What and How I read in 2022: Top Book Recommendations

That half of the books I read in 2022 came from people I admire is a reminder that there is no better gift to share than one’s insight, joy in learning something new and wonder in being wrong. I thank these wonderful contributors at the end of this post.

This year as every year, I tend to focus on similar categories: American History and Experience; Antiquity; Asia; The Brain, Faith, and Spirituality; China; Europe; Global Perspective; Literature and Art; The Middle East; South Asia; Technology and Science. Perhaps the greatest compliment I receive each year is someone writes to me saying I mis-categorized some book. The best feedback I receive is recommendations for next year.  

I read for pleasure, but more so to be pushed both on the issues of our times and their context and how and why we think and act as we do. This year was better overall for me than I deserved, but also one of great loss and reflection. I dug particularly into mourning and meaning in life explicitly but believe how I read everything had an added sense of humility and wonder in how we have gotten to where we are today.

We are not the first people to navigate great uncertainty, to feel our leadership is lacking, to succumb to FOMO, to wonder what it all means. The books are wonderful reminders that we are not alone and encourage us to appreciate what we do have and the opportunities that lie ahead. Each book is a life, really, and I was able to live many this year.

It was very hard to pick favorites, but I will share be category here – please read on and scan all the books beyond as they were excellent. I hope something captures your imagination and inspires new context and enthusiasm for the coming year!       

(If this isn’t enough, please read my book posts from 2021, and 2020.)

American History and Experience:

The great historian Gordon Wood’s Power and Liberty may be his best book and is short primer on the history of the making of our Constitution. Elliot Ackerman’s The Fifth Act is a stunning personal reflection on War and the messy end of our recent Wars – a true gut punch. Professor Skip Gates at Harvard unearthed Hannah Craft’s 1850’s novel The Bondwoman’s Narrative, perhaps the first fiction written by slave herself. My friend Richard Reeves     ‘ Of Boys and Men is a powerful, data-filled analysis on struggling men and the raising of boys with enormous and often undiscussed ramifications on society. I wrote a review of Richard’s book here also.

Antiquity:

I delved much into primary sources this year, including Herodotus, Gilgamesh, and the epistles and odes of Horace - all magnificent.  On this 100th anniversary of the discovery of King Tutankhamen’s tomb, I salute the archeologist Bob Brier’s Tutankhamun: Tomb that Changed the World, which is a superb overview of this little understood life, and the archeology from Howard Carter to today.

Asia:

I read a great deal on China, below, and put this wonderful memoir under Asia.  Hiroo Onoda’s No Surrender is his story as the last hold out in the Philippines from World War II who refused to surrender until 1974.

The Brain Faith and Spirituality:

Carl Scovel is something of a legend in Boston, long serving as the pastor of King's Chapel. He, as a boy, was a prisoner in a Japanese internment camp (the same, interestingly, that held the Scottish missionary Eric Liddell – later made famous in Chariots of Fire.) His Never Far from Home is a collection of reflections on life, loss and hope that were brief weekly radio broadcasts he did for many years. I was thrilled to read them each night after my mother’s passing.

China:

This was a superb year of books on China, and it is hard to choose. For the current state of play and thoughtful assessment of tensions in the US/China relations, the former Prime Minister of Australia Kevin Rudd wrote The Avoidable War. (I wrong a review here also on Rudd’s book and Karim and Mohammad Alwady’s great China Phobia). I finally got around to Henry Kissinger’s clear-eyed, magisterial history through his own experiences to today, On China. Let me add this beautiful first novel by Belinda Hujiuan Tang. A Map for the Missing. It poignantly captures the experience of coming of age in China from ‘70s to the ‘90s. Similarly powerful is Karen Cheung’s The Impossible City - A Hong Kong Memoir, a deeply personal look at growing up in this great city through the recent rebellion.

Europe:

One of the best books I have read on Stalinism, authoritarianism and how we submit to bad regimes is Czeslaw Milosz’s classic The Captive Mind. I thought I had a decent handle on the rise of Europe after World War II, but thanks to Tony Judt’s extraordinary Postwar I realized I knew next to nothing. Catherine Belton’s Putin’s People is for me the definitive history of the rise of Putin and the broader corruption of Russia. And just for fun if you love Rome this was wonderful, Corrado Augias, The Secrets of Rome - a tour de force collection of essays, historic and cultural, on Rome. Augias writes in the tradition of the great travel writer, HV Morton.

