Fareed Zakaria is a world-renowned political scientist, commentator, and author. He is also an avid reader, and his book recommendations offer a window into the mind of one of the most brilliant thinkers of our time.
We have listed all the books Zaharia mentioned on the web. Check this list below:
21 Lessons for the 21st Century by Yuval Noah Harari
In his book, 21 Lessons for the 21st Century, Yuval Noah Harari tackles some of the most pressing issues facing our world today.
He offers up a unique and thought-provoking perspective on topics like technology, religion, and terrorism. His insights are sure to leave readers questioning everything they thought they knew about the world around them.
A Good Provider Is One Who Leaves by Jason DeParle
Jason DeParle’s book, A Good Provider Is One Who Leaves, is a powerful and eye-opening account of the global economy’s impact on one Mexican family.
DeParle follows the Huks, a family of migrant workers from Mexico, as they journey to the United States in search of a better life. The Huks are just one of the millions of families who have been forced to leave their homes and communities in search of work.
While the Huks’ story is specific to their experience, it also provides a window into the lives of countless other migrant workers who are struggling to make ends meet. DeParle’s book is an important and timely reminder of the human cost of globalization.
Blowout by Rachel Maddow
In her new book, “Blowout,” Rachel Maddow sounds the alarm on the global climate crisis. She argues that we have reached a tipping point and that it is time for bold action to avert disaster.
Maddow draws on her background as a journalist and military historian to investigate the players and interests driving the world’s energy markets. She takes us on a tour of “black gold” – from the tar sands of Alberta to the fracking fields of North Dakota – and uncovers the truth about America’s addiction to oil.
“Blowout” is an urgent call to action. Maddow shows us that the climate crisis is not only real, but it is also our best chance to build a fairer, cleaner, and more just world.
Democracy and Dictatorship in Europe by Sheri Berman
In her book Democracy and Dictatorship in Europe, Sheri Berman sets out to explore how democracy and dictatorship have interacted with each other on the European continent. She does so by looking at a variety of case studies, from the rise of fascism in the early twentieth century to the fall of communism in the late 1980s.
Berman argues that democracy and dictatorship are not two mutually exclusive options, but rather that they exist on a spectrum. She contends that many European countries have oscillated between these two extremes over the course of their history.
Her book provides a detailed and nuanced analysis of this complex topic. It is essential reading for anyone interested in understanding the development of democracy and dictatorship in Europe.
Destined for War by Graham Allison
Destined for War is a book about the inevitability of war between the United States and China. The author, Graham Allison, is a renowned scholar and former government official. In the book, he lays out the case that the two countries are on a collision course due to their different economic systems and competing national interests.
Allison argues that war is not inevitable, but that it is highly likely unless both sides take steps to avoid it. He offers a number of recommendations for how the two countries can avoid conflict, including strengthening economic ties and increasing communication and cooperation.
Destined for War is an important book that should be required reading for anyone interested in international relations or the future of the world order.
Don’t Be Evil by Rana Foroohar
Rana Foroohar’s book, “Don’t Be Evil: How Big Tech Betrayed Its Founding Principles – and All of Us,” is a searing indictment of the tech industry. Foroohar, a business columnist for the New York Times, argues that the tech industry has lost its way, betraying the ideals that it was founded on.
Erdogan’s Empire by Soner Cagaptay
Soner Cagaptay’s Erdogan’s Empire provides readers with an in-depth look at the life and career of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
The book chronicles Erdogan’s humble beginnings as a mayor of Istanbul to his current role as one of the most influential leaders in the Muslim world. Cagaptay argues that Erdogan is a skilled politician who has managed to consolidate power and transform Turkey into a major economic and political player on the global stage.
Hit Makers by Derek Thompson
There’s a reason why some songs become hits while others fade into obscurity. In his book Hit Makers, Derek Thompson set out to discover what separates the two. Through a mix of case studies, history, and science, he details the many factors that can make or break a song’s success.
Thompson starts by looking at the history of popular music, from vaudeville to the present day. He then delves into the science of why certain songs get stuck in our heads (hint: it has to do with rhythm and repetition).
Lee Kuan Yew by Graham Allison
In his new book, Lee Kuan Yew, Graham Allison seeks to explain the extraordinary success of Singapore’s founding father.
Allison begins by situating Lee within the history of modern Asia. He argues that while other Asian leaders such as Mahathir Mohamad in Malaysia and Deng Xiaoping in China get more attention, it is actually Lee who has had the greatest impact on shaping the region. This is because Singapore under Lee became a “model” for other Asian countries seeking to develop economically.
The book then goes on to discuss Lee’s unique approach to governing Singapore. Allison highlights how Lee emphasized meritocracy and education as key pillars of development. He also argues that Lee was able to effectively manage ethnic tensions within Singapore by creating a “multiracial” society.
