Books That Build Minds.
Reviews, summaries, and reading recommendations curated by working scientists, writers and educators.
Sapiens
Yuval Noah Harari · 2015
A sweeping history of humankind from the Stone Age to the modern era.
"Harari masterfully connects biology, anthropology and economics into a single narrative."
The Selfish Gene
Richard Dawkins · 1976
Reframes evolution from the perspective of the gene.
"A foundational text for understanding modern evolutionary biology."
The Innovators
Walter Isaacson · 2014
The people behind the digital revolution, from Babbage to the modern web.
"Isaacson highlights collaboration as the engine of technological progress."
Thinking, Fast and Slow
Daniel Kahneman · 2011
A tour of the two systems that drive how we think and decide.
"Essential reading for anyone interested in human judgement."
Zero to One
Peter Thiel · 2014
Notes on building startups that go from nothing to something new.
"Thiel's framework on monopolies and contrarian thinking is timeless."
Einstein: His Life and Universe
Walter Isaacson · 2007
An intimate biography of the 20th century's most influential physicist.
"Combines scientific clarity with deep personal narrative."
Range
David Epstein · 2019
Why generalists triumph in a specialized world.
"A persuasive counter-narrative to the 10,000-hour rule."
The Innovator's Dilemma
Clayton Christensen · 1997
How great companies fail when faced with disruptive technologies.
"The defining business book on disruption."