The best 83 Crises & Scandals books

1
Our Malady

Our Malady

Timothy Snyder
Lessons in Liberty from a Hospital Diary
3.7 (183 ratings)

What's Our Malady about?

Our Malady (2020) explores why the American health care system not only fails to keep people healthy but also denies their freedom. It identifies the shortcomings of the present system, the dire ramifications, and why other countries don’t suffer the same fate.

Who should read Our Malady?

  • Truth-seeking Americans
  • Health-care personnel
  • The politically curious

2
Pegasus

Pegasus

Laurent Richard and Sandrine Rigaud
How a Spy in Our Pocket Threatens the End of Privacy, Dignity, and Democracy
4.3 (273 ratings)

What's Pegasus about?

Pegasus (2023) follows the thrilling, worldwide investigation into one of the most powerful and insidious pieces of cyber surveillance software known to date. Beginning with a massive data leak to a small, independent news outlet, it tells the story of how Pegasus came to be, the hundreds of innocent individuals who have had their privacy taken away by it, and the global team of reporters and editors who risked everything to bring the story to light.

Who should read Pegasus?

  • Followers of the Pegasus Project and other cyber security international bombshells like the Panama Papers, or Wikileaks.
  • Fans of investigative journalism who want to know the stories behind the reports that shake the world.
  • Anyone who owns a phone and wants to know just how fragile their privacy really is.

3
Capitalism, Socialism and Democracy

Capitalism, Socialism and Democracy

Joseph Schumpeter
Essential analysis on where the world economy is headed
4.2 (556 ratings)

What's Capitalism, Socialism and Democracy about?

Capitalism, Socialism and Democracy (1942) is a seminal work of economics. Its ideas have proven prophetic, and remain relevant to this day. It claims that capitalism will ultimately be eroded by the very processes that define it. It also explains the differences between capitalism and socialism and their relationship to democracy, and helps readers understand the role of entrepreneurship and creative destruction in modern capitalism.

Who should read Capitalism, Socialism and Democracy?

  • Students of the social sciences
  • Those interested in politics, economy, and their histories
  • Critical thinkers curious about the future of capitalism

4
Spare

Spare

Prince Harry
A Tell-All Memoir of the British Royal Family and the Institution
4.1 (583 ratings)

What's Spare about?

Spare (2023) is Prince Harry’s highly anticipated memoir, which offers unprecedented insight into life as a royal. With remarkable candor, Harry reflects on his mother’s death, his complex relationships with other family members, and his battles with the press.

Who should read Spare?

  • Fans of the British royal family
  • People who have mixed feelings about the royal family
  • Anyone who wants to know Harry’s side of the story

5
MegaThreats

MegaThreats

Nouriel Roubini
Ten Dangerous Trends That Imperil Our Future, and How to Survive Them
3.9 (329 ratings)

What's MegaThreats about?

MegaThreats (2022) delves into the ten most pressing potential threats to humanity's future. The author examines the evidence and potential consequences for each threat, questioning whether we are doing enough to prevent or prepare for them.

Who should read MegaThreats?

  • Futurists
  • Students of economics
  • Doomsday preppers

6
I Am the Storm

I Am the Storm

Janice Dean
Inspiring Stories of People Who Fight Against Overwhelming Odds
4.0 (29 ratings)

What's I Am the Storm about?

I Am the Storm (2023) is an inspiring dive into what it takes to stand as a David against a Goliath. From a single gymnast who took on a whole abusive system, to a grieving mother who chose to tackle the US opioid epidemic head on, it shows that anyone can make a stand for what they believe in, no matter how big their opponent may seem.

Who should read I Am the Storm?

  • Anyone looking for inspiration to face the challenges in their life
  • People sick of big organizations acting with impunity
  • Believers in the strength of human will

7
Upheaval

Upheaval

Jared Diamond
Turning Points for Nations in Crisis
4.3 (356 ratings)

What's Upheaval about?

Upheaval (2019) takes us through some of modern history’s biggest national crises to find out how each nation ended up in such trouble, and how they managed to get out of it. Looking at seven different nations, author Jared Diamond reveals how some of the same problems and solutions have emerged time and again, whether we’re looking at Chile and Indonesia in the 1970s, or Australia and Germany after WWII.

Who should read Upheaval?

  • History buffs
  • Students of political science
  • Globally minded individuals interested in world affairs

8
Economic Facts and Fallacies

Economic Facts and Fallacies

Thomas Sowell
Uncovering popular fallacies in economics
3.4 (612 ratings)

What's Economic Facts and Fallacies about?

Economic Facts and Fallacies (2008) takes some common assumptions about economics and politics and reveals them as fallacies. It’s only by facing uncomfortable truths, the book argues, that we can begin to solve the problems in front of us.

Who should read Economic Facts and Fallacies?

  • Those interested in politics and economics
  • Anyone looking for a contrary perspective
  • Libertarians and conservatives

9
Money Men

Money Men

Dan McCrum
A Hot Startup, A Billion Dollar Fraud, A Fight for the Truth
4.4 (35 ratings)

What's Money Men about?

Money Men (2022) is the astonishing story of the rise and fall of Wirecard. Once described as the PayPal of Europe, it took a small group of analysts, whistleblowers, and the tenacity of one journalist to finally bring this house of cards down.

Who should read Money Men?

  • Financial crime die-hards
  • Lovers of all things stranger-than-fiction
  • Cautious investors

10
The Ascent of Money

The Ascent of Money

Niall Ferguson
A Financial History of the World
4.4 (115 ratings)

What's The Ascent of Money about?

The Ascent of Money is an explanation of how different historical events led to the development of the current financial system.

It aims to show how, despite its proneness to crises and inequality, the financial system and money itself are drivers of human history and progress.

Who should read The Ascent of Money?

  • Anyone who wants to understand the workings of the financial system
  • People who want to understand why financial crises happen
  • Anyone who wants to know why money is so powerful

11
Crashed

Crashed

Adam Tooze
How a Decade of Financial Crises Changed the World
4.4 (109 ratings)

What's Crashed about?

Crashed (2018) unpacks the metaphorical seismograph to take the measure of an economic earthquake whose tremors can still be felt today – the 2008 financial crisis. Written with an eye to the global effects of what’s now known as the “Great Recession,” Adam Tooze traces the crash’s shockwaves from their epicenter in the American financial markets to their conclusions in Crimea, London, Athens and other geopolitical hotspots.