Losing the Long Game by Philip H. Gordon
In “Losing the Long Game,” Philip H. Gordon argues that the United States is losing its influence in the world. He says that while the country is still the strongest military and economic power, it is no longer the “indispensable nation” it once was.
Gordon attributes this to a number of factors, including the rise of other countries, America’s own domestic problems, and its failure to adapt to a changing world. He concludes by saying that if the United States wants to maintain its position as a global leader, it needs to start making some changes.
Prisoners of Geography by Tim Marshall
In his book, Prisoners of Geography, Tim Marshall argues that a nation’s geography can have a profound impact on its destiny.
He contends that Russia’s vastness and lack of natural barriers has made it susceptible to invasions, while China’s long coastline has encouraged trade and allowed it to become a world power.
He also explores how the geography of Europe has influenced its history, and how the Middle East has been shaped by its climate and topography.
Talking to Strangers by Malcolm Gladwell
In his book, Talking to Strangers, Malcolm Gladwell explores the idea that we are bad at reading people we don’t know. He argues that we rely too much on assumptions and first impressions, which often leads to misunderstandings and misjudgments.
Gladwell cites several examples of this phenomenon, including the case of Amanda Knox, an American student who was convicted of murder in Italy based on false testimony from witnesses who had only met her briefly.
He also discusses the work of British spy Harold Wilkins, who was able to successfully infiltrate the Chinese government by pretending to be someone he wasn’t.
Ultimately, Gladwell concludes that we need to be more open-minded when talking to strangers, and not let our preconceptions get in the way of truly understanding them.
The American Story by David M. Rubenstein
David M. Rubenstein, co-founder and co-executive chairman of The Carlyle Group, is no stranger to success. In his new book, The American Story, he takes readers on a journey through some of the most important moments in American history, from the country’s founding to today.
Rubenstein draws on his own experiences as a businessman and philanthropist to provide insights into how America has become the global economic powerhouse it is today. He also shares lessons from history that can be applied to today’s challenges, such as income inequality and political polarization.
The American Story is an engaging and informative read that provides valuable insights into both our country’s past and present.
The Aristocracy of Talent by Adrian Wooldridge
It’s about how the meritocracy is creating a new aristocracy. The book argues that meritocracy is creating a new aristocracy.
The meritocracy is made up of people who have talent and are able to use that talent to get ahead. This new aristocracy is different from the old one in that it’s not based on birth or bloodlines. It’s based on talent and ability.
The book has caused quite a stir, with some people arguing that it’s an accurate portrayal of society today and others arguing that it’s an exaggeration. Either way, it’s an interesting read and sure to spark debate.
The Ascent of Money by Niall Ferguson
In his book The Ascent of Money, Niall Ferguson chronicles the history of money, from its humble origins as a means of exchange for goods and services to its current status as the world’s reserve currency. He argues that the key to understanding the ascent of money is to understand the role that debt has played in its development.
Ferguson begins his story with the origins of money in ancient Mesopotamia, where clay tablets were used to record debts. He then traces the development of money through the ages, from the gold standard to fiat currency.
He argues that debt has always been a key driver of economic growth and that it was only when nations began borrowing heavily to finance wars that debt became a problem.
Ferguson concludes his book with a look at the future of money, arguing that debt will continue to be a key driver of economic growth.
The Death of Truth by Michiko Kakutani
In “The Death of Truth,” Michiko Kakutani argues that objective truth has become increasingly irrelevant in American society.
She attributes this to a number of factors, including the rise of postmodernism, the conservative movement’s rejection of expertise, and the internet’s echo chamber effect. Kakutani ultimately concludes that without a shared commitment to truth, democracy itself is at risk.
The Decadent Society by Ross Gregory Douthat
In The Decadent Society, Ross Gregory Douthat offers a provocative and insightful diagnosis of our current historical moment, characterizing it as a period of stagnation and decline. He argues that the root cause of our current malaise is a loss of faith in the future.
Douthat begins by tracing the origins of this lost faith to the aftermath of World War II. In the decades following the war, he argues, there was a widespread sense among Westerners that history was coming to an end.
This belief was based on a number of factors, including the rise of communist societies in Eastern Europe and Asia, and the deployment of nuclear weapons which made further global conflict seem unthinkable.
With the benefit of hindsight, we can see that this belief was misplaced. History did not come to an end in the twentieth century; instead, it took some unexpected turns.
The Great Reversal by Thomas Philippon
The Great Reversal is a book about the decline of the American economy. Thomas Philippon argues that the decline is due to the loss of competition in many industries. He cites data showing that industries have become more concentrated over time, and argues that this lack of competition has led to higher prices and lower quality for consumers.
Philippon provides several examples of how concentration has harmed consumers. For instance, he cites data showing that airline tickets have become more expensive even as the quality of service has declined. He also argues that concentration in the pharmaceutical industry has led to higher drug prices and fewer new drugs being developed.
