Updates

  1. Person pages list letters, writing, profiles and links as sortable tables with filters, and show each person's companies as links; Fund letters show each letter's description in its own column.
  2. Experts show a checked job title and a short description of each person; 30 more people have photographs.
  3. Every company, fund, university and publication the experts work for has a page listing the people there.
  4. Fund letters show each letter's thesis and filter by it; 225 person pages list the essays, columns and newsletter issues the person wrote.
  5. Person pages list every essay and newsletter issue a person wrote, and their own books as a table in List view.
  6. Recommends shows the five largest kinds of book and the rest under More; browse pictures load sooner.
  7. Podcasts and talks link the original episode, filter by Audio and video or Press, and list each publisher once.
  8. Pages are wider, Recommends has List and Grid, and a filter clicked again turns off.
  9. Book cards sit in a ruled grid with Open Library and Goodreads links and each book's one-line note.
  10. Funds is now Investors; each investor's styles are buttons that filter the table.
  11. Podcasts and talks on a person's page filter by year and publisher and show as a list or a grid of pictures.
  12. Quotes show only people's own words: 472 summaries written by list sites are gone.
  13. Country pages open from Browse again, and every link on the shelf lands on a page.
  14. Subject and person pages show their sections as tabs, and each book appears once on a person's page.
  15. Book cards show the quote, who said it and the source; grids show five cards to a row.
  16. On a phone, a menu holds the sections, search, Updates, Feedback and dark mode.
  17. Feedback takes a screenshot of the page with no browser prompt, opens a screenshot full size when you click it, and clears itself once sent.
  18. Book cards are centred, search names the topic each book sits in, and any text cut short shows whole on hover.
  19. Search groups its results by kind: people, companies, geographies, subjects, topics, books, funds, fund letters and papers.
  20. The Books table lists who recommended each book by name, and the browser tab names the section you are in.
  21. Feedback can take a screenshot of the page, or one you paste or choose, and opens in the corner beside Updates.
  22. Each rail button reopens its section where you left it, and Browse, Table and People show on every book and subject page.
  23. Filters grey out choices that hold nothing instead of hiding them, and Books › People filters by authors or recommenders.
  24. Feedback takes a subject line and up to three screenshots.
  25. Biographies are grouped by the person they are about: 41 new pages, from Abraham Lincoln to Lee Kuan Yew.
  26. Sport splits into 23 sports, and Religion into one topic per faith.
  27. Book lists show as cards: the cover, one recommendation quote and every recommender by name.
  28. Seventeen subjects that had two or three pages under different names now have one page each.
  29. Every page lists its Experts as authors and recommenders, with a link to them on the Experts tab.
  30. Economics, Financial history, Financial panics and Accounting are subjects of their own, with one page per financial crisis.
  31. Book, person and subject pages open inside the app, so the tabs stay in view.
  32. 996 more book covers, and photographs or logos for 227 more people and companies.
  33. Books › Browse shows every subject as cards, and the rail holds Fund letters, Papers, Experts, Books and Funds.
  34. Every topic over 150 books splits into narrower topics, each with a page of its own.

Send feedback

What is it?
Screenshots, up to 3 (optional)
or paste one with Ctrl+V

We use your email only to reply to you.
SB

Social behaviour and collective action

Society and culture

Holds books on how groups think and act: crowds, networks, tipping points, collective action, polarisation and the social science of everyday behaviour, including Gladwell and Freakonomics.

Books 60Experts 3Recommenders 60

Start here

  1. The Crowd: A Study of the Popular MindGustave Le Bon, 1895
  2. The True BelieverEric Hoffer, 1951
  3. Diffusion of InnovationsEverett M. Rogers, 1962
  4. Normal AccidentsCharles Perrow, 1984
  5. The Evolution of CooperationRobert Axelrod, 1984
The Crowd: A Study of the Popular MindThe Crowd: A Study of the Popular Mind
T1 The Crowd: A Study of the Popular Mind
Gustave Le Bon · 1895
Open LibraryGoodreads

How individuals lose judgement in a crowd and how leaders sway crowds.

