The Infidel and the Professor: David Hume, Adam Smith, and the Friendship That Shaped Modern Thought – Dennis C. Rasmussen
Hume and Smith were bros. Now you know.
History
The Age of Wonder: How the Romantic Generation Discovered the Beauty and Terror of Science – Richard Holmes
You can define your education by answering the question “Name notable figures from the Romantic period”. The answer, apparently, should all be scientists.
Man’s Search for Meaning – Viktor E. Frankl
A fascinating cross between a self-help book and a memoir, although the former falls a little short.
Long Walk to Freedom – Nelson Mandela
Some people really have earned the status of hero when we consider history.
Economix – Michael Goodwin and Dan E. Burr
Want to understand the economy? Look elsewhere. Want to understand economic history? This may help.
Fidel Castro: My Life: A Spoken Autobiography – Fidel Castro and Ignacio Ramonet
I don’t think this book had the desired effect.
read more Fidel Castro: My Life: A Spoken Autobiography – Fidel Castro and Ignacio Ramonet
Venice: A New History – Thomas F. Madden
Venice isn’t just a gem of a city, it is also one of the most historically significant cities in the world.
All Quiet on the Western Front – Erich Maria Remarque
What is a war story? What is an anti-war story?
read more All Quiet on the Western Front – Erich Maria Remarque
Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind – Yuval Noah Harari
Humanity’s prehistory was once very overlooked by people who claimed to be lovers of history. Hopefully this book changes that.
read more Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind – Yuval Noah Harari
The Song of Roland
A classic? A French hero braved the foreign hordes to defend his homeland. I’m not so sure…
Failures in Polymathy 