Overall, The Great Reversal provides a convincing argument that the decline of competition in many industries has been a major factor in the decline of the American economy.
The Guarded Gate by Daniel Okrent
The Guarded Gate by Daniel Okrent is a history of the eugenics movement in the United States. The book chronicles the rise of the movement in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and its eventual fall from grace after World War II.
Okrent paints a picture of a movement that was once widely accepted by the scientific community and general public alike. Eugenicists believed that they could improve the human race by selectively breeding people with desirable traits, and preventing those with undesirable traits from passing on their genes.
The movement reached its peak in the 1920s and 1930s when several states passed laws allowing for forced sterilization of people deemed to be mentally or physically unfit. But eugenics fell out of favor after Nazi Germany used similar ideas to justify its genocide of millions of Jews, Gypsies, and others during World War II.
The Hundred-Year Marathon by Michael Pillsbury
Few people are as qualified as Michael Pillsbury to write a book on the subject of China’s long-term strategy to supplant the United States as the world’s preeminent superpower.
Pillsbury, who has served in various advisory roles to nine U.S. presidents—including as the director of Chinese Affairs at the Reagan White House—is one of America’s foremost China experts, with an insider’s view of Beijing’s secretive decision-making process.
In The Hundred-Year Marathon, Pillsbury offers a detailed and alarming account of China’s meticulously planned quest for global dominance, which began in 1949 with the founding of the People’s Republic.
The Inevitability of Tragedy by Barry Gewen
In “The Inevitability of Tragedy: Henry Kissinger and His World,” Barry Gewen examines Kissinger’s role in American foreign policy from 1969 to 1977. He argues that although Kissinger was a skilled diplomat, his actions often had tragic consequences.
Gewen attributes this to Kissinger’s belief that the United States was an indispensable nation with a unique mission in the world. This hubris led him to make dangerous decisions, such as escalating the Vietnam War and support for repressive regimes in Chile and Indonesia. As a result, many people died needlessly.
The Meritocracy Trap by Daniel Markovits
In the United States, people like to believe in the idea of meritocracy- that anyone can succeed if they just work hard enough. However, as Daniel Markovits argues in his article, “The Meritocracy Trap”, this belief is nothing more than a trap.
Markovits argues that meritocracy is actually a way for the rich to maintain their power and keep the poor from ever catching up. He cites statistics that show how the children of wealthy parents are more likely to succeed than those from poor families, regardless of how hard they work.
The Narrow Corridor by Daron Acemoglu
In The Narrow Corridor, Acemoglu argues that the key to a successful society is maintaining a delicate balance between two competing forces: state power and popular sovereignty. He contends that when one of these forces becomes too strong, it leads to tyranny and oppression.
Acemoglu provides a historical overview of how various societies have navigated this balance, from ancient Greece to modern-day America. He argues that the key to a successful society is maintaining a delicate balance between these two competing forces. When one of these forces becomes too strong, it leads to tyranny and oppression.
Acemoglu’s book is a timely and important contribution to the debate over the role of government in society. His argument that we must strike a balance between state power and popular sovereignty is essential reading for anyone interested in understanding how societies can flourish or fail.
The Professor and the Madman by Simon Winchester
In 1857, Dr. William Chester Minor, an American surgeon living in England, was committed to an insane asylum after killing a man. There, he met James Murray, the editor of the Oxford English Dictionary, who was working on the most ambitious dictionary project ever attempted.
Over the next 25 years, Minor became one of the most prolific contributors to the dictionary, providing tens of thousands of citations. But as Winchester shows in this fascinating book, Minor’s story is much more than a footnote to the OED; it is a tale of madness and genius, ambition and humanity.
The World Is Flat 3.0 by Thomas L. Friedman
In his book, The World Is Flat 3.0, Thomas L. Friedman shows how globalization has changed the world and how we need to adapt to this new reality. He argues that the world is becoming increasingly interconnected and that we need to learn to work with people from other cultures.
Friedman provides a detailed analysis of how globalization has affected different industries and countries. He also offers practical advice on what we can do to stay ahead in this new world.
The World Is Flat 3.0 is an essential read for anyone who wants to understand the changes taking place in the world today and how we can best prepare for them.
Trade Is Not a Four-Letter Word by Fred P. Hochberg
In his book Trade Is Not a Four-Letter Word, Fred P. Hochberg makes the case that trade is not only good for the economy, but also for society as a whole. He argues that trade creates jobs and spurs innovation, while also helping to raise living standards around the world.
Hochberg, who is Chairman and President of the Export-Import Bank of the United States, provides a history of trade and its benefits, dispel myths about trade agreements, and shares success stories about American companies that have benefited from exports. He makes the case that trade is an essential part of a strong economy and should be supported by policymakers.
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