“The Crowd, written in 1895 by Gustave Le Bon, is probably the most instrumental book in framing my ability to go against the grain of conventional thought and not feel insecure.” — Frank Martin

Source: Martin on the book that let him go against conventional thought

Recommended by: Frank Martin, Mohnish Pabrai, Peter Cundill and 1 other

The True BelieverThe True Believer
T1 The True Believer
Eric Hoffer · 1951
Open LibraryGoodreads

Why mass movements of every kind draw the same frustrated people and use one method.

“My favourite book to recommend is The True Believer: Thoughts on the Nature of Mass Movements by Eric Hoffer. There is no discussion about investing, but it is extremely helpful in understanding…” — Joe Rosenberg

Source: Rosenberg on the book he most often recommends

Recommended by: Joe Rosenberg, Mohnish Pabrai and 6 others

Diffusion of InnovationsDiffusion of Innovations
T1 Diffusion of Innovations
Everett M. Rogers · 1962
Open LibraryGoodreads

An academic study of how new ideas spread.

Recommended by: Patrick O'Shaughnessy

Normal AccidentsNormal Accidents
T1 Normal Accidents
Charles Perrow · 1984
Open LibraryGoodreads

Why complex, tightly coupled systems such as Three Mile Island will fail regardless.

The Evolution of CooperationThe Evolution of Cooperation
T1 The Evolution of Cooperation
Robert Axelrod · 1984
Open LibraryGoodreads

Computer tournaments of the prisoner's dilemma show why tit-for-tat wins.

Recommended by: Patrick Collison, Naval Ravikant

Private Truths, Public LiesPrivate Truths, Public Lies
T2 Private Truths, Public Lies
Timur Kuran · 1995
Open LibraryGoodreads

Preference falsification: why people hide their views and how that hides change.

“So this is one of the all time great books. Incredible.” — Marc Andreessen

Source: Lex Fridman Podcast #458 transcript — Marc Andreessen

Recommended by: Marc Andreessen

When Everyone Knows That Everyone KnowsWhen Everyone Knows That Everyone Knows
T2 When Everyone Knows That Everyone Knows
Steven Pinker · 2025
Open LibraryGoodreads

Common knowledge, where everyone knows that everyone knows, and what it does.

Recommended by: Bill Gates

Explaining Social BehaviorExplaining Social Behavior
T3 Explaining Social Behavior
Jon Elster · 2007
Open LibraryGoodreads

Elster on mechanisms rather than laws in the social sciences

Recommended by: Mohnish Pabrai, Nassim Nicholas Taleb

David and GoliathDavid and Goliath
T3 David and Goliath
Malcolm Gladwell · 2013
Open LibraryGoodreads

Gladwell on underdogs and mistaken assumptions about advantage

“…books I've recommended, highlighted to death, or forced on friends.” — Andrew Wilkinson

Source: Andrew Wilkinson's Bookshelf, neverenough.com

Recommended by: Andrew Wilkinson, Mohnish Pabrai and 1 other

The End of PowerThe End of Power
T3 The End of Power
Moises Naim · 2013
Open LibraryGoodreads

Why incumbent power in states, firms and armies now erodes faster

Recommended by: Mark Zuckerberg

Complexity and the Economy
T3 Complexity and the Economy
W. Brian Arthur · 2014
Open LibraryGoodreads
The Formula: The Universal Laws of SuccessThe Formula: The Universal Laws of Success
T3 The Formula: The Universal Laws of Success
Albert-Laszlo Barabasi · 2018
Open LibraryGoodreads

Network science on how success and reputation compound unequally

Recommended by: Nassim Nicholas Taleb, Vinod Khosla

Reveille for RadicalsReveille for Radicals
T4 Reveille for Radicals
Saul D. Alinsky · 1946
Open LibraryGoodreads

