Idea Books for BIG THINKERS:

The God Problem 

Barbara Ehrenreich says, "If Howard Bloom is only 10 percent right, we'll have to drastically revise our notions of the universe. . . . [His] argument will rock your world." Library Journal calls this work  "provocative and erudite. . . . Bloom's tone is much less acerbic and much more civil than the New Atheists' vitriol, and . . . readers will traverse a cerebral landscape: a masterful integration of anthropology, history, science, and philosophy. . . . Bloom, an iconoclastic and seminal thinker, has been mentioned in the same breath as Stephen Hawking, Sigmund Freud, and Charles Darwin; this contribution is paradigm-shifting . . . . This intellectual tour de force and heady expedition will challenge readers' education, assumptions, and perceptions."

The Big Disconnect

"A scathing, in-depth scrutiny of how the past century has turned modern-day Americans into slaves to their machines," says ForeWord Reviews. "Slade explores our changing expectations and relationships with technology, the ever more personal and closed delivery of entertainment that separates us from contact with others.... A thoughtful and engaging examination of the cost we pay for our gadgets and an appeal to reconnect as humans," says Booklist. "[F]ascinating and revealing. . . . full of enlightening anecdotes," says the Boston Globe.

"A five-star intellectual smorgasbord of the latest speculations on what makes us tick," says Robert Burton, MD, author of On Being Certain. "This book is the Swiss Army knife of psychology and neuroscience research-handy, practical, and very, very useful," adds Joseph T. Hallinan, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Why We Make Mistakes. "DiSalvo will change the way you think about thinking," says New Scientist. "An enjoyable manual to your psyche that may change your life."

Second that Emotion

"[E]ngaging and entertaining," says Publishers Weekly. "Gives voice to a simple, pervasive-but profound-fact of human thinking and reasoning: that fact-based emotions and the self-authored narratives they shape are nothing less than the engine of history," adds cognitive anthropologist Bob Deutsch. It's "a book about the 'whys' and 'hows' of cultural movements and why we not only believe the things we do but then act on those beliefs, no matter how illogical," says Baldwin& founder David Baldwin. "[It] is a must-read."

The Real Story of Risk

"Beautifully researched and explained, [this] presents an understanding of why we do the things we do. Croston masterfully shows us why we choose short-term thinking over long-term, why we prefer willful ignorance over informed logic, and why we'd rather die than speak to a group of people. This fascinating book provides insight into our muddled human nature and answers how to overcome it and live more sustainably," says Eric Corey Freed, founding principal of organicARCHITECT. "A tour de force on the topic of why we take the chances we do and avoid the ones we don't," says Aaron Klein, CEO, Riskalyze. "You'll never look at your life's risks the same way again."

Bullspotting

"With...in-depth probes into birther theories, the risks of alternative medicine, vaccine denialists, historical revisionism, and armchair lawyers, this is a valuable aid to detecting false information amid rumors running wild," says Publishers Weekly. Nicholas Capaldi, author of The Art of Deception  says, "This is a book that everyone should take to heart. It reminds us that the human intellectual capacity for self-deception is infinite. A great read!"

The Science of Ghosts

"This is it-the definitive book on ghosts from a scientific perspective, written by the world's foremost science-based ghost hunter," says Michael Shermer, publisher of Skeptic magazine, and monthly columnist for Scientific American. "[Joe] Nickell is the go-to guy for all things paranormal, and with this book he has once again asserted himself as a fair and careful investigator whose conclusions we can trust."

That's Not What They Meant!

"A welcome breath of fresh air about a stale subject, [this] captures the most important truth about the Founding Fathers-they disagreed with one another, eloquently and even bitterly, about what America should be and about how we should govern ourselves," says R. B. Bernstein, distinguished adjunct professor of law, New York Law School. In the Panhandle says, "Austin allows the Founding Fathers to speak for themselves, situating their words in the proper historical context.  [This] provides a clearer understanding of how the founders. . .created a system of debate and compromise that has kept American democracy vibrant for more than two hundred years."

Young Thurgood

"A page-turner," says Charles J. Ogletree Jr., professor of law at Harvard Law School. "Its compelling story is a must-read for anyone who wishes to understand a great man and the history of the civil right movement. I enthusiastically recommend this book." Cecilia S. Marshall, wife of Thurgood Marshall, says, "Larry Gibson has written the most accurate book ever published about my husband."

Decided on the Battlefield

"A revealing look at the influences, from the battlefield to the halls of government, that shaped a wartime presidency, sweeping the reader along with crisp narrative and a rapid pace," says Michael E. Haskew, author of De Gaulle: Lessons in Leadership from the Defiant General. "For [fans] of both political and military history, this work is not to be missed."

American Sheikhs

"A highly original contribution to our understanding of America's troubling relationship with the Middle East. . . . A multigenerational story about the founding and growing influence of the American University of Beirut over the last one hundred fifty years. It is the story of a turbulent and complicated love affair between America's earliest Christian missionaries and the Arab world," says Kai Bird, Pulitzer Prize-winning historian. "VanDeMark has written a concise and highly accessible history of the American missionaries and their political and intellectual legacy." 

Cuttlefish

"Filled with coal-fired submarines, scientific secrets, and two young people who fight injustice, work to bring down an evil empire, and quite literally save the world, Cuttlefish is a book to dream upon," says Sarah A. Hoyt, author of Darkship Thieves. "Freer's clean style and vivid descriptions, his complex characters and his clear vision, make this a book all ages can enjoy."

London Eye (Toxic City Book One)    

In a four-star review, RT Book Reviews says, "Lebbon has an artful way with words. He pens descriptions and moments that one must pause to consider and absorb. The style works really well with this dystopia, as readers really come to inhabit Lebbon's destroyed, scary world. A great read. (Compelling - Page-turner)"

Fair Coin and Quantum Coin

"This Book is Pure Awesome Crack," warns io9. "E.C. Myers' astounding Fair Coin. . . . achieves the feat of seeming like a dark fairy tale and a clever science fiction epic, rolled into one. It's a fast-moving book full of twists and cool character moments, and definitely ideal for adults who miss the days of engaging, idea-driven science fiction."

Planesrunner and Be My Enemy

In a starred review, Kirkus Reviews says, "Smart, clever and abundantly original, with suspense that grabs your eyeballs, this is real science fiction for all ages...More! More!" Tor.com says, "Another fun, fast read. . . . These books just sparkle with innovation and adventure and humor

. . . . Ian McDonald could write another dozen or so of these Everness novels, and I'd happily read them all."

Thief's Covenant and False Covenant

"Widdershins is one of those characters. . . that will imprint on your mind for a lifetime," says WORD for Teens. "The plot in this was absolutely stunning. ...for non-fantasy lovers who are looking into dabbling, this is a brilliant place to start. . . . One of the most engaging books I've read in a very long time; I can't think of a single thing I disliked."

Lightbringer and Reaper

In a Reviewer Top Pick, Night Owl Reviews says, "If you're a reader looking for a non-stop, action packed fantasy story with a lot of drama and a side of scary, you have to check out Reaper...Kudos to Ms. McEntire for creating such a dramatic world that adults as well as teens will enjoy and characters that will stick with us long after the last page has ended."

We hope these suggestions help you find just the right gifts for the readers on your list, or inspire you to give yourself the gift of a good book!

Need more ideas? Another holiday gift guide is coming in November but you can also browse online at prometheusbooks.com, pyrsf.com, and seventhstreetbooks.com for more great selections.

Happy reading!