Global Perspective:

This astounding overview of the rise and processes of dictators holds up extremely well from its writing in 1956, Carl J. Friedrich and Zbigniew Brzezinski’s Totalitarian Dictatorship and Autocracy. I thought Chris Miller’s Chip War was a China book but it is rather a superb history of the rise of the importance of silicon chips and the war(s) plural from the Soviet Union to Japan to China today. It may be one of the most important books written this year. This technology is at the essence of everything. Most hopeful of all my reading this year was my friend Adria Dunn's The Vine: Messages of Hope From Around the World. Seeing the global pandemic as a moment to restart, she pulled together some of the most inspiring figures reflecting on their work and a better future. They are letters, really, from figures including the Dalai Lama, Jane Goodall, Andrew Young, Djimon Hounsou and many more. Each page is an inspiration of hope amidst a media that seems to want to convince us otherwise.

Literature and Art:

In his time, Kenneth Clark was viewed as one of the greatest art historians, running at a very young age some of the most important museums in Britain. His 1969 documentary series was an astounding tour of primarily western art from the Middle Ages to the present captured equally well in his similarly named book Civilisation. I was not as thrilled by Wolf Hall as many, but with more context, a good Cromwell biography mentioned below, I fell in love with her second in the series Bring Up the Bodies. Somerset Maugham’s The Razor’s Edge could have been placed in my post above under spirituality as it unpacks what life (and whose life) we are living. I started re-reading Shakespeare and everything you want to know about political motivation today is found in Julius Caesar.

The Middle East:

I’m cheating here because I mentioned my friend Amal Ghandour’s This Arab Life last year because I had read it in draft. It is a superb, deeply personal view of coming of age in the Middle East and where we are today. Malcolm Kerr, who gave his life as President of the American University of Beirut in  Lebanon and is also the father of a pretty good basketball coach, wrote The Arab Cold War. It is an excellent and brief look at Nasir and the Arab perspective and on the Cold War on their terms. Finally, I re-read after 20 years T.E Lawrence’s Seven Pillars of Wisdom – and it is a significant piece of literature on the Arab uprisings during World War 1.

South Asia:

I cannot get enough of William Dalrymple in his histories of India and South Asia more broadly – his attention to detail and primary sources rendered in riveting prose is unique. His The Last Mughal is magisterial with extensive documentation of the revolt to 1857 that changed India forever. I’ve read some fiction and poetry from the region. A friend, a descendant of Saadat Hasan Manto, was right to push me to read the Toba Tek Singh Stories. They are a beautiful, hard look at India/Pakistan from the ground and in Partition.

Technology and Science:

I rely almost exclusively on blogs and podcasts for science, tech, and tech entrepreneurship. But Alice Bentinck and Matt Clifford’s How to be a Founder is the clearest, least jargony, how-to and reality check on building something from nothing. (I also wrote a review here.) Jon Clifton’s Blind Spot: The Global Rise of Unhappiness and How Leaders Missed. It is a must read, data filled look from the CEO of Gallup examining society, science, research, and the economy well beyond GDP and traditional stats. I reviewed in detail here.          

 And here are the rest:

 American History and Experience

Dan Charnas                                                  Dilla Time

Biography and analysis of one of the most revolutionary innovators in rap history.

Chris Christie                                                 Republican Rescue

One part personal memoir, one part call for a fact-based, competitive Republican Party.

James Ivory                                                   Solid Ivory

Memoir of the great film director, and memories of people he knew/places he filmed.

Fredrick Logevall                                           JFK

Superb look at the President’s early years; Remarkable new documents available

Mark Perry                                                     Grant and Twain

A unique friendship that helped spawn the most important non-fiction and fiction in America

S.C. Gwynne                                                 Empire of the Summer Moon

The definitive look at the history of the Comanche and Indian Wars. Astounding

Arthur Herman                                               Joseph McCarthy      

A balanced overview of this complicated man, often oversimplified by history.

David Horowitz                                              The Progressive Threat

A blunt, no-holds-barred short argument summarizing the view from the right today.

Hampton Sides                                              Blood and Thunder    

Brilliantly written history of conflict and complexity of Native Americans in America.

Jeff Yang, Phil Yu and Philip Wang              Rise: Pop History of Asian Americans

A creative, graphic tour of significant shifts and rising in culture leadership ‘90s to today.

Michelle Zauner                                             Crying in H Mart

Very moving look at the immigrant experience and connections with one’s mother

Philip Zellikow                                                The Road Less Travelled (World War I)

I’ve studied WW I and had no idea of the 1916 peace efforts that could have saved millions.

Antiquity

Guy de la Bedoyere                                       Gladius: The World of the Roman Soldier

Excellent overview of Roman military across the centuries, from the soldier’s perspective.

Mary Beard and Keith Hopkins                     The Colosseum

Fascinating history of the great building, and its perceptions over time.

Mary Beard                                                    Confronting the Classics

Superb collection of essays reviewing the state of classics and historical analysis.

