My H1 Reading List in 2019

I now have some momentum with my policy of reading at least 2 books a month. I have missed many hours of sleep but have enjoyed reading the following books

1.   The Dictator’s handbook by Bruce Bueno de Mesquita & Alastair Smith

This book gives an insight into the motivations of political and corporate leaders for their actions and in-actions. In formal gatherings on Leadership, discussions and presentations seem to suggest that leaders are not conversant with the demands of good leadership. You are wrong. They are. But survival instincts dictate that they pander first to key interest groups the authors identify as “the Essentials, the Influentials and the Interchangeables,” in that order. This is a must read for all students of power and politics.

2.   Buried beneath the Baobab Tree by Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani

We all read and listen to news headlines of one attack or the other by Boko Haram, and of late, Cattle rustlers and kidnappers in Northern Nigeria. This book, written in an easy to “read and understand” style brings to our consciousness a true-life account of the kidnap, murder and many other types of atrocities unleashed by Boko Haram on the weak and defenceless in the country. After reading this book, you’ll most likely not view news items on the state of insecurity in the country as just another story.

By the way, if you have not already read, “I do not come to you by chance” I recommend you do so now. This book by the same author is a most read, to understand the modus operandi of advance fee fraudsters otherwise known as “yahoo-yahoo” or “yahoo plus” in the society.

3.   Skin the Game by Nassim Nicolas Taleb

What can I say about Nassim Nicolas Taleb’s latest offering? The author sounds angry, intelligent and vengeful all at the same time. You can’t take away the point he makes about how motivations for action changes, once we have a stake in the outcome. I also enjoyed Fooled by randomness and Black Swan which I still think is one book written twice by the author.

4.   Disrupt You by Jay Samit

This book is replete with success stories of people who came back from failures. My key take-away from the book is “never settle”. Look for continuous improvements even if everything seems to be going okay. In any case, if you fail to disrupt yourself, somebody else will.

5.   How the Mighty Fall by Jim Collins

Jim Collins takes us through the life cycle of companies; especially once great companies that either failed or were acquired by competitors. He identified five stages of that cycle, namely Hubris born of success, Undisciplined pursuit of more, Denial of risk and peril, grasping for salvation and capitulation to irrelevance or death. This book is particularly instructive to CEOs, Board of Companies and strategy consultants.

Having most recently worked in an organization which passed through all the stages outlined, I see clearly with the benefit of hindsight, signs that were missed or ignored entirely.

6.   Julius Caesar by Philip Freeman

If you are aficionado of the history of the Roman empire, you’ll love this one. It explores the life of Julius Gaius Caesar beyond Shakespeare’s literary work that many people are familiar with. You cannot help but admire Julius Caesar, either as a villain or hero. In case you don’t know Julius Caesar, amongst other things converted Rome to the solar calendar, which is in use in most parts of the world today. In this book, you’ll also get to know the exact nature of the relationship between Caesar and Brutus.

There are numerous other books on Caesar that I have read, but Philip Freeman’s account makes this a much more compelling read.

7.   Augustus by Anthony Everett

Where are enthusiasts of ancient Roman history? Anthony Everett’s work takes us through Rome’s subtle transition from a republic to an empire, under the  guidance of Octavian; known in later life as Augustus Caesar. He started off as Caesar’s nephew, and later adopted son. This book is as much a political manual on seizing and retaining power as it is a record of history. How does a sickly teenager with little or no exposure develop the guile to outwit tested generals such as Mark Anthony, and the entire Roman Senate to be the first and longest reigning Emperor of a once fiercely proud republic?

For politicians who are often tinkering with established processes to foist an annointed successor on nations or corporations, there are some lessons here.

I have a few lined up for July to December and the very promising ones are

a.   The Laws of Human Nature by Robert Greene

b.   Good Strategy Bad Strategy by Richard Rumelt (Re-read)

c.    Factfulness by Hans Rosling and Anna Rosling Ronnlund

d.   Bad Blood by John Carreyrou

e.   Future Shock by Alvin Toffler