Listed below are the things that’ve helped shaped me into the person I am today. If you’re looking for something interesting to read, listen to, or watch, these are my recommendations.
The Books I Read in 2019
Professional development:
1) Never Split the Difference: Negotiating as if your life depends on it by Chris Voss
If you wanted to learn about negotiation, this is a great book. Having read several such books, I found this to be practical, useful, and a fun read. Voss is a FBI trained hostage negotiator, but his examples are also from day-to-day business negotiations, and I am sure that you will walk away with practical takeaways from the book.
Geopolitics & History:
2) “Prisoners of Geography: Ten maps that explain everything about the world” by Tim Marshall
This is compelling read. I had always wondered who drew these borders on a map and how has it shaped our politics and resulting wars. This book looks at 10 regions in the world and provides enough history and outlines the resulting conflicts that puts the world in a much clearer perspective. Do read.
3) “Red Flags: Why Xi’s China is in Jeopardy” by George Magnus
This (and the next two books) were part of my undertaking when I developed my lecture on the History & Future of China: [found at www.westernciv.com/staff/naeem-zafar/ ] – the book provides insights what is propping up the Chinese progress and the complexity that is likely to surprise people in the next few years.
4) Crashback: The Power Clash between the US and China in the Pacific by Michael Fabey
If you want to understand the conflict in the South China Sea and who wants to rule the Pacific Ocean, then this book provides a good introduction. It is written in a way that makes you a witness to the unfolding power struggles and frames it in the strategy that China needs to execute for long term survival and other forces that are getting in the way. Fabey is a Navy guy so one learns a lot of the language, tactics and rituals of the Navy life that I found very useful and entertaining.
5) The Pioneers: The Heroic story of the settlers who brought the American ideas west by David McCullough
I love everything that David McCullough writes. He is thorough, thoughtful and easy to read. This is the tail of expansion in 1700 and 2800 to the “West” – that was west of the Atlantic coast, through the Ohio river and early settlements in Ohio and what we now call Midwest. The role of religion and trade around the river systems is good to understand. Puritan values of the settlers are also amusing to read about and tells us how the American psyche was formed, which later created an amazing culture and a country.
6) British in India: A social history of the Raj by David Gilmour
This book is about the life of British settlers and civil servants in India in 1800s and 1900s. This is a very interesting behind-the-scenes look about how they viewed, ruled over, and lived among the native Indians. It is very much written from a British point of view which makes it a good read. The book talks about their issues with the servants, the dating scene among the British officers and social interaction among the families. This is not a profound book, but provides a good look at a perspective that I enjoyed reading and would not have appreciated otherwise.
Science & Technology
7) AI Super-Powers: China, Silicon Valley & the New World Order by Kai-Fu Lee
This is an excellent book about technology that will dominate the world. Kai-fu lead Microsoft China and then Google China before becoming a prolific investor. His insights are extremely interesting. He is educated in USA and describes Artificial Intelligence and its influence in a way that is easy to understand for everyone. The scary part is that this technology will lead to concentration of immerse power in the hand of very few. Can these sources (not necessarily governments) be trusted? He paints a very interesting picture that is a must read.
8) The First Three Minutes: A modern view of the origin of the universe by Steven Weinberg
This subject has fascinated me for years. I have read ~10-books about the origin of the universe and I am in the process of synthesizing them into a 200-300 slide lecture (this is the goal for 2020). A lot happened in the first three minutes and Weinberg provides a good understand of it. (I still think that the explanation in the Origin Story is better). But I still think that if you are interested in how it all began, and what caused matter, sun, and the stars to form, this is a good book to start with. This book does get more technical than the author promises at the start, but it nevertheless does a great job of simplifying things.
9) A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson
Bill Bryon goes a good job or explaining things in a way that make sense to anyone. From the Big Bang to evolution of life. Not as well as the Origin Story does but had to read this to be able to compare notes.
