Portman Wills

www.portmanwills.com

This is a (very, very infrequent) blog.
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2014 ▪ 2013 ▪ 2012 ▪ 2011

Most Thought-Provoking Books of 2013

  1. The Most Powerful Idea in the World: A Story of Steam, Industry, and Invention
    by William Rosen published May 27, 2010 (I'm late!)
    Traces the invention of steam power, and along the way shines a light on why the Industrial Revolution happened in England in the 1700s.
  2. The Everything Store: Jeff Bezos and the Age of Amazon
    3. by Brad Stone published October 15, 2013
    Fascinating insights into Jeff Bezos (the next Steve Jobs?) and his Amazon empire. Favorite Bezos insult: "Why are you ruining my life?"
  3. Gulp: Adventures on the Alimentary Canal
    by Mary Roach published April 1, 2013
    Mary Roach shines her dark humor upon the digestive system. As fun as Stiff, Bonk, and Spook. Includes a 35-page investigation into Elvis's autopsied colon.
  4. Hatching Twitter: A True Story of Money, Power, Friendship, and Betrayal
    by Nick Bilton published November 5, 2013
    Inside scoop of the betrayals and backstabbing that surrounded the founding and ascent of Twitter. Makes you never want to start a company with friends.
  5. The Reason I Jump: The Inner Voice of a Thirteen-Year-Old Boy with Autism
    by Naoki Higashida published August 27, 2013
    A 13-year-old Japanese boy describes what it is like to be autistic, and successfully teleports you inside his complex, unique brain. Brilliantly translated (I'm told).

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