Want to know what books Ben Brode recommends on their reading list? We've researched interviews, social media posts, podcasts, and articles to build a comprehensive list of Ben Brode's favorite book recommendations of all time.
1
Douglas Walker, Graham Walker | 3.44
Rock Paper Scissors (RPS), the ultimate decision-making tool, is played the world over. By the late twentieth century, however, the sport's illustrious governing body, the World Rock Paper Scissors Society, had fallen on hard times. It was then that brothers Douglas and Graham Walker boldly took up the challenge to restore the World RPS Society to its former glory, and now they bring you the ultimate strategy guide to this time-honored game.
The Official Rock Paper Scissors Strategy Guide covers the whole RPS scene from the school yard to the pro level, including RPS culture... more Rock Paper Scissors (RPS), the ultimate decision-making tool, is played the world over. By the late twentieth century, however, the sport's illustrious governing body, the World Rock Paper Scissors Society, had fallen on hard times. It was then that brothers Douglas and Graham Walker boldly took up the challenge to restore the World RPS Society to its former glory, and now they bring you the ultimate strategy guide to this time-honored game.
The Official Rock Paper Scissors Strategy Guide covers the whole RPS scene from the school yard to the pro level, including RPS culture around the world, the personality behind each throw, and secrets of the RPS masters. Learn how to intimidate your opponent and anticipate his next move. Get the answers to burning questions such as "Does Rock crush Scissors, or are Scissors dulled by Rock?" and "Who invented RPS?" Forget about flipping a coin or consulting your Magic 8 Ball -- Rock Paper Scissors is the only decision-making tool anyone needs. less 
Ben Brode@ItsMeMollyO @IksarHS This book is actually very interesting. Lots of hidden strategy in RPS: https://t.co/eWGbgyxJZg (Source)
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2
Two months since the stars fell.
Two months since sixty-five thousand alien objects clenched around Earth like a luminous fist, screaming to the heavens as the atmosphere burned them to ash. Two months since that moment of brief, bright surveillance by agents unknown.
Two months of silence while a world holds its breath.
Now some half-derelict space probe hears a whisper from the edge of the solar system: a faint signal sweeping the cosmos like a lighthouse beam. Whatever's out there isn't talking to us. It's talking to some distant star, perhaps. Or perhaps to something... more Two months since the stars fell.
Two months since sixty-five thousand alien objects clenched around Earth like a luminous fist, screaming to the heavens as the atmosphere burned them to ash. Two months since that moment of brief, bright surveillance by agents unknown.
Two months of silence while a world holds its breath.
Now some half-derelict space probe hears a whisper from the edge of the solar system: a faint signal sweeping the cosmos like a lighthouse beam. Whatever's out there isn't talking to us. It's talking to some distant star, perhaps. Or perhaps to something closer.
less Ben BrodePeople on Twitter care a lot about books, apparently!
I just finished Blindsight by Peter Watts - was totally insane.
If you love super dense hard sci fi, there’s a lot of crazy concepts to chew on.
Also, space vampires.
(This should not be your first sci fi book!!) https://t.co/YZUsO6zuk1 (Source)
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3
Cixin Liu, Joel Martinsen | 4.51
With the scope of Dune and the rousing action of Independence Day this near-future trilogy is the first chance for English-speaking readers to experience this multple-award-winning phenemonenon from Cixin Liu Chinas most beloved science fiction author In DarkForest Earth is reeling from the revelation of a coming alien invasionin just four centuries time The aliens human collaborators may have been defeated but the presence of the sophons the subatomic particles that allow Trisolaris instant access to all human information means that Earths defense plans are totally exposed to the enemy Only... more With the scope of Dune and the rousing action of Independence Day this near-future trilogy is the first chance for English-speaking readers to experience this multple-award-winning phenemonenon from Cixin Liu Chinas most beloved science fiction author In DarkForest Earth is reeling from the revelation of a coming alien invasionin just four centuries time The aliens human collaborators may have been defeated but the presence of the sophons the subatomic particles that allow Trisolaris instant access to all human information means that Earths defense plans are totally exposed to the enemy Only the human mind remains a secret This is the motivation for the Wallfacer Project a daring plan that grants four men enormous resources to design secret strategies hidden through deceit and misdirection fromEarth and Trisolaris alike Three of the Wallfacers are influential statesmen and scientists but the fourth is a total unknown Luo Ji an unambitious Chinese astronomer and sociologist is baffled by his new status All he knows is that hes the one Wallfacer that Trisolaris wants dead less 
Adam SavageI felt like I was getting a Chinese version of Chinese culture. And that frame felt unique. (Source)
Ben Brode@noahmp @devonzuegel I thought book 2 and of the series that starts with “the three body problem” fulfilled this condition and was awesome (Source)
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4
You’ll never see leadership the same way again after reading this book.
These fifteen commitments are a distillation of decades of work with CEOs and other leaders. They are radical or provocative for many. They have been game changers for us and for our clients. We trust that they will be for you too.
Our experience is that unconscious leadership is not sustainable. It won’t work for you, your team or your organization in the long term. Unconscious leadership can deliver short term results, but the costs of living and leading unconsciously are great.
more You’ll never see leadership the same way again after reading this book.
These fifteen commitments are a distillation of decades of work with CEOs and other leaders. They are radical or provocative for many. They have been game changers for us and for our clients. We trust that they will be for you too.
Our experience is that unconscious leadership is not sustainable. It won’t work for you, your team or your organization in the long term. Unconscious leadership can deliver short term results, but the costs of living and leading unconsciously are great.
Fear drives most leaders to make choices that are at odds with healthy relationships, vitality and balance. This fear leaves a toxic residue that won’t be as easily tolerated in an increasingly complex business environment.
Conscious leadership offers the antidote to fear. These pages contain a comprehensive road map to guide you to shift from fear-based to trust-based leadership. Once you learn and start practicing conscious leadership you’ll get results in the form of more energy, clarity, focus and healthier relationships. You’ll do more and more of what you are passionate about, and less of what you do out of obligation. You’ll have more fun, be happier, experience less drama and be more on purpose.
Your team will get results as well. They’ll be more collaborative, creative, energized and engaged. They’ll solve issues faster, and once resolved the issues won’t resurface. Drama and gossip will all but disappear, and the energy and resources that fueled them will be redirected towards innovation and creativity.
Any one of these commitments will change your life. All of them together are revolutionary.
Leaders who practice the 15 commitments:
· End blame and criticism
· Speak candidly, openly and honestly, in a way that invites others to do the same
· Find their unique genius
· Let go of taking everything—especially themselves and their problems—so seriously
· Create win for all solutions
· Experience a new relationship to time and money where there is always enough
What do you need to bring to the table?
Be curious.
Sounds so simple, and yet in our experience it’s a skill few have mastered. Most of us are far more interested in being right and proving it, than we are in learning, growing and shifting out of our old patterns. By default we gravitate towards the familiar. We’re asking you to take a chance and explore the unfamiliar. You’ll get scared and reactive. We all do. So what? Just stay curious and let us introduce you to a whole new world of leadership. less 
Dustin MoskovitzThe lessons it teaches have transformed the way I engage with difficult situations and thus reduced the suffering I experience in big and small ways. (Source)
Ben BrodeMy pleasure! I’m so happy to hear you liked it - I LOVE recommending that book! https://t.co/My8oFwcVER (Source)
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