Books Recommended by Steven Pinker
The Nurture Assumption
Why Children Turn Out the Way They Do
Judith Rich Harris
Source: "A grandmother from New Jersey uses genetics, ethnography, and child psychology to refute the dogma that parents shape their children's intelligence and personality." - Steven Pinker
36 Arguments for the Existence of God
A Work of Fiction
Rebecca Goldstein
Source: "A moving, hilarious, and intellectually deep novel about religion and atheism. Disclosure: I like this author’s fiction so much that I married her." - Steven Pinker
Atrocities
The 100 Deadliest Episodes in Human History
Matthew White
Source: "A good way to settle bets (who was worse, Genghis Khan or Hitler?), brush up your history, and marvel at the cruelty and stupidity of our species." - Steven Pinker
Whole Earth Discipline
Why Dense Cities, Nuclear Power, Transgenic Crops, Restored Wildlands, and Geoengineering Are Necessary
Stewart Brand
Source: "An allusion to [the author]'s groundbreaking 'Whole Earth Catalog,' which merged technology with the counterculture and encouraged global consciousness." - Steven Pinker
The Evolution of Human Sexuality
Donald Symons
Source: "The founding document of evolutionary psychology, filled with insights about sex and the sexes, and more relevant than ever with #metoo." - Steven Pinker
One Two Three . . . Infinity
Facts and Speculations of Science
George Gamow
Source: "A delightful introduction to number theory, Einstein’s theory of relativity, higher dimensions, and other mathematical and scientific topics." - Steven Pinker
The Beginning of Infinity
Explanations That Transform the World
David Deutsch
Source: "This 21st-century statement of the ideals of the Enlightenment offers fresh insight on a vast number of topics." - Steven Pinker
Enemies, A Love Story
Isaac Bashevis Singer
Source: "About a holocaust survivor who ends up with three wives. Every scene is a goldmine of insight about human nature." - Steven Pinker
The Blind Watchmaker
Why the Evidence of Evolution Reveals a Universe without Design
Richard Dawkins
Source: "Perhaps the best display of expository scientific prose of the twentieth century." - Steven Pinker
The Mental Life of Modernism
Why Poetry, Painting, and Music Changed at the Turn of the Twentieth Century
Samuel Jay Keyser
Source: "Fascinating, important new book by friend & former colleague." - Steven Pinker
Knowledge And Decisions
Thomas Sowell
Source: Steven Pinker recommended this book in the "Tribe of Mentors" book.
The Strategy of Conflict
Thomas C. Schelling
Source: Steven Pinker recommended this book in the "Tribe of Mentors" book.
The Science of Words
George A. Miller
Source: Steven Pinker recommended this book in the "Tribe of Mentors" book.
Retreat from Doomsday
The Obsolescence of Major War
John Mueller
Source: Steven Pinker recommended this book in the "Tribe of Mentors" book.
Clear and Simple as the Truth
Writing Classic Prose
Francis-Noël Thomas
Source: "Perhaps the best analysis of writing style." - Steven Pinker
FAQ
Did Steven Pinker recommend all these books?
Not necessarily. This book list has Steven Pinker must-read recommendations, but it also has a mix of mentions and suggestions.
How do you know Steven Pinker mentioned these books?
Every suggestion made by Steven Pinker is validated by our editors. You can find the sources to the recommendations linked next to the books.
Did Steven Pinker actually create this list?
No. This reading list was curated by our editors based on confirmed mentions from Steven Pinker, the sources are made available under each recommendation.
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