Episode · How I Write · 2023-11-06
Books mentioned on Morgan Housel: How He Sold 4 Million Books
When people ask me what good online writing looks like, I point them to Morgan Housel. Why?
Books mentioned, in the order they came up
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Boomerang
Boomerang by Michael Lewis is a nonfiction book examining how the global financial crisis played out in various countries and U.S.
Discussed“And in fact several Michael Lewis books like Boomerang have been based off of Vanity Fair pieces that he wrote.”
Where to get it
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Understanding Media
Understanding Media by Marshall McLuhan is a classic media theory text that examines how various communication channels shape human thought, culture, and society.
Discussed“And like, I remember I read Marshall McLuhan's Understanding Media, and I was like, Oh my goodness, this is an entirely new way to think”
Where to get it
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Same as Ever
Same as Ever by Morgan Housel is a collection of behavioral insights and timeless essays that explore how human nature, risk, and greed remain constant across history even as technology and economies evolve.
Discussed“Now you got same as ever, like. How do you think about how your books play together?”
Where to get it
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The Bed of Procrustes
The Bed of Procrustes by Nassim Nicholas Taleb is a provocative collection of aphorisms that challenges conventional modern wisdom and explores human hubris through a distinct philosophical lens.
Recommended“One of my favorite Nassim Taleb books is his least well known, it's called The Bed of Procrustance. So good. It's a collection of aphorisms.”
Where to get it
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A short history of nearly everything
A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson is a popular science masterpiece that distills complex scientific discoveries, natural history, and evolutionary milestones into an engaging narrative for general readers.
Discussed“He has what a short history of nearly everything. Yes. We're just talking about the history of the universe.”
Where to get it
Other mentions in this episode (3) — ad reads, self-promotion and passing references, never counted
“This was one of the lessons for when I started writing Psychology of Money. I wanted to like reinvent myself.”
“I tried it with Psychology of Money. When I set out to write Psychology of Money, I said I'm going to write a new book from scratch.”
“The audiobook version of Psychology of Money outsells the physical version two to one.”