Welcome to My Favorite Collection of Life Changing Books

Dumbing Us Down – 25th Anniversary Edition: The Hidden Curriculum of Compulsory Schooling by John Taylor Gatto

John Taylor Gatto is an award-winning teacher who isn’t afraid to deviate from the norm. Dumbing Us Down – The Hidden Curriculum Of Compulsory Schooling by John Taylor Gatto is a masterfully detailed look at how public education works. Gatto writes with authority, having taught in public schools for 30 years and being named “teacher of the year” in both New York City and New York State.

Gatto explains how schooling causes boredom, dependency, class position, and indifference, as well as how schools exist to condition students to accept and propagate government values and to create a population of non-thinkers.

The author does a fantastic job of outlining critical concerns in our public schools. This short read on the perils and drawbacks of obligatory mass education, as well as its actual aims, is definitely worth your time. This book explains how the education system suffocates individuality and pushes youngsters to become adult robots. The book should entice the reader to learn more about the topics discussed, which for me means purchasing his other works. ” John Taylor Gatto has spent thirty years of his life inside the corrupted school system, and his experiences have shed new light on how society and education truly impact a child. You deserve better!

The Controlled Demolition of the American Empire by Jeff Berwick and Patrick Smith

I’ve always been curious in what goes on behind closed doors with those powerful people. In a contemporary feudal society, we’re being groomed to be slaves. This is a fantastic book that explains what’s going on and what you can do about it. Jeff Berwick is an expert in his field and provides excellent financial and life advice.

This book does not paint a finished picture of where our world is headed…but it certainly connects the dots and splashes cold water on your face while you’re still lying in bed. This is not a doomsday nor a happily-ever-after book. It’s more like a flashing yellow light. Don’t put this book on your waitlist to pick up at your leisure because the events described in it are happening in real-time …and require some immediate attention. It is eye-opening enough to keep you reading so don’t be intimidated by the 400 pages.

This meticulously researched, compelling and brilliantly written book is required reading for any curious soul wanting to go a little further down the rabbit hole, believe me. And if you’ve already been there and came back to share the news, I recommend passing it forward.

I’m grateful I’m no longer one of the duped masses who didn’t stand a chance after growing up in “public school” and failing to adjust as a healthy, capable adult.

This topic is one that needs to be discussed by everyone, with other Americans. Will the America survive the globalist attack on our country?! Please make sure, your kids will read this book! And PLEASE WAKE-UP.

What an eye opener! Thanks, Jeff.

The Creature from Jekyll Island: A Second Look at the Federal Reserve by G Edward Griffin

Do not get duped by “The Creature from Jekyll Island?”

Until I read this book, I had no idea how little I knew or understood about how the banking industry was started. It opened my eyes to the reality of debt, where money comes from, and the terrifying grip bankers have on the world’s affairs. This book should be required reading for everyone on the planet, and that is not an exaggeration.

I was aware of some of the points raised in the book, but the additional level of depth, research, and insight astounded me. It’s truly terrifying how far the Federal Reserve’s tentacles reach into history and into every aspect of people’s lives all over the world.

This book has completely altered my perspective on financial world history. I had no idea how those with lots of money influenced history. We have a lot to be afraid of when it comes to Wall Street banks.

It clearly explains the Federal Reserve a conspiracy and how it has resulted in a dysfunctional money system that benefits a tiny elite at the top of the pyramid while the rest of us are forced to pick up the tab. It was a fascinating book and  it’s still going on, which is unfathomable. This book  will blow you away.

Live Free or Die Hard You are Not a Barcode   

In a world of increasingly developing technologies, one needs to realize that education and hard work will no longer remain the determinants of a successful Life.

Live Free or Die Hard gives you the mindset with maximum results!  For readers of The 4-Hour Work Week by Timothy Ferris, Deep Work by Cal Newport, and Start With Why by Simon Sinek—here’s the solution that takes most people a lifetime to master. 

The days of teaching people to follow orders like cogs in an industrial machine are over.   We must reinvent ourselves as individuals and as a culture. It is no longer possible – or even desirable – to learn one set of job skills and work your way up the ladder. Unfortunately, your current financial habits will tend to stay with you for the rest of your life and keep you stuck in a “barcode” job, unless you decide to make a change.

You’ll learn how to:

• Escape the prison of working for someone else and start thinking like an entrepreneur
• Learn why getting paid while you sleep can turn your life around
• Leverage your skills and turn it into a profit
• Feel excited about working on a freedom project that matters to you, not others
• Treat your body better so that you can live a healthier, longer life
• Help build a life that you will not regret
• Identify careers which will remain as artificial intelligence overtakes the workplace. This is key for young people.

