Die besten 100 Bücher zu Crises & Scandals

One of Us (2015) tells the story of Anders Behring Breivik, the Norwegian terrorist who killed 77 people on July 22, 2011. Beginning with Breivik’s personal life and detailing the development of his extremist political views and his planning of the massacre, these blinks give you an unflinching look into the mind of the man who carried out this devastating and senseless attack.

• Those curious about the most tragic day in recent Norwegian history
• People hoping to gain insight into the mind of a terrorist
• Anyone interested in how dangerous poor police work can be

Guantánamo Diary (2015) is the edited testimony of a detainee at the Guantánamo Bay detention center in Cuba. These blinks will walk the reader through the story of one man’s interrogation, incarceration and torture at the hands of the US government.

• People who want an inside look at the notorious US prison on Guantánamo Bay
• Anyone hoping to learn more about the treatment of American political prisoners
• Anyone interested in the testimonies and struggles of individuals detained by US authorities

Meltdown (2009) gives you a guide to understanding the government regulations which in effect caused the 2008 global financial crisis. These blinks will explain how government spending has and always will worsen economic recessions, and importantly, what needs to be done to save the world economy.

• Students of economics or finance
• Anyone interested in the causes of the 2008 financial crisis
• People sick of the meddling of “big government”

The 2008 financial crisis dramatically changed the global economic landscape. Central banks now play a very different role than they did previously, and we now face a set of new economic risks and problems. The Only Game in Town (2016) outlines the roots of these risks and problems, and what we can do to start overcoming them.

• Economists, analysts and bankers
• Anyone curious about the future of global politics

Makers and Takers (2016) investigates the role of finance in the 2008 crisis and subsequent recession. From the Great Depression onward, these blinks trace the history of loose regulation and blurred boundaries between commercial and investment banking, while highlighting the role of banks, businesses and politicians in the crisis. They also suggest actions the powerful can take to kickstart reform.

• Readers curious about the historical background of the 2008 crisis
• Students of economics and finance
• Young couples, families and professionals considering their prospects for mortgages and pensions

The WikiLeaks Files (2015) provides fascinating and digestible insights from WikiLeaks, the organization that came to worldwide prominence with the release of 251,287 US State Department cables in 2010. These blinks paint a bleak picture of an American empire and its machinations.

• Global citizens concerned with world affairs
• Students of political science or international relations
• Diplomats and others working in civil service

Austerity (2013) cuts through the confusion behind our recent financial crises and reveals what really happens when economists call for a policy of austerity to be implemented. This is when budgets are cut, public funding is slashed and working-class families suffer so that banks can be saved and continue to make billions. Find out what’s really going on and who’s really being protected when your country gets pushed into austerity.

• Students of political science and economics
• Readers who want a better understanding of the recent banking crisis
• Activists fighting against the top 1 percent

Barbarians at the Gate (1989) tells the story of one of the largest corporate deals in US history, the leveraged buyout of RJR Nabisco. These blinks provide a gripping portrait of the extreme and extravagant behavior in corporate America during the 1980s.

• Anyone working in finance or business who wants to learn about a legendary deal
• Citizens appalled by the excesses of corporate America
• Anyone enthralled by hostile takeovers and cutthroat dealings

Other People’s Money (2015) offers a detailed breakdown of the financial sector: how it functions, the effect it has on economies and what its purpose should ideally be – as opposed to what its current purpose is. Find out why the international financial sector has become a ruthless mechanism made up of rotten parts, and discover how these parts can be eliminated and, eventually, replaced.

• Readers who want to know how the global financial system affects their lives
• Entrepreneurs looking to understand how finance works
• Students of economics, history, politics or sociology

Dreamland (2015) tells the story of how the opiate crisis in the United States went from being a problem only among social outcasts and the urban poor to one of the leading causes of accidental deaths in the country. The background and science of the crisis are rooted in socioeconomic factors that are distinctly American.

• Non-Americans left nonplussed by the United States’ opiate problem
• Health care professionals
• Policy wonks

Crashed (2018) unpacks the metaphorical seismograph to take the measure of an economic earthquake whose tremors can still be felt today – the 2008 financial crisis. Written with an eye to the global effects of what’s now known as the “Great Recession,” Adam Tooze traces the crash’s shockwaves from their epicenter in the American financial markets to their conclusions in Crimea, London, Athens and other geopolitical hotspots.

• Economists, policymakers and anyone in financial trading
• History buffs fascinated by the links between economics and politics
• Disgruntled citizens wondering how politicians and bankers landed us in such a mess

The Threat (2019) offers an inside look at America’s famous nation-wide law enforcement agency, the Federal Bureau of Investigation or FBI. Written with the lucid precision you’d expect from a high-ranking former FBI official, this book depicts the organization’s inner workings, details the methods it uses to protect the public, and explains why terrorism and President Donald Trump are currently the nation’s biggest threats.

• Law-enforcement buffs wondering how the FBI operates
• Concerned Americans curious about how the organization protects them
• Law-abiding citizens seeking to understand the FBI’s biggest challenges today

Mindf*ck (2019), written by a whistleblower, tells the story of the largest data crime in history to date. On the eve of the 2016 United States presidential election, consulting firm Cambridge Analytica harvested the Facebook data from 87 million people and used it to conduct a mass disinformation campaign. Now, the full story has finally come to light.