Saint Benedict                                               The Rule of Benedict

Powerful reflections and also historical context to the early days of Monastic life in Europe.

Leondard Boye                                              St. Clement’s Rome

The best guide to a historic location I have read; a must see in Rome.

Numa Denis Fustel de Coulanges                 The Ancient City

A dense magisterial look at the rise of religion, law and institutions in Greece and Rome.

Adrian Goldsworthy                                       The Fall of Carthage

Very good, accessible overview of the three Punic Wars.

Adrian Goldsworthy                                       How Rome Fell

A balanced and comprehensive look at the decades/centuries it took for Rome to “fall.”

Gregory the Great                                          The Life of Saint Benedict

A fascinating text still considered the most important source on the life of the saint.

Herodotus                                                      Histories

As much a great travel book from antiquity as well as an important history as literature.

Horace (David Ferry translated)                    The Epistles

Brilliant, moving poetic reflections on life more broadly, and daily Republican Rome.

Horace (David Ferry Translated)                   The Odes

Equally brilliant, moving, more poetic view on life goals, and daily Republican Rome.

Tom Holland                                                   Rubicon          

Survey of the history of the Roman Republic and the rise and fall of Caesar.

Lloyd Llewelyn-Jones                                    The Persians

It is astounding, even embarrassing, we know much about the Greeks/Romans and not this.

Madeline Miller                                               Circe

Brilliant and beautiful rendering of Greek mythology of Goddesses and Odysseus.

Madeline Miller                                               Song of Achilles

Brilliant and beautiful fictional account on the Iliad from the lens of Patroclus.

Stephen Mitchell Translation/annotations      Gilgamesh

A stunning and moving poem a thousand years before Homer, with excellent analysis.

Barry Strauss                                                 The War that Made the Roman Empire

A wonderful one-volume on the buildup and historical ramifications of the battle of Actium.

Aloys Winterling                                             Caligula

Was Caligula actually insane, or young, impetuous and oversimplified by history?

The Brain, Faith and Spirituality

Bridget Brady                                               Cosmic Warrior

A handbook and tour of concepts and tools of spirituality

Julia Cameron                                               The Artist’s Way

A structured look at unpacking one’s creativity and what blocks action. Very actionable.

Nick Chater                                                    The Mind is Flat

Provocative dive in the brain’s spontaneous processing/decision making. Counter-intuitive.

Pema Chodron                                               When Things Fall Apart

Thoughtful reflections on love and loss, ground in Buddhist frameworks.

Paul Coelho                                                   The Alchemist

A legendary parable/story about the journey for seeking one’s priorities and impact.

David Epstein                                       Range: Generalists Triumph in Specialized World

A tribute to foxes over hedgehogs - how knowing many things/experiences better outcomes

Hector Garcia and Francesc Miralles          Kigai: Japanese Secrets to Long/Happy Life

To what do we dedicate our most attention; Where and how do we prioritize our time?

Marshall Goldsmith                          The Earned Life – Lose Regret, Choose Fulfillment

What got us to where we are, what is needed to be change and make the next act.

Herman Hesse                                               Siddhartha

The classic novel having us all rethink why we prioritize what we do in ourselves.

CS Lewis                                                        Grief Observed

A moving, blunt reflection/journal on loss - of those we love and wrestling faith

BJ Miller/Shoshana Berger                            A Beginner’s Guide to the End

A thoughtful overview in detail of what to expect in the final months of a loved one’s life.

Sir Thomas More                                           A Dialogue of Comfort Against Tribulation

Contemplation of life, power, sorrow and redemption toward the end of his life.

Michael Singer                                               The Surrender Experiment

A personal memoir of going through success, loss and letting life call the shots.

Michael A. Singer                                           The Untethered Soul

A fascinating, readable look from a Buddhist lens of moving beyond what traps us.

Richard Rohr                                   Falling Upward (Spirituality for Two Halves of Life)

A Franciscan priest unpacks our core priorities often buried in early like, unleashed in time.

Eckhart Tolle                                                  A New Earth

A guide to clearing out the ego, processing and focusing on the present moment.

Jim Towey                                             To Love and Be Loved: Portrait of Mother Teresa

Memoir of an extraordinary woman of impact and faith; unique insight from her as well.

China

Karim and Mohammad Alwady                     China Phobia: A Wasted Opportunity

A bottom up look at the rising tensions between US/China by authors who know both.

Phyllis Birnbaum                                            Manchu Princess, Japanese Spy

Biography of WW II Spy for Japan in China, featured in The Last Emperor

Hal Brands, Michael Beckley                        Danger Zone

Thorough look at relative strengths and concerns, and strategic recommendations.            

Margaret MacMillan                                       Nixon In China

Best one-volume overview of this riveting and crucial “week that changed the world.”

