: The life and death of Robert Ames - Kai Bird

The story of Robert Ames, a high-ranking CIA officer who was killed in 1983 while on a mission in Beirut. The book explores Ames’ life and work and how he climbed to become one of the agency’s most important operators in the Middle East during the 1970s and 80s through his personal relationships with key figures in the region, including the founder of Force 17, Ali Hassan Salameh.

Autobiographies, memoires, and Biographies

A Higher Loyalty: Truth, Lies, and Leadership - James Comey

In this memoir, former FBI Director James Comey recounts his experience of working for the United States government, including his interactions with President Trump and the events leading up to his dismissal. He also shares his thoughts on ethical leadership and the importance of truth and integrity in public service.

Titans of History: The Giants Who Made Our World - Simon Sebag Montefiore

This book explores the lives of 12 influential figures throughout history, including Julius Caesar, Napoleon Bonaparte, and Winston Churchill. The author examines their personalities, achievements, and impact on the world and how they shaped the course of history. It’s not a traditional biography but rather a collection of short essays on the lives of these historical figures.

Notes on a Foreign Country, An American Abroad in a Post-American World - Suzy Hansen

In a part memoir, part political travelogue, Suzy Hansen reflects on her experience of living in Turkey and how it challenged her preconceptions about American foreign policy and its impact on other countries.

On Trails: An Exploration - Robert Moor

In this book, Robert Moor explores the history of trails and how they have shaped human history. He also shares his personal experiences of hiking and backpacking on the Appalachian trail and how these experiences have shaped his understanding of the world.

Surely You’re Joking, Mr. Feynman! - Richard P. Feynman

In this collection of anecdotes, physicist Richard Feynman shares his personal experiences and insights into the world of science. He covers a range of topics, from his work on the Manhattan Project to his love of bongo drums.

Fiction

The Refugees - Viet Thanh Nguyen

A collection of stories that explore the lives of Vietnamese refugees, their struggles with identity, and their relationship with their new home in America. Nguyen’s powerful writing explores themes of displacement, loss, and the human experience.

A Man Called Ove - Fredrik Backman

A heartwarming story of an old man that manifests the grumpiness that can be found in anyone. Ove is determined to end his life after the death of his wife but is constantly interrupted by his neighbors who need his help. Through humor and compassion, Backman shows how kindness and empathy can change a person’s perspective on life.

Siddhartha - Hermann Hesse

A philosophical novel that follows the journey of a man named Siddhartha, who leaves his privileged life in search of spiritual enlightenment. Through his encounters with different people and experiences, Siddhartha discovers the true meaning of life and the interconnectedness of all things.

Narcissus and Goldmund - Hermann Hesse

A novel about the spiritual journey of two friends, Narcissus and Goldmund. Narcissus is a scholarly and introspective monk, while Goldmund is a restless and adventurous artist that has the urge to wander and explore the world. As they navigate their way through life, they discover different paths to enlightenment and experience the highs and lows of love, friendship, and creativity. The novel explores themes of self-discovery, individualism, and the tension between intellect and emotion.

Every Man Dies Alone - Hans Fallada

Based on a true story, this novel portrays the lives of an ordinary German couple during World War II and their resistance to the Nazi regime. The novel explores the themes of courage, hope, and the power of individual actions to bring about change. The book isn’t optimistic, and it doesn’t try to be. It’s a bleak and depressing story, but it’s also a powerful one.

All Quiet on the Western Front - Erich Maria Remarque

A classic war novel that tells the story of a young German soldier during World War I. Published in 1928, the book has strong anti-war themes and is considered one of the most influential anti-war novels of the 20th century. It solved 2.5 million copies in the first 18 months after its debut. It was banned by the nazi regime in Germany and was only published again in 1957. Through vivid descriptions of the horrors of war, Remarque portrays the dehumanizing effects of war on soldiers and the impact of the war on the human psyche.

One Hundred Years of Solitude - Gabriel García Márquez

A masterpiece of magical realism (a genre that blends elements of fantasy with reality), the book tells the story of the Buendía family over seven generations in the fictional town of Macondo (apparently based on Márquez’s hometown in Colombia). The novel explores the themes of love, family, solitude, and the cyclical nature of time. Márquez’s writing style is characterized by his use of magical elements to convey profound truths about the human experience.

Humor

Calypso - David Sedaris

A collection of essays by humorist David Sedaris focusing on his family relationships, aging, and mortality. I recommend the audiobook version of this book, read by the author. It’s closer to standup comedy in its delivery, and the blend of hilarious anecdotes detailing Sedaris’s experiences with his eccentric family members, his partner Hugh, and his aging father are best told by him. He also delves into more serious topics, such as his sister’s suicide and his own health issues.

Non-Fiction, political science, law, and current events

How Fascism Works: The Politics of Us and Them - Jason Stanley

The book, published in 2018 by Yale political philosopher Jason Stanley, provides the reader with an examination of how fascist ideologies operate and how they manifest in contemporary politics. The book delves into the tactics and strategies employed by fascist leaders to gain and maintain power, emphasizing the importance of creating a sense of “us vs. them” to consolidate support. This isn’t a philosophy book; Stanely wants us to understand the mechanism of current versions of fascism as opposed to creating a pristine theoretical framework to understand every aspect of it.

The Anatomy of Fascism - Robert O. Paxton

The book provides a historical analysis of fascist movements and regimes, exploring the similarities and differences between various iterations of fascism in Europe in the 20th century. Paxton argues that fascism is a unique form of political ideology that is distinct from other forms of authoritarianism and totalitarianism. The book is still relevant, not only for students of history but for everyone who wishes to understand the rise of fascism in the 21st century.

The Law of Peoples - John Rawls

In this work, published in 1993, 22 years after A theory of Justice, Rawls presents a theory of international justice based on the principles of a “decent” society, including the rights of individuals and the sovereignty of states. Rawls argues that international relations should be based on a system of just and fair cooperation among peoples rather than the pursuit of power and self-interest.

The Origins of Political Order: From Prehuman Times to the French Revolution - Francis Fukuyama

A comprehensive historical analysis of political development and evolution from the earliest human societies to the rise of modern democratic states. Fukuyama argues that political order is rooted in three factors: the state, the rule of law, and accountable government.

The Surveillance State: Big Data, Freedom, and You - Paul Rosenzweig

I picked this as an audiobook, not a print book; it does feel like a series of lectures. In the lectures, Rosenzweig examines the impact of modern surveillance technologies on privacy and individual freedom from a legal position and the potential consequences of government surveillance for democratic societies. Rosenzweig argues that while surveillance is an important tool for law enforcement and national security, it must be balanced with the protection of civil liberties and individual rights.