It’s hard to understand the big picture when the big picture is always changing. New trends in the economy, technology, and culture seem to come and go on a daily basis, and staying in the know feels like a never-ending game of catch-up.
So how can we focus on the most world-changing developments of the last few years, and maybe even see what’s coming next? Well, we believe that the five superb books below offer an enlightened perspective on the past, present, and future of our chaotic world.
The Aftermath: The Last Days of the Baby Boom and the Future of Power in America
By Philip Bump
A popular Washington Post columnist takes a deep dive into what the end of the baby boom means for American politics and economics. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Philip Bump, in the Next Big Idea App
The Age of Interconnection: A Global History of the Second Half of the Twentieth Century
By Jonathan Sperber
A panoramic view of global history from the end of World War II to the dawn of the new millennium, and a portrait of an age of unprecedented transformation. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Jonathan Sperber, in the Next Big Idea App
The Status Revolution: The Improbable Story of How the Lowbrow Became the Highbrow
By Chuck Thompson
How did rescue dogs become status symbols? Why are luxury brands losing their cachet? What’s made F. Scott Fitzgerald’s most famous observations obsolete? The answers are part of a new revolution that’s radically reorganizing the way we view ourselves and others. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Chuck Thompson, in the Next Big Idea App
For Profit: A History of Corporations
By William Magnuson
An acclaimed law professor offers a sweeping history of how corporate innovation has shaped society, from ancient Rome to Silicon Valley. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author William Magnuson, in the Next Big Idea App
The Chaos Machine: The Inside Story of How Social Media Rewired Our Minds and Our World
By Max Fisher
From a New York Times investigative reporter, The Chaos Machine tracks the high-stakes inside story of how Big Tech’s breakneck race to drive engagement—and profits—at all costs fractured the world. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Max Fisher, in the Next Big Idea App
The Key Ideas in 15 Minutes
“If you are going to get anywhere in life, you have to read a lot of books,” Roald Dahl once famously said. The only trouble is, reading even one book from cover to cover takes hours—and you may not have many hours to spare.
But imagine for a moment: What if you could read a groundbreaking new book every day? Or even better, what if you could invite a world-renowned thinker into your earbuds, where they personally describe the 5 key takeaways from their work in just 15 minutes?
With the Next Big Idea App, we’ve turned this fantasy into a reality. We partnered with hundreds of acclaimed authors to create “Book Bites,” short audio summaries of the latest nonfiction that are prepared and read aloud by the authors themselves. Discover cutting-edge leadership skills, productivity hacks, the science of happiness and well-being, and much more—all in the time it takes to drive to work or walk the dog.
Go Deeper with a Next Big Idea Club Membership
The Next Big Idea App is free for anyone to try—and if you love it, we invite you to become an official member of the Next Big Idea Club. Membership grants you unlimited access to Book Bites and unlocks early-release, ad-free episodes of our LinkedIn-partnered podcast. You also gain entry to our private online discussion group, where you can talk big ideas with fellow club members and join exclusive live Q&A sessions with featured authors.
For a more focused learning experience, we recommend a Hardcover or eBook Membership. Every few months, legendary authors and club curators Malcolm Gladwell, Susan Cain, Adam Grant, and Daniel Pink select two new nonfiction books as the must-reads of the season. We then send hardcover copies straight to your doorstep, or eBook versions to your favorite digital device. We also collaborate with the authors of selected books to produce original reading guides and premium video e-courses, 50-minute master classes that take you step by step through their most life-changing ideas. And yes, it’s all available through the Next Big Idea App.
Learn Faster, from the World’s Leading Thinkers
Whether you prefer to read, listen, or watch, the Next Big Idea is here to help you work smarter and live better. Wake up with an always-fresh Idea of the Day, the perfect shot of inspiration to go with your morning coffee. Then dive into one of our Challenges, hand-picked collections of Book Bites that form crash courses in subjects like communication, motivation, and career acceleration. Later, watch the playback of an interview with U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, Stanford psychologist Jennifer Eberhardt, or philosopher John Kaag. And be sure to check the “Events” tab in the app, so that you can join an upcoming live Q&A and personally chat with the next featured thought leader.
If you’re hoping to grow as a person or as a professional, we hope you’ll join us and tens of thousands of others who enjoy the Next Big Idea. Get started by downloading the app today!
