What I Read in 2020

I'm keeping up the tradition of reviewing the books I read during the year. Here are 2018 and 2019 lists. Considering shelter-in-place, I was expecting to read more books this year. That didn't happen. But I'm fairly happy with the choices I made.

If you have any suggestions on interesting books, please share!

Disunited Nations by Peter Zeihan

My top book of the year. This is a stimulating book with an in-depth analysis of the dynamics at play in major nations in the light of the greatest period of change in foreign policies. 

Here's my detailed review earlier in the year.

The Tyranny of Merit by Michael Sandel

This is a thought-provoking book by Michael Sandel, Harvard professor of political philosophy, that would help most of us to question our understanding of meritocracy. The book provides a detailed analysis of how meritocratic idealism increased inequality and polarization in our society, and how tone-deaf technocrats across the world lost touch with disempowered ordinary citizens, leading to the election of Trump, increasing support of conservatives across Europe, and Brexit. Sandel observes the deep-seated resentment against elites who enjoy the benefits of market-driven globalization, and cultural dislocation in the majority of the society, working-class who felt alienated in their own land.

"The constant call for working people to improve their condition by getting a college degree, however well intentioned, eventually valorizes credentialism and undermines social recognition and esteem for those who lack the credentials the system rewards"

Sandel also highlights the other side of the meritocratic hubris: depressed, anxious, and hoop-jumping "winners" who are under constant pressure of overbearing, helicopter parents.  

While he doesn't provide concrete alternatives to meritocracy, this still is a critical analysis that could trigger conversation on the right set of policies. 

Countdown to Zero Day by Kim Zetter

This is a fascinating book about the world's first cyberweapon, Stuxnet, unleashed by nation-states to stop Iran's nuclear project. I love it!

Here's my review earlier in the year.

Narrative Economics by Robert Shiller

Robert Shiller's (Nobel laureate & economist) on the impact of contagious stories on the economy in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. He links the contagious nature of stories to epidemiology and shows the viral spread of popular narratives that change how people make economic decisions such as hiring, investing, buying, etc.

My review earlier in the year.

21 Lessons for the 21st Century by Yuval Noah Harari

I loved Harari's Sapien, so this was on my list for some time. I finally had a chance to read it this year. 

In his brilliant book, Harari analyzes 21 pressing issues of the present time such as liberalism, religion, education, artificial intelligence, immigration, terrorism nuclear war, climate change, etc. While the book covers a large number of topics, Harari dissects each complex topic to make it digestible and raises provocative questions we need to think about as we move into unchartered territories with the advance of technology i.e. AI, data, biotech, and as stories/narratives we relied on so far are failing to provide guidance.

Don't expect prescriptive "lessons" or answers. This is an insightful book on the most pressing issues of our lives. For example I liked his point on switching focus from teaching children quickly expiring technical knowledge to teaching the four Cs in education - critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity. 

Most important of all will be the ability to deal with change, learn new things, and preserve your mental balance in unfamiliar situations. To keep up with the world of 2050, you will need to do more than merely invent new ideas and products, but above all, reinvent yourself again and again. If somebody describes the world of the mid-21st century to you and it doesn’t sound like science fiction, it is certainly false.

Living an Examined Life by James Hollis

I'm a big fan of James Hollis, a Jungian analyst. I read Middle Passage a few years ago and loved it. This is even better.

In this book, Hollis analyzes 21 deep and complex areas of "self-inquiry and growth" based on his 30+ years of workshops and therapy with his clients. He recommends reading one chapter a day and contemplating on it before moving forward.

Hollis defines the first half of life as "essentially a giant unavoidable mistake" that is following instructions from our family and culture. The second half is about awareness and becoming conscious of personal authority and a deeper sense of identity.

This is one of those books I will be going back to over and over again.

How do you define “growing up”? Does it mean you achieve certain cultural benchmarks—a steady income, paying taxes, marriage, and children? Or does it mean leaving behind the expectations of others and growing into the person you were meant to be? If you find yourself in a career, place, relationship, or crisis you never foresaw and that seems at odds with your beliefs about who you are, it means your soul is calling on you to reexamine your path.

Stronger, Faster and More Beautiful by Arwen Elys Dayton

It's a compelling imaginative novel that delves into the inevitable questions of what it will mean to be human in the future.

My earlier review.

Attack Surface by Cory Doctorow

Highly recommended. This is a fast-moving sci-fi cyberthriller. The story takes place in the near future in the Bay Area where the main character, Masha, is a computer wiz working on cyber warfare and counterintelligence for questionable private contractors. She deploys mind-blowing digital surveillance hacks and privacy-invading tools in various situations such as dealing with repressive regimes or terrorists or helping activist groups. I really enjoyed the story with many twists and how Doctorow gives scary details on the technologies Masha utilized. This is a glimpse into a very possible future, if not already happening. 

The Art of Invisibility by Kevin Mitnick

Do you know that it's getting increasingly easy for a hacker to listen/watch you on your laptop/phone/etc? These are not spy-ware anymore. Kevin Mitnick's book is a great intro to cybersecurity, privacy and how one can stay anonymous on the internet where all of us have been tracked, targeted and analyzed. He should write a simpler version for teenagers before they leave too much digital trace so they can achieve personal privacy when they need it. There are many useful tips in the book such as using HTTPS Everywhere, Tails OS, PGP to encrypt emails, or having a clean laptop for only banking or other secure applications. It's not easy, but privacy is a luxury these days so you need to pay for it. 

A persistent attacker will succeed given enough time and resources. … All you are really doing by trying to make yourself anonymous is putting up so many obstacles that an attacker will give up and move on to another target.

Hillbilly Elegy by JD Vance

This is JD Vance's memoir of him growing up in a dysfunctional family in the Rust Belt. They struggled with poverty, drug addiction, and other disadvantages. Vance's story highlights the stagnant upward mobility that led to resentful white working-class Americans. 

I found Vance's personal story distracting from his eye-opening observations of the hillbilly culture in crisis. Another book on how the American Dream is falling behind and public policy is still tone-deaf to this group who increasingly feel alienated in their own land. 

The Score Takes Care of Itself by Bill Walsh

I don't follow the NFL so I didn't know Bill Walsh until a friend recommended it to me some time ago. The book contains a mix of football, and widely relevant leadership and strategy lessons from one of America's greatest coaches who relentlessly strived for perfection at 49ers, lifting them from the bottom to Superbowl championship. Business speak could have been subtler though. While he shares success stories, he is frank about his failures. There are many nuggets of wisdom through the book:

"The culture precedes positive results."

"Concentrate on what will produce results rather than on the results, the process rather than the prize."

“Others follow you based on the quality of your actions rather than the magnitude of your declarations.”

“There is no guarantee, no ultimate formula for success. However, a resolute and resourceful leader understands that there is a multitude of means to increase the probability of success. And that’s what it all comes down to, namely, intelligently and relentlessly seeking solutions that will increase your chance of prevailing in a competitive environment. When you do that, the score will take care of itself.”

“And always keep this in mind: Nobody will ever come back to you later and say “thank you” for expecting too little of them.”