Books provide the perfect mentors and teachers; they have the power to deliver directly to us the teachings, knowledge and wisdom of the many greats who have lived. Books literally have the power to change lives and I imagine that few of the most successful people throughout history would say they didn’t read or would struggle to share a book or two that they believed contributed significantly to their success...
It is getting to that point in the academic year when Year 12, and Year 13 students in particular are starting to think about specific reading in preparation for their university applications and courses. Many have come to me looking for the (mostly economics) books that will set them apart, give them the insight to help them get ahead with their studies and to obtain application for the theory they are learning as well as to have something interesting to write about in their personal statements...we’ve been growing and developing a bookcase in our office to support them and our library is doing an exceptional job in gathering the most essential reads and subscriptions and so I wanted to put together a collection of titles that can act as a central point of reference for those keen to get ahead.
I’ve already created a short reading list that we share with Year 12 where I’ve tried to rank some of the books we recommend in terms of their rigour and perception by universities. This post, however provides a list that goes further and looks wider than economic reading to provide enriching titles that will not only develop you as an aspiring (economics) student, but will also provide you with ideas, techniques and general fodder that may enhance your life in general. Many of these titles have had an impact on me personally and I have recommended them over the years to others. I’ve also provided a short list of podcasts that I feel have been incredibly useful, interesting and important to me. I listen to a lot of podcasts and they make travelling feel like pleasurable learning experience and I literally look forward to my (rather short) commute because of them. Getting to and from school can be an excellent time to hear wise words...I have also taken to listening to podcasts and audiobooks 1.5 speed, these days. Not just because of the shortness of the journey but I found I could hear more each week and I seem to focus better when it is sped up...Normal speed seems too slow to me now; I do this with Youtube videos and even find myself wishing I could speed up some of my colleagues and students!
I’ve characterised the list in terms of the main genres that I tend to recommend. Whilst it is in no way exhaustive, I am hopeful that there is something of value here for most of you...if you have any recommendations you feel should be included, please comment below or tweet them to me @SirSolo...
Economics
Economics: The User’s Guide and 23 Things they Don’t Tell You About Capitalism, both by Ha Joon Chang
Other People's Money by John Kay
Economics in One Lesson: The Shortest and Surest Way to Understand Basic Economics by Henry Hazlitt
Talking to My Daughter About the Economy by Yanis Varoufakis
Cracking Economics by Tejvan Pettinger
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It is getting to that point in the academic year when Year 12, and Year 13 students in particular are starting to think about specific reading in preparation for their university applications and courses. Many have come to me looking for the (mostly economics) books that will set them apart, give them the insight to help them get ahead with their studies and to obtain application for the theory they are learning as well as to have something interesting to write about in their personal statements...we’ve been growing and developing a bookcase in our office to support them and our library is doing an exceptional job in gathering the most essential reads and subscriptions and so I wanted to put together a collection of titles that can act as a central point of reference for those keen to get ahead.
I’ve already created a short reading list that we share with Year 12 where I’ve tried to rank some of the books we recommend in terms of their rigour and perception by universities. This post, however provides a list that goes further and looks wider than economic reading to provide enriching titles that will not only develop you as an aspiring (economics) student, but will also provide you with ideas, techniques and general fodder that may enhance your life in general. Many of these titles have had an impact on me personally and I have recommended them over the years to others. I’ve also provided a short list of podcasts that I feel have been incredibly useful, interesting and important to me. I listen to a lot of podcasts and they make travelling feel like pleasurable learning experience and I literally look forward to my (rather short) commute because of them. Getting to and from school can be an excellent time to hear wise words...I have also taken to listening to podcasts and audiobooks 1.5 speed, these days. Not just because of the shortness of the journey but I found I could hear more each week and I seem to focus better when it is sped up...Normal speed seems too slow to me now; I do this with Youtube videos and even find myself wishing I could speed up some of my colleagues and students!
I’ve characterised the list in terms of the main genres that I tend to recommend. Whilst it is in no way exhaustive, I am hopeful that there is something of value here for most of you...if you have any recommendations you feel should be included, please comment below or tweet them to me @SirSolo...
Economics
Economics: The User’s Guide and 23 Things they Don’t Tell You About Capitalism, both by Ha Joon Chang
Other People's Money by John Kay
Economics in One Lesson: The Shortest and Surest Way to Understand Basic Economics by Henry Hazlitt
Talking to My Daughter About the Economy by Yanis Varoufakis
Cracking Economics by Tejvan Pettinger
The Undercover Economist by Tim Harford
Slightly tougher, incredibly insightful and useful economics reads (good for Oxbridge prep):
Road to Serfdom by Hayek
Free to Choose by Milton Friedman
General Theory of Employment, Interest and Money by John Maynard Keynes
Wealth of Nations by Adam Smith
Behavioural Economics and Psychology
Nudge by Thaler and Sunstein
Predictably Irrational by Dan Ariely
You Are Not So Smart by David McRaney
Influence by Robert Cialdini
Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman
Black Swan by Nassim Nicholas Taleb
Business, Entrepreneurship, Leadership and Management (and a bit of Stoic philosophy)
The Truth About Leadership by James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner
Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap…and Others Don’t by Jim Collins
Screw It, Let’s Do It; Losing My Virginity and Finding My Virginity by Richard Branson
Simplify: How the Best Businesses in the World Succeed by Richard Koch, Greg Lockwood
The Art of War by Sun Tzu
Tribes by Seth Godin
Personal Development, Effectiveness and Organisation
Tools of Titans, Four Hour Work Week and Tribe of Mentors, all by Tim Ferris
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey
How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
Meditations by Marcus Aurelius
Drive by Daniel H. Pink
Getting Things Done by David Allen
Never Split the Difference: Negotiating As If Your Life Depended On It by Chris Voss
Other highly recommended reads
Waking Up by Sam Harris
Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari
Anything You Want by Derek Sivers
Man’s Search for Mean by Viktor Frankel
Free Will by Sam Harris
Podcasts
The Tim Ferris Show
Joe Rogan Experience
Making Sense with Sam Harris
You Are Not So Smart Podcast by David McRaney
Manager Tools Podcast
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