3 Comments
User's avatar
The Observer's avatar

Thanks for this list. I have added many titles to my 2024 ambitions.

You should read “Pursuing Power and Light”, by Bruce J. Hunt

https://www.press.jhu.edu/books/title/9984/pursuing-power-and-light

I read Imperial Science immediately afterward (covers Britain’s attempts at setting up a network of submarine cables). I thought it was kind of a slog, since I wanted more science, but YMMV.

Expand full comment
The Observer's avatar

Oh also

Making Silicon Valley by Christophe Lecuyer

https://www.amazon.com/Making-Silicon-Valley-Innovation-Technology/dp/0262622114

Pretty funny to see how standard capitalist incentive structures (stock options) were considered to be Communism in the ‘50s

Expand full comment
Todd Landfried's avatar

If you haven't already:

"Fear on Trial" by John Henry Falk

"The Trial of Socrates" by I. F. Stone

"Where is Joe Merchant" by Jimmy Buffet (every person I've convinced to read it love it)

Expand full comment