Knight's Cross: A Life of Field Marshal Erwin Rommel

A Bright Shining Lie: John Paul Vann and America in Vietnam

Neil Sheehan

This biography of advisor John Paul Vann tracks the progression of the Vietnam War. It uses one man's career to illustrate American policy failures.

clinical → elegiac, still biography

pace0·prose0·bleak+1

Confessions

Augustine of Hippo

A 4th-century bishop writes a spiritual autobiography addressed to God. He recounts his sinful youth and his eventual conversion to Christianity.

clinical → meditative

pace-1·prose+1·bleak-1

Antifragile

Nassim Nicholas Taleb2012

A philosophical exploration of systems that thrive under stress and disorder. It argues against fragility in economics and personal life.

clinical → reflective

pace0·prose+1·bleak0

How to Read a Book

Mortimer J. Adler1940

This is a guide to active reading techniques for different genres. It outlines levels of reading from basic literacy to syntopical analysis.

clinical → mysterious

pace-1·prose+1·bleak0

Phule's Company

Robert Lynn Asprin1990

A wealthy captain is court-martialed and sent to lead a group of military misfits on a remote frontier planet.

pace+1·prose-2·bleak-1

A Higher Call

Adam Makos2013

In 1943, a German fighter pilot chooses not to shoot down a crippled American bomber. The book follows both men before and after the encounter.

clinical → earnest, still biography

pace+1·prose-1·bleak-1

The Princess

Lori Wick2006

In the fictional land of Pendaran, a prince enters an arranged marriage with a commoner who must learn the ways of the royal court.

clinical → warm

pace0·prose-2·bleak-1

Astrophysics for People in a Hurry

Neil deGrasse Tyson2017

A summary of the origin of the universe, the laws of physics, and the nature of space and time.

clinical → playful

pace+2·prose-2·bleak-1

Steal Like an Artist

Austin Kleon2012

A series of short, illustrated principles for creative work. It focuses on remixing existing ideas and establishing productive daily habits.

clinical → playful

pace+2·prose-2·bleak-1

Poke the Box

Seth Godin2011

A short manifesto encouraging readers to start projects and take initiative. It argues that the greatest risk is staying in place.

clinical → earnest

pace+2·prose-2·bleak-1

Confessions

Augustine of Hippo

A 4th-century bishop writes a spiritual autobiography addressed to God. He recounts his sinful youth and his eventual conversion to Christianity.

clinical → meditative

pace-1·prose+1·bleak-1

How to Read a Book

Mortimer J. Adler1940

This is a guide to active reading techniques for different genres. It outlines levels of reading from basic literacy to syntopical analysis.

clinical → mysterious

pace-1·prose+1·bleak0

The Red Book: Liber Novus

C.G. Jung2009

A psychologist records his visions and internal dialogues in an illuminated manuscript created during a period of intense self-exploration.

clinical → dreamlike

pace-1·prose+1·bleak0

Stalingrad: The Fateful Siege, 1942–1943

Antony Beevor

A chronological account of the battle for Stalingrad using primary sources. It details the military strategy and the starvation of soldiers.

clinical → bleak, still military history

pace+1·prose0·bleak+2

Als die Soldaten kamen: Die Vergewaltigung deutscher Frauen am Ende des Zweiten Weltkriegs

Miriam Gebhardt

A historical study of the mass sexual violence committed by Allied soldiers in Germany in 1945. It uses archival records and victim testimonies.

Same clinical register, still military history

pace0·prose0·bleak+2

Enemy at the Gates: The Battle for Stalingrad

William Craig

A chronological account of the 1942-1943 battle between German and Soviet forces. It uses survivor interviews to detail the siege and starvation.

clinical → bleak, still military history

pace+1·prose-1·bleak+2