Recommendations based on Dumbing Us Down: The Hidden Curriculum of Compulsory Schoolingby John Taylor Gatto

* statistically, based on millions of data-points provided by fellow humans

  1. How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk

    by Adele Faber
    A guide for parents to communicate effectively with their children, using empathy and respect to build strong relationships.

    The ultimate “parenting bible” (,The Boston Globe,), a timeless, beloved book on how to effectively communicate with your child from the #1, New York Times, bestselling authors. Adele Faber and ... (Barnes & Noble)

  2. Father and I Were Ranchers

    by Ralph Moody
    A boy's coming-of-age story, learning the values of hard work and perseverance while growing up on a ranch.

    Ralph Moody was eight years old in 1906 when his family moved from New Hampshire to a Colorado ranch. Through his eyes we experience the pleasures and perils of ranching there early in the twentieth ... (Barnes & Noble)

  3. The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals

    by Michael Pollan
    Exploration of the modern food chain, examining the impact of food choices on our health and the environment.

    What should we have for dinner? The question has confronted us since man discovered fire, but according to Michael Pollan, the bestselling author of The Botany of Desire , how we answer it today, at ... (Goodreads)

  4. Rich Dad, Poor Dad

    by Robert T. Kiyosaki
    A financial literacy guide that explores the power of financial education and investment.

    Rich Dad Poor Dad is Robert's story of growing up with two dads — his real father and the father of his best friend, his "rich dad" — and the ways in which both men shaped his thoughts about money ... (Goodreads)

  5. Nourishing Traditions: The Cookbook That Challenges Politically Correct Nutrition and the Diet Dictocrats

    by Sally Fallon Morell
    An exploration of traditional food cultures, debunking nutritional myths and providing healthy recipes.

    This well-researched, thought-provoking guide to traditional foods contains a startling message: Animal fats and cholesterol are not villains but vital factors in the diet, necessary for normal ... (Barnes & Noble)

  6. Lies My Teacher Told Me: Everything Your American History Textbook Got Wrong

    by James W. Loewen
    Exposing the inaccuracies in American history textbooks and exploring the forces that shaped them.

    “Every teacher, every student of history, every citizen should read this book. It is both a refreshing antidote to what has passed for history in our educational system and a one-volume education in ... (Barnes & Noble)

  7. On Writing Well: The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction

    by William Zinsser
    Comprehensive guide to writing nonfiction, covering craft, style, and technique.

    On Writing Well has been praised for its sound advice, its clarity and the warmth of its style. It is a book for everybody who wants to learn how to write or who needs to do some writing to get ... (Goodreads)

  8. The Autobiography of Malcolm X

    by Malcolm X
    A gripping account of one man's transformation from criminal to civil rights leader.

    Alternate cover for ISBN 9780345350688 Through a life of passion and struggle, Malcolm X became one of the most influential figures of the 20th Century. In this riveting account, he tells of his ... (Goodreads)

  9. In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto

    by Michael Pollan
    Argument for a return to traditional diets and away from processed, industrialized food.

    Michael Pollan's last book, The Omnivore's Dilemma , launched a national conversation about the American way of eating; now In Defense of Food shows us how to change it, one meal at a time. Pollan ... (Goodreads)

  10. The Paradox of Choice: Why More Is Less

    by Barry Schwartz
    An exploration of how the abundance of choice in modern life can lead to unhappiness and paralysis.

    In the spirit of Alvin Tofflers' Future Shock , a social critique of our obsession with choice, and how it contributes to anxiety, dissatisfaction and regret. Whether we're buying a pair of jeans, ... (Goodreads)

  11. The China Study: The Most Comprehensive Study of Nutrition Ever Conducted and the Startling Implications for Diet, Weight Loss, and Long-term Health

    by T. Colin Campbell
    A comprehensive study on the relationship between nutrition and health, revealing the benefits of a plant-based diet.

    Even today, as trendy diets and a weight-loss frenzy sweep the nation, two-thirds of adults are still obese and children are being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, typically an “adult” disease, at an ... (Goodreads)

  12. The Five Love Languages of Children

    by Gary Chapman
    A guide to understanding and communicating with children through their primary emotional needs.

    More than 1 million sold! ,, You know you love your child. But how can you make sure, your child, knows it?, The #1, New York Times, bestselling, The 5 Love Languages®, has helped millions of couples ... (Barnes & Noble)

  13. The Art of Non-Conformity: Set Your Own Rules, Live the Life You Want, and Change the World

    by Chris Guillebeau
    A guide to living an unconventional life and creating meaningful change in the world.

    If you've ever thought, "There must be more to life than this," "The Art of Non-Conformity" is for you. Based on Chris Guillebeau's popular online manifesto "A Brief Guide to World Domination," "The ... (Goodreads)

  14. The Abolition of Man

    by C.S. Lewis
    Argument against the corrosive effects of modern society on morality and values.

    Alternative cover for ISBN: 978-0060652944 The Abolition of Man, Lewis uses his graceful prose, delightful humor, and keen understanding of the human mind to challenge our notions about how to best ... (Goodreads)

  15. Pedagogy of the Oppressed

    by Paulo Freire
    Analysis of the educational system, advocating a pedagogy of liberation.