• Americans who want to understand Cambridge Analytica’s role in the Trump election
• Left- and right-wingers feeling increasingly resentful of the other side
• Brits interested in why the Brexit referendum turned out the way it did

The Romanovs (2016) charts the stunning rise and dramatic fall of one of the world’s great dynasties. The Romanov family helmed the Russian empire for three centuries filled with family dramas, power struggles, political upheaval, and opulent spending.

• Russophiles and Romanov fans
• Fans of history with a taste for juicy drama
• Revolutionaries brushing up on old-school socialist revolts

The Lincoln Conspiracy (2020) tells the story of the first assassination attempt on America’s 16th president – before he was even president. Organized by a secret cabal of pro-slavery Southern secessionists, the plot was foiled by famous private detective Allan Pinkerton, as well as Kate Warne, one of his agents, and the first female detective in America.

• Civil War fanatics
• Lincoln geeks
• Anyone interested in the story of abolitionism

Isaac’s Storm (1999) is a gripping account of the hurricane that devastated Galveston, Texas on September 8, 1900. Just as Galveston was becoming a world-class city, a storm arrived with little warning and crushed many of the community’s hopes and ambitions.

• Anyone moved by the indomitable power of nature
• Fans of historical nonfiction
• Storm chasers

The Deficit Myth (2020) lays out the basic tenets of Modern Monetary Theory. This unconventional approach to economics asks us to reexamine how we think about budgets, scarcity, and even money itself.

• Political junkies seeking a hot new take
• Amateur economists looking to learn more
• Anyone who has ever asked, “But how are we going to pay for it?”

Compromised (2020) is an inside account of the FBI’s handling of the now-famous Midyear Exam and Crossfire Hurricane investigations concerning Hillary Clinton and the Trump campaign, respectively. It tackles partisan media and White House accusations head-on, from the point of view of a person at the center of it all.

• Politically engaged Americans on both sides of the aisle
• Those who have been exposed to conflicting narratives about the FBI
• Curious followers of current events and politics

What’s it about?

COVID-19: The Great Reset (2020) is a compendium of predictions and prognoses. It offers forecasts for how the global economy may change in the wake of the coronavirus crisis – as well as suggestions for how it should change.

Who’s it for?

• Economics enthusiasts wondering what’s going to happen next
• Students of international relations grappling with the big questions of today
• Anyone attempting to come to terms with the pandemic

Our Malady (2020) explores why the American health care system not only fails to keep people healthy but also denies their freedom. It identifies the shortcomings of the present system, the dire ramifications, and why other countries don’t suffer the same fate.

• Truth-seeking Americans
• Health-care personnel
• The politically curious

Capitalism, Socialism and Democracy (1942) is a seminal work of economics. Its ideas have proven prophetic, and remain relevant to this day. It claims that capitalism will ultimately be eroded by the very processes that define it. It also explains the differences between capitalism and socialism and their relationship to democracy, and helps readers understand the role of entrepreneurship and creative destruction in modern capitalism.

• Students of the social sciences
• Those interested in politics, economy, and their histories
• Critical thinkers curious about the future of capitalism

Flash Crash (2020) tells the story of the “Hound of Hounslow,” Navinder Singh Sarao, a British man accused of triggering the sudden and dramatic stock market crash of 2010. This is a detailed and fast-paced tale of global fraud and quixotic dreams.

• Those with an interest in financial fraud and daring swindles 
• Fans of gripping investigative journalism
• Anyone who follows global finance

American Kompromat (2021) tells the dark and unsettling tale of how the Russian KGB began cultivating Donald Trump as an asset –⁠ and then hit the jackpot when he became the president of the United States. Drawing connections between Trump, Jeffrey Epstein, and a mysterious Catholic sect called Opus Dei, it explores the reasons why Trump repeatedly did Putin’s bidding –⁠ and who enabled him to do so.

• Americans trying to make sense of Trump’s connection to Russia
• Fans of political gossip and conspiracies
• Citizens concerned about how politicians and businessmen weaponize their power

The Cult of We (2021) tells the story of how the office-space company WeWork became the world’s most valued startup – only to come crashing down a few years later. Written by the reporters who broke the story of WeWork’s disastrous downfall in 2019, it explores WeWork's trajectory through a journalistic and financial lens, demonstrating how the most prominent investors in the world were blinded to the company’s risks for nearly a decade.

• People interested in economics
• Startup and entrepreneurship enthusiasts
• Anyone curious about startup financing

Mission Economy (2021) explains how we can rethink our approaches toward government and capitalism through the concept of missions – huge, ambitious projects that inspire people across society to think big. These blinks show how we can change the world by taking inspiration from one of the most famous missions of all: the moon landing.

• Visionary thinkers who want to transform society
• Economists and politics fans in search of bold new ideas
• Critics of capitalism who want to see change

Wildland (2021) recounts the story of how America became unraveled throughout the first two decades of the twenty-first century. Drawing on stories from residents of three US cities –⁠ Greenwich, Connecticut; Clarksburg, West Virginia; and Chicago, Illinois –⁠ it examines the undercurrents of change that tie together the fates of these varied landscapes. Finally, it describes how the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 laid the foundation for the violent insurrection on January 6, 2021. 

