Recommended Books 2021

A History of Astronomy- A history of astronomy throughout culture and the West. I took two semesters of Astronomy in undergrad, but this book was enlightening anyway.

My Body, by Emily Ratajowski- A memoir of Ratajowski’s life through the modeling and influencer. How capitalism commodifies the human body, and in particular, beauty in women is incredibly disappointing but not surprising. Ratajowski says that initially she finds her sexuality and desirability empowering, but to whose advantage is it that she feels that way? Modeling and the commodification of women’s beauty divides women into “desirable” and “undesirable” categories, typically for men's consumption. I’m not sure what the solution is, or if there is a solution.

The Code Book by Simon Singh- a history of creating and cracking codes. Singh does a great job explaining how the codes are written and broken, and how these breakthroughs have real world effects in politics and war.

The Pentagon’s Brain, by Annie Jacobsen- A history of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). DARPA made most of the contributions to the hydrogen bomb, and the internet, as well as agent orange.

Edit: I published this about a month early. In the ensuing weeks, I have added:

The Man Who Ran Washington- this book is about James Baker III. He was a lawyer by training who was considered the most powerful unelected official after World War II. He ran five presidential campaigns, served as Chief of Staff to the President, Secretary of Treasury, and Secretary of State. If I could have any career, I would be a progressive version of him.

War: How Conflicts Shaped Us. This book is a history of war, and how it has shapes humanity. 

Presidents at War- A history of Presidents who took the US to war, from the War of 1812 to the Vietnam War.