Who should read Crashed?

  • Economists, policymakers and anyone in financial trading
  • History buffs fascinated by the links between economics and politics
  • Disgruntled citizens wondering how politicians and bankers landed us in such a mess

12
Ukraine Crisis

Ukraine Crisis

Andrew Wilson
What It Means for the West
4.3 (666 ratings)

What's Ukraine Crisis about?

Ukraine Crisis (2014) addresses the peaceful protests and violent conflicts that have rocked Ukraine in recent years. This book take a look at the events surrounding the Maidan uprising, the Russian annexation of Crimea and the ongoing conflict in the Donbas. Importantly, the crisis is put into context not just for the future of Ukraine but also how it affects Russia, the European Union and the world.

Who should read Ukraine Crisis?

  • Students and professors of history or politics
  • People interested in contemporary history
  • Anyone curious about the power play between Russia and the West

13
Killing the Killers

Killing the Killers

Bill O'Reilly and Martin Dugard
The Secret War Against Terrorists
3.9 (252 ratings)

What's Killing the Killers about?

Killing the Killers (2022) takes you deep into the global war on terror. As it examines the role of Al-Qaeda, ISIS, and the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, it moves through all the theaters of action including Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Iran, and Afghanistan. It’s the eleventh book in the best-selling Killing series.

Who should read Killing the Killers?

  • Fans of the Killing series
  • History buffs interested in the war on terror
  • Lovers of dramatic story-telling

14
Makers and Takers

Makers and Takers

Rana Foroohar
The Rise of Finance and the Fall of American Business
4.1 (53 ratings)

What's Makers and Takers about?

Makers and Takers (2016) investigates the role of finance in the 2008 crisis and subsequent recession. From the Great Depression onward, these blinks trace the history of loose regulation and blurred boundaries between commercial and investment banking, while highlighting the role of banks, businesses and politicians in the crisis. They also suggest actions the powerful can take to kickstart reform.

Who should read Makers and Takers?

  • Readers curious about the historical background of the 2008 crisis
  • Students of economics and finance
  • Young couples, families and professionals considering their prospects for mortgages and pensions

15
Power Failure

Power Failure

William D. Cohan
The Rise and Fall of an American Icon
4.5 (213 ratings)

What's Power Failure about?

Power Failure (2022) details the rise and fall of General Electric – once a great success story of international business.  But its legacy went badly awry, as even casual consumers of business news will remember. Power Failure: The Rise and Fall of an American Icon (2022) gives a startlingly detailed account inside the behemoth corporation, examining what went right – and then wrong.

Who should read Power Failure?

  • Anyone interested in the inside workings of business
  • Leaders who want to learn from the experience of CEOs going through difficult times 
  • Employees who want to better understand the forces at play inside the companies that dictate their future

16
If You Tell

If You Tell

Gregg Olsen
A True Story of Murder, Family Secrets, and the Unbreakable Bond of Sisterhood
3.9 (15 ratings)

What's If You Tell about?

If You Tell (2019) details the story of Michelle “Shelly” Knotek, the mother of three daughters who subjected her family to an ongoing nightmare of abuse and torture. Those who got close to Shelly had a way of succumbing to her methods of manipulation and control. For some, it meant their death.

Who should read If You Tell?

  • True crime fanatics
  • Anyone interested in stories of incredible resilience
  • People curious about the psychology of serial killers

17
The Cold War

The Cold War

Robert J. McMahon
A Very Short Introduction
4.6 (204 ratings)

What's The Cold War about?

The Cold War (2003) provides an overview of the conflict that defined the second half of the twentieth century. Beginning in the immediate aftermath of World War Two, it traces the Cold War’s development through the rest of the century, laying out its underlying causes and overall contours.

Who should read The Cold War?

  • History buffs
  • Students of military strategy and foreign relations 
  • Those who want to understand one of the twentieth century’s defining conflicts

18
The Deficit Myth

The Deficit Myth

Stephanie Kelton
Modern Monetary Theory and the Birth of the People's Economy
4.0 (205 ratings)

What's The Deficit Myth about?

The Deficit Myth (2020) lays out the basic tenets of Modern Monetary Theory. This unconventional approach to economics asks us to reexamine how we think about budgets, scarcity, and even money itself.

Who should read The Deficit Myth?

  • Political junkies seeking a hot new take
  • Amateur economists looking to learn more
  • Anyone who has ever asked, “But how are we going to pay for it?”

19
Other People’s Money

Other People’s Money

John Kay
The Real Business of Finance
3.9 (65 ratings)

What's Other People’s Money about?

Other People’s Money (2015) offers a detailed breakdown of the financial sector: how it functions, the effect it has on economies and what its purpose should ideally be – as opposed to what its current purpose is. Find out why the international financial sector has become a ruthless mechanism made up of rotten parts, and discover how these parts can be eliminated and, eventually, replaced.

Who should read Other People’s Money?

  • Readers who want to know how the global financial system affects their lives
  • Entrepreneurs looking to understand how finance works
  • Students of economics, history, politics or sociology

20
The Only Game In Town

The Only Game In Town

Mohamed A. El-Erian
Central Banks, Instability, And Avoiding The Next Collapse
4.2 (57 ratings)

What's The Only Game In Town about?

The 2008 financial crisis dramatically changed the global economic landscape. Central banks now play a very different role than they did previously, and we now face a set of new economic risks and problems. The Only Game in Town (2016) outlines the roots of these risks and problems, and what we can do to start overcoming them.

Who should read The Only Game In Town?

  • Economists, analysts and bankers
  • Anyone curious about the future of global politics

21
Where the Crawdads Sing

Where the Crawdads Sing

Delia Owens
A Coming-Of-Age Murder Mystery About Love, Nature & Abandonment
4.8 (72 ratings)

What's Where the Crawdads Sing about?

Where the Crawdads Sing (2018) is a coming-of-age story that seamlessly blends into a murder mystery and an ode to nature. A reminder that we are forever shaped by our childhoods, it recounts the early life of a remarkable girl, Kya, and her transformation into an equally remarkable young woman.

Who should read Where the Crawdads Sing?

