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Where books open worlds.
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Books are more than stories on a page — they are mirrors, maps, challenges, and companions in understanding ourselves and the world we inhabit.

Big Think Books is a space devoted to the writers and ideas that shape culture, knowledge, and the way we think. Through thoughtful recommendations, deep dives, and engaging commentary, this column guides readers toward books that expand curiosity, provoke insight, and deepen understanding across fields like science, history, psychology, literature, and more. Whether you’re exploring the latest releases or rediscovering timeless classics, here you’ll find ideas worth your time and thought.

with

Kevin Dickinson is a staff writer and columnist at Big Think, focusing on the intersection of education, psychology, business, and science. He holds a master’s in English and writing, and his work has appeared in Agenda, RealClearScience, and The Washington Post.

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A man with short gray hair and wearing a plaid shirt is seated at a wooden table in a dimly lit restaurant, smiling at the camera.
The important role of ignorance in building a better society
George Szpiro explores the philosophical ideas that explain why justice — not freedom or efficiency — may better anchor a fair society.

by George G. Szpiro

Book cover of "Ignorance" by George G. Szpiro, featuring red tape bars over the phrases: what we do not know, cannot know, must not know, and refuse to know—reflecting the pervasive power of ignorance.
Everything Articles
A woman with curly hair sits in a chair holding an open book, looking to the side, surrounded by strange books, drawn white pentagrams, and a lit candle nearby.
Books
5 of the strangest books ever written
Some books are remembered for their lyrical prose or engaging stories. Others are remembered for simply being weird.
Scotty Hendricks
A man slumps in a chair, eyes closed, as small monkey-like creatures torment him with various objects in a room near a fireplace and table.
Books
The migraine mystery: Why evolution never cured the pain in our heads
In "The Headache," Tom Zeller Jr. explores one of the human brain's most enduring, and painful, enigmas.
Tom Zeller Jr.
Union soldiers in blue uniforms escort prisoners past a burning building with a large hole in the wall while smoke and flames rise, during the American Civil War.
Books
The rise and fall of John Wilkes Booth: America’s first celebrity assassin
Before becoming America’s most infamous assassin, John Wilkes Booth was a magnetic actor who was beloved by audiences and courted by critics.
Scott Ellsworth
A pyramid stands in a desert with three people in front, evoking experimental archeology; a modern McDonald's restaurant is visible in the background on the right.
Books
Science meets sweat: How experimental archaeology brings history to life
In "Dinner with King Tut," Sam Kean examines how a burgeoning field is recreating ancient tasks to uncover historical truths.
Kevin Dickinson
Book cover titled "After the Spike: Population, Progress, and the Case for People" by Dean Spears and Michael Geruso, featuring a population spike graph set against a blue background, highlighting themes of population and environment.
Books
More people, more pollution? Dispelling an environmental myth
In "After the Spike," Dean Spears and Michael Geruso show why policy, rather than high population density, has the most significant impact on the environment.
Dean Spears & Michael Geruso
Painting of a man with red hair and a mustache wearing a white cap, resting his head on his hand, set against a swirling blue background with touches of van Gogh yellow paint highlighting the scene.
Books
Why did Van Gogh eat yellow paint? The troubled obsession behind the masterpieces.
In "Human History on Drugs," Sam Kelly explores what the research can tell us about one of history’s most brilliant — and troubled — artists.
Sam Kelly
Microscopic view of green cyanobacteria chains forming spiral and linear patterns against a dark background, highlighting their role within the microbiome.
Books
Why your microbiome may matter more than DNA for your lifelong health
In "The Microbiome Master Key," Brett and Jessica Finlay argue that we need to stop waging war on all germs and start working with the microbes that make us who we are.
Jasna Hodžić
A young armored man consults an elderly bearded man holding a key and a staff, both seated and looking at an open book, as if exploring how stories teach philosophy.
Big Think Books
