Steven Pinker’s 2008 Reading List
The 7 books Steven Pinker recommended in 2008, with the reasons in their own words. See all the books Steven Pinker recommends.
Other years: 2018
7 books recommended in 2008
The Blind Watchmaker
A lucid explanation of natural selection and a model of elegant science writing.
The Careful Writer: A Modern Guide to English Usage
Who would have thought that a style manual could make you laugh?
Enemies: A Love Story
A novel about a Holocaust survivor with three wives. Every scene is filled with insight about human nature.
The Strategy of Conflict
A humane Dr. Strangelove explains why it pays to be an irrational hothead.
The Mind-Body Problem
A philosopher grapples with this problem in her doctoral thesis and in her life. I liked it so much, I married the novelist.
The Principles of Psychology
Like Mark Twain, James has a witty quote on every subject.
One, Two, Three… Infinity: Facts and Speculations of Science
by George Gamow
A delightful introduction to number theory.