Non-fiction books I read in 2023
Outstanding
The Alchemy of Air Thomas Hager - I wish I could remember exactly which podcast, but it was an interview with a VC. Recommend this history of the Haber-Bosch process as well as the history of the men involved and various related sciences.
Of Boys and Men Richard V. Reeves - another Jeremiah Johnson recommendation. Extremely interesting take on the problems affecting men in the Western world. Nuanced and careful and with some actionable ideas of what can be done to improve matters.
Really good
Number Go Up: Inside Crypto's Wild Rise and Staggering Fall Zeke Faux - recommended by every podcast he interviewed on. Extremely entertaining take on the last few years of crypto.
Among the Thugs Bill Buford - I found this on a random list of “best sports books” (and it was the only one I hadn't read or heard of). A very personal account of football hooliganism in the UK.
Lingo Gaston Dorren - Jeremiah Johnson (again!). Extremely rapid tour of the languages of Europe. So many entertaining anecdotes.
Unfair Play: The Battle For Women's Sport Sharron Davies - recommended by the Science of Sport podcast. Sharron Davies was a phenomenal swimmer well before my time following the sport. Excellent blend of autobiography as well as a modern treatment of the trans issue in women’s sports.
Good not great
The Missing Billionaires Victor Haghani - mentioned on The Diff (twice). Entertaining, and I would definitely recommend it to a specific people looking for specific kinds of personal finance advice. (And I have done this)
1931: Debt, Crisis, and the Rise of Hitler Tobias Straumann - has been on my “to-read” list for so long I don't know where the original recommendation came from
Unruly David Mitchell - some YouTube interview I don’t remember. Very entertaining to listen to, although I’m not sure I learned anything valuable.
Flowers of Fire Hawon Jung - recommended by Tyler Cowen. Extremely depressing, but very interesting. The writing style made it somewhat difficult to read.