The Books I Read in 2018

For the 3rd year in a row, I would like to share something personal with my friends – a list of all the books that I read in 2018. It is a good way for me to reflect back on the year that’s passed, and to get new inspiration for 2019. Perhaps you can do the same: Share your list and recommendations below!

Here is my list in no particular order:

History

1)     Why Nations Fail by Daron Acemoglu and James Robinson [Loved this book. It outlines why some countries prosper and many fail. The concept of extractive institutions vs. democratic – very compelling. The examples given include how Venice went from one of the richest places in 810 AD to economic irrelevance within 500 years]

2)     Origin Story by David Christian [May be my favorite book of 2018 – This book was just excellent in connecting the dots for me – for the first time I understood how the Big Bang started things, how matter was created and how life began. The book captures the whole evolution of the Universe in 8 stages and that is a very good way to put things in perspective]

3)     The Fifth Risk by Michael Lewis [This is a compelling read – it provides a fresh view on how US government really does useful things and the impact of the chaos that is being caused in this administration. This is a behind-the-scenes look at the role US government plays in weather prediction, forest management, agriculture research, and basic science. It explores how these institutions are being gutted slowly through the new policies of the people who were appointed to lead these institutions that made America great) – I strongly suggest reading it as it provides a new, much needed, perspective on the role of essential government]

4)     21 Lessons for the 21st Century by Yuval Noah Harari [This is not as compelling as Harari’s previous books (Sapiens was excellent) – very good insights about technologies and demographics that I found useful to connect the dots]

5)     The Absent Super Power by Peter Zeihan [a very good read - that explains why USA is behaving disengaged these days; reigning-in free trade and shrinking back from global commitments – it is all about one word: Shale! - a great book with a lot of statistics and data to substantiate the arguments

6)     China: A History by John Keay [ A tough read – I am preparing my lecture on the Asian Giants to be given on March 9th, 2019 and this was good background – but the book is dry and unnecessarily long – still ploughing through it]

7)     Fear: Trump in the White House by Bob Woodward [A much hyped book – I like the credibility of Woodward so from all the “Trumpian” books this appealed to me – yes it paints the picture as we know it but I came away with the opposite impression; it made things look less chaotic than I imagined – still a good fast read to put things into perspective]

Biographies:

8)     Napoleon: A Life by Andrew Roberts a very good read of one of the greatest generals of all times. One of the few people who altered the world map. But the story teaches me once again that it is more about the timing. If the French Revolution had not happened there is no way a 28-year old would have taken the title of a general since all other senior people were gone and a vacuum existed. The way he led and inspired loyalty is another good lesson in this well-written book.

9)     The First Tycoon by T.J. Stiles [Great biography of Cornelius Vanderbilt – the first American self-made billionaire. How a person with very little education continued to seize the moment first with water transport, steamers and then the rail road. A compelling story.]

10)  Titan: The Life of John D. Rockefeller by Ron Chernow [He is such a great writer – love almost all his work. Excellent history of the Rockefellers. The complexity of philanthropy, the timing wins again (if the automobile had not been invented in 1886 then the old business was under attack by Edison and Tesla (Electrification was about to put a damper on the kerosene oil market) – Rockefeller’s genius was the channel to distribute his processed oil. Very focused person who was shaped by his very strong mother

Fiction:

11)  East of Eden by John Steinbeck - I always find Steinbeck to be so authentic and compelling and this book was no exception.

I would love to see your suggestions!!