Tim O’Reilly

A Swim in a Pond in the Rain is a literary master class on what makes great stories work and what they can tell us about ourselves—and our world today. George Saunders shares his twenty-year experience teaching a class on Russian short stories to MFA students at Syracuse University. In this book, he pairs iconic short stories by Chekhov, Turgenev, Tolstoy, and Gogol with his technical yet accessible essays on how narrative functions, why we stay immersed in a story, and the bedrock virtues a writer must foster to create compelling fiction. Through this exploration, Saunders illuminates how the mind itself works while reading and how the reading and writing of stories make genuine connection possible.

Explore the fascinating life of iconic visionary Stewart Brand, from his involvement with the counterculture and creation of the influential Whole Earth Catalog, to his commitment to environmentalism and pragmatic embrace of technology. Written by technology and society chronicler John Markoff, this biography delves into Brand's contradictions and powerful influence on California culture and the wider world. With his emphasis on direct power and planetary consciousness, Brand's story is one that will inspire readers to reimagine how we live on this planet.

Discover the fascinating science behind our most basic biological function with this instant New York Times bestseller. Journalist James Nestor explores the lost art of breathing and its impact on our health and well-being. From ancient practices like Pranayama and Tummo to modern science, Breath reveals how adjusting our breathing can improve athletic performance, heal internal organs, and even straighten scoliotic spines. With thousands of years of medical texts and cutting-edge research, this book will change the way you think about the simple act of breathing.

Explore the fascinating history of how we came to view the earth's limits and the importance of embracing them in this passionate book. Author Giorgos Kallis challenges the belief that going beyond limits is the only path to progress and advocates for a culture of sharing and collective self-limitation. Discover the separation between limits and scarcity, two concepts often conflated in both environmental and economic theory. From ancient Greece to present-day radical environmentalists, join Kallis on a journey to redefine our relationship with the planet and make an impassioned plea for limits.

This nonfiction graphic novel delves into the broken democracy of the United States and the heroic efforts of those unrigging the system to return power to the people. Written by a democracy reform leader and illustrated by an artist, the book takes readers behind the scenes of where politicians acquire their funds, from corporate CEOs to billionaire supporters. Unrig also provides solutions to limit the influence of big money and redraw the lines of political power. If you're searching for hope in the current political climate, this book will restore your faith in the path forward to fix our democracy.

Explore a unique and captivating world in this bestselling science fiction novel, now available in a deluxe hardcover edition. Set on the harsh desert planet Arrakis, the story follows the young Paul Atreides as he navigates a treacherous political landscape where the only valuable resource is a coveted drug called "spice." As Paul's family is betrayed and destroyed, he embarks on a journey that will lead him to a destiny beyond his wildest dreams. With a stunning blend of adventure, mysticism, and politics, Dune is a triumph of the imagination and a true masterpiece of science fiction.

This groundbreaking book by a leading AI researcher explores how we can coexist with increasingly intelligent machines, rather than viewing them as a threat to civilizations. The author outlines the benefits and potential misuse of AI, and suggests that we rethink the design of AI to ensure that machines are inherently uncertain about human preferences, thereby creating provably deferential and beneficial machines. Solve the problem of control over AI and unlock a future of unlimited promise.

Discover the greatest thinkers of our time with The Last Unknowns. This book features over 250 scientists, artists, and theorists answering the profound question: "What is 'The Last Question,' the question for which you will be remembered?" Explore the deepest riddles about our world, civilization, and the meaning of life with contributions from Pulitzer Prize-winning authors, Nobel laureates, philosophers, and more. With a foreword by Nobel Prize winner Daniel Kahneman, this little book of unknowns engages and fascinates readers from start to finish.

A celebrated historian shares his personal experiences researching and writing his acclaimed books in this evocatively written collection of personal pieces. From interviewing powerful figures like Robert Moses to encountering witnesses of political power, and finding a writer's community, the author reflects on his journey and the importance of infusing writing with a sense of place and mood. These candid, deeply revealing recollections bring into focus the passion, integrity, and self-deprecation behind his acclaimed work.

This book uncovers the chaos that ensues when the transition team for President Trump fails to show up at the US Department of Energy to learn about their new roles. Michael Lewis' gripping narrative exposes the dangerous consequences of a government under attack by uninformed leaders who show disregard for the critical services that keep our society safe. From ensuring food and medication safety to tracking down black-market uranium, Lewis masterfully paints a vivid picture of the fallout when those in control lack understanding of the government's inner workings.