• Americans trying to make sense of the changes in their country
• Students of American politics and culture
• Activists looking for a holistic picture of the grievances of average Americans

Economic Facts and Fallacies (2008) takes some common assumptions about economics and politics and reveals them as fallacies. It’s only by facing uncomfortable truths, the book argues, that we can begin to solve the problems in front of us.

• Those interested in politics and economics
• Anyone looking for a contrary perspective
• Libertarians and conservatives

The Hundred Years’ War on Palestine (2020) is a detailed and rigorous look at one of the most misunderstood regions of the world. This timely text chronicles Palestinian history from the perspective of Palestinians. 

• Outsiders keen to learn Palestine’s complex history
• Zionists open to alternative perspectives on the Israel-Palestine conflict
• Anyone seeking to understand current events in the Middle East

Richard Nixon: The Life (2017) is a thorough biography of one of the most controversial American presidents. Tracing Nixon’s life from his humble upbringing through his meteoric political ascent to his crashing downfall in the Watergate scandal, it reveals a complex, troubled, and sentimental man.

• US-politics aficionados
• Biography enthusiasts who love a scandal
• People looking to deepen their knowledge of American history

Lessons from the Titans (2020) tells the stories of ten industrial companies in the United States. From General Electric to Boeing, Honeywell to United Rentals, it looks at which strategic decisions led to success and which disastrous missteps created new obstacles. By analyzing the past performance of such legendary businesses, it offers greater insight into which companies today will stick around – and which won’t. 

• Business gurus fascinated by economic shifts
• Entrepreneurs looking to future-proof their companies
• Economists curious about market shifts

After the Fall (2021) takes a sobering look at the rise of nationalism and authoritarianism in places like Hungary, China, Russia, and the United States of America. It examines how the standing and influence of the US changed in the years following the Cold War, and how this has led to the current challenges facing democracy around the world. 

• Political junkies
• Fans of democracy
• Students of modern history

Navalny (2021) is an in-depth look at the life and politics of Russian politician Alexei Navalny. This biography details how Navalny rose to prominence and what plans he has for Russia’s future.

• Outsiders seeking to understand life in Russia 
• Political thinkers keen to grasp the concept of power in a post-USSR world
• All those invested in the future of world governance

Killing the Mob (2021) explores America’s uneasy relationship with organized crime. It exposes the shocking influence of the Mafia on twentieth-century history and culture and reveals the outrageous exploits of America’s most notorious gangsters.

• True crime lovers
• gangster movie aficionados
• History buffs looking for a different angle

The Reckoning (2021) is an unflinching look at contemporary American society. This sharp treatise draws informative connections between the nation’s traumas and its current issues.

• Voters struggling to understand the contemporary political landscape
• Citizens concerned about the future of their country
• Anyone interested in a critical analysis of American society

Uncontrolled Spread (2021) takes an unsparing look at the many problems the United States faced when confronted with the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Through a combination of factors, the US was unprepared for what occurred. But it’s possible to learn from this tragedy and make sure that it doesn’t happen again.

• People keen to learn more about the US’s response to the COVID pandemic
• Anyone interested in how we can be more prepared against future threats

The Gates of Europe (2015) offers a compelling overview of the history of Ukraine, a nation which lies between the East and the West. Due to this unique geographic position, Ukraine has been fought over and subjugated by a long line of imperial forces throughout history. Indeed, the history of Ukraine is one of the most important facets in the history of Europe.

• History buffs
• People curious about Russian-Ukrainian relations
• Anyone interested in democracy

How to Prevent the Next Pandemic (2022) is a blueprint for the international pandemic prevention plan the world sorely needs. Learning from the mistakes of the Covid 19 pandemic, Gates lays down a series of steps governments need to take if we’re to protect ourselves and ensure another global health catastrophe of this scale never happens again.

• Casual science readers with an interest in epidemiology
• Business leaders and philanthropists looking for good places to invest
• Anyone who doesn’t want to live through another Covid 19

I Alone Can Fix It (2021) is the definitive behind-the-scenes account of Donald Trump’s final 12 months in the White House. Drawing on in-depth interviews with participants in the drama, it charts how a president who was on course for reelection ended up presiding over a doomed and bloody attempt to cling on to power. Along the way, it reveals the thinking behind Trump’s dysfunctional responses to the coronavirus pandemic and Black Lives Matter movement. 

• Politics buffs
• Current affairs junkies
• Americanophiles

Perversion of Justice (2021) reveals how a reporter for the Miami Herald broke the story behind Jeffrey Epstein’s sex crimes and the scandalous deal he got from the US justice system in 2008. It explains the history of the case, how the mysterious financier was able to escape justice for so long, and the important questions that remain unanswered.

• Anyone curious how a serial sex offender can elude punishment
• Fans of true crime investigations
• People interested in the ongoing mystery behind Epstein and his accomplices

Shutdown (2021) explores the unprecedented shock COVID-19 dealt the world economy. The story begins with the revelation of the disease in January 2020 by Chinese President Xi Jinping and ends precisely a year later with the inauguration of US President Joe Biden, and through this history, Shutdown shows how markets and governments reeled from the blow, how they regained their footing, and what we might learn for the next worldwide crisis. 