Recommended by: Ryan Holiday

The Logic of Collective ActionThe Logic of Collective Action
T4 The Logic of Collective Action
Mancur Olson · 1965
Open LibraryGoodreads

Recommended by: Nat Eliason

Rules for RadicalsRules for Radicals
T4 Rules for Radicals
Saul D. Alinsky · 1971
Open LibraryGoodreads

Recommended by: Ryan Holiday, Balaji S. Srinivasan

The Social AnimalThe Social Animal
T4 The Social Animal
Elliot Aronson · 1972
Open LibraryGoodreads

Recommended by: Ramit Sethi, Sahil Lavingia

Governing the Commons: The Evolution of InstGoverning the Commons: The Evolution of Institutions for Collective Action (Political Economy of Institutions and Decisions)
T4 Governing the Commons: The Evolution of Institutions for Collective Action (Political Economy of Institutions and Decisions)
Elinor Ostrom · 1990
Open LibraryGoodreads

How communities manage shared resources without either the state or the market.

Recommended by: Patrick Collison, Stewart Brand

In Over Our HeadsIn Over Our Heads
T4 In Over Our Heads
Robert Kegan · 1994
Open LibraryGoodreads

Recommended by: Graham Duncan, Ray Dalio

Prisoners of Hate: The Cognitive Basis of AnPrisoners of Hate: The Cognitive Basis of Anger, Hostility, and Violence
T4 Prisoners of Hate: The Cognitive Basis of Anger, Hostility, and Violence
Aaron T. Beck · 1999
Open LibraryGoodreads

Cognitive therapy applied to the thinking behind anger, hostility and violence.

Recommended by: Mohnish Pabrai

Social Cognition: Making Sense of PeopleSocial Cognition: Making Sense of People
T4 Social Cognition: Making Sense of People
Ziva Kunda · 1999
Open LibraryGoodreads

Recommended by: Mohnish Pabrai

The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can MakThe Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference
T4 The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference
Malcolm Gladwell · 2000
Open LibraryGoodreads

How ideas and behaviour spread like epidemics, and the three factors that tip them.

Recommended by: Mohnish Pabrai, Tony Hsieh, Ev Williams and 2 others

Rational RitualRational Ritual
T4 Rational Ritual
Michael Suk-Young Chwe · 2001
Open LibraryGoodreads

Common knowledge and coordination; why rituals and advertising work

Recommended by: Mark Zuckerberg

Linked: How Everything Is Connected to EveryLinked: How Everything Is Connected to Everything Else and What It Means
T4 Linked: How Everything Is Connected to Everything Else and What It Means
Albert-Laszlo Barabasi · 2002
Open LibraryGoodreads

Recommended by: Mohnish Pabrai

The Wisdom of Crowds: Why the Many Are SmartThe Wisdom of Crowds: Why the Many Are Smarter Than the Few and How Collective Wisdom Shapes Business, Economies, Societies and Nations
T4 The Wisdom of Crowds: Why the Many Are Smarter Than the Few and How Collective Wisdom Shapes Business, Economies, Societies and Nations
James Surowiecki · 2004
Open LibraryGoodreads

When groups judge better than experts, and the four conditions that make it work.

“Jim Surowiecki deftly articulated this line of thinking in his delightful book, The Wisdom of Crowds.” — Michael Mauboussin

Source: Contrarian Investing: The Psychology of Going Against the Crowd (Legg Mason Capital Management)

Recommended by: Michael Mauboussin, Mohnish Pabrai and 3 others

Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores theFreakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything
T4 Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything
Steven D. Levitt, Stephen D. Levitt, Stephen J. Dubner · 2005
Open LibraryGoodreads

Incentives and data applied to cheating teachers, sumo wrestlers and other puzzles.

