Books That Inspired Our Tutors
As we start 2023, many people will have a resolution to read more books. We wanted to take this chance to compile a list of some of our favourite books we think would be perfect to read. They all have one thing in common, they inspired one of our tutors to take a particular subject at university. Each book comes from a personal recommendation from one of our amazing tutors, so we hope that you get as much enjoyment from these books as they did!
Finding the Mother Tree by Suzanne Simard
Finding the Mother Tree is an essential book for anyone interested in sustainability, ecology, and biological research. Suzanne Simard’s autobiography unwinds the story of her influential research into the ecological relations within forests, alongside the events of her life. Describing Simard’s research as ‘one of the greatest ecological discoveries of our time’ (Tree, 2021) is no exaggeration; her research uncovers the cooperative relationship between trees and fungi within forests, challenging the evolutionary principle that traits develop through competition. Simard’s writing is creative, inspiring and succinct, making this an engaging and accessible read. Reading this book is guaranteed to change the way you view forests and give you an insight into the world of academic research.
If This is a Man by Primo Levi
Levi’s powerful, beautiful and brutal memoir describes his experience as a survivor of Auschwitz in 1944. What distinguishes Levi’s memoir is his primary goal to recount and bear witness to the atrocities of the Holocaust, rather than foregrounding judgement. He therefore communicates unforgettable insights into the nature of humanity. Levi asks and answers fundamental questions such as: when someone is stripped of their possessions and family, what is left of their identity? How can those in power dehumanise their victims? How can anyone resist such dehumanising? What does freedom mean, and what is its value? This is a Man is a reflection on human nature, but it is inherently forward-looking; a call to prevent such horrors ever occurring again.
Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari
Sapiens presents Harari’s thoughts on how our species, Homo sapiens, reached the position we find ourselves in the world today as the sole remaining human species on Earth and dominating worldwide ecosystems. He explores the history of our species in an accessible way, from the development of human intelligence in the ‘Cognitive Revolution’, to the invention of agriculture in the ‘Agricultural Revolution’. Harari provides an alternative perspective to the view that humans have linearly progressed over our evolution, becoming more powerful, productive, healthier and happier. His opposing stance on such a narrative is not without its critiques, but it certainly provides a stimulating starting point for thinking about human progress. Moreover, Sapiens is impressively interdisciplinary, combining history, biology, anthropology, archaeology, philosophy and economics, making it a captivating read for almost everyone. In sum, Sapiens is an inspiring introduction to a huge topic: the history of Homo sapiens.
Thinking Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman
Daniel Kahneman is a Nobel Prize Winner and pioneering researcher in behavioural psychology. Thinking Fast and Slow guides the reader through Kahneman’s important research and other key studies in behavioural science, revealing valuable insights into the human mind and how we make decisions. At the core of this book is Kahneman’s proposition that two systems underly human thinking: System 1 which entails fast, intuitive and emotional thinking; and System 2, which is slower, more deliberate and more logical. Kahneman explores the advantages of these two systems and the flaws within them which drive biases and bad decisions. Moreover, since this book discusses not only that we have flaws in our cognition, but also how these flaws are patterned; it offers ways to minimise them. Thinking Fast and Slow is a crucial book to the fields of philosophy, psychology, economics and behavioural science; providing insight into human irrationality, free will, intention, choice and control.
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
An interdisciplinary introduction to medicine and philosophy, this heartfelt book carefully considers the long lasting impact of unethical medical research on marginalised groups of people. Henrietta Lacks’ cancer cells were the source of the first immortalised human cell line, leading to many medical advances and discoveries, but were harvested without her knowledge. Skloot introduces readers to Henrietta Lacks through the medical achievements her cells enabled but also through her and her family’s personal stories. This book encourages us to reflect on how one woman’s cancer cells could have an invaluable impact on medical research, yet leave her unnoticed and unacknowledged. Skloot's refusal to separate scientific advances from the human life that makes them possible leads to a heated discussion about informed consent. The book touches on a number of important themes, weaving a narrative of incredible scientific discoveries alongside racial politics and medical ethics.
Theories of International Politics and Zombies by Daniel Drezner
A fun introduction to international politics, this book considers how different theories might tackle a zombie apocalypse with a good deal of humour. A great entry point to political theory with a novel application of the different ideas contained within realism, constructivism, Marxism and more! Dissecting complex international relations theories through an outlandish zombie apocalypse scenario means they can be explored from a new perspective. It's a quick, accessible, and entertaining read, perfect for figuring out your own perspective on international politics and starting discussions with others.