Which Books Should We Read in 2024?

My VIPs for this week are “the world-renowned experts of The Heritage Foundation” (Brian Gottstein). Gottstein “always [finds] it interesting to hear what [his] brilliant colleagues read and are influenced by.” This year he asked his colleagues what books – old and new – that they would recommend to the readers of The Daily Signal. “They responded with everything from the historical to the political to dystopian fiction – but no “recommendations for the memoirs of a 20-year-old pop star.”

Here is the information on the first five books. [You can find information on the other 21 books here.] “We hope you find a new favorite book that will help you learn something you didn’t know before, inspire you, move you to action, or just entertain you!” 

1. Mike Howell, director, Oversight Project: “Freedom Betrayed: Herbert Hoover’s Secret History of the Second World War and Its Aftermath” by Herbert Hoover. “If you could read one book to understand the origins of the Deep State, foreign influence in American politics, and our government’s long-standing policy of lying to citizens, then this is it. In ‘Freedom Betrayed,’ Hoover’s magnum opus, he details how the Roosevelt Administration hoodwinked the United States into World War II and continued to sell the country down the river.”

2. Steve Moore, distinguished fellow in economics: “Elon Musk” by Walter Isaacson. “What comes shining through in this book is that Elon Musk – this generation’s premier inventor, entrepreneur, sage, and futurist – is America’s 20^th century Ben Franklin. That’s ironic and appropriate, in that Walter Isaacson, the top biographer of this era, has written tomes on both of these geniuses. Here we have yet another iconic spectacularly successful immigrant – from South Africa – who sees the world 50 years ahead of anyone else. He has spawned at least a dozen companies, including Space X and Tesla. The most stunning part of his story is that he had abusive parents, is bipolar, and is on the autism spectrum, but that seems to have inspired his brilliance and risk-taking. Every aspiring entrepreneur should read his story – beautifully and often humorously written – I this authorized biography.”

3. Kevin Roberts, President of The Heritage Foundation: “Heirs of the Founders: Henry Clay, John Calhoun and Daniel Webster, the Second Generation of American Giants” and “Dreams of El Dorado: A History of the American West” by H. W. Brands. “This year, I enjoyed reading two books from one of my favorite historians, H. W Brands. His ‘Heirs of the Founders’ is an engaging portrayal of the political leaders who inherited the promises of the American Revolution and whose legislative battles provide good perspective to today’s dysfunction in Washington. Brands’ strength as a storyteller is also evident in ‘Dreams of El Dorado,’ which captures the allure – and the challenges – of settling the West.”

4. Seth Lucas, senior research associate, Edwin Meese III Center for Legal and Judicial Studies: “Churchill: Walking With Destiny” by Andrew Roberts: “This 1,100-plus-page masterpiece on Winston Churchill is a must-read for anyone who wants to better understand and learn from this great leader. Candid and written in brilliant prose, Andrew Roberts powerfully recounts Churchill’s struggles, triumphs, and unswerving belief that he would one day save Britain. The story of how Churchill rose above failure to greatness will leave you inspired to courageously stand as well, no matter how dark the hour, to defend Western Civilization from its modern foes.”

5. Katrina Trinko, editor-in-chief of The Daily Signal: “All-of-a-Kind Family” by Sydney Taylor. “In this era of rising antisemitism, it may be time for your children (or you) to read the delightful “All-of-a-Kind Family.” First published in 1951, it’s a charming look t the life of a Jewish immigrant family in turn of the century New York City. The adventures of the five daughters in the family are lovingly chronicled, as is the celebration of the Sabbath and the Jewish holiday of Succos. Bonus: If your children love “All-of-a-Kind Family,” author Sydney Taylor went on to write four more books in the series.”