• News junkies and history buffs alike
• Those who know that economic policy matters
• Anyone seeking perspective on our tumultuous times

The American War in Afghanistan (2021) is an in-depth look at one of the defining conflicts of the twenty-first century. This exhaustively-researched analysis dives into the details of this protracted and complex military occupation.

• Engaged citizens keen to keep up with current events
• Civilians seeking insight into military matters 
• Anyone eager to understand a complex conflict

Crypto Wars: Faked Deaths, Missing Billions, and Industry Disruption (2021) lifts the lid on some of the cryptosphere’s most audacious scams and notorious scandals. From the missing cryptoqueen, Dr. Ruja Ignatova, to the tech whiz kid who – according to his creditors, at least – faked his own death, Crypto Wars shares this secretive industry’s most compelling stories.

• Crypto enthusiasts after the inside dirt on some of the market’s biggest scams
• Interested investors who want a rundown of the red flags in the crypto world
• Anyone who’s ever wondered if they could make a cool million – or billion – in crypto

Founding Brothers (2002) complicates and enriches our understanding of the American revolution. The men who founded America lived and worked in uncertain times. The future was far from certain, and even the truths they held to be self-evident often led to strikingly different conclusions. But they clung to one another – as friends, as rivals, and even as enemies. Together, they formed a fraternity of remarkable minds that could collectively solve the problems each of them on their own could not.

• History buffs
• Americanophiles 
• Anyone who loves stories

Where the Crawdads Sing (2018) is a coming-of-age story that seamlessly blends into a murder mystery and an ode to nature. A reminder that we are forever shaped by our childhoods, it recounts the early life of a remarkable girl, Kya, and her transformation into an equally remarkable young woman.

• Nature lovers
• Poets and scientists
• Anyone who loves gripping stories

The January 6th Report (2022) is the official Congressional report into the storming of the US Capitol on January 6, 2021. The report confirms that Donald Trump, the outgoing president, was the root cause of the attack on the Capitol, and the committee recommended that he broke numerous laws in the process and should be brought to justice.

• News addicts who were gripped by the events of January 6
• Politics enthusiasts
• Anyone with an interest in democracy – and its limits

Empire of Pain (2021) follows the rise and fall of the elusive Sacklers, the billionaire family behind Purdue Pharma. Its blockbuster drug, OxyContin, was aggressively marketed as safe, but would go on to spur a devastating opioid crisis that claimed hundreds of thousands of lives. Yet the Sacklers’ fortress of lawyers, political connections and a philanthropic name would, time and again, protect them from responsibility.

• Current affairs enthusiasts
• Lovers of family dynasty dramas
• Anyone wanting to understand the opioid crisis

Adrift (2022) argues that the United States is flailing, despite all its success and global dominance since World War II. It’s a country struggling to adapt to revolutionary changes in technology, facing deep economic and political divisions and threats of extremism, and quickly losing ground to rivals like China. Despite all of this, Scott Galloway still sees reason for hope, but first lays out what he sees as the biggest challenges facing the nation. 

• Those who feel overwhelmed by the anger and divisiveness on social media
• Investors who want to understand an evolving market
• People wondering if higher education is worth their time

The Cold War (2003) provides an overview of the conflict that defined the second half of the twentieth century. Beginning in the immediate aftermath of World War Two, it traces the Cold War’s development through the rest of the century, laying out its underlying causes and overall contours.

• History buffs
• Students of military strategy and foreign relations 
• Those who want to understand one of the twentieth century’s defining conflicts

Killing the Killers (2022) takes you deep into the global war on terror. As it examines the role of Al-Qaeda, ISIS, and the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, it moves through all the theaters of action including Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Iran, and Afghanistan. It’s the eleventh book in the best-selling Killing series.

• Fans of the Killing series
• History buffs interested in the war on terror
• Lovers of dramatic story-telling

Pegasus (2023) follows the thrilling, worldwide investigation into one of the most powerful and insidious pieces of cyber surveillance software known to date. Beginning with a massive data leak to a small, independent news outlet, it tells the story of how Pegasus came to be, the hundreds of innocent individuals who have had their privacy taken away by it, and the global team of reporters and editors who risked everything to bring the story to light.

• Followers of the Pegasus Project and other cyber security international bombshells like the Panama Papers, or Wikileaks.
• Fans of investigative journalism who want to know the stories behind the reports that shake the world.
• Anyone who owns a phone and wants to know just how fragile their privacy really is.

The Gun Debate (2014) conveys a clear picture of how firearms are bought, sold, used, and policed in the US. It lists and fact-checks a number of key arguments used by both pro and anti-gun campaigners in the ongoing debate about the parameters of gun control across the country.

• People who want facts – not opinions – about firearms and their use in the US
• Americans seeking to better understand the current system of gun control
• Anyone curious about America’s unique relationship with firearms

Inflation Matters (2015) takes what’s often presented as a dense and complicated –⁠ not to mention boring –⁠ subject and turns it into something anyone can understand. Using simple, clear explanations, it presents the reasons why inflation exists, what and who perpetuates it, and how it impacts both the economy and society as a whole. Analyzing historical trends, it also presents a theory that inflation tends to follow a wavelike pattern over time –⁠ but that it doesn’t necessarily need to remain that way.

