What: Non-fiction tour of the history and theory of information.
Why: The book makes you rethink information — what it is, how it functions, and the roles it plays in everything. Gleick does a fantastic job of breaking down technical subjects to a layperson’s level. I think everyone who’s broadly curious would love it, but those who’d get the most out of it are those who’ve been habitually stumped by anything technical. His writing is beautiful, understandable, and legitimately interesting — and the content is absolutely fascinating.
The Information: A History, A Theory, A Flood by James Gleick
What: Non-fiction tour of the history and theory of information.
Why: The book makes you rethink information — what it is, how it functions, and the roles it plays in everything. Gleick does a fantastic job of breaking down technical subjects to a layperson’s level. I think everyone who’s broadly curious would love it, but those who’d get the most out of it are those who’ve been habitually stumped by anything technical. His writing is beautiful, understandable, and legitimately interesting — and the content is absolutely fascinating.