10) The Origin Story: The Big History of Everything by David Christian
This book is so good that I read it again in 2019 (and plan to read it again in 2020 for my planned lecture). Brilliantly written, this book starts with the Big Bang, formation of sub-atomic particles, to matter, to the stars, and about 9-billion years later to the formation of our own earth. It also provides the scientific experiments that proved the assertions. So, when people ask you “how do you know the Big Bang was 13.8 billion years ago?”, you will be able to cite the scientific method used to prove or confirm that assertion. The book then explains how life started on Earth and why here? The books then outline what life forms came to exist at what point in time. The book brings us all the way into the 20th century. This is a fascinating read. If I could recommend just one book from my list this will be the one.
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.
The Books I Read in 2017
I am continuing the tradition I started last year–to share something personal with my friends – a list of the books that I read last year. It is a good way for me to reflect back on 2017 and to get new inspiration for 2018.
I must say that, due to the new presidency and political upheaval, I found myself with much less time to read books – I ended up spending a lot more time watching the news and the unfolding drama.
Maybe some of you can share your list and recommendations. Here is my list in no particular order:
Biographies:
1) The-House-of-Morgan: An-American-Banking-Dynasty-and-the-Rise-of-Modern-Finance by Ron Chernow
This is a great biography of JP Morgan, his father and his son (Jack) and the whole dynasty – an excellent read. Helped explain what a huge role bankers played in shaping world politics and then how governments gained power back from the bankers in the 20th century and the “Robber Baron Era” came to an end. I really liked this book.
2) The Wizard: Life & Times of Nikola Tesla (Marc Seifer)
The story of Nikola Tesla (1856-1943) was not known to me and I did find it fascinating. He is credited as the inspiration (or even the inventor) for the radio, robots, and radar, has been called inventor of AC (Alternating Current) i.e. modern electricity (while Edison was the proponent of DC). Among Tesla’s creations were the channeling of alternating current, fluorescent and neon lighting, wireless telegraphy, and the giant turbines that harnessed the power of Niagara Falls. But his life was mostly sad a struggle (unlike Edison’s). A brilliant man, he was constantly shunned by his investors, lived in a hotel most of life, alone, loveless and almost penniless.
3) Leonardo da Vinci by Walter Issacson
Leonardo da Vinci may be known for painting the two most famous paintings in history, The Last Supper and the Mona Lisa. But he was just as much a man of science and engineering. Without any formal education, born out-of-wedlock, he pursued innovative studies of anatomy, fossils, birds, the heart, flying machines, botany, geology, and weaponry. His ability to stand at the crossroads of the humanities and the sciences made him history’s most creative genius.
4) The Undoing Project by Michael Lewis
This book is about how we make decisions — the collaboration between two men who became heroes in the university and on the battlefield, Daniel Kahneman, and Amos Tversky, both had important careers in the Israeli military – and their research was deeply linked to their extraordinary life experiences. Good read – Lewis delivers again.
Fiction
5) “East of Eden” by John Steinbeck
Classic novel, reflecting the settlers in California’s Salinas Valley – a good distraction from all the drama of 2017.
6) A Place Called Freedom by Ken Follett
Set in 1766 England and America, takes you from the streets of London to the grounds of a Virginia plantation. About a life of slavery in Scottish coal mines where the only chance for freedom lies beyond the Western Frontier Good read but ends rather abruptly leaving you a bad taste in your mouth
History
7) The Modern-Scholar-From-Troy-to-Constantinople-The-Cities-and-Societies-of-Ancient-Turkey by Jennifer Tobin – a dry read but does provide useful info about the evolution of our civilization. Had to read it to prepare a series of lectures for myself.
8) Our Oriental Heritage – The story of Civilization by Will Durant
This is a dense read but written in the 1930s it is very comprehensive look at various societies – I am not done yet but did read about Egypt, Babylon, and a few other societies. More to come on this one. (about to get into Sumerian, Judean, the Persian and the Indian civilization)
9) Homo Deus by Yuval Harari [– very compelling read] – not as much fun read as his last book (Sapiens) but this talks about the evolution of our species into the future. Where do we go from here? And how will we protect this fragile world from our own destructive powers? This is the next stage of evolution
10) The Crusades by Thomas Asbridge [Still reading this one – it is a very good book and I am learning a lot, but it is not an easy read. Still more to go as put it on hold while catching up with other books] – I have done from the first crusade in 1095 (taking of Jerusalem in 1099) to 4th crusade. A few more to come.