• People concerned about rising inflation and what it means for them
• Amateur investors and economists
• Anyone who wants to become more economically and financially literate

If You Tell (2019) details the story of Michelle “Shelly” Knotek, the mother of three daughters who subjected her family to an ongoing nightmare of abuse and torture. Those who got close to Shelly had a way of succumbing to her methods of manipulation and control. For some, it meant their death.

• True crime fanatics
• Anyone interested in stories of incredible resilience
• People curious about the psychology of serial killers

The Fourth Turning (1997) presents a fascinating picture of history, past, present, and future. Though the people of modern Western societies tend to view history as a linear process, the reality might instead be cyclical, repeated regularly and predictably. By studying the ways in which history does indeed repeat itself, we can better prepare ourselves for what is likely to come in the future.

• History buffs
• Devotees of American politics
•  Future predictors

Power Failure (2022) details the rise and fall of General Electric – once a great success story of international business.  But its legacy went badly awry, as even casual consumers of business news will remember. Power Failure: The Rise and Fall of an American Icon (2022) gives a startlingly detailed account inside the behemoth corporation, examining what went right – and then wrong.

• Anyone interested in the inside workings of business
• Leaders who want to learn from the experience of CEOs going through difficult times 
• Employees who want to better understand the forces at play inside the companies that dictate their future

Money Men (2022) is the astonishing story of the rise and fall of Wirecard. Once described as the PayPal of Europe, it took a small group of analysts, whistleblowers, and the tenacity of one journalist to finally bring this house of cards down.

• Financial crime die-hards
• Lovers of all things stranger-than-fiction
• Cautious investors

MegaThreats (2022) delves into the ten most pressing potential threats to humanity's future. The author examines the evidence and potential consequences for each threat, questioning whether we are doing enough to prevent or prepare for them.

• Futurists
• Students of economics
• Doomsday preppers

Never Give an Inch (2022) gives insight into US foreign policy during the Trump administration. Pompeo, the former Secretary of State, outlines his personal beliefs, candidly discusses his views on international politics, and reflects on challenges and successes from his time in the State Department.

• Republicans
• People who want to know more about the Trump administration
• Anyone who’s interested in US and international politics

Spare (2023) is Prince Harry’s highly anticipated memoir, which offers unprecedented insight into life as a royal. With remarkable candor, Harry reflects on his mother’s death, his complex relationships with other family members, and his battles with the press.

• Fans of the British royal family
• People who have mixed feelings about the royal family
• Anyone who wants to know Harry’s side of the story

Unscripted (2023) is the outrageous true story of Sumner Redstone, the former chairman and controlling shareholder of ViacomCBS (now Paramount Global). It focuses on the eventful final years of Redstone’s life, as well as the downfall of his successor at CBS, Les Moonves.

• Fans of TV dramas like Succession
• People who enjoy juicy nonfiction and true crime
• Anyone who wants a behind-the-scenes glimpse of corporate America

I Am the Storm (2023) is an inspiring dive into what it takes to stand as a David against a Goliath. From a single gymnast who took on a whole abusive system, to a grieving mother who chose to tackle the US opioid epidemic head on, it shows that anyone can make a stand for what they believe in, no matter how big their opponent may seem.

• Anyone looking for inspiration to face the challenges in their life
• People sick of big organizations acting with impunity
• Believers in the strength of human will

Prosperity (2018) examines how business thinking has led to our current state of social, political, and environmental disaster. Drawing on historical, legal, and economic knowledge, it presents a radical new framework in which both corporations and the broader community can flourish together.

• Business leaders and company directors
• MBA students
• Economic policy developers wanting to fix our broken system

Thirteen Days (1969) offers an inside look into the Cuban Missile Crisis, revealing the intense deliberations and decision-making processes of the U.S. government at the time. It chronicles the 13-day standoff between the U.S. and the Soviet Union that brought the world to the brink of nuclear war. Through its pages, readers gain insight into the high-stakes diplomacy and behind-the-scenes actions that took place during this critical period.

• History buffs eager to delve deeper into the Cuban Missile Crisis
• Political enthusiasts curious about U.S. decision-making during crises
• Those intrigued by pivotal moments in twentieth-century history

King (2023) is a compelling biography of Martin Luther King. It tells the story of a man, not a saint, who had a remarkable career. His life was cut short at the age of 39, but in his 13-year career King’s vision of a United States based on equality and justice for all, lives on.

• History lovers particularly interested in the history of social justice movements
• Civil rights activists and advocates inspired by King’s life and strategies
• Inspiration seekers wanting to learn from a story of struggle, resilience, and monumental impact

Small Mercies (2023) is an intense thriller that takes place in Boston in 1974, when the city’s busing crisis was just getting started. The story centers around a single mother in the neighborhood of South Boston, whose daughter goes missing on the same night a Black man is found dead under suspicious circumstances.

• Fans of historical fiction
• Crime drama aficionados
• Anyone craving a suspenseful story

Easy Money (2023) offers a riveting exploration into the chaotic realm of cryptocurrency, tracing its exhilarating ascent and dramatic descent. Through captivating accounts of traders, visionaries, and whistleblowers, the narrative unravels the intricate web of ambition, naiveté, and deceit that pervades the crypto sphere, providing a comprehensive insight into a world where promise meets uncertainty.

