When is it a good time to give a book? Always. It’s always a good time to give someone a book. Books are a great option for anyone on your list who may be hard to shop for – and Secret Squirrels can be a tough nut to crack when it comes to finding the appropriate gift.
It’s hard to narrow top books for 2023 down to a few, but here are just a few titles that you can’t go wrong buying this year:
1. American Prometheus
The book was first published in 2006 but saw a resurgence in interest this year after the release of Oppenheimer, the epic film based on the book. Not for the reading novice, but true word candy for any fan of history and national security policy, American Prometheus gives a nearly 600-word dive into the life and mind of J. Robert Oppenheimer, the father of the atomic bomb.
2. QUEEN OF CUBA
Peter J. Lapp offers an insider’s account of the insider threat case study of Ana Montes, a spy for communist Cuba who evaded detection for 17 years. A great read for anyone interested in true crime, personal anecdotes from inside the FBI, or insider threat case studies.
3. Memoirs of an Ordinary Guy
Daniel Olmes is just an ordinary guy – and the president of a contractor in the Defense Industrial Base, and the author of this interesting compilation of stories and observations. The subheader describes it well – ‘the everyday experiences that changed my life.’ Olmes’ account reminds us that as much as we like to spotlight the big milestones, it’s tiny moments that can make a huge impact. Full of personal insights and observations, the read is great for gifting – and conversation starting.
4. Visual Intelligence
This is a self-serving recommendation, and one born out of one of my goals for the past year – become more attuned to the visual world around me, from art to basic observation. In a world where we too often stare at screens, sometimes we fail to look out. The good news is Amy Herman’s 2016 book tells us all that visual intelligence isn’t just something we have to be born with – it’s a skill we can learn. And it’s one that is increasingly needed, especially in national security.
5. Power Up: Leadership, Character, and Conflict Beyond the Superhero Multiverse
I will read – and with enthusiasm – anything edited or written by Steve Leonard. Jonathan Klug and Leonard are back in action with this latest volume, a timely tribute to the world of Marvel, superheroes, and the multiverse. In a push back who argues the defense industry doesn’t know how to think creatively about complex problems, the book’s contributors take a variety of unique takes on the world of national security – and what we can learn by exploring some of the heroes and antiheroes of our favorite stories.
