Books Recommended by Matt Ridley
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The Martian
A Novel
Andy Weir
Source: "I loved the fact that the hero never once implies that it’s courage, spirit and faith that saves him [...] just lots of practical tinkering and problem-solving: Science the crap out of it." - Matt Ridley
Whole Earth Discipline
Why Dense Cities, Nuclear Power, Transgenic Crops, Restored Wildlands, and Geoengineering Are Necessary
Stewart Brand
Source: "Describes how one of the things he did was spawn a back-to-the-land movement with people growing their own vegetables and forming communes." - Matt Ridley
The Vital Question
Energy, Evolution, and the Origins of Complex Life
Nick Lane
Source: "A brilliant new analysis of the origin of life, by the man who has himself done more than anybody to crack the problem." - Matt Ridley
4 recommendersWhat Technology Wants
Kevin Kelly
Source: "Realises that there’s an inexorability about the way technology changes and that it’s almost as if technology has its own agenda." - Matt Ridley
3 recommendersThe Fabric of Civilization
How Textiles Made the World
Virginia Postrel
Source: "A fascinating, surprising and beautifully written history of technology, economics, and culture, told through the thread of textiles." - Matt Ridley
3 recommendersThe Double Helix
A Personal Account of the Discovery of the Structure of DNA
James D. Watson Ph.D.
Source: "An astonishing literary achievement, and it was about the greatest scientific discovery of the 20th century." - Matt Ridley
3 recommendersDynasty
The Rise and Fall of the House of Caesar
Tom Holland
Source: "It’s fascinating on how, inch by inch, Augustus and his successors surreptitiously turned a republic into an autocracy." - Matt Ridley
1 recommenderThe Selfish Gene
Richard Dawkins
Source: "Turned evolutionary biology on its head and was written like a great detective story." - Matt Ridley
The Skeptical Environmentalist
Measuring the Real State of the World
Bjørn Lomborg
Source: "Most of the environmental trends in the world are getting better not worse." - Matt Ridley
1 recommenderThe Bottomless Well
The Twilight of Fuel, The Virtue of Waste, and Why We Will Never Run Out of Energy
Peter Huber
Source: "Points out that the cheaper energy gets the more we use." - Matt Ridley
1 recommenderThe Hockey Stick Illusion
A W Montford
Source: "A great piece of detective work on a key scientific blunder." - Matt Ridley
1 recommenderp53
The Gene that Cracked the Cancer Code
Sue Armstrong
Source: "[A fabulous chance] to eavesdrop on science in the making." - Matt Ridley
1 recommenderMy Family and Other Animals
Gerald Durrell
Source: Matt Ridley recommended this book in a "What Should I Read Next" interview.
2 recommendersThe Ultimate Resource 2
Julian Lincoln Simon
Source: "[The author] is really the god of this subject in many ways." - Matt Ridley
1 recommenderOne Summer
America, 1927
Bill Bryson
Source: "A charming account of the events of 1927 in America." - Matt Ridley
1 recommenderCuckoo
Cheating by Nature
Nick Davies
Source: "Mixes hard science with soft nature in a satisfying way." - Matt Ridley
1 recommenderUnravelling the Double Helix
The Lost Heroes of DNA
Gareth Williams
Source: "Uncovers those who almost found the secret of life." - Matt Ridley
1 recommenderThe Origin of Species
Charles Darwin
Source: "[Changed] science and [reached] the public." - Matt Ridley
Alchemy
The Dark Art and Curious Science of Creating Magic in Brands, Business, and Life
Rory Sutherland
Source: "Buy this book. I loved it. It’s full of great insights." - Matt Ridley
4 recommendersInto the Silence
The Great War, Mallory, and the Conquest of Everest
Wade Davis
Source: "The account of the 1920s Everest expeditions." - Matt Ridley
1 recommender
FAQ
Did Matt Ridley recommend all these books?
While this list primarily comprises books enthusiastically recommended by Matt Ridley, it also includes a variety of titles that Matt Ridley has mentioned or suggested in various contexts. Our aim is to provide a comprehensive reading list that reflects Matt Ridley's literary influences, interests, and recommendations, though not every book on the list may be an explicit endorsement.
How do you know Matt Ridley mentioned these books?
Our team meticulously verifies each book mention attributed to Matt Ridley. This involves extensive research, including reviewing interviews, articles, podcasts, social media posts, and other public statements where Matt Ridley has discussed their reading preferences. The sources validating these mentions are linked next to each book for transparency and to provide our users with the context in which Matt Ridley referred to the book.
Did Matt Ridley actually create this list?
No, Matt Ridley did not personally compile this list. Our editorial team curates these reading lists by consolidating all verified mentions and recommendations from Matt Ridley. We ensure the authenticity of the list by providing sources for each recommendation. These lists are intended to reflect Matt Ridley's reading tastes and influences as accurately as possible.
Are these books endorsed or sponsored by Matt Ridley?
The books listed are not part of any endorsement or sponsorship agreement with Matt Ridley. They are selected based on genuine mentions and recommendations made by Matt Ridley in various public platforms. Our goal is to provide readers with an authentic insight into the reading preferences of influential individuals.
How often is the list updated?
We update these lists regularly to include new recommendations or mentions by Matt Ridley. Our team keeps a close eye on Matt Ridley's latest interviews, writings, and public statements to ensure the list remains current and comprehensive.
Can I suggest a book to add to the list?
While we primarily focus on books directly mentioned by Matt Ridley, we welcome suggestions from our readers. If you know of a book that Matt Ridley has talked about but is not featured on our list, feel free to contact us with the source of the mention, and our editorial team will review it for potential inclusion.
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