History – Page 4

The ignorance of the Trump administration when it comes to the inner workings of government creates immense risks

The book should be mainly read for the anecdotes on female astronauts and nerdy coast guards.

Without massive and violent disruption of the established order, there will be no meaningful redistribution of wealth

Next to revolution (in the spirit of Marx), the book claims there are just three other forces strong enough to achieve leveling: mass warfare, epidemics, and system collapse (the last of which is arguably overlaps with the others).

For a democratic leader, waging war is a balancing act between ethics, national interests and electoral impact

Michael Beschloss – Presidents of war

In choosing the personal perspective of the leader, makes the book prone to the narrative fallacy.

The US constitution has always been used as a tool for suppression

Jill Lepore – These truths

The author weaves the perspective of women, slaves, and other disadvantaged grouped into the narrative of US history, making the work part of a bigger movement.

Over the past 170 years Japan’s perception of itself has changed radically – multiple times

Christopher Harding – Japan Story

The author provides a richness of perspectives that guide the reader beyond clichés.

Humans and the crops they grow are codependent

Michael Pollan – The botany of desire

In Western societies the uneducated are outcasts, which poses systemic threats for democracy

Paul Collier – The future of capitalism

The author’s recommended retun to a local solidarity may address the issue at hand, but will also pose significant threats for ‘diversity and inclusion’.

Thanks to the US phone monopoly, Bell labs could produce breakthrough technologies

Jon Gertner – The idea factory

The fascinating history of Bell labs illustrates how a long-term view is essential for technological progress.

The MBTI type indicator helps corporates to contain the impact of individuality in the workplace

Merve Emre-The personality brokers

MBTI is more fascinating than expected, from its amateurish origins and its lack of scientific underpinning to its unlikely longevity and commercial success.

Increasing inequality and lack of immigration are the two big crises facing the US

Jared Diamond – Upheaval

the set-up in which interesting historical facts serve to make a political argument makes the author prone to the narrative fallacy.

The concepts comfort and privacy were first introduced in Western society at the court of Louis XIV and Louis XV of France

Joan DeJean – The age of comfort

Contains fascinating details on the construction of early water closets.

As an incumbent, organize disruptive innovation away from your core business

Clayton Christensen – The innovator’s dilemma

The history of disc drives and mechanical excavators showcases how difficult it is for incumbents to come out on top when technological innovation hits your market.

Some of the few women who ruled as pharaohs were depicted with male characteristics

Kara Cooney – When women ruled the world

The book illustrates how difficult it is to avoid speculation when trying to reconstruct a comprehensive narrative from ancient historical records.

Making a great painting is in large part a scientific achievement

Walter Isaacson – Leonardo da Vinci

Isaacson’s narrative falacy (‘Leonardo never finishing what he starts’) is at odds with the public recognition he received in his own day and age.

Steve Bannon skilfully helped Trump to play to his own strengths and avoid his considerable weaknesses

Bob Woodward – Fear

The level of Trump’s incompetency is not even shocking.

The history of Rome consists of a unique series of revolutionary social and political experiments

Mary Beard – SPQR

Rome was much more of a ‘social welfare state’ than I ever realized; with a people’s tribunes, food for the poor, land redistribution, and pensions for soldiers.