Ideas That Changed the World: Get Inspired With Books by Nobel Prizewinners

The Nobel Prize is awarded every year to individuals and organizations that have made outstanding contributions in the fields of chemistry, physics, physiology & medicine, literature, economics, and peace.

An exhaustive list of all the books written by Nobel laureates would go on for days, but why not glance at some of the best nonfiction titles by Nobel prizewinning authors in the Blinkist library. Experience the breadth of the great ideas and research regarded as being the world’s best.

Phishing for Phools by George A. Akerlof, Robert J. Shiller

In Phishing for Phools, Nobel economics laureates, George A. Akerlof and Robert J. Shiller, present a radical challenge to the well-established notion that free markets are fundamentally good for us. Markets are full of manipulative traps, and we can all be easily coerced into spending money to our detriment. Akerlof and Shiller bring life to their progressive theories with stories of how anyone can be vulnerable to economic trickery. Read this bestseller to know how to avoid being ‘phished’ as a phool.

Who Gets What — and Why by Alvin Roth

You may not realize it, but every time you apply for a job, hire someone to work on your team, or go on a date, you are participating in a market. Our societies operate under many different market forces, not all of them ruled by money. These concepts are explored by world-leading expert in game theory and market design, Alvin Roth, who makes complex ideas about nonfinancial markets easy to understand, and fascinating to read.

The Road to Serfdom by Friedrich August von Hayek

Published in 1944, near the end of World War II, The Road to Serfdom warns of the danger of socialist economic policy for creating the perfect conditions for totalitarianism to thrive. Philosopher and economist, F.A. Hayek was a key defender of classical liberalism and a pioneer of monetary theory. This significant book foreshadowed many of the societal structures that rose and fell in the 20th century, and the ideas and warnings still resonate fiercely today.

Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman

Renowned psychologist and winner of the Nobel Prize for Economics, Daniel Kahneman takes us through his groundbreaking research that gave birth to behavioral economics and revolutionized cognitive psychology. By drawing attention to the typical slip-ups and biases of our mental processes, and by providing methods for how to work around them, Kahneman equips us with the tools to make better decisions in our personal lives, at work, and in broader society.

A Full Life by Jimmy Carter

Jimmy Carter became President of the United States in 1977 and later went on to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his lifelong commitment to social justice. In this bestselling autobiography, Carter reflects on his formative experiences from his humble beginnings to his time in office that shaped him as a champion of racial equality, education, and international peace. Read this top book from a Nobel Peace Prize winner for an in-depth understanding of what it takes to lead a phenomenal life.

The Double Helix by James D. Watson

DNA is understood as being the fundamental building block of life. So, discovering the true nature of DNA and its double helix structure was one of the most groundbreaking discoveries in the history of scientific research. Nobel prize winner for medicine, and main contributor to the Genome Project, James D. Watson, gives us a firsthand account of the trials, triumphs and the relentless commitment it took to achieve such a monumental scientific breakthrough.

A World Without Ice by Henry Pollack

Our planet is heating up at a frightening rate causing severe weather conditions, melting vast amounts of ice, and threatening the security of humankind. A World Without Ice tracks the startling effects of climate change, voices the importance of preserving ice for stabilizing the environment, and suggests the next steps we need to take to combat the climate crisis. Read this bestselling nonfiction book from 2007 Nobel Peace Prize winner, Henry Pollack.

World Order by Henry Kissinger

Former US Secretary of State and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, Henry Kissinger, reveals the complex mechanisms working at the core of international politics. The clash and cooperation of nations throughout history are explained as being due to differing conceptions of world order. Read Kissinger’s observations for a greater understanding of global politics past and present.

The Great Escape by Angus Deaton

There’s never been a better time to be alive—for some of us. Due to huge technological advances, scientific discoveries, and the progression of political ideas, the living standards of humankind has risen. Yet this prosperity is not evenly distributed, and globally the gap between rich and poor has widened. Nobel Economics Prize winner Deaton takes an in-depth look at the historical and contemporary patterns behind the health and wealth of nations, and addresses what needs to be done to help those left behind.

Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela

This autobiography from one of the most influential figures of 20th century political history, covers Nelson Mandela’s journey from childhood in rural South Africa, his transition to political freedom fighter in the anti-Apartheid movement, 21-year imprisonment, and eventual release and political victory. Mandela’s relentless commitment to social justice and huge contribution to the South African peace process gained him the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993. Read this inspiring autobiography straight from the top of the list of books by Nobel Prize winners.

Free to Choose by Milton Friedman

Economic freedom is an essential part of liberty; that’s the key message from 1976 Nobel Prize winner for Economics, Milton Friedman. Champion of the free market economy, Friedman argues that economic control by governments over individuals destroys personal freedom. If you’re interested in the principles of the free market economy, choose this international bestseller from a Nobel Prize winning author.

The Audacity of Hope by Barack Obama

In 2008, Barack Obama became the first African-American President of the United States. A year later, Obama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize “for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples.” Read The Audacity of Hope to gain an insight into the core values of one of the most monumental leaders of our time, and for a fascinating analysis of contemporary American politics.

Building Social Business by Muhammad Yunus

Social businesses are entities created to address social problems, with profits reinvested back into the business in order to maximize their social impact. Author Muhammad Yunus is not only a Nobel Peace Prize winner, he founded the Grameen Bank, and pioneered the concepts of microfinance, microcredit, and social business, amongst many other ventures. This bestseller is perfect for people curious to know more about what a social business is, and how to start one themselves.

The Future by Al Gore

Environmentalist and former Vice-President of the United States, Al Gore, predicts how six major forces will shape the future of our planet. Covering topics from corporate power games, population growth, and climate change, The Future maps out both positive and negative outcomes for humanity. Al Gore also gives strong advice on how we can create a more stable and prosperous situation for ourselves and future generations.

Nudge by Richard H. Thaler (& Cass. R. Sunstein)

Why do people make bad decisions? This is the question answered by behavioral scientist and Nobel prize winner for economics, Richard H. Thaler. Learn how to beat your bad habits, and achieve your lifetime goals through subtle, manageable changes in your day-to-day behavior. Nudge jumped to the top of the bestsellers list and remains a popular choice for both academics and non-specialists.

We hope you’ve enjoyed this selection of the books-in-blinks by Nobel Prize winners. If you’re curious to explore more, then browse Blinkist’s library of over 2,000 titles, which covers a vast spectrum of nonfiction topics, and is constantly expanding!