The 9 Best Books for Astonishment
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Here’s my curated list of the 9 best books for astonishment, in no particular order.
- The Republic by Plato — The origination of political science and a brilliant critique of government that is still important today.
- Beyond Good & Evil: Prelude to a Philosophy of the Future by Friedrich Nietzsche — Probably Nietzsche’s most cogent statement of his views: that traditional morality is subjective and that people must evolve to a higher understanding of what’s valuable and what is not.
- Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari — An engaging overview of the history of humankind from the Stone Age to the modern age, exploring how biology and history have defined us.
- Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman — An insightful look into how our minds work and the dual systems of thought that drive our decision-making.
- Cosmos by Carl Sagan — A classic exploration of the universe that blends science and philosophy, inspiring readers to appreciate the beauty and complexity of our cosmos.
- Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl — A profound account of Frankl's experiences in Nazi concentration camps, emphasizing the importance of finding purpose and meaning in life.
- Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain — Challenges the cultural bias towards extroverts and highlights the strengths and contributions of introverts, promoting a deeper understanding of personality dynamics.
- The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment by Eckhart Tolle — This book emphasizes the importance of living in the present moment, which can lead to profound personal transformation.
- Peak Mindset: Apply Realistic Thinking When Studies on Happiness Fail to Make Us Happy by Said Hasyim — A unique perspective on optimizing one’s mindset through realism, especially relevant when confronting conventional approaches to happiness.
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