Pacific Crucible: War at Sea in the Pacific, 1941-1942

Hero of the Empire

Candice Millard2016

A young Winston Churchill travels to South Africa to cover the Boer War, leading to his capture and a subsequent escape across enemy lines.

pace0·prose0·bleak0

History of the Peloponnesian War

Thucydides

A contemporary account of the 5th-century BC conflict between Athens and Sparta. It focuses on military strategy and political speeches.

propulsive → clinical, still military history

pace-1·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.

propulsive → meditative

pace-2·prose+2·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.

propulsive → reflective

pace-1·prose+2·bleak0

Sea of Greed

Clive Cussler2018

Kurt Austin investigates the destruction of oil rigs in the Gulf of Mexico. The trail leads to a billionaire with a plan to end the oil age.

Same propulsive register

pace0·prose-1·bleak-1

Modern Romance

Aziz Ansari2015

A comedian and a sociologist analyze how technology and culture have changed dating. It uses data and interviews to compare eras.

propulsive → playful

pace0·prose-1·bleak-1

Warrior Rising

P.C. Cast2008

Goddesses transport a modern woman to ancient Troy to seduce and distract Achilles. It is a lighthearted fish-out-of-water romance.

propulsive → playful

pace0·prose-1·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.

propulsive → playful

pace+1·prose-1·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.

propulsive → playful

pace+1·prose-1·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.

propulsive → earnest

pace+1·prose-1·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.

propulsive → meditative

pace-2·prose+2·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.

propulsive → mysterious

pace-2·prose+2·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.

propulsive → dreamlike

pace-2·prose+2·bleak0

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.

propulsive → bleak, still military history

pace0·prose0·bleak+2

The Third Reich at War

Richard J. Evans2008

A chronological history of Nazi Germany from the 1939 invasion of Poland to the 1945 collapse. It details military strategy and the Holocaust.

propulsive → clinical, still military history

pace-1·prose+1·bleak+2

The Forgotten Soldier

Guy Sajer1971

A teenager from Alsace joins the Wehrmacht and experiences the retreat from the Eastern Front during World War II.

propulsive → bleak, still military history

pace0·prose+1·bleak+2