    First published in Portuguese in 1968, Pedagogy of the Oppressed was translated and published in English in 1970. The methodology of the late Paulo Freire has helped to empower countless impoverished ... (Goodreads)

  16. Leadership and Self-Deception: Getting Out of the Box

    by The Arbinger Institute
    A exploration of how self-deception can lead to ineffective leadership and a guide to overcoming it.

    The "disease" of self-deception (acting in ways contrary to what one knows is right) underlies all leadership problems in today's organizations, according to the premise of this work. However well ... (Goodreads)

  17. Strength in What Remains: A Journey of Remembrance and Forgiveness

    by Tracy Kidder
    A young man escapes genocide in Burundi and arrives in New York City with nothing. His journey to rebuild his life is a testament to the human spirit.

    Strength in What Remains is a wonderfully written, inspiring account of one man’s remarkable American journey and of the ordinary people who helped him – a brilliant testament to the power of will ... (Goodreads)

  18. Let's Pretend This Never Happened: A Mostly True Memoir

    by Jenny Lawson
    A humorous and candid memoir of a woman's life, incorporating stories from her childhood to adulthood.

    The #1, New York Times, bestselling (mostly true) memoir from the hilarious author of, Furiously Happy,.,“Gaspingly funny and wonderfully inappropriate.”—,O, The Oprah Magazine, When Jenny Lawson was ... (Barnes & Noble)

  19. Holidays on Ice

    by David Sedaris
    Collection of humorous essays, exploring the absurdities of the holiday season.

    David Sedaris's beloved holiday collection is new again with six more pieces, including a never before published story. Along with such favorites as the diaries of a Macy's elf and the annals of two ... (Goodreads)

  20. The Lean Startup: How Today's Entrepreneurs Use Continuous Innovation to Create Radically Successful Businesses

    by Eric Ries
    Systematic approach to launching and managing successful businesses in an ever-changing market.

    Most startups fail. But many of those failures are preventable. The Lean Startup is a new approach being adopted across the globe, changing the way companies are built and new products are launched. ... (Goodreads)

  21. Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, Pearl of Great Price

    by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
    A collection of scriptures and revelations from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

    The Book of Mormon contains the writings of men who lived upon the American continent approximately 600 B.C to 400 A.D. They are written to testify of the divinity of Jesus Christ. The Doctrine & ... (Goodreads)

  22. The Honest Truth About Dishonesty: How We Lie to Everyone - Especially Ourselves

    by Dan Ariely
    Examines why people lie and how dishonesty affects our lives.

    Het wetenschappelijk bewijs liegt er niet om: zelfs de meest eerlijke mensen nemen meerdere keren per dag een loopje met de waarheid. Hóé (on)eerlijk we zijn blijkt verrassend genoeg afhankelijk van ... (Goodreads)

  23. Antifragile: Things That Gain from Disorder

    by Nassim Nicholas Taleb
    An exploration of how disorder and chaos can lead to strength and resilience.

    From the bestselling author of The Black Swan and one of the foremost philosophers of our time, Nassim Nicholas Taleb, a book on how some systems actually benefit from disorder. In The Black Swan ... (Goodreads)

  24. The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ

    by Anonymous
    A collection of ancient records and testimonies of Jesus Christ's mission and teachings.

    The Book of Mormon is a sacred text of the Latter Day Saint movement , which, according to Latter Day Saint theology, contains writings of ancient prophets who lived on the American continent from ... (Wikipedia)

  25. Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder

    by Richard Louv
    Examining the consequences of disconnecting children from nature, and the need for reconnection.

    "I like to play indoors better 'cause that's where all the electrical outlets are," reports a fourth-grader. Never before in history have children been so plugged in—and so out of touch with the ... (Goodreads)

  26. On Becoming Baby Wise: Giving Your Infant the Gift of Nighttime Sleep

    by Gary Ezzo
    Guide to setting healthy sleep schedules for babies, helping both child and parents get the rest they need.

    The infant management concepts presented in this book have found favor with over two million parents and twice as many contented babies. On Becoming Babywise brings hope to the tired and bewildered ... (Goodreads)

  27. The Proper Care and Feeding of Husbands

    by Laura Schlessinger
    A guide for wives to improve their marriages by understanding and meeting their husband's needs.

    In her most provocative book yet, Dr. Laura urgently reminds women that to take proper care of their husbands is to ensure themselves the happiness and satisfaction they yearn for in marriage. Women ... (Barnes & Noble)

  28. Trust Me, I'm Lying: Confessions of a Media Manipulator

    by Ryan Holiday
    A former media strategist exposes the corrupt practices of the modern media and how they manipulate the public for profit and power.

    You've seen it all before. A malicious online rumor costs a company millions. A political sideshow derails the national news cycle and destroys a candidate. Some product or celebrity zooms from total ... (Goodreads)

  29. How Children Succeed: Grit, Curiosity, and the Hidden Power of Character

    by Paul Tough
    Examines the importance of character development in children's success, and the impact of adversity on their lives.

    Why do some children succeed while others fail? The story we usually tell about childhood and success is the one about intelligence: Success comes to those who score highest on tests, from preschool ... (Goodreads)

  30. Siblings Without Rivalry: How to Help Your Children Live Together So You Can Live Too

    by Adele Faber
    Practical strategies for raising children in a way that encourages healthy relationships between siblings.

    Already best-selling authors with How to Talk So Kids Will Listen Listen So Kids Will Talk , Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish turned their minds to the battle of the siblings. Parents themselves, they ... (Goodreads)