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Area 51: An Uncensored History of America’s Top Secret Military Base by Annie Jacobsen

Anyone interested in the TRUTH behind what the government was actually doing with their intelligence gathering and analysis will find Area 51 very interesting. It’s was a great read for me to find out what kinds of secrets are going on behind the government’s curtain! My interest was to see the truth for what it is and share this so that people are not blind to what is going on in their backyard. This is a very well-written and insightful book. Also, given the current state of political chaos, this book is still very relevant.

This is a fantastic page-turner. It takes you inside the true power structure of secret government-run programs and the powerful men who run them. It’s a fascinating read, and each chapter has its own hook rich in detail. Every time I opened the book it felt like I was stepping into the 1940s. Inside you will find UFOs, spy planes, the engineers who designed them, the pilots who flew them, and the tragedies that occurred and how the atomic bomb experiments drew tourists and the catastrophic results.

Annie does an excellent job of explaining the story of Area 51, using never-before-released information. Meticulous, credible research resulted in a very informative book.

Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow by Yuval Noah Harari

What struck me the most after reading this book was how AI has the potential to undermine humanism, the dominant school of thought in Western elite ideals. In a nutshell, humanism holds that human life is sacred. Humans are one-of-a-kind individuals with limitless potential, and as such, they are entitled to certain protections and liberties. Harari investigates where biotechnology, big data, and artificial intelligence are leading us, delving into topics that almost no one has dared to broach. As a result, it’s a hugely important book. The author presents several scenarios for the various paths that humans will take. Perhaps we will engineer ourselves to become immortal, but only the wealthy will be able to afford this. Harari’s books give me a lot of Ah-Hah moments…..

He is full of insights, humor, and a deep understanding as he explains how our world of ideas and politics, science and religion, evolution, government, culture, capitalism – everything we are – works together.

This book was difficult to put down because of the thought-provoking ideas it contained. Home Deus is appropriate for everyone, from students to parents and grandparents. With automation, cyborgs, robots, and algorithms running our lives while we text, it reveals an architecture that essentially spells out the most incredible technological feats you can think of. A must-read.

The Code Breaker: Jennifer Doudna, Gene Editing, and the Future of the Human Race by Walter Isaacson

This book was fantastic, Isaacson is, in my opinion, the best biographer I’ve ever read.

In Code Breaker Isaacson explains the building blocks of life and the pioneers who are unraveling the mysteries of genes and RNA. This book is all about teamwork, competition, feminism, and instilling a love of science and curiosity in children. This book is incredible because it begins to open one’s eyes to the amazing world of biochemistry, genetics, and all of the associated oral and ethical decisions we will need to make in order to wisely deploy these recent advancements. There will be so many more jobs in this area. Reading this book gives you a roadmap into what is possible.

Issacson considers the invention of CRISPR-based gene-editing technology to be one of the most significant inventions of all time. At the same level as electricity and the internet. And, as with all major inventions (for example, the light bulb), there is usually a battle for credit (at the very least) and, in today’s world, patent rights and the resulting cash flow.  Readers can put down his books and feel one step closer to understanding of Einstein’s Theory of Relativity or thinking like Da Vinci did with his art.

“Surely You’re Joking, Mr. Feynman!”: Adventures of a Curious Character by Richard P. Feynman

This is a fantastic book that is both funny and engaging and I am willing to bet that it will triple your interest in science.

 Feynman is smarter than the average physicist, but surprisingly down to earth. This book has almost nothing to do with physics or the Nobel Prize he was awarded, yet is a wonderful read. It’s as if Feynman is sitting in your living room with you, sipping coffee and telling you stories about his life. He demonstrates a brilliant mind  where he challenges assumptions all around him. This book is a reminiscence of his life, stories, memorable trips, and lessons learned. Feynman’s brilliance stems from his ability to make you relate to him as a friend and mentor. There isn’t a single moment in this book that will bore you, and if sleep weren’t obstacles, I’d read it in one sitting.

One problem that Richard pointed out was when he went on to teach a class on a subject and give the student s tests on the subject matter the students would all flunk. Richards quizzes were created in a way that would make one think about how to come up with the answer. A BIG problem with our teach and repeat education system is that they do not challenge you to think outside of the box. Actually the education system makes you feel comfortable inside of a box that you carry around with you your entire life. We are thought to listen, repeat and obey. Richards real life example of this is great. You’ll walk away from this book with a new appreciation for science, and a new perspective on the person you can become.

Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl

If ever there were a book that EVERYONE should read it would be this one. Written in a very clear and concise style, Viktor Frankl takes you on a 3 year somber sojourn of his plight in a Nazi prison camp. I came away from reading this book feeling grateful for even the smallest of comforts in my life and certainly immensely grateful for the people in my life. It is not a very lengthy book and the latter 1/3 of the book is more about his psychological pursuits as a scientist.

We must never forget that we may also find meaning in life even when confronted with a hopeless situation when facing a fate that cannot be changed. For what then matters is to bear witness to the uniquely human potential at its best, which is to transform a personal tragedy into a triumph, to turn one’s predicament into a human achievement. The modern-day comforts of life insinuate to run away from sufferings and claim freedom. According to Victor Frankl the true essence of being human is to transcend the sufferings and face them bravely for there lies the true growth and freedom that only a human being can claim. To live an actualized life instead of a deterministic one as directed by an individual’s socio-economic environment.

He does a great job giving the right amount of details to allow you to see the beauty in his ideas in contrast to the conditions that created them, without creating too much emotional stress on the reader. If you have shied away from holocaust books in the past because of how heavy the topic is, you don’t have to cross this one off your list.

The Millionaire Next Door (Millionaire Set Book 2) by William D. Danko

This book is ideal for people who want to become millionaires and billionaires in the future and become prodigious wealth accumulators. An examination of who owns money in America and why. It’s well worth a read. Statistics are fascinating. The fundamentals are timeless. 

There’s a lot of good information here if you’re curious about what a millionaire does with their money and best practices. It’s simple: live within your means and don’t try to impress others with material possessions. Teach your children about values as well. Wonderful account and review of how the majority of millionaires became millionaires while still being ordinary middle-class people.

We Americans are notorious for overspending. Frugality and saving help to build wealth gradually. Overall, a good read and book to inspire you to save and invest. If you want to make changes, this is a good book to read. These things are not taught in universities or schools.

The Four: The Hidden DNA of Amazon, Apple, Facebook, and Google by Scott Galloway

This is an excellent summary of the four most important companies in the world today and why they are important. Galloway’s story is well-informed and provides useful context. It’s also a quick and enjoyable read, which is a plus. This isn’t PhD-level material; it’s introductory, but that’s why it’s so important:

The book is written in such a way that anyone can read it and learn something from it. The influence of Google, Apple, Amazon, and Facebook.”

The author offers a unique and sobering perspective on Amazon, Apple, Facebook, and Google, dubbed “The Four (horsemen).” He has excellent ideas, insights, and analyses on each of “The Four” while put side by side the topic’s seriousness with his sarcastic tone. According to this author, the big four have already monopolized big tech and are inadvertently contributing to the demise of the middle class and creativity by providing high-wage jobs to fewer employees. This is a must-read for anyone interested in business, technology, or the economy in general. It is written by an insider with unique insight and credibility, as well as an engaging writing style. The book is fantastic. The author does an excellent job of distilling the meaning of technology companies in our society. He looks at the companies we use every day (Apple, Google, and Facebook) in a new and exciting light! With The Four, Scott Galloway has created a masterpiece! Reads exactly as he speaks, with lots of great shared insights.

One central argument is that we should reconsider current antitrust laws; just because Amazon, Google, and Facebook reduce consumer costs does not mean they are beneficial to the country and its citizens. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, which contained a lot of information about the shrinking middle class, which has been made even more desperate by the impact of disruptive technology. I particularly appreciated the author’s perspectives on future prospects.

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman is undeniably brilliant.

In many ways, this is what distinguishes a classic “children’s story.” I was smitten from the first chapter. The Graveyard Book was a sweeter, more morbid version of Harry Potter. This is a lyrical, upbeat fairy tale. It is an equal mix of metaphor, mythology, and fantasy. We witness a mature examination of humanity’s dark side and natural forces, balanced with humanity, love, and compassion.

This clever, witty, imaginative story had me glued to the book for hours. The concept was entertaining, and the execution (no pun intended) was flawless.

I have no hesitation in recommending Neal Gaiman as one of the best (if not the absolute best) children’s fantasy authors working today. Furthermore, he rejects the high fantasy tropes of Tolkien, Lewis, and others in favor of a much more traditional, dark, Gothic, unsettling type of fiction. This isn’t about elves and magic; it’s about ghosts, ghouls, and other things that go bump in the night. What a fantastic book, so unexpected, interesting, and unique.

It’s not often that you come across a book that horrifies you, creeps you out, intrigues you, and makes you cry all within the span of 300 pages. I had a great time reading this book. The characters and setting were both delightfully written. I loved how the cemetery’s ghosts banded together to protect and raise a living boy. Reading about all of the dangers that Bod faced made me smile. What a fantastic magical adventure.

Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott

It’s a wonderful book that I would recommend to anyone who is thinking about writing but struggles with the insecurity and doubt that comes with the territory. Lamott is unapologetic about how difficult the writing life can be and how few people who embark on it will be successful in the traditional sense.

This was one of the first writing books I read and provided me a foundation to grow my mind in the area of writing. This book was eye-opening with respect to the writing / idea process. She incorporates positive attitudes toward the free flow process, which reduces the intimidation factor. You are gently nudged and encouraged to write freely. I could relate to Anne Lamott. What a wonderful book! Throughout this book on writing know-how, Anne shares her writing journey. It’s an enjoyable read that will have you laughing and crying with Lamott’s candid remarks ” This book reminds me of Physics for Poets – a little off topic but still important to the main point. It teaches you how to emotionally connect with each step of the writing process and how to give more of yourself. With the desire to improve as a writer.

Bird by Bird, as recommended by so many writers, is worth every word on every page for both aspiring and accomplished writers and creatives. Although it is primarily a book about writing, it delves into the meaning of life and is irreverent and humorous; it is a joy to read.

The author shares some writing lessons that she teaches to her students, with wit and sometimes a dash of black humor thrown in for good measure. One of the best writing books you’ll ever read. It’s not so much a how-to as it is… Bird by Bird is more of a WHY SHOULD statement. This book encapsulates the emotions and spirit of every great writer. It contextualizes the joy, pain, searching, struggle, and determination of writers everywhere. It’s a lovely, big-hearted book that inspires you to write more, better, and more honestly. Anne Lamott is a gifted writer with a wonderful, often unexpected sense of humor. Her developed spirituality shines through many chapters, whether it is intended or not.

Even if you don’t consider yourself a writer, Lamott’s book is jam-packed with wisdom and life lessons. A fascinating read!

With 40,000 reviews and counting I cannot recommend a better fictional book then Ready Player One by Ernest Cline.

If you grew up in the 70’s, 80’s, or 90’s, read this book!

It is simply the best book I have ever read. I have listened to the audiobook twice in the past 3 years. This book truly flipped all the nerdy happy switches in my brain. It is truly unputdownable. I felt like I was in this novel living it with the characters who are excellently written. I truly felt the stakes along with the characters.  Beset by vanishing resources, overcrowding, global warming, and ever-growing disparity between the rich and poor, the U.S. is imploding. Disillusioned, people escape their dismal surroundings by logging in to a virtual reality which makes life bearable.  I loved all the drama, emotion and the twists which kept me interested the entire time. I grew up in the 80’s & 90’s and I have a shared experience with one of the main characters in this book regarding life, video games, and movies during that time. I love how much work the author put into getting everything correct, down to the quirks, errors, hidden secrets, and obscure lyrics of the subject matter that is so important to this story. If you watch the movie Ready Player One I would give it a 6 while giving the book a 10 of 10 score. I highly recommend this book which is a trip down memory lane.

AI Super-Powers China, Silicon Valley by Kai-FuLee

This well written, thoughtful examination of AI which helps even the casual observer understand a complex topic. The coming age of AI will require collective reexamination of our society and this book is a great start to the conversation! As jobs are eliminated due to AI most forms of technology will be changing at such a rapid rate that that no degree which is granted to you by a college alone will be enough to survive.

All the talk of future waves of terminators is not happening any time soon. However with current AI applications, Deep Learning and Big Data we are experiencing change at a rate never seen before on the plant. If you will retire no  big deal but if you plan on having kids you cannot skip this amazing book.

Kai-Fu Lee makes an analysis of the future of AI on employment prospects, the distribution of wealth, growing inequalities. What it means to be human. What do we really need or want. What forms of society are possible. Chinese companies adapting and fighting tooth and nail with government support behind startups.An important, deeply intelligent and highly humane book well worth a careful read.

The Phoenix Project: A Novel about IT, DevOps, and Helping Your Business Win by Gene Kim, Kevin Behr, George Spafford

The authors did an excellent job of explaining what was going on, the challenges that the teams faced, and how they planned to address the issues that arose. This is an excellent book for anyone interested in DevOps and how companies have traditionally run their IT departments. This is one of the best business novels I’ve ever read. It should also be required reading for anyone in management at a mid-sized to large company.

Every organization needs a process improvement plan because technology can often dictate what we do as a company rather than truly serving our customers. This story is extremely accurate and relevant to how software is deployed and managed today. A must read for anyone in IT management or senior leadership. I have implemented process improvement programs at many large companies. You can appreciate the story even if you have a little IT background.