2016's reading list

HOW TO CREATE A MIND by Ray Kurzweil

A great introduction to AI (and the brilliance of Kurzweil).  As someone with an impressive track record of predicting the future and with an impressive pedigree in AI, speech recognition and optical character recognition, it makes sense to pay attention to his views.  His enthusiasm for an AI-assisted future cannot be denied.  Some of the thought experiments outlined in the book are engrossing, and I came away with a clearer insight into how certain technologies around us today actually work and what might happen in the next 20 years.  

ABUNDANCE by Peter Diamandis

Projects being worked on that have the potential to move us to a period of abundance - and how that will change society.  It's a great read (and I'm looking forward to an abundant future).  One of my favourite statements is this one, on the topic of improvements in technology leading to savings of both time and money: "Today, artificial light costs less than half a second of your working time per hour (if your make an average wage). Using a kerosene lamp in the 1880s you would have had to work for 15 minutes to get the same amount of light. A tallow candle in the 1800s: over 6 hours’ work. From a sesame-oil lamp in Babylon in 1750 BCE: 50 hours’ work.​"

TOMORROWLAND by Steven Kotler

A decent look at what tomorrow might look like from a technology perspective - originally published as a series of essays

THE GREAT WAR FOR CIVILISATION by Robert Fisk

One of the most comprehensive reviews of the Middle East over the last 40 years or so - written from Fisk's perspective as a man on the ground. Watch out for shelling from all sides and interviews with Bin Laden. ​There is sometimes criticism of Fisk and his views, frequently taking them apart point-by-point, however this was an engaging and eye-opening read from someone who a) has strong opinions on the role of the media; b) has strong opinions on the Middle East; and c) has earned those opinions through an incredible amount of work and access to leading figures.  

MR. SPLITFOOT by Samantha Hunt

​Pretty dark with absurdity on absurdity for good measure.  A particularly favourite excerpt of mine:  I break off some more chocolate.  "How long were we asleep?"  A dumb question.  I'm full of them.  "Where are we going.  Where'd you disappear to.  Why'd you come back.  Who was that guy in our room."  I'm too tired for question marks.  

SYRIA:  A RECENT HISTORY by John McHugo

Syria from WWI to present day with all the ins and outs. My lasting memory: Yet there is no point in walking down the road of history's "what if's?" and "might have beens". Instead, a crucial historical fact should be emphasised: what happened in the immediate aftermath of the Great War created a legacy of mistrust of the West which subsequent history would repeatedly compound. Today's inability of the West to prevent Syria descending into the darkness of civil war - and its failure to find a way to bring the civil war to an end - will only have increased that mistrust yet further. ​

A CONCISE HISTORY OF THE ARABS by John McHugo

If you want a concise history of the Arab world, then look no further. ​

PREDICTABLE REVENUE by Aaron Ross

It's a fairly straightforward read, although it would be more accurate to describe as a collection of blog posts delivered in a somewhat co-ordinated fashion. It has some good ideas, although I'm unsure precisely how relevant all of them are today - at least where I have experimented. Although I'm sure others will differ in their opinion. That said, I took home one or two points that have proved useful, so worth the read. 

IRAN:  EMPIRE OF THE MIND by Michael Axworthy

It's a long history and not an easy read - but well worth it if you want to understand Iranian history and its interplay with the Greeks, Romans, Steppes, Arabs, Islam, Mongols, Ottomans, Russians, British, Americans, Iraq and more.

THE CRUCIBLE OF LANGUAGE by ​Vyvyan Evans

Language, and more specifically, how we create meaning - and how it can be used to map the mind. Not the easiest read though, it can be quite technical.  

The McKinsey Way by Ethan Rasiel

I try to take away at least one thing useful from a book like this: a solid and structured approach to situational analysis was my main learning here

MILLION DOLLAR CONSULTING by Alan Weiss

As with The McKinsey Way, I tried to take away something useful: lots of good ideas around improving cashflow and writing proposals.  

TRACTION by Gabriel Weinberg ​and Justin Mares

A clear and concise way to think about how to attain traction for your business by focusing on the channels that work and then going all in on them.  Worth reading even if it is to understand the breadth and depth of some of the channels available for marketing a business.  

THE WHEEL OF OSHEIM by Mark Lawrence

I have to say, Jorg (from the first three books) and Jalan (from this trilogy) are probably my two favourite literary characters of the last few years. If you haven't read these, start with the first series and then move on to this - the concept is pretty interesting. ​

GOOD STRATEGY/BAD STRATEGY by Richard Rumelt

The Kernel of Strategy is something I have integrated into my everyday working life, so yea, good read. 

THE VITAL QUESTION by Nick Lane

A real bottom-up look at life and evolution from the perspective of energy generation - highly recommended. It poses and answers some big questions too. ​

PREDICTABLY IRRATIONAL by Dan Ariely

I've been into behavioural economics for a long time now but never got round to reading this - I'm glad I did. ​

THE UPSIDE OF IRRATIONALITY by Dan Ariely

See above!

A SONG OF ICE AND FIRE (1-5) by George R.R. Martin

Enough said.

HOMO DEUS by Yuval Noah Harari

A sequel to "Sapiens", which was the best book I read in 2015. Home Deus doesn't have the same punch in my opinion but still a great read if you want to understand how human evolutionary trajectory might change the next century. ​

TALES OF THE ALHAMBRA

​Living in Granada at the moment it's pretty much required reading.  There's a statue of him near the palace itself so his influence is definitely felt.  It's one of those (true) stories/accounts where you end up thinking "I wish I could have done that".  It also introduced me to one of my favourite words:  contrabandista.  

PRE-SUASION by Robert Cialdini

I'm a big fan of Cialdini and this book doesn't disappoint.  If you haven't, read Influence first, and then this.  Behavioural Science at its most practical.  The idea in this book is that it is possible to "pre-suade" an audience by using subtle cues to get them in the right frame of mind to hear your argument.  

THE POPULIST EXPLOSION by John B. Judis

Populism could be one of the defining political characteristics of our time and this book documents its evolution since late 19th Century America.

THE SILK ROADS by ​Peter Frankopan

History told from the perspective of trade and access to markets and resources, with a specific focus on and around Near and Central Asia, from the age of Greeks and Persians kicking seven shades out of each other till near-present day. 

CONTENT INC. by Joe Pulizzi

Maps out how to build a content strategy for your business (with the key takeaway being "build an audience then figure out what next" although there is plenty to learn if you already have your "what")

MISBEHAVING by Richard H. Thaler

Another great behavioural economics book, this time charting the development and growth of the topic. ​

ALAN PARTRIDGE: NOMAD by Alan Partridge

This was a year end treat for myself - Alan Partridge at his rambling, deluded best, whilst rambling.  Some of his pearls of wisdom include:  

"Unlike factory workers, cabbies or teachers, radio DJs can't just take ten days off whenever the feeling takes them.  I happen to have enormous respect for all of those professions, but - and I think they'd agree with me on this - one factory worker or cabbie or teacher is much the same as any other"

Classic Partridge.

SELL ME THIS STYLUS by Siamac Rezaiezadeh

An absolute travesty of a book.  The author should be taken outside and promptly shot.