Recommended by: Mohnish Pabrai, Andrew Lokenauth and 6 others

An Engine, Not a CameraAn Engine, Not a Camera
T4 An Engine, Not a Camera
Donald MacKenzie · 2006
Open LibraryGoodreads

“his book An Engine Not a Camera (which I would highly recommend if you are interested in these topics)” — Michael Mauboussin

Source: The Wisdom and Whims of the Collective (Legg Mason Capital Management)

Recommended by: Michael Mauboussin

OutliersOutliers
T4 Outliers
Malcolm Gladwell · 2008
Open LibraryGoodreads

How timing, culture and accumulated advantage explain exceptional success.

Recommended by: Mohnish Pabrai, Tony Hsieh, Bill Gates and 6 others

SuperFreakonomicsSuperFreakonomics
T4 SuperFreakonomics
Steven D. Levitt, Stephen J. Dubner · 2009
Open LibraryGoodreads

Sequel applying incentive analysis to climate, crime and altruism

“I recommend this book to anyone who reads nonfiction. It is very well written and full of great insights.” — Bill Gates

Source: Gates Notes review of SuperFreakonomics

Recommended by: Bill Gates, Mohnish Pabrai

What the Dog Saw: And Other AdventuresWhat the Dog Saw: And Other Adventures
T4 What the Dog Saw: And Other Adventures
Malcolm Gladwell · 2009
Open LibraryGoodreads

Recommended by: Mohnish Pabrai

Everything Is Obvious: Once You Know the AnsEverything Is Obvious: Once You Know the Answer
T4 Everything Is Obvious: Once You Know the Answer
Duncan J. Watts · 2011
Open LibraryGoodreads

Recommended by: Mohnish Pabrai

The Social Animal: The Hidden Sources of LovThe Social Animal: The Hidden Sources of Love, Character, and Achievement
T4 The Social Animal: The Hidden Sources of Love, Character, and Achievement
David Brooks · 2011
Open LibraryGoodreads

Recommended by: Mohnish Pabrai

The Half-Life of FactsThe Half-Life of Facts
T4 The Half-Life of Facts
Samuel Arbesman · 2012
Open LibraryGoodreads

Recommended by: Bertalan Meskó

Mass Flourishing: How Grassroots Innovation Mass Flourishing: How Grassroots Innovation Created Jobs, Challenge, and Change
T4 Mass Flourishing: How Grassroots Innovation Created Jobs, Challenge, and Change
Edmund S. Phelps · 2013
Open LibraryGoodreads

Recommended by: Patrick Collison

PopularPopular
T4 Popular
Mitch Prinstein · 2017
Open LibraryGoodreads

How popularity in youth shapes development and still affects happiness and success.

Recommended by: Susan Cain

The Once and Future LiberalThe Once and Future Liberal
T4 The Once and Future Liberal
Mark Lilla · 2017
Open LibraryGoodreads

Recommended by: Antonio García Martínez

The Retreat of Western LiberalismThe Retreat of Western Liberalism
T4 The Retreat of Western Liberalism
Edward luce · 2017
Open LibraryGoodreads

Recommended by: Antonio García Martínez

IdentityIdentity
T4 Identity
Francis Fukuyama · 2018
Open LibraryGoodreads

Recommended by: Bill Gates

Political TribesPolitical Tribes
T4 Political Tribes
Amy Chua · 2018
Open LibraryGoodreads

How group identities drive politics at home and abroad, and how elites missed it.

Recommended by: Mark Cuban

The Fifth RiskThe Fifth Risk
T4 The Fifth Risk
Michael Lewis · 2018
Open LibraryGoodreads

Recommended by: Alfred Lin, Nick Crocker

The Great RevoltThe Great Revolt
T4 The Great Revolt
Salena Zito · 2018
Open LibraryGoodreads

Reporting from five swing states on whether Trump's election was a fluke or a shift.