  • Nature lovers
  • Poets and scientists
  • Anyone who loves gripping stories

22
The Hundred Years' War on Palestine

The Hundred Years' War on Palestine

Rashid Khalidi
A History of Settler Colonialism and Resistance, 1917–2017
4.4 (99 ratings)

What's The Hundred Years' War on Palestine about?

The Hundred Years’ War on Palestine (2020) is a detailed and rigorous look at one of the most misunderstood regions of the world. This timely text chronicles Palestinian history from the perspective of Palestinians. 

Who should read The Hundred Years' War on Palestine?

  • Outsiders keen to learn Palestine’s complex history
  • Zionists open to alternative perspectives on the Israel-Palestine conflict
  • Anyone seeking to understand current events in the Middle East

23
The Fourth Turning

The Fourth Turning

William Strauss and Neil Howe
An American Prophecy
4.5 (265 ratings)

What's The Fourth Turning about?

The Fourth Turning (1997) presents a fascinating picture of history, past, present, and future. Though the people of modern Western societies tend to view history as a linear process, the reality might instead be cyclical, repeated regularly and predictably. By studying the ways in which history does indeed repeat itself, we can better prepare ourselves for what is likely to come in the future.

Who should read The Fourth Turning?

  • History buffs
  • Devotees of American politics
  •  Future predictors

24
The Threat

The Threat

Andrew G. McCabe
How the FBI Protects America in the Age of Terror and Trump
3.4 (35 ratings)

What's The Threat about?

The Threat (2019) offers an inside look at America’s famous nation-wide law enforcement agency, the Federal Bureau of Investigation or FBI. Written with the lucid precision you’d expect from a high-ranking former FBI official, this book depicts the organization’s inner workings, details the methods it uses to protect the public, and explains why terrorism and President Donald Trump are currently the nation’s biggest threats.

Who should read The Threat?

  • Law-enforcement buffs wondering how the FBI operates
  • Concerned Americans curious about how the organization protects them
  • Law-abiding citizens seeking to understand the FBI’s biggest challenges today

25
Adrift

Adrift

Scott Galloway
America in 100 Charts
4.3 (300 ratings)

What's Adrift about?

Adrift (2022) argues that the United States is flailing, despite all its success and global dominance since World War II. It’s a country struggling to adapt to revolutionary changes in technology, facing deep economic and political divisions and threats of extremism, and quickly losing ground to rivals like China. Despite all of this, Scott Galloway still sees reason for hope, but first lays out what he sees as the biggest challenges facing the nation. 

Who should read Adrift?

  • Those who feel overwhelmed by the anger and divisiveness on social media
  • Investors who want to understand an evolving market
  • People wondering if higher education is worth their time

26
Unscripted

Unscripted

James B Stewart and Rachel Abrams
The Epic Battle for a Media Empire and the Redstone Family Legacy
3.6 (18 ratings)

What's Unscripted about?

Unscripted (2023) is the outrageous true story of Sumner Redstone, the former chairman and controlling shareholder of ViacomCBS (now Paramount Global). It focuses on the eventful final years of Redstone’s life, as well as the downfall of his successor at CBS, Les Moonves.

Who should read Unscripted?

  • Fans of TV dramas like Succession
  • People who enjoy juicy nonfiction and true crime
  • Anyone who wants a behind-the-scenes glimpse of corporate America

27
The Next Decade

The Next Decade

George Friedman
Empire and Republic in a Changing World
4.1 (81 ratings)

What's The Next Decade about?

The Next Decade (2011) offers us a glimpse into the future, exploring the ways in which the United States’ attempts to maintain its dominant position on the international stage will shape events in countries and regions around the world.

Who should read The Next Decade?

  • Students of history or political science
  • Anyone interested in a vivid forecast of the future of international politics
  • Avid readers and news junkies eager for a fresh perspective on foreign affairs

28
Inflation Matters

Inflation Matters

Pete Comley
Inflationary Wave Theory, Its Impact on Inflation Past and Present ... and the Deflation Yet to Come
4.4 (256 ratings)

What's Inflation Matters about?

Inflation Matters (2015) takes what’s often presented as a dense and complicated –⁠ not to mention boring –⁠ subject and turns it into something anyone can understand. Using simple, clear explanations, it presents the reasons why inflation exists, what and who perpetuates it, and how it impacts both the economy and society as a whole. Analyzing historical trends, it also presents a theory that inflation tends to follow a wavelike pattern over time –⁠ but that it doesn’t necessarily need to remain that way.

Who should read Inflation Matters?

  • People concerned about rising inflation and what it means for them
  • Amateur investors and economists
  • Anyone who wants to become more economically and financially literate

29
Billion Dollar Whale

Billion Dollar Whale

Tom Wright and Bradley Hope
The Man Who Fooled Wall Street, Hollywood, and the World
4.5 (151 ratings)

What's Billion Dollar Whale about?

Billion Dollar Whale (2018) is the definitive account of how a quick-witted and calculating Malaysian social climber called Jho Low defrauded a national investment fund and pulled off one of the twenty-first century’s most audacious heists. The fruit of years of painstaking research by two of America’s top investigative journalists, it sheds light on the shadowy workings of a globe-spanning network of swindlers, crooks and hustlers.

Who should read Billion Dollar Whale?

  • True-life story fanatics who love a rip-roaring yarn
  • Would-be detectives with a feel for finance 
  • Number-crunchers, bankers and accountants 

30
The Gates of Europe

The Gates of Europe

Serhii Plokhy
A History of Ukraine
4.3 (265 ratings)

What's The Gates of Europe about?

The Gates of Europe (2015) offers a compelling overview of the history of Ukraine, a nation which lies between the East and the West. Due to this unique geographic position, Ukraine has been fought over and subjugated by a long line of imperial forces throughout history. Indeed, the history of Ukraine is one of the most important facets in the history of Europe.

Who should read The Gates of Europe?

  • History buffs
  • People curious about Russian-Ukrainian relations
  • Anyone interested in democracy

31
The Lincoln Conspiracy

The Lincoln Conspiracy

Brad Meltzer and Josh Mensch
The Secret Plot to Kill America's 16th President – and Why It Failed
4.6 (57 ratings)

What's The Lincoln Conspiracy about?