• Cryptocurrency enthusiasts seeking a comprehensive dive into the industry's controversial aspects
• Investors looking to understand the underlying risks and narratives within the crypto realm
• Skeptics curious about the validity and sustainability of digital currencies

Birnam Wood (2023) is an engrossing thriller about what happens when a group of idealistic activists cross paths with the wrong venture capitalist. What looks like an amazing opportunity soon turns into a deadly nightmare, full of lies, cover-ups, and dangerous bedfellows.

• Fans of suspenseful stories
• People interested in modern eco-thrillers
• Anyone looking for a novel filled with surprises, twists, and turns

All the Sinners Bleed (2023) is a work of crime fiction, focused on main character Titus Crown’s efforts to investigate several recent killings in his hometown. To solve the crime, Crown must contend with the town’s racist history, a far-right group, and a long-undiscovered serial killer.

• Anyone interested in an action-filled crime novel
• Readers looking to explore the lingering effects of racism in the American South 
• Fans of modern-day noir fiction

When McKinsey Comes to Town (2022) is a riveting deep dive into how the world’s most powerful consulting firm fosters inequality, corruption, and global instability. It examines McKinsey’s ties to controversial industries and governments, and reveals the stark contrast between the firm’s lofty values and its actions – from incentivizing opioid prescriptions to supporting authoritarian regimes. 

• Anyone interested in politics and policy
• Fans of investigative journalism
• Leaders trying to avoid similar missteps

To Dye For (2023) exposes how the fashion industry harms human health and exploits workers through its use of toxic dyes and lack of supply chain transparency. It delves into the environmental and human costs behind our clothes, while also spotlighting companies innovating health-conscious dyes and production methods. Ultimately, it challenges consumers to make informed choices in order to pressure brands to clean up one of the world’s dirtiest industries.

• Consumers wanting to make health- and eco-conscious clothing choices
• Fashion and textile industry professionals
• Environmental and workers’ rights activists

The Art Thief (2023) is the remarkable true story of a Europe-wide crime spree that lasted over a decade and netted almost two billion in stolen art. Along the way exposing how an enabling family, and international rules of criminal investigation, led to many of the most important works being destroyed.

• True crime lovers looking for an unusual tale 
• Psychology buffs curious about intimate portraits of narcissistic personalities in action
• Anyone curious about how important works of art disappear, and why they are so often never recovered

An Ordinary Man (2023) is the complete biography of Gerald R. Ford, the thirty-eighth president of the United States. Under his leadership, America navigated its gravest constitutional crisis since the Civil War and confronted its most profound economic slump since the Great Depression. While Ford can be seen as an “accidental president,” historian Richard Norton Smith argues that his accomplishments were numerous and significant.

• History buffs 
• Politicos interested post-Watergate America
• Fans of in-depth biographical works 

The Panama Papers (2016) tells the story of how a massive data leak exposed a hidden world of offshore banking and shell companies used by global elites to conceal their wealth. It reveals a vast network of financial secrecy involving world leaders, celebrities, and criminals – revelations that shook the foundations of international finance.

• Citizens interested in corruption and financial crime
• Business students studying corporate ethics and responsibility
• Anyone interested in understanding global inequality

Manias, Panics, and Crashes (1978; 8th edition 2023) analyzes financial crises spanning three centuries to identify recurring patterns in market booms and busts. It demonstrates how speculation, credit expansion, and euphoria have repeatedly led to panic and collapse across different eras and economic systems. Drawing on historical evidence from the South Sea Bubble to the 2008 financial crisis and beyond, it provides a comprehensive framework for understanding why financial instability is inevitable in credit-based economies.

• Finance professionals managing risk and investment decisions
• Regulators and policymakers preventing future financial crises
• Students and researchers studying financial market dynamics

Too Big to Fail (2009) draws you into the heart of the 2008 financial crisis, revealing the high-stakes decisions and power struggles that shaped the world's economic landscape at that time. This gripping narrative untangles a complex web of financial intrigue, and will help you understand the forces that drove one of the most tumultuous periods in financial history.

• Finance professionals interested in economic crisis insights
• History buffs exploring twenty-first-century financial events
• Business students studying real-world corporate strategy

Endgame (2023) is a penetrating investigation into the British monarchy's current state, grappling with challenges such as an unpopular king and a power-hungry heir. It examines the monarchy's struggles in a rapidly modernizing world, especially following Queen Elizabeth II's death, and the institution's conflicts with antiquated views on race, class, and money.

• Royal family enthusiasts and history buffs
• Followers of British politics and governance
• Fans of biographies and investigative journalism

Oath and Honor (2023) is an insider account of the events leading up to the riots at the Capitol on January 6, 2021, and the long investigation that followed. In it, Cheney exposes this coordinated assault on American democracy and sounds a dire warning about safeguarding the nation's future from ongoing threats.

• American history buffs and political enthusiasts looking for insight into pivotal recent events
• Memoir lovers wanting an inside look into events behind the news
• Anyone curious about contemporary American politics, and the personalities that are reshaping democracy

Number Go Up (2023) dives into the tumultuous and transformative world of cryptocurrencies. It traces the revolutionary rise of Bitcoin, the pivotal role and controversies of stablecoins like Tether, and the ambitious yet complex venture of El Salvador adopting Bitcoin as legal tender. Uncover the intricacies and challenges of a world redefined by digital currencies, and get a compelling look at the future of finance and its potential impact on global economies.

