Recommended Reading

Shannon Kent, a trailblazing special operator, balanced hunting high-value targets on secret missions with life as a wife and mother. A Navy cryptologic technician, her language skills set her apart, earning her a role in an elite, covert unit. Send Me tells her heroic story, revealing the sacrifices of a Special Forces family and the extraordinary legacy of one of the military’s finest.

In Who Dares Wins, Big Phil Campion shares his journey from an abusive childhood to the SAS, private military work, and bodyguarding stars like Led Zeppelin. He recounts his time in war zones across Africa, Syria, and Iraq, including reporting under fire for Sky TV. Packed with gripping stories, the book also reveals the deep psychological toll of a life spent in conflict.

In his brutally honest account, former SAS soldier Big Phil Campion shares his dangerously thrilling life as a private military operator. From facing a suicide bomber in Kabul to battling pirates with his bare hands, this is a true-life, action-packed story of courage, survival, and intense danger.

On April 6, 2007, Navy SEAL Senior Chief Mike Day was shot 27 times and hit by grenade shrapnel while taking out four terrorists during a raid in Iraq. Despite his wounds, he cleared the house, rescued six women and children, and walked to safety. After nearly two years of recovery and facing PTSD and traumatic brain injury, Day’s remarkable survival and continued service highlight his heroism.

Fern Brady was told she couldn't be autistic because she's had loads of boyfriends and is good at eye contact. This is a story of how being female can get in the way of being autistic and how being autistic gets in the way of being the 'right kind' of woman.

Command Sergeant Major Tom Satterly, a senior Delta Force operator, recounts his 20 years of combat, facing deadly enemies, intense missions, and personal loss. All Secure reveals the dark world of elite special operations and the toll it took on his health, relationships, and mental well-being. Struggling with PTSD, he nearly took his life in 2014 but found hope through his wife. Together, they now fight to help fellow veterans battling similar struggles.

In his first autobiography, comedy icon Billy Connolly tells the remarkable story of his life, from a tough Glasgow childhood to international fame. Overcoming abuse and hardship, he found his escape in the shipyards and music before becoming a legendary comedian known for his fearless humor and unique style. His career spanned five decades until a cancer and Parkinson’s diagnosis ended his live performances. He continues to create TV shows, art, and writing.

In 1995, the New York Times published an essay by the Unabomber, whose violent actions were condemned, but whose ideas on technology's destructive impact gained attention. Critics, including political thinkers and experts, recognized his warnings on technology's effects, such as addiction, privacy issues, and societal decline. His message, though delivered violently, has become increasingly relevant as technology shapes modern life.

Invisible Women by Caroline Criado Perez exposes how society, from government policy to technology, is designed with men in mind, neglecting women’s needs. With case studies and new research, it highlights the gender bias that leads to harmful consequences for women, from health care to workplace safety. It reveals the profound impact this bias has on everyone.

The Authority Gap examines the bias women face in everyday life, from being patronised to having their authority undermined. It explores how this gap between men and women persists, using data and interviews with influential women like Baroness Hale and Mary Beard. The book provides a fresh feminist perspective on addressing systemic sexism for the benefit of all.

In Coffee First, Then the World, Jenny Graham recounts her solo, unsupported 18,000-mile bike ride around the world, crossing 16 countries in 124 days. Breaking the female speed record by nearly three weeks, she shares her adventure filled with physical challenges, near-collisions, weather extremes, and cultural encounters. With wit and honesty, Jenny reveals how she embraced the joy of the journey, made global connections, and conquered the world on her bike.

In The Longest Kill, sniper Craig Harrison recounts his remarkable career, including the longest confirmed kill at 2,475 meters in Afghanistan. He shares heart-stopping accounts from the Balkans, Iraq, and Afghanistan, detailing sniper operations, battles, and the personal cost of heroism. After surviving an IED blast, he struggles with PTSD and Al Qaeda threats against his family.

In The Infinite Game, Simon Sinek introduces a new approach to business strategy, using game theory to emphasise the importance of long-term growth and value. He argues that playing the "infinite game" is the key to enduring success.

Walter Isaacson's Steve Jobs: The Exclusive Biography offers a comprehensive look at Apple co-founder Steve Jobs' life. Based on three years of exclusive interviews with Jobs, his family, and colleagues, it provides an in-depth portrait of the visionary innovator, capturing both his professional achievements and personal complexities.

Hannah Fry’s Hello World explores the rise of algorithms in crucial decisions—justice, healthcare, transport, and beyond. While algorithms offer consistency and efficiency, they also raise ethical dilemmas. Should we trust them over humans? Fry delves into their power, flaws, and impact, questioning whether they truly improve our lives or merely shift responsibility from humans to machines.

Hans Rosling’s Factfulness reveals why we consistently misjudge global trends, often doing worse than random guesses. He explains the 10 biases that distort our worldview and shows that, despite its flaws, the world is improving. By replacing fear with facts, we can better focus on real threats. Engaging and eye-opening, this book challenges how we see the world.

Simon Sinek’s Leaders Eat Last explores how great leaders create environments where people feel valued, collaborate naturally, and achieve remarkable results. From Marine Corps officers to business executives, Sinek highlights those who prioritize their teams over personal gain. True leadership, he argues, is about service and protection—challenging us to ask, Are you a leader?

Simon Sinek’s Start With Why explores why some individuals and organizations achieve lasting success—they focus on why they do what they do. Using examples like Steve Jobs, the Wright brothers, and Martin Luther King Jr., Sinek shows how purpose drives innovation and inspiration. Based on his famous TED Talk, this book is for anyone looking to inspire or be inspired.

In The Wisdom of Psychopaths, psychologist Kevin Dutton explores how not all psychopaths are violent or criminal. Instead, their fearlessness, confidence, and ruthlessness are qualities that can lead to success in modern society. Dutton argues that psychopaths have valuable lessons to teach, challenging common perceptions and revealing the potential benefits of their traits.

In The Psychopath Test, journalist Jon Ronson embarks on an unexpected journey to uncover the truth behind a mysterious book. His adventure takes him into the world of mental illness, meeting inmates, psychologists, and critics. He learns to spot psychopaths and investigates how they may influence power, questioning how society defines normality and the line between madness and success.

In The Talent Code, Daniel Coyle explores how talent can be developed, not just innate. Drawing on research and examples from music schools and sports academies, he shows how brain wiring changes through focused practice. Coyle explains how unremarkable people can achieve breakthroughs, why certain teaching methods excel, and how anyone can reach their full potential through the right training.