The Lincoln Conspiracy (2020) tells the story of the first assassination attempt on America’s 16th president – before he was even president. Organized by a secret cabal of pro-slavery Southern secessionists, the plot was foiled by famous private detective Allan Pinkerton, as well as Kate Warne, one of his agents, and the first female detective in America.

Who should read The Lincoln Conspiracy?

  • Civil War fanatics
  • Lincoln geeks
  • Anyone interested in the story of abolitionism

32
Killing the Mob

Killing the Mob

Bill O'Reilly and Martin Dugard
The Fight Against Organized Crime in America
4.5 (314 ratings)

What's Killing the Mob about?

Killing the Mob (2021) explores America’s uneasy relationship with organized crime. It exposes the shocking influence of the Mafia on twentieth-century history and culture and reveals the outrageous exploits of America’s most notorious gangsters.

Who should read Killing the Mob?

  • True crime lovers
  • gangster movie aficionados
  • History buffs looking for a different angle

33
Shutdown

Shutdown

Adam Tooze
How Covid Shook the World's Economy
3.3 (91 ratings)

What's Shutdown about?

Shutdown (2021) explores the unprecedented shock COVID-19 dealt the world economy. The story begins with the revelation of the disease in January 2020 by Chinese President Xi Jinping and ends precisely a year later with the inauguration of US President Joe Biden, and through this history, Shutdown shows how markets and governments reeled from the blow, how they regained their footing, and what we might learn for the next worldwide crisis. 

Who should read Shutdown?

  • News junkies and history buffs alike
  • Those who know that economic policy matters
  • Anyone seeking perspective on our tumultuous times

34
Isaac's Storm

Isaac's Storm

Erik Larson
A Man, a Time, and the Deadliest Hurricane in History
4.1 (25 ratings)

What's Isaac's Storm about?

Isaac’s Storm (1999) is a gripping account of the hurricane that devastated Galveston, Texas on September 8, 1900. Just as Galveston was becoming a world-class city, a storm arrived with little warning and crushed many of the community’s hopes and ambitions.

Who should read Isaac's Storm?

  • Anyone moved by the indomitable power of nature
  • Fans of historical nonfiction
  • Storm chasers

35
Compromised

Compromised

Peter Strzok
Counterintelligence and the Threat of Donald J. Trump
3.9 (30 ratings)

What's Compromised about?

Compromised (2020) is an inside account of the FBI’s handling of the now-famous Midyear Exam and Crossfire Hurricane investigations concerning Hillary Clinton and the Trump campaign, respectively. It tackles partisan media and White House accusations head-on, from the point of view of a person at the center of it all.

Who should read Compromised?

  • Politically engaged Americans on both sides of the aisle
  • Those who have been exposed to conflicting narratives about the FBI
  • Curious followers of current events and politics

36
Crypto Wars

Crypto Wars

Erica Stanford
Faked Deaths, Missing Billions, and Industry Disruption
4.2 (190 ratings)

What's Crypto Wars about?

Crypto Wars: Faked Deaths, Missing Billions, and Industry Disruption (2021) lifts the lid on some of the cryptosphere’s most audacious scams and notorious scandals. From the missing cryptoqueen, Dr. Ruja Ignatova, to the tech whiz kid who – according to his creditors, at least – faked his own death, Crypto Wars shares this secretive industry’s most compelling stories.

Who should read Crypto Wars?

  • Crypto enthusiasts after the inside dirt on some of the market’s biggest scams
  • Interested investors who want a rundown of the red flags in the crypto world
  • Anyone who’s ever wondered if they could make a cool million – or billion – in crypto

37
After the Fall

After the Fall

Ben Rhodes
Being American in the World We've Made
4.0 (228 ratings)

What's After the Fall about?

After the Fall (2021) takes a sobering look at the rise of nationalism and authoritarianism in places like Hungary, China, Russia, and the United States of America. It examines how the standing and influence of the US changed in the years following the Cold War, and how this has led to the current challenges facing democracy around the world. 

Who should read After the Fall?

  • Political junkies
  • Fans of democracy
  • Students of modern history

38
The Better Angels of Our Nature

The Better Angels of Our Nature

Steven Pinker
Why Violence Has Declined
4.6 (76 ratings)

What's The Better Angels of Our Nature about?

The Better Angels of Our Nature (2012) takes a close look at the history of violence in human society, explaining both our motivations to use violence on certain occasions and the factors that increasingly restrain us from using it – and how these factors have resulted in massive reductions in violence.

Who should read The Better Angels of Our Nature?

  • Anyone who thinks the world is becoming an increasingly violent place
  • Anyone who’s interested in the forces and reasons that drive us to and keep us from violence
  • Anyone interested in the history of violence in human societies

39
Mindf*ck

Mindf*ck

Christopher Wylie
Cambridge Analytica and the Plot to Break America
4.5 (116 ratings)

What's Mindf*ck about?

Mindf*ck (2019), written by a whistleblower, tells the story of the largest data crime in history to date. On the eve of the 2016 United States presidential election, consulting firm Cambridge Analytica harvested the Facebook data from 87 million people and used it to conduct a mass disinformation campaign. Now, the full story has finally come to light.

Who should read Mindf*ck?

  • Americans who want to understand Cambridge Analytica’s role in the Trump election
  • Left- and right-wingers feeling increasingly resentful of the other side
  • Brits interested in why the Brexit referendum turned out the way it did

40
Richard Nixon

Richard Nixon

John A. Farrell
The Life
4.2 (109 ratings)

What's Richard Nixon about?

Richard Nixon: The Life (2017) is a thorough biography of one of the most controversial American presidents. Tracing Nixon’s life from his humble upbringing through his meteoric political ascent to his crashing downfall in the Watergate scandal, it reveals a complex, troubled, and sentimental man.

Who should read Richard Nixon?

  • US-politics aficionados
  • Biography enthusiasts who love a scandal
  • People looking to deepen their knowledge of American history

41
Navalny

Navalny

Jan Matti Dollbaum
Putin's Nemesis, Russia's Future?
4.4 (183 ratings)

What's Navalny about?

Navalny (2021) is an in-depth look at the life and politics of Russian politician Alexei Navalny. This biography details how Navalny rose to prominence and what plans he has for Russia’s future.

Who should read Navalny?

