Tim Harford's Top Book Recommendations

Tim HarfordAs an undergraduate, I learnt economics as ahistorical, a kind of maths. This is a book that talks about the history of economic thought and makes it very personal. It talks about economic thinkers and their hopes and dreams and their personal failings. (Source)

Tim HarfordJohn Kay has written many books but this one feels, to me, like his masterpiece. (Source)

Anatole KaletskyI think it’s a very profound book of permanent truths about markets. It’s not just about the dotcom bubble in 2000, which prompted Kay to write it. (Source)

Tim HarfordYou can read this book—which is very, very readable—and, at the end of it, you have actually covered a basic microeconomics 101. (Source)

Tim HarfordThis guide to game theory is the book that first made me fall in love with economics. (Source)

Tim HarfordFor anybody who wants to learn the economics jargon, or anyone who is starting out studying an economics course, this is just a brilliant source. (Source)

Tim HarfordI read this book because I was writing a column about the economies inside computer games – because these games are now so complex they do have their own economies. (Source)

Tim HarfordThe book goes through awful accidents in complex systems and explores why they happened: the human failings, the systemic consequences. (Source)

Tim HarfordThis book is about the history, often the ancient history, of all sorts of financial innovations. (Source)

Jonathan TepperThis is a great book for those interested in economic history. https://t.co/xK55Lb5IA8 (Source)

Timothy FerrissI agree wholeheartedly with a lot of the co-opted science, which people can read a book called Bad Science, which is by a doctor named Ben Goldacre. It’s great. (Source)

Tim HarfordThis book changed the way I thought about my own writing and it changed the way I thought about the world. It really is one of the best books I have ever read. (Source)

Sarah-Jayne BlakemoreIt’s just a brilliant book, and he’s a fearless defender of science. (Source)

Sheryl SandbergMichael Lewis's ability to boil down the most complicated subjects is like a magic trick. You can't believe your own eyes. He takes on important issues - from the 2008 Wall Street crash in "The Big Short" to parenting in "Home Game" - and breaks them down to the deepest truths. His combination of an extraordinarily analytical mind and a deep understanding of human nature allows him to weave... (Source)

Tim HarfordIf I had any criticism of the book, it’s that he makes it seem too obvious. It becomes mysterious how anyone could have been confused. (Source)

David Heinemeier HanssonA good one. (Source)

Malcolm GladwellIt's good to be reminded every now and again what genius looks like. (Source)

Tom WolfeSaturation reporting, conceptual thinking of a high order, a rich sense of humor, and talent to burn. (Source)

Tim HarfordMichael Lewis could spin gold out of any topic he chose. (Source)