swap_horiz Meditations Alternatives

1

The Guns of August

Barbara Tuchmans masterpiece remains the definitive account of the outbreak of World War I. It meticulously details the...

Classic Narrative World War I Military History

9.8 Brilliant

2

Team of Rivals

Doris Kearns Goodwin provides a brilliant study of Abraham Lincolns political genius by focusing on his decision to incl...

Leadership Politics American Civil War Biography

9.7 Brilliant

3

Man's Search for Meaning

Viktor Frankl's memoir, 'Man's Search for Meaning,' recounts his experiences as a prisoner in Nazi concentration camps a...

Resilience Philosophy Psychology Memoir

9.5 Brilliant

4

TH

The Fact of a Body

This is a genre-bending work that combines a memoir of the author's own traumatic past with a deep, investigative look a...

Murder Memoir Identity Trauma

9.5 Brilliant

5

Existentialism is a Humanism

Jean-Paul Sartres lecture is the most concise and readable introduction to existentialism. He argues that 'existence pre...

Humanism Existentialism Freedom Responsibility

9.4 Excellent

6

1776

David McCullough brings the American Revolution to life with his signature narrative flair. Focusing on the pivotal year...

Narrative Military History American Revolution George Washington

9.3 Excellent

7

Helter Skelter

Vincent Bugliosis 1974 account of the Manson Family murders, written with Curt Gentry, remains a definitive, albeit some...

True Crime Murder Courtroom 1960S

9.2 Excellent

8

Economics in One Lesson

Henry Hazlitts classic work is a powerful defense of free-market principles. The 'one lesson' is that the art of economi...

Classic Foundational Austrian School Free Market

9.2 Excellent

9

The Problems of Philosophy

Bertrand Russells 'The Problems of Philosophy' is an excellent, concise introduction to the main questions of philosophy...

Philosophy Clarity Logic Epistemology

9.2 Excellent

10

Empire of Pain

Patrick Radden Keefe delivers a devastating, multi-generational history of the Sackler family, the architects of the opi...

Investigative Patrick Radden Keefe Sackler Family Opioid Crisis

9.1 Excellent

11

Utilitarianism

John Stuart Mills classic essay provides the clearest defense of Utilitarianism, the ethical theory that the best action...

Ethics Morality Social Theory Utilitarianism

9.1 Excellent

12

The Silk Roads: A New History of the World

Peter Frankopan shifts the focus of world history away from the West and toward the East, specifically the regions conne...

Geopolitics Globalization World History Central Asia

9.0 Excellent

13

Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance

Angela Duckworth argues that talent is overrated and that the secret to outstanding achievement is 'grit'a combination o...

Education Psychology Motivation Success

9.0 Excellent

14

The Second Sex

Simone de Beauvoirs groundbreaking work is the cornerstone of modern feminist philosophy. She analyzes the historical, s...

Feminism Existentialism Beauvoir Gender

9.0 Excellent

15

American Predator

Maureen Callahans chilling account of Israel Keyes, one of the most terrifying and methodical serial killers in American...

Serial Killer Investigative Fbi Maureen Callahan

8.9 Very Good

16

Battle Cry of Freedom

James M. McPhersons 'Battle Cry of Freedom' is widely considered the definitive single-volume history of the American Ci...

Politics Slavery Military History Civil War

8.9 Very Good

17

Daring Greatly

Brené Browns 'Daring Greatly' challenges the cultural myth that vulnerability is a weakness. Through years of research,...

Leadership Psychology Emotional Intelligence Relationships

8.9 Very Good

18

Discourse on the Method

René Descartes seminal work marks the beginning of modern philosophy. By deciding to doubt everything he could not prove...

Logic Science Epistemology Rationalism

8.9 Very Good

19

Freakonomics

Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner apply economic principles to unconventional topics, from sumo wrestling to the impact o...

Fun Data Analysis Economics Social Science

8.8 Very Good

20

Bad Blood

John Carreyrous investigation into the rise and fall of Theranos is a gripping, fast-paced account of one of the biggest...

Silicon Valley John Carreyrou Theranos Elizabeth Holmes

8.8 Very Good