Tim's Picks

The Road to Reality by Roger Penrose is a monumental work that seeks to offer a comprehensive guide to understanding the physical universe. Spanning over a thousand pages, this ambitious tome delves into the mathematical intricacies that underpin our cosmos, translating complex theories into a more accessible form for readers who may not have a specialised background in mathematics or...

The Prince by Niccolò Machiavelli is a seminal treatise on political philosophy and realpolitik, written in the early 16th century. The book delves into the nature of power, leadership, and governance, offering guidance on how rulers can maintain control over their states and subjects. Machiavelli, drawing on historical examples and his own experiences, provides a candid and sometimes brutal analysis...

The Last Duel by Eric Jager is a riveting and atmospheric true story that transports readers to the tumultuous fourteenth century. The narrative centres on a gripping trial by combat between a knight and a squire, set against a backdrop of war, plague, and anarchy, interspersed with themes of honour, chivalry, and courtly love. The event, known as "the duel...

A cult bestseller in the US, available around the world for the first time, The Great Mental Models introduces the simple tools we all need to see the world clearly. Time and time again, great thinkers like Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger have credited their success to mental models—simple representations of how the world works that can be applied in...

A cult bestseller in the US, available around the world for the first time, The Great Mental Models: Economics and Art introduces the simple tools we all need to see the world clearly. Time and time again, great thinkers like Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger have credited their success to mental models—simple representations of how the world works that can...

Compiled more than 2000 years ago by the revered warrior-philosopher Sun Tzu, The Art of War is a timeless text on strategy and tactics that continues to wield influence in modern times. This enduring classic dissects the anatomy of conflict and competition, providing insights applicable on interpersonal, organisational, and international levels. It aspires to teach invincibility, the pursuit of victory...

In Surely You're Joking Mr Feynman, Richard P. Feynman shares his extraordinary life experiences through a series of captivating anecdotes and conversations with his friend Ralph Leighton. This intriguing book takes readers on a journey through various episodes of Feynman's life, from his early childhood in Far Rockaway, New York, to his critical role in the Manhattan Project during World...

Structures by J. E. Gordon is an enlightening exploration into the fundamental principles of structural engineering and the science behind why structures hold together—or fall apart. Unlike traditional textbooks, this work is both accessible and engaging, making complex engineering concepts understandable to a broader audience. Gordon, a preeminent figure in the field, delves into the myriad forces and stresses that...

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen is a timeless classic that delves into themes of love, social standing, and the often complex dance between first impressions and reality. Set in the Regency era, the story revolves around the lives of the Bennet family, particularly the witty and resilient Elizabeth Bennet and her elder sister Jane. When two wealthy young gentlemen,...

Building on the remarkable story of Netflix, No Rules Rules by Reed Hastings, Netflix’s co-founder and CEO, and Erin Meyer, a professor at INSEAD business school, offers an unprecedented look at the core principles that have shaped one of the most dynamic and disruptive companies in the world. Discover the radical cultural experiment behind Netflix's transformation from a DVD mail...

Musashi: An Epic Novel of the Samurai Era by Eiji Yoshikawa is a sweeping tale set during a transformative period in Japanese history. The novel chronologically narrates the remarkable journey of Miyamoto Musashi, one of Japan's most renowned swordsmen, capturing the complexities of his character and the world in which he lived. As Japan emerges from decades of civil strife,...

A bold new story of human progress, told through six materials that built our world and will transform our future. For fans of Tim Marshall, Lewis Dartnell, Jared Diamond and Yuval Harari. Shortlisted for the Financial Times and Schroders Business Book of the Year Award Longlisted for the Wainwright Conservation Writing Prize Picked as a Book of the Year by...

Lords of Finance by Liaquat Ahamed offers a gripping narrative on the pivotal role played by four influential central bankers in the events leading up to the Great Depression. Set against the backdrop of the late 1920s, this meticulously researched work delves into the lives and decisions of Montagu Norman of the Bank of England, Benjamin Strong of the New...

I Love Capitalism by Ken Langone is a riveting memoir that chronicles the extraordinary journey of a young boy from Long Island who transformed into one of America's greatest entrepreneurs. This spellbinding narrative takes readers from Langone's humble beginnings through his meteoric rise in the business world, highlighting the grit, determination, and unwavering belief in free enterprise that fuelled his...

Unveil the exhilarating and tumultuous journey of Robert Maxwell in John Preston's Fall, a gripping narrative that intricately details the meteoric rise and catastrophic fall of one of the most controversial business magnates of the 20th century. In February 1991, Robert Maxwell made a triumphant entrance into Manhattan Harbour aboard his lavish yacht, the Lady Ghislaine, marking the dawn of...

Immerse yourself in Endurance, an awe-inspiring, gripping memoir by NASA astronaut Scott Kelly, who spent a record-breaking year aboard the International Space Station (ISS). This poignant narrative takes you on a journey beyond the Earth's confines, exploring both the outer reaches of space and the depths of human perseverance. Kelly shares the exhilaration and challenges of living in space, revealing...

The definitive, dramatic, minute-by-minute story of the 1986 Challenger space shuttle disaster by New York Times-bestselling author Adam Higginbotham, based on fascinating new archival research and in-depth reporting—a riveting history that reads like a thriller. From the New York Times-bestselling author of Midnight in Chernobyl comes the definitive, dramatic, minute-by-minute story of the Challenger space shuttle disaster based on fascinating...

An unorthodox guide to making things worth making, from 'the father of the iPod and iPhone' and the creator of Nest. The New York Times Bestseller (May 2022). Everyone deserves a mentor. For every career crisis, every fork in the road, you need someone to talk to. Someone who's been there before, who knows exactly how wobbly and conflicted you...

'Make this book a morning ritual.' - Matthew McConaughey 'A simple way to ground us, to force a reflection on the choices we're making, and the ones we want to make. And it's not just for dads.' - Emily Oster, author, Cribsheet What does it mean to be a great father? And how do you become one? Parenting is a...