Portman Wills

Pretty self-explanatory: books about business.

In a now-famous 1959 lecture entitled "The Two Cultures", C.P. Snow suggested that all great thinkers were either scientists or humanists. In 1991, literary agent John Brockman coined the term "The Third Culture" to describe those writers who can deftly coexist in both cultures. Brockman, in a none-too-subtle jab at the humanities, was referring to scientists who knew how to effectively communicate. However, the term is equally as appropriate to humanists who know how to converse in the language of science.

There's nothing better than reading a book from a Third Culture author. This is a list of some of my favorites.

International development is the study of how nations and peoples become poor and what we, the developed world, can do about it. It is the most important, challenging, and envigorating field of study in our time.  (My apologies to quantum physicists, historians, and all other academics: I like what you do. But come on, you really can't dispute that claim.)

These are my favorite books on the subject.

PS: If you're looking for books on software development, I maintain a separate bookshelf over at Wills Consulting.