Jonathan Spence                                           Mao Zedong

Very short and readable biography by one of the greatest Chinese scholars.

Desmond Shum                                             Red Roulette

A painful read of greed, corruption and losing one’s way; this time in go-go era of China.

Joseph Torigan                                              Prestige, Manipulation and Coercion

A superb review about what drives transitions from totalitarianism. USSR and China.

Michael Wood                                                The Story of China

A comprehensive very good partner to his documentary of the same name.

Europe

Tadeusz Borowski                                         This Way to the Gas, Ladies and Gentlemen

The most poignant and brutal look, in short stories, of his experience at Auschwitz.

Karen Dawisha                                              Putin’s Kleptocracy

A thorough overview of the rise of corruption of the Russia state over 20 years.

Vaclav Havel                                                  The Power of the Powerless

His 1978 mediations on political dissent – superbly relevant today.

Carlo Levi                                                       Christ Stopped at Eboli

A beautiful memoir of poverty and humanity in southern Italy in the Fascist era.

Diarmaid MacCulloch                                    Thomas Cromwell

Superb and definitive biography of the tragic and ambitious advisors to Henry VIII.

Justin Pollard                                                 Alfred the Great

Excellent, readable bio of one of the most important people in English history too unknown.

Axel Vervoordt                                               Stories and Reflections         

A beautiful collection of experiences and insight on art and design from a global life.

Global Perspective

Foreign Affairs                                               A Century of Foreign Affairs

A marvelous selection of some of the most influential writings in their historic contexts.

Henry Kissinger                                              Leadership

A magisterial tour of Adenauer, De Gaulle, Nixon, Sadat, Lee, and Thatcher 

Scott Reynolds Nelson                                  Oceans of Grain

A fascinating look at the history of grain as the foundation of geopolitical/economic history.

Literature and Art

Albert Camus                                                 The Stranger

I have not read since college, and the choices and unexpected outcomes very relevant today.

Kenneth Clark                                      Leonardo da Vinci; His Development as an Artist.

Epic 1940 analysis of the great mind’s work in the context of his times.

Graham Greene                                             Our Man in Havana

A beautiful, funny, amazing spy novel by the great Cold War novelist (film is excellent also)

Hilary Mantel                                                  Wolf Hall

A comprehensive, in-depth, deeply researched telling of Thomas Cromwell and Henry VIII.

James Stourton                                              Kenneth Clark; Life, Art and Civilisation

Engrossing biography of the great art expert and creator of Civilisation, the BBC series.

Miriam Toews                                                Women Talking, A Novel

Beautiful, shocking look of a true story of assault on women in the Mennonite community.

Middle East

Agatha Christie                                              Come, Tell Me How You Live

A wonderful memoir of her time with her archeologist husband in Syria in the 1930s.

Michael Palin                                                 Into Iraq          

A sensitive travelogue of the admired comedian. I eagerly await his TV show of the same.

Edmund Richardson                                    The King’s Shadow; Lost City of Alexandria

Impossible adventure story on seeking Alexander’s city in Afghanistan in the 19th century.

South Asia

Jamil Ahad                                                     The Wandering Falcon

A beautiful novella set where Pakistan and Afghanistan border; 80 year old’s first novel.

Jyoti Thottam                                                 Sisters of Mokama

A moving, personal look at India from the partition through the lens of missionary nuns.

Technology and Science

Galileo Galilei                                                 Sidereal Messenger

The great man’s note books as he first uses his telescope and discovers the moons of Jupiter.

Kissinger/Schmidt/Huttenlocher                    The Age of AI and Our Human Future

Raises more questions than it answers, but interesting blend of science/behavior and policy.

Thanks for your generous recommendations:

Hannah Allam

Herb Allen

Karim Alwadi

Marc Andreessen

Julia Azarcon

Jen Balderama

Marcus Brauchli

Matt Clifford

Jim Clifton

Jon Clifton

Sandy Coburn

Marc Cohen

Heather Conley

James Crabtree

Jos Dirkx

Rodney Faroan

Nate Fick

Amal Ghandour

Fadi Ghandour

Marc Grossman

Michael Faye

Sarah Friar

John Gardner

Heather Henyon

David Hoffman

Ben Horowitz

David Ignatius

Sohaib Khan

Steve Kupka

Sleem Manto

Tom Mueller

Vali Nasr

Evan Osnos

Helery Pop

Prakash Raman

Richard Reeves

Ben Schroeder

Elaine Schroeder

Jack Schroeder

Julia Schroeder

Claire Scoville

Neal Simon

Andrew Stevens

Virginia Tam

Zenna Tavares from Satori

Gayle Trotter

Catherine Barr Windels

Bryan Wish

Jennifer Xu

Bob Zoellick