Plans for 2018:
What is waiting in the bookshelf (+ Audible, as I switch between the two) is (a)
1. The Path to Power – Years of Lyndon Johnson by Robert Caro
2. The life of John D. Rockefeller
3. Napoleon, a Life by Andrew Roberts
4. Victoria: Queen Victoria
The Books I Read in 2016
I would love to share something personal with my friends – a list of all the books that I read this year. It is a good way for me to reflect back on 2016 and to get new inspiration for 2017. If you do the same, maybe some of you can share your list and recommendations. I am starting this new annual tradition after thinking about it for 3 years!
Here is my list in no particular order:
History
1) The Accidental Superpower by Peter Zeihan [Loved this book that outlines why America became so powerful and what the future holds – very compelling]
2) The Fall of the Ottomans by Eugene Rogan [Very good read about WWI and its hidden history]
3) Sapiens by Yuval Harari [Loved this history of homo-sapiens and how they created the society as we know it – very compelling read]
4) The Quartet by Joe Ellis [Loved this book about founding fathers Madison, Hamilton, Jay, and Washington’s role in shaping the country by pulling strings behind the scenes, leading to creating the Constitution and allowing the first US government to be formed 12 years after the Declaration of Independence.]
5) Midnight at the Pera Palace by Charles King [Story of Istanbul during post-WWI and the formation of the new republic – great historical read]
6) 1453 by Roger Crowley [This is an excellent book that outlines in great detail the fall of Constantinople and expansion of the Ottoman empire in 1453]
7) The History of the Ancient World by Susan Bauer [Really helped connect the dots for me from 7000 BC to the early Roman empire – about 70% done with this book so far]
8) The Rise and the Fall of Third Reich by W Shirer [Technically read it last year but finished in January 2016 – what an excellent summary and great book on WWII]
9) The Crusades by Thomas Asbridge [Still reading this one – it is a very good book and I am learning a lot]
Biographies:
10) The Wizard of Menlo Park by Stross [Great biography of Thomas Edison – really liked it]
11) The Last Founding Father by Harlow Unger [Great biography of James Monroe, the 5th US president]
12) The Wright Brothers by David McCullough [He is such a great writer – love almost all of his work. This is a very good book – I knew so little about this great family in Ohio and how the flight happened. Last year I read The Great Bridge by the same author – another excellent book about how the Brooklyn Bridge came to exist.]
Innovations/Startups:
13) Zero to One by Peter Thiel [Good, insightful read about startups and what makes them succeed]
14) David and Goliath by Malcolm Gladwell [I love everything that he writes – always a fun read]
15) The Innovators by Walter Isaacson [The book is about several inventions and how they came to be in the world of collaboration. No one person can take credit for the Internet and several other similar great inventions, and this book does a great job of telling these stories – Isaacson and McCullough are my two most favorite biographers and storytellers.]
Other [Including Fiction]
16) Underground Airlines by Ben Winters [An alternative-history fiction with the premise that the American Civil War never happened and slavery still exists – could not get into it although liked the premise. Still could not finish it yet… maybe some of you have a better perspective on this.]
What is waiting in the bookshelf (+ Audible, as I switch between the two) is (a) Napoleonby Andrew Roberts and b) A Place Called Freedom by Ken Follett
Additional Books:
A book on the life of a new CEO
COHERENT STRATEGY AND EXECUTION:
An Eye-opening Parable about Transforming Leadership & Management Perspectives.
by Ravi Kathuria
Who Says Elephants Can’t Dance?: How I Turned Around IBM
A great book on IBM and the culture of an organization:
By Louis Gerstner, Ex-CEO of IBM
Execution: The Discipline of Getting Things Done
An excellent book on how to run a company well.
Music:
Andalusian Nights
Just great instrumental music – check it out at http://amzn.to/fdZBgk
Articles:
Three Perfect Days:
To plan a trip just about in any city in the world this is a great resource. This is a collection of articles written by a native dweller of that city for many years and was published in the United Airlines in-flight magazine. I have always followed these itineraries and found hidden gems that I normally would have never found.
http://www.hemispheresmagazine.com/category/3-perfect-days/