Recommended by: Donald Trump, Mark Cuban

The Opposite of HateThe Opposite of Hate
T4 The Opposite of Hate
Sally Kohn · 2018
Open LibraryGoodreads

Recommended by: Kathryn Minshew

Fight Like a MotherFight Like a Mother
T4 Fight Like a Mother
Shannon Watts · 2019
Open LibraryGoodreads

Recommended by: Michael Bloomberg

Late BloomersLate Bloomers
T4 Late Bloomers
Rich Karlgaard · 2019
Open LibraryGoodreads

Recommended by: Arianna Huffington

Talking to StrangersTalking to Strangers
T4 Talking to Strangers
Malcolm Gladwell · 2019
Open LibraryGoodreads

Recommended by: Melinda Gates, Patrick Bet-David and 1 other

The New RightThe New Right
T4 The New Right
Michael Malice · 2019
Open LibraryGoodreads

Recommended by: Marc Andreessen

The War for KindnessThe War for Kindness
T4 The War for Kindness
Jamil Zaki · 2019
Open LibraryGoodreads

Recommended by: Arianna Huffington

The UpswingThe Upswing
T4 The Upswing
Robert D. Putnam · 2020
Open LibraryGoodreads

Recommended by: Andrew Wilkinson

WeirdWeird
T4 Weird
Olga Khazan · 2020
Open LibraryGoodreads

Recommended by: Susan Cain

Why We're PolarizedWhy We're Polarized
T4 Why We're Polarized
Ezra Klein · 2020
Open LibraryGoodreads

Recommended by: Bill Gates, Julia Galef

The 2-Hour Cocktail PartyThe 2-Hour Cocktail Party
T4 The 2-Hour Cocktail Party
Nick Gray · 2022
Open LibraryGoodreads

Step-by-step rules for hosting short, structured parties that build relationships.

Recommended by: Andrew Wilkinson, Austin Rief

The Big FailThe Big Fail
T4 The Big Fail
Bethany McLean, Joe Nocera · 2023
Open LibraryGoodreads
What's Our Problem?What's Our Problem?
T4 What's Our Problem?
Tim Urban · 2023
Open LibraryGoodreads

Recommended by: Ev Williams, Elon Musk, Julian Shapiro

Revenge of the Tipping PointRevenge of the Tipping Point
T4 Revenge of the Tipping Point
Malcolm Gladwell · 2024
Open LibraryGoodreads

Recommended by: Andrew Wilkinson

The Unaccountability MachineThe Unaccountability Machine
T4 The Unaccountability Machine
Dan Davies · 2024
Open LibraryGoodreads

Recommended by: Andrew Wilkinson

Accounting for TastesAccounting for Tastes
T4 Accounting for Tastes
Gary S. Becker
Goodreads

Recommended by: Eric Weinstein

BelongBelong
T4 Belong
Radha Agrawal
Goodreads

Recommended by: Matt Mullenweg

More Together Than Alone: Discovering the PoMore Together Than Alone: Discovering the Power and Spirit of Community in Our Lives and in the World
T4 More Together Than Alone: Discovering the Power and Spirit of Community in Our Lives and in the World
Mark Nepo
Goodreads

History, spiritual teachers and nature on why community matters and how it forms.

Recommended by: Arianna Huffington

The 2 AM Principle
T4 The 2 AM Principle
Jon Levy
Goodreads

Recommended by: Jim Kwik

The Third PillarThe Third Pillar
T4 The Third Pillar
Raghuram G. Rajan
Goodreads

Recommended by: Vinod Khosla

This Town: Two Parties and a Funeral-Plus, PThis Town: Two Parties and a Funeral-Plus, Plenty of Valet Parking!-in America's Gilded Capital
T4 This Town: Two Parties and a Funeral-Plus, Plenty of Valet Parking!-in America's Gilded Capital
Goodreads

Recommended by: Patrick Collison

More society and culture

← Race, gender and identitySociology and Culture →All society and culture