Beyond Bumper Stickers

Jeffrey Sachs: The End of Poverty: Economic Possibilities for Our Time
An easily readable collection of case studies and proposals that show what anti-poverty measures really do and don't work in the developing world -- and why. Just as importantly, Sachs provides hope. As he clearly documents, even in dismal places with corrupt governments and few natural resources it's possible for people to rise out of poverty. (****)

Jared Diamond: Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed
Jared Diamond's second multi-disciplinary font of scholarship that greatly advances our understanding of the world we live in. A great -- albeit, perhaps even more pedantic -- sequel to "Guns, Germs and Steel." (****)

Jared Diamond: Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies
Jared Diamond has created a multi-disciplinary font of scholarship that greatly advances our understanding of the world we live in. Sure he's pedantic, what did you expect? He's a professor. All in all, a great read. (****)