  • Outsiders seeking to understand life in Russia 
  • Political thinkers keen to grasp the concept of power in a post-USSR world
  • All those invested in the future of world governance

42
Austerity

Austerity

Mark Blyth
The History of a Dangerous Idea
4.4 (39 ratings)

What's Austerity about?

Austerity (2013) cuts through the confusion behind our recent financial crises and reveals what really happens when economists call for a policy of austerity to be implemented. This is when budgets are cut, public funding is slashed and working-class families suffer so that banks can be saved and continue to make billions. Find out what’s really going on and who’s really being protected when your country gets pushed into austerity.

Who should read Austerity?

  • Students of political science and economics
  • Readers who want a better understanding of the recent banking crisis
  • Activists fighting against the top 1 percent

43
Empire of Pain

Empire of Pain

Patrick Radden Keefe
The Secret History of the Sackler Dynasty
4.6 (53 ratings)

What's Empire of Pain about?

Empire of Pain (2021) follows the rise and fall of the elusive Sacklers, the billionaire family behind Purdue Pharma. Its blockbuster drug, OxyContin, was aggressively marketed as safe, but would go on to spur a devastating opioid crisis that claimed hundreds of thousands of lives. Yet the Sacklers’ fortress of lawyers, political connections and a philanthropic name would, time and again, protect them from responsibility.

Who should read Empire of Pain?

  • Current affairs enthusiasts
  • Lovers of family dynasty dramas
  • Anyone wanting to understand the opioid crisis

44
Mission Economy

Mission Economy

Mariana Mazzucato
A Moonshot Guide to Changing Capitalism
4.0 (200 ratings)

What's Mission Economy about?

Mission Economy (2021) explains how we can rethink our approaches toward government and capitalism through the concept of missions – huge, ambitious projects that inspire people across society to think big. These blinks show how we can change the world by taking inspiration from one of the most famous missions of all: the moon landing.

Who should read Mission Economy?

  • Visionary thinkers who want to transform society
  • Economists and politics fans in search of bold new ideas
  • Critics of capitalism who want to see change

45
The January 6th Report

The January 6th Report

Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol
The Final Report on the Capitol Insurrection That Shook America
3.6 (208 ratings)

What's The January 6th Report about?

The January 6th Report (2022) is the official Congressional report into the storming of the US Capitol on January 6, 2021. The report confirms that Donald Trump, the outgoing president, was the root cause of the attack on the Capitol, and the committee recommended that he broke numerous laws in the process and should be brought to justice.

Who should read The January 6th Report?

  • News addicts who were gripped by the events of January 6
  • Politics enthusiasts
  • Anyone with an interest in democracy – and its limits

46
The American War in Afghanistan

The American War in Afghanistan

Carter Malkasian
A History
3.9 (123 ratings)

What's The American War in Afghanistan about?

The American War in Afghanistan (2021) is an in-depth look at one of the defining conflicts of the twenty-first century. This exhaustively-researched analysis dives into the details of this protracted and complex military occupation.

Who should read The American War in Afghanistan?

  • Engaged citizens keen to keep up with current events
  • Civilians seeking insight into military matters 
  • Anyone eager to understand a complex conflict

47
Flash Crash

Flash Crash

Liam Vaughan
A Trading Savant, a Global Manhunt, and the Most Mysterious Market Crash in History
4.6 (69 ratings)

What's Flash Crash about?

Flash Crash (2020) tells the story of the “Hound of Hounslow,” Navinder Singh Sarao, a British man accused of triggering the sudden and dramatic stock market crash of 2010. This is a detailed and fast-paced tale of global fraud and quixotic dreams.

Who should read Flash Crash?

  • Those with an interest in financial fraud and daring swindles 
  • Fans of gripping investigative journalism
  • Anyone who follows global finance

48
Founding Brothers

Founding Brothers

Joseph J. Ellis
The Revolutionary Generation
4.6 (209 ratings)

What's Founding Brothers about?

Founding Brothers (2002) complicates and enriches our understanding of the American revolution. The men who founded America lived and worked in uncertain times. The future was far from certain, and even the truths they held to be self-evident often led to strikingly different conclusions. But they clung to one another – as friends, as rivals, and even as enemies. Together, they formed a fraternity of remarkable minds that could collectively solve the problems each of them on their own could not.

Who should read Founding Brothers?

  • History buffs
  • Americanophiles 
  • Anyone who loves stories

49
How to Prevent the Next Pandemic

How to Prevent the Next Pandemic

Bill Gates
What We’ve Learned From COVID-19 & the Changes We Need to Make
3.8 (242 ratings)

What's How to Prevent the Next Pandemic about?

How to Prevent the Next Pandemic (2022) is a blueprint for the international pandemic prevention plan the world sorely needs. Learning from the mistakes of the Covid 19 pandemic, Gates lays down a series of steps governments need to take if we’re to protect ourselves and ensure another global health catastrophe of this scale never happens again.

Who should read How to Prevent the Next Pandemic?

  • Casual science readers with an interest in epidemiology
  • Business leaders and philanthropists looking for good places to invest
  • Anyone who doesn’t want to live through another Covid 19

50
Perversion of Justice

Perversion of Justice

Julie K. Brown
The Jeffrey Epstein Story
4.4 (27 ratings)

What's Perversion of Justice about?

Perversion of Justice (2021) reveals how a reporter for the Miami Herald broke the story behind Jeffrey Epstein’s sex crimes and the scandalous deal he got from the US justice system in 2008. It explains the history of the case, how the mysterious financier was able to escape justice for so long, and the important questions that remain unanswered.

Who should read Perversion of Justice?

  • Anyone curious how a serial sex offender can elude punishment
  • Fans of true crime investigations
  • People interested in the ongoing mystery behind Epstein and his accomplices

51
Never Give an Inch

Never Give an Inch

Mike Pompeo
Fighting for the America I Love
3.8 (43 ratings)

What's Never Give an Inch about?

Never Give an Inch (2022) gives insight into US foreign policy during the Trump administration. Pompeo, the former Secretary of State, outlines his personal beliefs, candidly discusses his views on international politics, and reflects on challenges and successes from his time in the State Department.

Who should read Never Give an Inch?

  • Republicans
  • People who want to know more about the Trump administration
  • Anyone who’s interested in US and international politics

52
The Life You Can Save

The Life You Can Save

Peter Singer
How to Do Your Part to End World Poverty
4.4 (182 ratings)

What's The Life You Can Save about?

