Taking wisdom from the shelf

Against a backdrop of relentless change and uncertainty, it’s tempting to reach for easy answers. Yet, as the world pushes further into unfamiliar territory – politically, economically and technologically – the most pressing questions rarely come with simple solutions. The following books dissect our modern dilemmas and perhaps, point toward a better way forward. 

Is this time different? 

A heavily debated question. I think big changes are afoot and I have been heavily influenced recently by The Fourth Turning is Here: What the Seasons of History Tell Us about How and When This Crisis Will End (Neil Howe). 

Howe’s book argues that history follows a four-phase cycle, with the current “Fourth Turning” marked by crisis and upheaval. According to Howe, this painful period, driven by generational shifts, could ultimately pave the way for a new era of renewal by the early 2030s. The turmoil we see today, while difficult, may be a necessary step toward progress. 

Disillusion and the housing debate 

Trump’s rise reflects deep societal disillusionment, especially around housing and youth prospects – issues unlikely to resolve soon, keeping US politics polarised beyond the next election. 

Abundance: How We Build a Better Future (Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson) argues that restrictive rules and NIMBY (not in my back yard) movements, particularly in Democrat-led areas, have made building homes harder and costlier.

As basic needs like shelter become harder to meet, other political causes can seem out of touch to those struggling to secure a home of their own. 

Why do big projects fail? 

If building more homes is so important, why do so many well- intentioned projects go off the rails? The book How Big Things Get Done: The Surprising Factors Behind Every Successful Project, from Home Renovations to Space Exploration (Bent Flyvberg and Dan Gardner) deftly weaves the personal (think overrunning kitchen renovations) with the epic (the saga of the Sydney Opera House), illuminating why projects so often balloon beyond their budgets and timelines – and most crucially, how to do better. 

Trade, tariffs and the future of growth 

No Trade is Free (Robert Lighthizer) is a worthy read to understand some of the motivation around tariffs. Lighthizer, former US Trade Representative, argues that tariffs and new trade policies are necessary to counter lost manufacturing jobs and rising “deaths of despair”in the US.

While I share concerns about unequal growth, I don’t believe tariffs are the solution. Growth: A Reckoning (Daniel Susskind) discusses this topic too and offers alternative, and better, in my opinion, approaches. 

Economic weapons 

Biden’s sanctions on Russia’s central bank marked a turning point, leading many to reconsider their USD holdings. For insight, Chokepoints: How the Global Economy Became a Weapon of War (Edward Fishman) details how economic sanctions have become key tools in global power struggles, and how these tactics are reshaping international politics and business. 

The dollar debate 

The US administration, including Stephen Miran (Chair of the Council of Economic Advisers) wants a weaker USD. I don’t think this means the end of the USD as the reserve currency just yet, but I think it means we see a change in how it is used and held. Economist, Kenneth Rogoff, via his podcast, offers a sharp rejoinder to those who predict the imminent demise of dollar dominance.

While he notes the USD may have peaked, he contends that changes in its global role will be gradual and nuanced, rather than catastrophic.

Materials and technology 

The transition to a greener, more technologically advanced future depends on materials as much as ideas. Material World (Ed Conway) takes readers on a journey from the dustiest mines in Chile to the most sterile factories in Taiwan, examining six essential materials – oil, copper, iron, lithium, sand, and salt. Conway’s narrative reveals just how interconnected, and at times fragile, our supply chains have become.

Alongside this, Chip War (Chris Miller) provides an impeccably researched history of the semiconductor industry, chronicling the rise and future of the tiny chips powering our devices – and some of the world’s thorniest geopolitical dilemmas.

The human side of AI 

Equilibrium’s Neal Foundly recommended The Coming Wave (Mustafa Suleyman) and it is a worthwhile read, though it can be a bit alarmist in places.

Co-intelligence: Living and Working with AI (Ethan Mollick) is my standout favourite. The author uses AI throughout the writing process to highlight the strengths and weaknesses of this technology.

His core advice, is use it, use it, use it. Or you will be left behind. And it is not hard to use. Unlike previous technological advancements, it is very cheap and easier for end consumers to embrace.

Hope in the data 

It is easy, amidst the bad news and constant upheaval, to lose sight of the bigger picture. For a restorative dose of perspective, The Better Angels of Our Nature (Steven Pinker) provides empirical evidence that, for all our troubles, the world has never been better in so many fundamental ways. 

Progress, Pinker argues, is real – though cyclical – and worth fighting to maintain. 

These books offer neither a single answer nor a simple path forward. Instead, they illuminate the complexity of our times and challenge us to think more deeply, act more wisely, and, above all, keep reading.