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Ask HN: Favorite nonfiction books of 2018?

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Re: Ask HN: Favorite nonfiction books of 2018?

#122

Post by slyall »

p1esk wrote: post #80
slyall wrote: post #79

* The Greater Journey: Americans in Paris by David McCullough * Higher: A Historic Race to the Sky and the Making of a City by Neal Bascomb * Caesar’s Last Breath: Decoding the Secrets of the Air Around Us by Sam Kean * Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari * A Man on the Moon: The Voyages of the Apollo Astronauts by Andrew Chaikin * The Actor’s Life: A survival guide by Jenna Fischer * The Inter…

Have you read all of these?

Well listened since they were all audiobooks. But they are the top 20% or so.

For around the last year I've been listing (with a little review) the ones I listen to

https://blog.darkmere.gen.nz/category/misc/

Re: Ask HN: Favorite nonfiction books of 2018?

#123

Post by WheelsAtLarge »

Here's one that's out of the norm around here- Caddyshack: The Making of a Hollywood Cinderella Story by Chris Nashawaty.

Caddyshack is one of my favorites comedies. I've always imagined its creation was a well thought out journey from the first idea to the finished movie. It turns out it was not. The movie didn't really take shape until it was being edited and getting ready to be released.

The book is a description of how it was created. A great read on describing the process from idea to award-winning movie.

I've worked with very creative teams and wondered how anything gets done. It's very different from the engineering/techie way of getting from point a to finished. The process that created Caddyshack is a great example of that.

Re: Ask HN: Favorite nonfiction books of 2018?

#127

Post by danso »

I know it's already been mentioned, but John Carreyrou's "Bad Blood" is a must-read. Even as someone who read and enjoyed every story published in the WSJ about Theranos, the book managed to have even more context and incredible (and hilarious) reporting. It's a book as entertaining as it is invaluable in its investigative journalism.

Re: Ask HN: Favorite nonfiction books of 2018?

#128

Post by diehunde »

Brief Answers to the Big Questions by Stephen Hawking[1]. Not only about cosmology but also about topics such as the existence of god, finding life in other planets, the future of the humanity and other very intriguing questions.

[1] https://www.amazon.com/Brief-Answers-Questions-Stephen-Hawki...

Re: Ask HN: Favorite nonfiction books of 2018?

#129

Post by Zanni »

acangiano wrote: post #4

12 Rules for Life by Jordan Peterson.

I avoided this book for a long time because of a video I saw of Peterson taking an uncharitable stance towards trans people, but it was recommended to me so often by people I trust that I decided to check it out. I found I disagreed wildly with much of what he had to say, but often agreed enthusiastically with much else. An incredibly thought-provoking book, especially if you're interested in self-examination and living a better life. Don't take his 12 rules as a prescription for how to live life. Rather, think of the book as an extended conversation with a smart, somewhat disagreeable man who will spur you into thinking about what your 12 rules are.

Bottom line: I'm glad I read it and would recommend it. With this caveat: don't take his 12 rules for life as a prescription

Re: Ask HN: Favorite nonfiction books of 2018?

#130

Post by iamjk »

jacobn wrote: post #35

Righteous Mind, Why good people are divided by politics and religion by Jonathan Haidt (also applies to classic nerd feuds like Mac vs windows vs Linux) The Mom Test, how to talk to customers & learn if your business is a good idea when everyone is lying to you by Rob Fitzpatrick (worst title ever, book is great)

Absolutely loved The Righteous Mind, it was one of my favorites this year as well. I just ordered his next one, The Coddling of the American Mind.
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