The Life You Can Save (2019) is a philosophical exploration of the moral implications of poverty. This provocative treatise asks us to consider if we’re truly doing our part to end human suffering.

Who should read The Life You Can Save?

  • Sensitive souls wanting to help the least fortunate
  • Hardened cynics skeptical of any charities
  • Anyone interested in probing the human condition

53
Dreamland

Dreamland

Sam Quinones
The True Tale of America’s Opiate Epidemic
4.4 (26 ratings)

What's Dreamland about?

Dreamland (2015) tells the story of how the opiate crisis in the United States went from being a problem only among social outcasts and the urban poor to one of the leading causes of accidental deaths in the country. The background and science of the crisis are rooted in socioeconomic factors that are distinctly American.

Who should read Dreamland?

  • Non-Americans left nonplussed by the United States’ opiate problem
  • Health care professionals
  • Policy wonks

54
Barbarians at the Gate

Barbarians at the Gate

Bryan Burrough
The Fall of RJR Nabisco
4.1 (40 ratings)

What's Barbarians at the Gate about?

Barbarians at the Gate (1989) tells the story of one of the largest corporate deals in US history, the leveraged buyout of RJR Nabisco. These blinks provide a gripping portrait of the extreme and extravagant behavior in corporate America during the 1980s.

Who should read Barbarians at the Gate?

  • Anyone working in finance or business who wants to learn about a legendary deal
  • Citizens appalled by the excesses of corporate America
  • Anyone enthralled by hostile takeovers and cutthroat dealings

55
Russian Roulette

Russian Roulette

Michael Isikoff and David Corn
The Inside Story of Putin’s War on America and the Election of Donald Trump
4.1 (47 ratings)

What's Russian Roulette about?

Russian Roulette (2018) relates the results of an investigation by two journalists into the Russian interference in the 2016 American presidential election. These include details on Trump’s business ties to Russia, the Russian connections of his campaign team, the Russian hacking of Democratic institutions, the disinformation campaigns on social media and what Russian intelligence might have gathered to compromise Trump. The blinks also tell how the American intelligence community and the Obama administration reacted to the Russian hacking.

Who should read Russian Roulette?

  • News junkies interested in the 2016 US presidential election
  • Concerned citizens who want to know more about Trump’s ties to Russia
  • Students of politics seeking an explanation for why Trump won

56
The Cult of We

The Cult of We

Eliot Brown and Maureen Farrell
WeWork, Adam Neumann, and the Great Startup Delusion
4.2 (123 ratings)

What's The Cult of We about?

The Cult of We (2021) tells the story of how the office-space company WeWork became the world’s most valued startup – only to come crashing down a few years later. Written by the reporters who broke the story of WeWork’s disastrous downfall in 2019, it explores WeWork's trajectory through a journalistic and financial lens, demonstrating how the most prominent investors in the world were blinded to the company’s risks for nearly a decade.

Who should read The Cult of We?

  • People interested in economics
  • Startup and entrepreneurship enthusiasts
  • Anyone curious about startup financing

57
American Kompromat

American Kompromat

Craig Unger
How the KGB Cultivated Donald Trump, and Related Tales of Sex, Greed, Power, and Treachery
3.9 (57 ratings)

What's American Kompromat about?

American Kompromat (2021) tells the dark and unsettling tale of how the Russian KGB began cultivating Donald Trump as an asset –⁠ and then hit the jackpot when he became the president of the United States. Drawing connections between Trump, Jeffrey Epstein, and a mysterious Catholic sect called Opus Dei, it explores the reasons why Trump repeatedly did Putin’s bidding –⁠ and who enabled him to do so.

Who should read American Kompromat?

  • Americans trying to make sense of Trump’s connection to Russia
  • Fans of political gossip and conspiracies
  • Citizens concerned about how politicians and businessmen weaponize their power

58
I Alone Can Fix It

I Alone Can Fix It

Carol Leonnig and Philip Rucker
Donald J. Trump's Catastrophic Final Year
3.8 (88 ratings)

What's I Alone Can Fix It about?

I Alone Can Fix It (2021) is the definitive behind-the-scenes account of Donald Trump’s final 12 months in the White House. Drawing on in-depth interviews with participants in the drama, it charts how a president who was on course for reelection ended up presiding over a doomed and bloody attempt to cling on to power. Along the way, it reveals the thinking behind Trump’s dysfunctional responses to the coronavirus pandemic and Black Lives Matter movement. 

Who should read I Alone Can Fix It?

  • Politics buffs
  • Current affairs junkies
  • Americanophiles

59
Fake Law

Fake Law

The Secret Barrister
The Truth About Justice in an Age of Lies
4.7 (30 ratings)

What's Fake Law about?

Fake Law (2020) examines the truth behind some of Britain’s most infamous crimes and criminal trials. Packed with insights into how the law really works, these blinks explore the disconnect between the reality of the justice system, and how it’s portrayed in the media.

Who should read Fake Law?

  • True crime fans
  • Law students looking for a fresh perspective
  • Anyone interested in current affairs

60
Austerity

Austerity

Alberto Alesina
When It Works and When It Doesn't
3.8 (30 ratings)

What's Austerity about?

Austerity (2019) uses data analysis to look at one of the most controversial topics in economics today. An analysis of several countries’ austerity policies over the past several decades reveals that cutting spending can actually help the economy expand.

Who should read Austerity?

  • Economists keen to learn more about austerity
  • Politicians looking to brush up on their economics
  • Anyone who wants to understand the numbers behind government policy

61
The Gun Debate

The Gun Debate

Philip J. Cook and Kristin A. Goss
What Everyone Needs to Know®
3.8 (177 ratings)

What's The Gun Debate about?

The Gun Debate (2014) conveys a clear picture of how firearms are bought, sold, used, and policed in the US. It lists and fact-checks a number of key arguments used by both pro and anti-gun campaigners in the ongoing debate about the parameters of gun control across the country.

Who should read The Gun Debate?

  • People who want facts – not opinions – about firearms and their use in the US
  • Americans seeking to better understand the current system of gun control
  • Anyone curious about America’s unique relationship with firearms

62
Google Leaks

Google Leaks

Zach Vorhies
A Whistleblower's Exposé of Big Tech Censorship
3.4 (337 ratings)

What's Google Leaks about?

