20 Books To Raise Your IQ This Summer: Our 2020 Summer Reading List

2019 Reading List Intelligence Squared

How can you stay sharp this summer? In true Open to Debate fashion, we’re challenging you – our community–to take on a summer reading list with a purpose: bringingnew perspectives to your bookcase. We curated 20 books written by our alumni that represent a range of ideas from across the ideological spectrum on everything from foreign affairs, to the Trump presidency, to how science drives your spirituality. Let’s get started.

 


On understanding other points of view:

Why We’re PolarizedbyEzra Klein

How to Stay Sane in the Age of Division*by ElifShafak

Talking to Strangers: What We Should Know about the People We Don’t KnowbyMalcolm Gladwell

 


On the rule of law and the Trump presidency:

Trumpocalypse: Restoring American DemocracybyDavid Frum

Defender-in-Chief: Donald Trump’s Fight for Presidential Power* byJohnYoo

 


On the past and future of technology:

The Code: Silicon Valley and the Remaking of AmericabyMargaret O’Mara

Tomorrows Versus Yesterdays: Conversations in Defense of the Future*byAndrew Keen

Everyday Chaos: Technology, Complexity, and How We’re Thriving in a New World of Possibilityby David Weinberger

 


On science and spirituality:

Metahuman: Unleashing your Infinite Potentialby Deepak Chopra

Making Sense of Nonsense: The Logical Bridge Between Science & Spiritualityby Raymond Moody

 


On the state of politics and democracy:

The Politics Industry: How Political Innovation Can Break Partisan Gridlock and Save Our Democracy  byKatherine Gehl

Age of Iron: On Conservative Nationalismby Colin Dueck

Breaking the Two-Party Doom Loop: The Case for Multiparty Democracy in Americaby LeeDrutman

 


On climate and energy:

False Alarm: How Climate Change Panic Costs Us Trillions, Hurts the Poor, and Fails to Fix the Planet*by Bjorn Lomborg

Double Jeopardy: Combating Nuclear Terror and Climate Changeby DanielPoneman

A Question of Power: Electricity and the Wealth of Nationsby Robert Bryce

 


On foreign affairs and the global order:

China and the World by DavidShambaugh

Battlegrounds: The Fight to Defend the Free World*by H.R. McMaster

Open Borders: The Science and Ethics of Immigrationby Bryan Caplan

The Arab Winter: A Tragedyby Noah Feldman

 

 

*Available for pre-order only.

Looking for a great debate? Hear all of our featured summer authors debate onthis new podcast playlist:

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