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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.

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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 profound life lesson at the heart of chaos theory
In this excerpt from Think Like a Mathematician, Junaid Mubeen explains how tiny actions can shape complex systems, revealing the limits of prediction and control in our lives.

by Junaid Mubeen

The word "chaos" is repeatedly written in orange over a beige background, with a large, rough black scribble overlaid in the center.
Everything Articles
The cover of "All That We See or Seem" by Ken Liu features blurred colorful lines and glowing blue text on a dark background, perfectly capturing the enigmatic spirit of all that we see or seem.
Books
“All That We See or Seem”: A novel by Ken Liu
A preview of the latest novel by the Hugo- and Nebula-winning author.
Ken Liu
A section of the U.S. Constitution, with the iconic words "We the People" partially obscured by red scribbles, highlights the enduring significance of this historic document.
Books
Why America’s veneration of the Constitution may ultimately break it
In "We the People," Harvard historian Jill Lepore examines how the U.S. Constitution became unamendable and its implications for the health of the democracy.
Tim Brinkhof
Book cover for "The Art of Spending Money" by Morgan Housel, featuring an origami bird made from money and a quote from Steven Bartlett at the top, exploring how to be miserable spending money unwisely.
Books
If you want to be miserable, then spend your money like this
In this excerpt from "The Art of Spending Money," Morgan Housel lays out the spending and financial habits guaranteed to end in regret.
Morgan Housel
Book cover titled "Governing Babel" by John P. Wihbey, featuring a stylized blue and black illustration of a tower with small human figures walking—reflecting themes of online speech moderation.
Books
AI vs. AI: The upcoming arms race against disinformation online
In this excerpt from "Governing Babel," John Wihbey explores how AI is reshaping online moderation by offering tools that can help human moderators, but also raises the risk of disinformation and digital chaos.
John Wihbey
A wooden sailing ship faces rough seas, with waves and dolphins in the foreground; a Dash ghost ship appears mysteriously in the mist behind.
Books
The haunted history of the ghost ship Dash
In this excerpt from "America's Most Gothic," Leanna Hieber and Andrea Janes examine the history and folklore of Maine's vanished schooner.
Leanna Renee Hieber
Book cover with the title "The Formula for Better Health: How to Save Millions of Lives—Including Your Own" by Tom Frieden, MD, MPH, featuring illustrated silhouettes of people and a nod to Alice Hamilton’s pioneering work in public health.
Books
How Alice Hamilton helped the world see a hidden poison
In this excerpt from "The Formula for Better Health," Tom Frieden explores how Alice Hamilton transformed public health in her fight against lead poisoning.
Tom Frieden
Book cover of "Seven Rivers" by Vanessa Taylor, featuring a painting of numerous boats crossing the Nile River toward a distant city skyline under a clear sky.
Books
For the pharaohs, ruling Ancient Egypt meant mastering the Nile
In this excerpt from "Seven Rivers," historian Vanessa Taylor explores how Ancient Egyptian pharaohs harnessed the Nile River to build empires and secure their power.
Vanessa Taylor
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