The best books of 2009

Here are three best books I read (or listened to) in 2009:

 

Third Place:

The Age of the Unthinkable by Josh Ramo

http://www.amazon.com/Age-Unthinkable-Disorder-Constantly-Surprises/dp/0316118087

This is one of the few foreign policy books that takes an entrepreneurial and data-driven approach.  It should be required reading for everyone in the foreign policy establishment.   It is Clash of Civilizations meets Freakonomics meets Rules for Radicals.  

 

Second place:

The Good Book by David Plotz

http://www.amazon.com/Good-Book-Hilarious-Disturbing-Marvelous/dp/0061374245

This is a great book about a guy who reads the entire Old Testament and writes what happened chapter by chapter.   This is especially good for people that don’t read the Bible regularly or people who are not religious.  I found it really fascinating.  And Plotz is a great writer who is very funny.

 

First Place:

Justice by Michael Sandel

http://www.amazon.com/Justice-Whats-Right-Thing-Do/dp/0374180652

Sandel is a Harvard professor who teaches the most popular undergraduate course in the school (class is on ethics, society, and philosophy).  The book essentially summarizes his class material.  It is awesome and thought-provoking.  This book is absolutely fantastic and will keep you thinking and debating with your friends.  This book is especially great if you haven’t read all the major philosophers (this was my first introduction to many of the well-known philosophers).  

 

Also: I just started Superfreakonomics and it is really good.