Google Leaks (2021) is the no-holds-barred story of one former Google employee, who claims that the search giant has been corrupted by political bias and is pursuing a course of deliberate online censorship. It details the author’s journey after Donald Trump’s election from satisfied employee to unflinching corporate whistleblower .

Who should read Google Leaks?

  • Tech lovers concerned by the the growth of online megacorporations 
  • Political aficionados interested in the years of Trump’s presidency
  • Free-speech advocates concerned by the erosion of civil liberties

63
The WikiLeaks Files

The WikiLeaks Files

Julian Assange (introduction)
The World According to US Empire
4.7 (18 ratings)

What's The WikiLeaks Files about?

The WikiLeaks Files (2015) provides fascinating and digestible insights from WikiLeaks, the organization that came to worldwide prominence with the release of 251,287 US State Department cables in 2010. These blinks paint a bleak picture of an American empire and its machinations.

Who should read The WikiLeaks Files?

  • Global citizens concerned with world affairs
  • Students of political science or international relations
  • Diplomats and others working in civil service

64
The Death of Money

The Death of Money

James Rickards
The Coming Collapse of the International Monetary System
4.0 (55 ratings)

What's The Death of Money about?

Death of Money examines the current global monetary system, centered around the dollar. If current policies continue, a total collapse is imminent. You should prepare for the worst.

Who should read The Death of Money?

  • Anyone wondering what the next decades will bring in terms of global financial development
  • Anyone who currently has all their savings sitting in the bank
  • Anyone interested in how the global monetary system works

65
Built

Built

Roma Agrawal
The Hidden Stories Behind Our Structures

What's Built about?

Built (2018) tells the story of some of society’s unsung heroes: structural engineers. Sadly, structural engineering tends only to enter the news when something goes wrong, like when a building falls or a bridge collapses. In Built, Agrawal gives a fuller picture of what it means to be an engineer, offering a range of stories and engaging tidbits about the structures of our world and the people who built them.

Who should read Built?

  • People curious about how buildings are made
  • Aspiring structural engineers
  • Students interested in the history of engineering

66
Dear America

Dear America

Graham Allen
Live Like It's 9/12
3.4 (192 ratings)

What's Dear America about?

Dear America (2021) is a call to action for Americans. It implores them to unite despite differences – and preserve their nation before it’s too late.

Who should read Dear America?

  • Americans of all political stripes
  • Anyone interested in US history
  • People intent on preserving free speech and diversity of thought

67
Meltdown

Meltdown

Thomas E. Woods
A Free-Market Look at Why the Stock Market Collapsed, the Economy Tanked, and Government Bailouts Will Make Things Worse
3.9 (32 ratings)

What's Meltdown about?

Meltdown (2009) gives you a guide to understanding the government regulations which in effect caused the 2008 global financial crisis. These blinks will explain how government spending has and always will worsen economic recessions, and importantly, what needs to be done to save the world economy.

Who should read Meltdown?

  • Students of economics or finance
  • Anyone interested in the causes of the 2008 financial crisis
  • People sick of the meddling of “big government”

68
An Ugly Truth

An Ugly Truth

Sheera Frenkel and Cecilia Kang
Inside Facebook's Battle for Domination
4.1 (253 ratings)

What's An Ugly Truth about?

An Ugly Truth (2021) is a critical look behind the scenes of Facebook. This in-depth investigation reveals the politics and personalities animating the rise and subsequent missteps of this controversial social media behemoth.

Who should read An Ugly Truth?

  • Internet addicts looking to understand cyberspace
  • Political junkies addicted to their News Feed
  • Anyone who has ever logged on to social media

69
Kochland

Kochland

Christopher Leonard
The Secret History of Koch Industries and Corporate Power in America
4.2 (41 ratings)

What's Kochland about?

Kochland (2019) is a biography of Koch Industries. Once a relatively small and disorganized conglomeration of private holdings, Koch Industries is now the second-largest privately held corporation in the United States, with a sprawling network of assets that includes everything from oil refineries to chemical plants and oil pipelines to paper mills. These blinks tell the story of Koch’s massive growth and shine sidelights on the life of Charles Koch, Koch’s CEO for more than 50 years and the man who made it all possible. 

Who should read Kochland?

  • People who’ve heard the name, but don’t know Koch’s history
  • Citizens concerned about corporate power in the United States
  • Anyone wondering why Koch Industries is so secretive

70
The Reckoning

The Reckoning

Mary L. Trump
Our Nation's Trauma and Finding a Way to Heal
3.2 (208 ratings)

What's The Reckoning about?

The Reckoning (2021) is an unflinching look at contemporary American society. This sharp treatise draws informative connections between the nation’s traumas and its current issues.

Who should read The Reckoning?

  • Voters struggling to understand the contemporary political landscape
  • Citizens concerned about the future of their country
  • Anyone interested in a critical analysis of American society

71
Wildland

Wildland

Evan Osnos
The Making of America's Fury
3.4 (33 ratings)

What's Wildland about?

Wildland (2021) recounts the story of how America became unraveled throughout the first two decades of the twenty-first century. Drawing on stories from residents of three US cities –⁠ Greenwich, Connecticut; Clarksburg, West Virginia; and Chicago, Illinois –⁠ it examines the undercurrents of change that tie together the fates of these varied landscapes. Finally, it describes how the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 laid the foundation for the violent insurrection on January 6, 2021. 

Who should read Wildland?

  • Americans trying to make sense of the changes in their country
  • Students of American politics and culture
  • Activists looking for a holistic picture of the grievances of average Americans

72
The Locust Effect

The Locust Effect

Gary A. Haugen and Victor Boutros
Why the End of Poverty Requires the End of Violence
4.5 (17 ratings)

What's The Locust Effect about?

The Locust Effect (2014) argues that foreign aid is only useful to developing countries if their impoverished citizens have protection from violence and crime. Without this, aid money is wasted because neither individuals nor businesses are safe to grow. Financial donations should aim to strengthen national criminal justice systems, so countries can serve themselves in the long run.

Who should read The Locust Effect?

  • Students of political science, international relations and foreign policy
  • Donors and sponsors looking to help the developing world
  • Anyone interested in global development

73
Lessons from the Titans

Lessons from the Titans

Scott Davis
What Companies in the New Economy Can Learn from the Great Industrial Giants to Drive Sustainable Success
4.3 (42 ratings)

What's Lessons from the Titans about?

