4 books you must have read
Most students who study think of themselves as intelligent people and consequently think they are even smarter than most other people. I’m one of those people, but I can honestly state that I don’t even come near to what I should know. The past years I’ve been starting reading more books (as before I couldn’t be bothered less). And although I should spend more time on it, I did manage to read through 4 gems that are a true recommendation for those of us who think they know it all.
The 4 hour workweek.
A true recommendation for everyone who is in a big doubt whether a 9-5 job is your way of life. Tim Ferris explains how he set up his business in a way that takes less time per week than most people now lose on Facebook and 9gag in a day. It gives helpful tips and examples that make you feel inspired to do something with your life. It made me write a book (which actually got published), what will it do for you?
Rework
You’ll read through this book within half a day. It’s the only book I come across that makes me want to challenge the Pareto principle. Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson tell you all myths and truths about the business world based on their own experience in setting up a successful company. And believe me when I say their principles apply to all kinds of (group)work and organizations. You can immediately start improving your productivity in the workplace and in your study.
On liberty
ADD-people beware: this is a tough one. Make sure you have a bunch of coffee and nothing to distract you. But it’s worth it. John Stuart Mill sheds his light on how humans should behave towards other people in one of the most influential philosophical works ever. Individual freedom is everything that should make the world go round and all ways to impair it are a destruction of progress. It will immediately make you realize that the Western world is slowly crippling itself in innovation and education.
Bullshit management
A Dutch book (too bad as this should be obligatory for all business and management students) by Jos Verveen on why management is a load of bullocks. I’m am not a management enthusiast so this perfectly fit my way of thinking. The examples that he came across that he uses to explain why management in general is a pseudo-science, are things you come across on a daily basis. You’ll wonder why we even fell for management in the first place.
You got some recommendations yourself? Or you have a different view on these books? Holla at me in the comments…
Joep van Agteren
I was born and raised in a town called Geleen, sited between the hills of the Dutch province of Limburg. I'm a 25 year old Psychology Master student and a member of the Erasmus Student Network (ESN). I will enjoy shedding my critical light on life itself and share it with you while I am at it.