5 stories that teach you philosophy (better than some philosophy books)
Want to study philosophy but skip some of its heavier tomes? These five novels are a great place to start. (Existential despair guaranteed.)
Scotty Hendricks
A green skull in the background appears to stare through a glass of champagne centered in the foreground, evoking Agatha Christie poisons, all set against a black backdrop.
Big Think Books
Murder, she measured: The impressive science behind Agatha Christie’s poisons
Kathryn Harkup, chemist and author of V Is for Venom, joins Big Think to discuss why Christie isn’t just a brilliant writer but a unique science communicator.
Kevin Dickinson
Two women in historical clothing sit outdoors, one holding a book while the other leans in, both appearing to read together near a tree.
Big Think Books
Deep listening: The 8 steps to revitalize any conversation
Most of us think we're good listeners, but we're wrong — and it's ruining our relationships.
Emily Kasriel
Krel and Hana Koecher celebrate with StB colleagues after returning to the Eastern Bloc.
Big Think Books
Operation TRIGON: How a rookie spy helped change the world of espionage
In this excerpt from "Agents of Change," Christina Hillsberg tells the story of Martha “Marti” Peterson, the first female case officer stationed in Soviet Moscow.
Christina Hillsberg
Book cover of "The Gift of Not Belonging" by Rami Kaminski, featuring one blue chameleon—an Otrovert—on a branch above five green chameleons on a branch below.
Big Think Books
“Otroverts” and why nonconformists often see what others can’t
In "The Gift of Not Belonging," Rami Kaminski explains why group consensus may hinder the original thinkers who help advance society.
Rami Kaminski
A man in a suit looks at the camera with a neutral expression, set against a light green background with abstract black scribble accents.
Big Think Books
John le Carré’s son joins the Circus with his new book
With "Karla's Choice," Nick Harkaway had an impossible mission: maintain his father’s legacy while staying true to his voice.
Kevin Dickinson
A woman, resembling a paranormal investigator, holds a rectangular glass dish above her eyes, which are illuminated by light shining through the dish in a dark setting.
Big Think Books
Why don’t Americans trust experts? Just ask a paranormal investigator.
For his new book, “The Ghost Lab,” Matt Hongoltz-Hetling spent time with paranormal investigators to understand their relationship with science and society.
Ross Pomeroy
A white dinosaur skull silhouette on a black background with red, rough, scribbled lines evokes the intrigue of the dinosaur myth.
Big Think Books
A Mesozoic myth: Dinosaurs didn’t rule the Earth like we think
In "The Shortest History of the Dinosaurs," Riley Black reveals the bold mammals that thrived in the Age of Reptiles.
Riley Black
A man in glasses and a suit jacket, resembling John Green, stands in front of a light background with a purple rectangle and abstract black lines.
Books
‘Everything is Tuberculosis’ author John Green on writing, anxiety, and illness
John Green opens up about his struggle to remain hopeful while writing about suffering and injustice.
Tim Brinkhof
Book cover with a gray textured background, featuring the title "DE KAI RAISING AI" and the subtitle "An essential guide to raising AI and parenting our future," all in white capital letters.
Big Think Books
Why AI today is more toddler than Terminator
In "Raising AI," De Kai argues that today's AIs are already more like us than we think they are.
De Kai
Silhouette of a person carrying a cross in front of the United States Capitol building, symbolizing cross purposes between faith and politics.
Big Think Books
The price of Christianity’s “broken bargain” with democracy
An atheist's case for why American democracy needs a more Christlike Christianity.
Stephen Johnson
A classical painting of the historical Jesus carrying a cross, with his face obscured by white scribble marks.
Big Think Books
Why historians can only give Jesus a one-sentence biography
The Gospels aren’t historical biographies but genre-defining works that blend myth, theology, and a promise of hope.
Kevin Dickinson
A photograph of an ancient manuscript with Greek text, displayed on a plain background with abstract purple lines drawn around the edges.
Big Think Books
From Gnosticism to Gospel Manga: 6 books to help you unpack the Bible and its history
Experts and Big Think writers recommend their favorite reads for diving deeper into the history and perspectives found in the Book of Books.
Scotty Hendricks & Kevin Dickinson
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