@dominik · 2022

Ancient (it came out in 2005) but offers timeless insights into how to create a product that people want, and, just as importantly, a business that can build and sell that product.

How do you actually craft a good strategy for a business? What does that even mean? This book delves into exploring and answering that question, building on the author’s previous Good Strategy Bad Strategy by focusing on the actual mechanics of coming up with and developing a strategy in the first place.

A heartfelt collection of insightful business lessons that achieves its goal of being a “mentor-in-a-book.” Contains perhaps the best articulation of what it is to be a great product manager.

A thought-provoking book about the nature of creativity, learning, and innovation, emphasizing the importance of being able to draw analogies across diverse fields.

Why is it so hard for big, successful companies to continue to innovate? This book analyzes the challenge and offers some potential solutions.

Written by a former FBI hostage negotiator, argues that successful negotiation is predicated on emotional understanding, not logic. Outlines a set of effective negotiation tactics emphasizing curiosity and humility.

A raging plague, social upheaval, and an uncertain future. COVID-19? No. The Black Death and the 14th Century. This surprisingly gripping history uses the lens of a medieval French nobleman’s trials and travails as a way to explore all aspects of the 14th century. Technology has changed, but humans have not. Deeply insightful, on aspects both mundane and profound.

A rich, sobering book, filled with deep insights about human nature, societies, governments, anti-Semitism, imperialism, and totalitarianism. It remains relevant today.

A swift survey of the entire Cold War, from its emergent beginnings to its unexpectedly quiescent ending.

Compellingly argues for epistemic humility given our nature as biological creatures.

This book compellingly answers the question of how we can better equip ourselves to see, think, and act rationally.

This book offers a reflective look back at how to create, design, and drive complex organizations to accomplish great things. The author, Vannevar Bush, was a key figure in creating both the Manhattan Project and the National Science Foundation.

Perhaps the polar opposite of Truman, Napoleon also did not shy away from making tough decisions. This book tells the tale of how he navigated the storm of the French Revolution, became Emperor, remade France, conquered Europe, and lost everything.

Truman is thus far the only human to ever authorize the use of atomic weapons in warfare (and may that long continue to be the case). He did not shy away from making tough decisions: “I am here to make decisions and whether they prove right or wrong I am going to make them.” This book paints a nuanced, complex portrait of a humble, diligent, courageous, and deeply honorable man.

A blistering look at the decline of globalization and how the world might fall apart in the decades to come. (Spoiler alert: America will be fine, if it doesn't self-destruct).

Compelling evaluations of the leadership strategies of several world leaders in the second half of the 20th century, as viewed by a long-serving diplomat who, to varying degrees, encountered and worked with them.

“A ship is a dream of whispers.” A beautifully crafted tale that unfolds, bit by bit, and reveals more and more as it continues until everything comes together satisfyingly at the end.

A fascinating unlike-anything-else romp through a sci-fi 25th century well-seasoned with 18th-century philosophy tied together with a page-turning plot set in a compelling and meticulously built world. One of those series that sticks with you long after you finish.

Finely carved prose; almost austere, yet perfectly descriptive; utterly economical with words. Incredible characterization, introspection, and depth.