Reading List '05

[The_Q]

Jared Diamond came out with a new book recently. Anyone interested in the social sciences ought to read them all. Particularly my favorite two (the two most recent), Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies and Collapse. Both deal with the rise and fall of societies. I will warn any potential readers that he is a biologist first and a historian second, though he has degrees in both fields (and many others). Most of his books deal with society in relation to the environment. This does not mean, however, that he is a biased environmentalist. In fact, he's very objective.

Next on the list are two relatively old books. The Armchair Economist and Fair Play by Steven E. Landsburgh. Alone, the books are fantastic and I've read them both many times. Landsburgh is a wonderful writer and has his own internet column (if you care to read). In fact, the only writer that passes him up in wit and style is...

Deirdre McColsky with The Sins of Economics. Not to say I agree with everything she says. It's a very interesting paper (not a book) and it's got to be the best written piece of work I've ever read.

Enjoy!

Q