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Ask HN: Best book you read in 2010 and briefly why

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Re: Ask HN: Best book you read in 2010 and briefly why

#31

Post by tptacek »

alexdong wrote: post #25
bradly wrote: post #14

Into Thin Air. http://www.amazon.com/Into-Thin-Air-Personal-Disaster/dp/038... Amazing story, super inspirational, and lots of great history. My wife and I both loved this book and could not set it down.

I second this book too although I read several years ago. AND it's relevant in our startup life in a surprising way. I often found myself make much better decision when I'm a bit detached, which is one of 'the' lessons people learned from that accident. So now in our startup, my business partner does all the client/customer/user communication works and I had the precious opportunity to sit back and observe.

Along the theme of "unexpectedly resonant books for startup entrepreneurs", can I submit "Kitchen Confidential" by Anthony Bourdain?

(Medium Raw, a 2010 book, was also pretty good --- although probably only if you're into the high-end restaurant scene).

Re: Ask HN: Best book you read in 2010 and briefly why

#33

Post by rosser »

adriand wrote: post #18

"The Player of Games" by Iain M. Banks. I love serious literature, I love non-fiction, and I love business & tech books, but I decided to give sci-fi a shot again and a friend leant me this book: wow. Fascinating, rip-roaring, mind-bending read! If you want to read something but don't want to fall asleep, I highly recommend this book.

The entire Culture series is of like caliber. I just finished Surface Detail in a little over a day, wall clock time. Having just finished The Player of Games, I think you might really like Surface Detail.

Re: Ask HN: Best book you read in 2010 and briefly why

#34

Post by tptacek »

jemfinch wrote: post #29
tptacek wrote: post #28

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Krakauer can get really, really shrill --- I mean, really shrill --- but he hasn't written a book I've found that I didn't enjoy at least a little.

What does "shrill" mean in the context of writing?

Polemic, passionate in a one-note way, pleading, to an extent that sacrifices the narrative. Two great examples from Krakauer: _Under The Banner Of Heaven_, which veers into a straight-up litigation against the Mormon faith†, and _Where Men Win Glory_, whose latter third is practically tear-stained.

Note: I'm not saying either of those books are bad; I liked them. I loved _Into The Wild_.

† I'm not one.

Re: Ask HN: Best book you read in 2010 and briefly why

#35

Post by nikcub »

A toss between 'The Big Short' by Michael Lewis and 'Too Big To Fail' by Andrew Ross Sorkin.

Both books are about the financial crisis on Wall Street. They provide excellent insight into how smart people made very bad decisions that had repercussions around the entire world. The last time I remember getting such an insight into this important industry was Lewis' own 'Liars Poker'.

I think it is important for people to understand what went wrong with the most recent financial crisis, and these two books do an excellent job of informing us from an insiders perspective.

Re: Ask HN: Best book you read in 2010 and briefly why

#36

Post by boyter »

brown9-2 wrote: post #22

"Shogun" by James Clavell. Really great historical fiction about 16th century Japan. Quickest 1100 pages I've ever read.

I read that about 10 years ago. I need to revisit it again since I don't think I have ever managed to finish it without long periods of rest inbetween parts.

That said I totally agree. Excellent book.

Re: Ask HN: Best book you read in 2010 and briefly why

#37

Post by ramidarigaz »

brown9-2 wrote: post #22

"Shogun" by James Clavell. Really great historical fiction about 16th century Japan. Quickest 1100 pages I've ever read.

One of my top five books. I've read it so many times that the binding broke and the book is now in three pieces. I'm amazed that James Clavell managed to capture the culture so well.
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