Category: Book Reviews (Page 2 of 8)

Patient H.M.

Patient H.M. by Luke Dittrich is one of the most fascinating and terrifying books I’ve ever read. It delves into the gray area of gray matter, describing the horrifying truth behind how society has treated mental patients. This includes giving lobotomies to thousands of patients without their consent for decades.

Patient H.M. is both a personal odyssey and a cautionary tale, as well as deeply researched piece of scientific journalism. Kudos to Dittrich, whose writing abilities and attention to detail illuminate this tragic chapter in our medical history. Read More...

Here are 13 non-fiction books that I recommend for a curious soul:

1. Uncanny Valley by Anna Wiener ★★★★
2. Billion Dollar Loser by Reeves Wiedeman ★★★★★
3. Empires of the Seas by Roger Crowley ★★★★★
4. 1453 by Roger Crowley ★★★★
5. City of Fortune by Roger Crowley ★★★★
6. Conquerors by Roger Crowley ★★★★
7. The Accursed Tower by Roger Crowley ★★★★
8. Devil in the White City by Erik Larson ★★★★★
9. The Splendid and the Vile by Erik Larson ★★★★
10. Dead Wake by Erik Larson ★★★
11. In the Garden of Beasts by Erik Larson ★★★
12. Isaac’s Storm by Erik Larson ★★★★
13. Hidden Valley Road by Robert Kolker ★★★★★

1) The Circle
by Dave Eggers

2) The Nexus Trilogy
by Ramez Naam Read More...

I’d like to tell you about a valuable new resource for entrepreneurs and startups, The Entrepreneur’s Faces, a new book about international founders and their entrepreneurial journeys by my friend Jonathan Littman (he co-wrote two innovation bestsellers with IDEO), and Susanna Camp, a veteran of Wired.

The book’s been featured in Inc. Magazine, Thrive Global and elsewhere. Littman and Camp frequent guests on business and leadership podcasts and are columnists for StartupNation.

Here are 11 worthwhile books that I read over the past 2 months:

1. “A Fine Balance” by Rohinton Mistry ★★★★★
2. “Lonesome Dove” by Larry McMurtry ★★★★★
3. “Uncanny Valley” by Anna Wiener ★★★
4. “The Strange Career of William Ellis” by Karl Jacoby ★★★
5. “Another Country” by James Baldwin ★★★★★
6. “McTeague” by Frank Norris ★★★★
7. “At the Mountains of Madness” by H.P. Lovecraft ★★★
8. “Shane” by Jack Schaefer ★★★★
9. “The Devil’s Highway” by Luis Alberto Urrea ★★★
10. “Little Big Man” by Thomas Berger ★★★★★
11. “Mastermind” by Maria Konnikova ★★★

Jeremy Ryan Slate just released his new book: Overcome Extreme Adversity & Create Your Best Life.

Synopsis: Read More...

If you’re struggling right now with your business or personal life, you should read this book: ISLAND OF THE LOST by Joan Druett. It will show you just how hard life can be when you’re shipwrecked on a deserted island. It’s the true, harrowing tale of five men who are marooned on an inhospitable, remote island near the Antarctica. Their perseverance and ingenuity to overcome every obstacle will inspire you. The book also provides a few good tips on how to survive if you ever happen to be lost on a deserted island.

Just read FLOWERS FOR ALGERNON. It’s about a man with a 60 IQ who has a brain operation turning him into a genius. What a beautifully tragic story. It’s inspired by another one of my favorite books: OF MICE AND MEN by John Stienbeck. Read both of these books!

If you read one book this year, let it be The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson. It’s the true story of building the Chicago World’s Fair at the turn of the century, and it is unbelievable what they went through. It’s not only an incredible story of genius, invention, courage and serial murders, but also a valuable lesson on management and leadership. Every entrepreneur should read this.

Make Elephants Fly just won the CMI Management Book of the Year Awards for Innovation & Entrepreneurship!

CMI Awards: CMI Book of the Year Awards Read More...