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Isabel Wilkerson

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<script async src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-8912987522145983"      crossorigin="anonymous"></script>  The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson Best History Books #10: The Warmth of Other Suns Favorite Quote “They did what human beings looking for freedom, throughout history, have often done. They left.” — Isabel Wilkerson The Book in One Sentence The Warmth of Other Suns is the story of how and why millions of Black Americans left the South between 1915 and 1970 to escape the brutality of the Jim Crow Laws and find safety, better pay, and more freedom thanks to what is known today as The Great Migration. Why should you read it? Through multiple stories from several perspectives, this book will teach you empathy and a better understanding of the history of Black people in America. Key Takeaways The Great Migration happened for many different reasons, and people left from and went to diverse places t...
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Doris Kearns Goodwin

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<script async src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-8912987522145983"      crossorigin="anonymous"></script>  Team of Rivals by Doris Kearns Goodwin Best History Books #9: Team of Rivals Favorite Quote “A real democracy would be a meritocracy where those born in the lower ranks could rise as far as their natural talents and discipline might take them.” — Doris Kearns Goodwin The Book in One Sentence Team of Rivals explains why Abraham Lincoln rose above his political rivals despite their stronger reputations, and how he used empathy to unite not just his enemies but an entire country. Why should you read it? If you want to know more about how Abraham Lincoln managed to do what he did — see through the abolition of slavery — this book is a must. It’s also a good primer on how to work with your enemies rather than against them, something that’s especially needed in today’s times of division and extremism. Bill Ga...
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Thomas Paine

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  <script async src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-8912987522145983"      crossorigin="anonymous"></script> Common Sense by Thomas Paine  Best History Books #8: Common Sense Favorite Quote “Time makes more converts than reason.” — Thomas Paine The Book in One Sentence Common Sense is a classic piece of US history that will show you the importance of societies coming together to form a fair governmental system, and how these ideas paved the way for the American revolution. Why should you read it? This book helped kickstart the American Revolution. If you want to know what it takes to write a compelling manifesto, this book is a great place to start. It’ll also show you how to collaborate well and lead great teams by getting people to rally around a shared cause. Key Takeaways We depend on each other to survive and thrive, and this means that we need society and rules to guide us. Having kings and queens i...
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Howard Zinn

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  <script async src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-8912987522145983"      crossorigin="anonymous"></script> A People’s History of the United States by Howard Zinn  Best History Books #7: A People's History of the United States Favorite Quote “The memory of oppressed people is one thing that cannot be taken away, and for such people, with such memories, revolt is always an inch below the surface.” — Howard Zinn The Book in One Sentence A People’s History of the United States will give you a better understanding of the true, sometimes shameful, sometimes inspiring, story of America’s rise to power. Why should you read it? Historically, the US has been terrible at being honest about how it got to where it is. Then again, so are most countries. History is written by the winners, as they say. That’s why it’s so important to get the other side of the story, and that’s what this book delivers. Just be careful n...
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Steven Pinker

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  <script async src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-8912987522145983"      crossorigin="anonymous"></script> Enlightenment Now by Steven Pinker Best History Books #6: Enlightenment Now Favorite Quote “There can be no question of which was the greatest era for culture; the answer has to be today, until it is superseded by tomorrow.” — Steven Pinker The Book in One Sentence Enlightenment Now describes how the values of the Enlightenment — science, reason, humanism, and progress — keep improving our world today, making it a better place day by day, despite the negative news. Why should you read it? This book is a welcome antidote against fake news, media manipulation, and populism. If you need to regain your faith in humanity or want some hope, this title will show you that not everything is as bad as it seems to be in the news. Key Takeaways Wealth has increased not just in the West but around the globe, all wh...
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Hans Rosling

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<script async src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-8912987522145983"      crossorigin="anonymous"></script>  Factfulness by Hans Rosling Best History Books #5: Factfulness  Favorite Quote “There’s no room for facts when our minds are occupied by fear.” — Hans Rosling The Book in One Sentence Factfulness explains how our worldview has been distorted with the rise of new media, which ten human instincts cause erroneous thinking, and how we can learn to separate fact from fiction when forming our opinions. Why should you read it? This book will help you fight your many biases. Through easy-to-understand research and engaging examples, you’ll learn to see the truth rather than just the media’s spin on things. If Bill Gates can learn something from this book, I think so can you and I. Key Takeaways There is no such thing as “the East and the West.” We only have one world. Population growth will eventually level...
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Matt Ridley

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  <script async src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-8912987522145983"      crossorigin="anonymous"></script> The Evolution of Everything by Matt Ridley Best History Books #4: The Evolution of Everything Favorite Quote “The things that go well are largely unintended; the things that go badly are largely intended.” — Matt Ridley The Book in One Sentence The Evolution of Everything compares creationist to evolutionist thinking, showing how the process of evolution we know from biology underlies and permeates the entire world, including society, morality, religion, culture, economics, money, innovation, and even the internet. Why should you read it? This could almost qualify as a self-help book. The distinction between creationist and evolutionist thinking, and learning how to spot them both everywhere, will change your life and allow you to make progress in almost any situation. Key Takeaways Evolutionist and cr...
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