• Cryptocurrency enthusiasts and investors
• Finance and technology professionals
• Anyone interested in economic innovation and trends

The Situation Room (2024) provides a detailed look at the high-stakes decision-making processes within the White House Situation Room. It chronicles the dramatic events and critical moments faced by twelve U.S. presidents, offering an insider perspective on how pivotal decisions have shaped American history and global affairs.

• Political science students studying crisis management
• History enthusiasts interested in U.S. presidential decisions
• Anyone interested in behind-the-scenes political stories

The Great Partition (2007) The story of how British India was divided into two separate nations in 1947 exposes the human cost of political decisions made under impossible pressure. Drawing on survivor testimonies and historical records, it demonstrates how centuries of coexistence on the subcontinent collapsed into communal violence and permanent separation 

• History buffs interested in 20th-century decolonization and the end of the British Empire
• Current affairs followers trying to understand the historical roots of contemporary India-Pakistan tensions
• Anyone who enjoys accessible historical narratives that connect past events to present-day issues

The Shortest History of Economics (2024) explores the hidden economic forces that have shaped human history. It examines how capitalism and market systems emerged, linking economic developments to major historical events from the rise of agriculture to modern conflicts. 

• Students seeking context for modern economic theories
• Curious general readers interested in how economies evolve
• Anyone who wants a new lens on human history

When the Clock Broke (2024) delivers a fascinating look into the years leading up to the 1992 Presidential Election, between Bill Clinton, Ross Perot, and the incumbent George H.W. Bush. It reveals how a relatively small movement took root and began to transform the Republican Party into a more populist and authoritarian version of conservatism. It also shows why this approach appeals to the disaffected groups in America.

• History buffs
• Political junkies
• Cultural critics

Everyone Who Is Gone Is Here (2024) brings you face-to-face with the forces behind the Central American migration crisis. It showcases stories of people risking everything to reach the US, revealing how decades of political choices and corruption shaped this humanitarian disaster. You’ll come away with a deeper understanding of the crisis and its lasting impact on both Central America and the United States.

• Politics buffs interested in the roots of Central America’s migration crisis
• Policy experts looking for an insightful analysis of immigration challenges
• Anyone who enjoys real-world stories with political and human stakes

Follow the Science (2024) investigates the deep influence of the pharmaceutical industry on medicine, government, and media. It highlights how profit motives and high-level collusion have led to misinformation, ethical violations, and the suppression of critical voices. It encourages you to examine the sources of your health care information critically.

• Investigative journalism enthusiasts interested in exposing industry corruption
• Healthcare professionals critical of pharmaceutical industry practices
• Anyone skeptical of mainstream media and medical narratives

At War with Ourselves (2024) takes you on a behind-the-scenes tour of the Trump White House. You’ll discover how chaos and power struggles shaped H. R. McMaster’s one-year tenure as national security advisor, and how he tried to advance the nation’s long-term strategic interests.

• Americans interested in what happened during the Trump administration 
• Politics junkies interested in U.S. governance
• Students of public policy, history, or international relations

The Demon of Unrest (2024) captures the dramatic chaos and pivotal moments of the American Civil War's early days. It vividly recounts the fall of Fort Sumter and delves into the intense emotions and strategic maneuvers that precipitated the event. Painting an eerily relevant portrait of a world on the brink of war, it displays how every decision and action at this critical time had the potential to alter the course of history.

• History buffs fascinated by the lead-up to the Civil War
• Fans of political drama and pivotal historical events
• Fans of narrative non-fiction

Abolish Rent (2024) examines the housing crisis from the perspective of those most affected by exploitative rent practices, offering a sharp critique of the current system. It highlights powerful stories of resistance from poor and working-class tenants, showing how collective action can transform both housing and cities and ultimately envisions a revolutionary tenant movement that fights for housing as a fundamental right.

• Tenants who want to organize and fight back against exploitative housing conditions
• Urban planners and policy makers who want insight into the tenant crisis
• Anyone who thinks safe, stable housing should be a basic human right

The Money Trap (2024) is a gripping memoir that offers a behind-the-scenes look at the high-stakes world of global business and technology investing. It recounts Alok Sama’s journey from veteran Morgan Stanley banker to chief dealmaker at SoftBank, navigating mega-deals, billionaire CEOs, and the visionary but eccentric leadership of Masayoshi Son.

• Finance professionals interested in high-stakes tech dealmaking
• Tech enthusiasts curious about transformative tech investments
• Entrepreneurs ready to learn about scaling and disruption

This Time is Different (2011) analyzes eight centuries of financial crises, demonstrating that despite claims of uniqueness, these crises follow remarkably similar patterns. While countries eventually recover from financial storms, human nature's tendency to believe "this time is different" leads to repeated cycles of crisis, as each generation forgets or ignores the lessons of the past.

