Bookshelf
The books I've read over the past few years that have stood out.
2024
Scarcity BrainMichael EasterFantastic follow-up to The Comfort Crisis. An evolutionary psychology based look at why we do what do and how to break the loop.
2023
OutlivePeter AttiaI am such a huge fan of Peter Attia and his podcast. This book is a great dive into his thinking around longevity and healthspan.
Built to MoveJuliet Starrett and Kelly StarrettI'm recognizing more and more how important maintaining mobility and full range of motion is to living well now and for the decades to come and am working to incorporate many of the practices from this book into my day.
2022
The Comfort Crisis: Embrace Discomfort To Reclaim Your Wild, Happy, Healthy SelfMichael EasterThis book has been more on my mind and done more to inspire me than any other book in quite a few years. Do Hard Things, Get Bored (ideally outside), Memento Mori, Ruck.
2021
Fall and Rise: The Story of 9/11Mitchell ZuckoffStunning play by play account of the events of 9/11.
President Lincoln: The Duty of a StatesmanWilliam Lee MillerA nuanced look at the weight of the issues Lincoln had to face. Nothing is ever black and white.
2020
Breath: The New Science of a Lost ArtJames NestorAlright.. I won't breathe through my mouth any more.
The Last Lion: Winston Spencer Churchill: Visions of Glory, 1874-1932William ManchesterWhat an unbelievable character.
A Stillness at AppomattoxBruce CattonDevastating yet beautiful account of the final year of the Civil War.
2019
Rebel Yell: The Violence, Passion, and Redemption of Stonewall JacksonS. C. GwynneStonewall Jackson was a brilliant military tactician. Most of my reading on the Civil War has been from the perspective of the Union, so good to read a more Confederate focused account as well.
Working: Researching, Interviewing, WritingRobert A. CaroWas a great follow-up to The Power Broker. “Turn every goddamn page”.
On Desperate Ground: The Marines at The Reservoir, the Korean War's Greatest BattleHampton SidesWeaves the specific story of the Battle within the greater context of the Korean War.
The Power Broker: Robert Moses and the Fall of New YorkRobert A. CaroA masterpiece. Will never think about politics and government the same after this one.
Can't Hurt Me: Master Your Mind and Defy the OddsDavid Goggins
2018
American Buffalo: In Search of a Lost IconSteven Rinella
Being Nixon: A Man DividedEvan ThomasAll I really knew about Nixon was "Watergate President".. He's a lot more interesting than that.
The Guns of AugustBarbara W. TuchmanA masterful and entertaining look at the first month of World War I.
Living with a SEAL: 31 Days Training with the Toughest Man on the PlanetJesse ItzlerEntertaining and inspiring :)
A. LincolnRonald C. White Jr.I found this to be a really good choice of a general biography of Lincoln's life.
The Fish That Ate the Whale: The Life and Times of America's Banana KingRich CohenWild rags to riches story
Hero of the Empire: The Boer War, a Daring Escape, and the Making of Winston ChurchillCandice MillardThis book inspired me to start the more in-depth Last Lion trilogy to learn more about Churchill.
Shadow Divers: The True Adventure of Two Americans Who Risked Everything to Solve One of the Last Mysteries of World War IIRobert KursonYou don't have to be interested in diving or World War II to enjoy this book.
Destiny of the Republic: A Tale of Madness, Medicine and the Murder of a PresidentCandice MillardJames Garfield would have been a great president. Very sad to think about what could have been.
Empire of the Summer Moon: Quanah Parker and the Rise and Fall of the Comanches, the Most Powerful Indian Tribe in American HistoryS.C. GwynneVery well-written account of the powerful Comanche tribe.
The River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt's Darkest JourneyCandice MillardMy first Candice Millard book. Decided I would read anything she writes after having read this one.