Impossible Idealism, Drastic Choices, and the Urge to Help
by Larissa Macfarquhar
Recommended by Nick Thompson
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Recommended by 2 sources and appears in Sociology, Most Recommended Books, and Philosophy.
What does it mean to devote yourself wholly to helping others In Strangers Drowning, Larissa MacFarquhar seeks out people living lives of extreme ethical commitment and tells their deeply intimate stories; their stubborn integrity and their compromises; their bravery and their recklessness; their joys and defeats and wrenching dilemmas. A couple a...
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Why recommended
Recommended by 2 sources and appears in Sociology, Most Recommended Books, and Philosophy.
People and public figures who have recommended this book.
Recommendation proof is sourced from public posts, interviews, reading lists, and cited references.
Nick Thompson
“A story about people who make extraordinary moral choices like the choice to adopt 23 children and bring them into your lives, and why they make those choices.”
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Consider Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell. Recommended by 28 sources.
“Outliers reads like a series of captivating magazine profiles, each unpacking a hidden factor behind extraordinary success. Gladwell’s storytelling makes complex social science accessible, but the book relies on memorable anecdotes rather than offering systematic analysis. The book explores the idea that individual brilliance rarely stands alone; success often hinges on birth dates, cultural legacies, and the 10,000-hour rule. While the narratives are strong, the book overgeneralizes from handpicked examples, leaving skeptical readers questioning the conclusions. It’s most useful as a conversation starter about luck and timing—annoying if you want a rigorous academic treatise or a how-to guide for your own life.”
Each recommendation is collected from a public source — interviews, articles, or curated lists — and linked to its original URL. Books with many verifiable recommendations from respected people rank higher.
