Another list… Another controversy.  I read about fifty books in 2008 and learned something from all of them.  These are the six that I have recommended to others:

• In fiction I really enjoyed The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Shafter and Anne Barrows.  It is a small tale about the WWII told well.
• In nonfiction history I recommend two books.   A Team of Rivals about Lincoln’s cabinet by Doris Kearns Goodwin.  This book shows how Republicans ended slavery and ended the federal system.  It is a great but long read.
• The second book in nonfiction history is  Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow.  Until I read this book I was a Jeffersonian democrat.  Now I’m in flux again as Madison intended.  Read the book and you’ll understand.
• Let Their People Come by Lant Pritchett is the best immigration book I read in 2008.  It makes a compelling case that allowing more migration is the cheapest and easiest way to help the poor of the world.
• I read Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell in December and recommended it to both of my book groups.  It tries to explain among other things why Bill Gates is the richest man in the world and is full of fact and ideas that are not mainstream and intuitive.  it is a fun and popular read.
• About Global Warming I read Cool It by Bjorn Lomborg.  He argues that fighting against human caused global warming will cause more human suffering than just adjusting to it.  Resources, he argues, could be better spent fighting malaria, poverty or illiteracy.  It is an interesting and convincing (to me) spin on a controversial topic.

What have you read lately that you you would recommend?