• Policy makers looking to avoid future economic missteps 
• Finance workers who want to spot signs of impending crises
• History lovers ready for a deep dive into economic history

Careless People (2025) is a high-ranking, insider memoir about the tumultuous and problematic rise and global spread of Facebook. It details how corporate policies, practices, and growth-at-any-cost values have become a threat to democracy worldwide.

• Historians seeking an insider look at the major events shaping recent decades
• Critical thinkers and social organizers wanting the inside scoop on the growing political divides 
• Anyone concerned about the fracturing of democracies and communities through misinformation, foreign interference, and targeted content

On the Brink (2010) offers a behind-the-scenes account of the 2008 financial crisis from the perspective of the U.S. Treasury Secretary, Henry Paulson. It follows the intense negotiations, high-stakes decisions, and unprecedented government interventions aimed at preventing a global economic collapse. Through firsthand insight, it reveals the complexity and urgency of managing a financial system on the verge of disaster.

• Economics students studying financial crises
• Policymakers navigating systemic risk
• Anyone interested in global finance

The Next Crisis (2025) analyzes global polling data to reveal what people around the world worry about each month and contrasts these concerns with prevailing media and policy narratives. It shows how everyday pressures – such as cost of living, employment, immigration, distant wars, corruption, and climate change – shape public sentiment and often diverge from expert projections. It argues for aligning policy priorities with the real anxieties of citizens rather than overemphasizing unlikely threats.

• Concerned policymakers shaping responsive social agendas
• Insightful journalists analyzing global public sentiment trends
• Anyone interested in societal anxieties worldwide

Original Sin (2025) is a damning, in-depth exposé of President Biden’s physical and mental deterioration, his inner circle’s attempts to cover it up, and the resulting catastrophe of Biden’s 2024 presidential run. Drawing from hundreds of interviews, it’s packed with shocking, candid commentary from behind the closed doors of politics’ upper echelons. Ultimately, it tells a disturbing tale of hubris, delusion, and deception –⁠ by Biden, the Democratic Party, and a coalition of his closest family and advisors.

• Politics buffs
• Students of political science or communications
• Fans of political and historical thrillers

How Countries Go Broke (2025) offers a sweeping tour through history, tracing the recurring patterns that shape the rise and fall of national economies. It shows how financial, political, and social forces repeatedly converge, creating cycles that drive countries toward prosperity… or ruin. While we can’t predict the future with perfect accuracy, we can see that certain warning signs – like mounting debt and systemic vulnerabilities – consistently play a central role in economic collapse.

• Anyone curious about economic history and financial crises
• Investors and financial professionals
• People concerned about the world’s economic future

Confronting Evil (2025) recounts the deeds of history’s worst men. Evil, it suggests, is multifaceted. From Roman emperors to American slave traders, Nazi officials to Mexican drug cartels, it shows us that while evil often is truly monstrous, it can also be disconcertingly ordinary. And because it can be found everywhere, we have to remain vigilant. 

• History buffs drawn to notorious figures and dark chapters
• Readers interested in moral lessons from past atrocities
• Fans of true crime and political power gone wrong

Framed (2025)  examines extraordinary cases of wrongful conviction, revealing how innocent people can lose decades of their lives to prosecutorial misconduct and flawed evidence. Through meticulous research, these stories demonstrate the devastating failures of the American legal system and spotlight the tireless work of civil rights activists fighting to exonerate the innocent.

• Law students interested in an exposé of the justice system’s many failings
• Activists who want authentic accounts of wrongful conviction and exoneration
• True crime fans keen for gripping true-life stories of investigations gone awry

1929 (2025) explores the events leading up to the most devastating stock market crash in modern history. Tracing the unchecked speculation, economic euphoria, and regulatory complacency that created the conditions for the collapse, it reveals how illusions of endless growth blinded an entire generation.

• Anyone curious about market bubbles and crashes
• History lovers interested in economic turning points
• Readers of accessible financial journalism

King of Kings (2025) pulls you into the opulent, delusional world of the Shah of Iran, showing how oil wealth, hubris, and Western blindness produced one of the twentieth century’s most shocking revolutions. You’ll discover the fatal miscalculations that turned a self-proclaimed “island of stability” into a theocratic state that reshaped the Middle East permanently.

• History buffs fascinated by the modern Middle East
• Curious minds interested in the psychology of political power
• Anyone curious about the roots of US-Iran tensions

The Coming Storm (2026) draws lessons from years before the First World War and applies them to our current geopolitical landscape. It offers an in-depth analysis of the rivalries and dynamics of the great European powers of the early 20th century, drawing a line between that era and the early 21st century, paying particular attention to the rivalry between the US and China. It offers an explanation of how WWI eventually broke out and suggests how we might avoid another Great Power war.

• Politically-savvy folk looking for fresh insights on the current geopolitical landscape
• History buffs who know that it always repeats itself
• Anyone who reads the news and feels fear for the future

The Madness of Believing (2026) explores the chaotic, high-stakes world of Infowars, where truth is optional and outrage is currency. Through one insider’s unraveling, you’ll see how easily belief can be shaped – and how far it can spiral. If you’ve ever wondered how ordinary people get swept into extraordinary delusions, this story gets uncomfortably close.

• People curious about how conspiracy theories take hold and spread
• Anyone interested in the behind-the-scenes world of media and misinformation
• Those who enjoy personal stories of transformation and moral reckoning