Lessons from the Titans (2020) tells the stories of ten industrial companies in the United States. From General Electric to Boeing, Honeywell to United Rentals, it looks at which strategic decisions led to success and which disastrous missteps created new obstacles. By analyzing the past performance of such legendary businesses, it offers greater insight into which companies today will stick around – and which won’t. 

Who should read Lessons from the Titans?

  • Business gurus fascinated by economic shifts
  • Entrepreneurs looking to future-proof their companies
  • Economists curious about market shifts

74
Fault Lines

Fault Lines

Raghuram G. Rajan
How Hidden Fractures Still Threaten The World Economy
4.5 (26 ratings)

What's Fault Lines about?

In Fault Lines, author Raghuram Rajan unveils the global economy’s hidden fractures that led to the 2008 financial crisis. These blinks show that greedy bankers weren’t the only ones to blame; our economic system had deep systemic flaws as well. Importantly, they outline what we can do as a society to prevent similar crises in the future.

Who should read Fault Lines?

  • Anyone who wants to understand the financial crisis of 2008
  • Anyone curious how future economic crises could be prevented
  • Anyone interested in global economics or international trade

75
With Charity for All

With Charity for All

Ken Stern
Why Charities Are Failing and a Better Way to Give
4.3 (13 ratings)

What's With Charity for All about?

With Charity for All offers an in-depth view of the inner workings of a sector which dominates ten percent of the US economy and employs 13 million people: the nonprofit industry. Subject to few controls, some huge nonprofit organizations are all too often afflicted with incompetence or even fraud.

Who should read With Charity for All?

  • Anyone who regularly donates to charities or wishes to donate
  • Anyone interested in working in the nonprofit sector
  • Anyone who wants to know how to make a difference in society

76
Crisis in the Eurozone

Crisis in the Eurozone

Costas Lapavitsas and others
Understand the root of the eurozone crisis.
3.9 (15 ratings)

What's Crisis in the Eurozone about?

These blinks explain the root of the eurozone crisis in a comprehensive, methodical way. They shed light on the deep structural problems the eurozone is facing and outline scenarios that could help restore competitiveness among the southern peripheral states of the region.

Who should read Crisis in the Eurozone?

  • Anyone who wants to better understand the eurozone crisis
  • Anyone interested in macroeconomics
  • Anyone interested in fiscal policy

77
Guantánamo Diary

Guantánamo Diary

Mohamedou Ould Slahi
Guantanamo from the Inside

What's Guantánamo Diary about?

Guantánamo Diary (2015) is the edited testimony of a detainee at the Guantánamo Bay detention center in Cuba. These blinks will walk the reader through the story of one man’s interrogation, incarceration and torture at the hands of the US government.

Who should read Guantánamo Diary?

  • People who want an inside look at the notorious US prison on Guantánamo Bay
  • Anyone hoping to learn more about the treatment of American political prisoners
  • Anyone interested in the testimonies and struggles of individuals detained by US authorities

78
Paper Promises

Paper Promises

Philip Coggan
Money, Debt and the New World Order
4.2 (13 ratings)

What's Paper Promises about?

Paper Promises offers a sobering take on the nature of money, the recent global financial crisis and what our attitudes about debt will mean for future generations.

Who should read Paper Promises?

  • Anyone who is deeply in debt
  • Students of history and economics
  • Older generations who struggle to understand why young people have so much debt

79
American Carnage

American Carnage

Tim Alberta
On the Front Lines of the Republican Civil War and the Rise of President Trump
3.9 (72 ratings)

What's American Carnage about?

American Carnage (2019) details the ideological battle at the heart of the Republican Party over the last decade. From George Bush’s “compassionate conservatism” to the Tea Party’s right-wing fervor, Tim Alberta covers the ideological metamorphosis that led to Donald Trump’s presidency.

Who should read American Carnage?

  • Anyone with an interest in American politics 
  • Budding Washington hacks
  • Those anxious about the rise of the far right

80
After the Music Stopped

After the Music Stopped

Alan S. Blinder
The Financial Crisis, the Response, and the Work Ahead
4.2 (11 ratings)

What's After the Music Stopped about?

After The Music Stopped explains and analyzes the causes of the last decade’s great financial crisis. It details the mechanics of the underlying problems as well as the sequence of events as panic began to set in. Finally, it also explains how the US government managed to halt the chaos and rescue the economy.

Who should read After the Music Stopped?

  • Investors, bankers, government financial regulators
  • Anyone interested in the causes of one of the biggest financial crises of all time
  • Anyone interested in how the US government stepped in to alleviate the situation

81
Uncontrolled Spread

Uncontrolled Spread

Scott Gottlieb
Why COVID-19 Crushed Us and How We Can Defeat the Next Pandemic
3.9 (203 ratings)

What's Uncontrolled Spread about?

Uncontrolled Spread (2021) takes an unsparing look at the many problems the United States faced when confronted with the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Through a combination of factors, the US was unprepared for what occurred. But it’s possible to learn from this tragedy and make sure that it doesn’t happen again.

Who should read Uncontrolled Spread?

  • People keen to learn more about the US’s response to the COVID pandemic
  • Anyone interested in how we can be more prepared against future threats

82
The Boom

The Boom

Russell Gold
How Fracking Ignited the American Energy Revolution and Changed the World

What's The Boom about?

The Boom looks at the development and consequences of fracking, meaning the controversial drilling of shale gas and oil.

Who should read The Boom?

  • Anyone interested in environmentalism or earth science
  • Anyone interested in the future of US energy policy
  • Anyone who wants to understand why fracking is so controversial

83
Normal Accidents

Normal Accidents

Charles Perrow
Living with High-Risk Technologies

What's Normal Accidents about?

Normal Accidents delves into the accidents that can and have occurred in high-risk environments, like nuclear plants and dams, airplanes and even space. It shows us how mind-bogglingly complex modern systems have become, and that no one could possibly predict the trivial failures that cascade into catastrophe.

Who should read Normal Accidents?

  • Anyone involved in complicated operations, like start-ups, research operations, or project management
  • Perfectionists or technological solutionists
  • Anyone who travels by plane or ship

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