Ask HN: Best non-technical book you've read lately?
My most recent non-technical read was Moneyball. I started The Big Short, but for some reason didn't get into it.
My most recent non-technical read was Moneyball. I started The Big Short, but for some reason didn't get into it.
The thing I love about Stephenson's writing is that not only am I entertained, not only do I learn something... but that the process of understanding the story actually teaches me new ways to think.
There are so many facets to this book. It's the story of Malcom McLean's drive to make containerisation a reality. It's a history of the global economy since WWII. It goes into detail about labour relations on the docks and about how changes in shipping change the fortunes of cities.
One stand out chapter details the logistics of getting military materiel into Vietnam before and after containerisation and then McLean's idea that there was no point bringing all those empty boxes back - might as well stop off at Japan and pick up some transistor radios.
This book is well worth your time.
Another variant is 'Rework', authored 'DHH' for example - it is easy to read and usefully! Have a great vocation :)
This came out almost a decade ago to critical acclaim. I finally picked it up and am about halfway through. It is a very engaging read about the surprisingly large role that salt played in human history.
I actually started it about 6 years ago, but recently picked up The Wolves of Calla (the fifth book).
The Gunslinger (first in the series) is awesome.