Harvard Authors' Bookshelf
Disclosure: Some of the links in this section are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, Harvard Magazine will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.
The Leadership PIN Code
Dr. Nashater Deu Solheim, HNI ’16
A unique and proven framework for negotiating and influencing in daily work. With 3 simple keys, you get what you need while also maintaining positive relationships.
The Border Between Us
Rudy Ruiz ’90, M.P.P. ’93
“Ruiz has written a poignant tale about an endearing underdog’s pursuit of the American Dream.”—Booklist. “A moving story of one family’s toil amid a cultural struggle, told with precision and authenticity.”—Kirkus. RudyRuiz.com.
Valley of Shadows
Rudy Ruiz ’90, M.P.P. ’93
“Ruiz’s engaging tale…is immersive and atmospheric. Ruiz deftly combines elements of romance, historical mystery, horror, and magical realism to deliver a richly satisfying adventure.”—ALA Booklist. RudyRuiz.com.
Prologos
Jonathan Bayliss ’47
Reviewers compare this groundbreaking novel to works of Sterne, Melville, Joyce, Broch, and Musil. Experimental, playful, richly detailed, serious fiction. Available in paper and electronic editions. www.drawbridgepress.com.
The Upside of Inequality:
How Good Intentions Undermine
the Middle Class
Edward Conard, M.B.A. ’82
Top Ten NY Times best-selling author Larry Summers: "A valuable contribution." www.EdwardConard.com. Available on Amazon, at local bookstores.
Pericles and Aspasia:
A Novel of Ancient Greece
Yvonne Korshak ’58
“MUST-READ"—Publishers Weekly BookLife: “A stellar evocation of the golden age of Athens, rich with historical insight.” FINALIST Chaucer Award for Early Historical Fiction.
The "Crime" of Francis Bacon
Edgar Kemler, M.P.A. ’41
An informal biography of Francis Bacon, who was considered the father of the scientific method. It covers Bacon’s ascendance and fall from grace in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. The book is available on Amazon.
Eva & Otto, Resistance, Refugees,
and Love in the Time of Hitler
Tom Pfister, J.D. ’73,
and siblings Kathy and Peter
True story about two Germans, one born Jewish, one born Catholic, whose courageous resistance against fascism was sustained by their enduring love.
Einstein: The Man and His Mind
Gary S. Berger ’64
Winner of multiple book awards. Deluxe edition visual biography captures the essence of the man whose thought and imagination transformed our understanding of the universe. An inspiring holiday gift.
America's Fiscal Constitution:
Its Triumph and Collapse
Bill White ’76
A critically acclaimed history of how America limited use of debt to finance routine federal expenses, and how those limits quietly collapsed after 2000 and might yet be restored. Amazon.
Revitalizing the World Trading System
Alan Wm. Wolff ’63
One of Best Books of 2023-Economics. Financial Times. “The definitive guide to the past present and future of the multilateral trading system.”—Martin Wolf, Financial Times.
Running Toward Fire:
Following the Warrior Path
Nate Boaz, M.B.A. ’06
Gripping memoir about a Marine's transformative journey through a labyrinth of war and its aftermath. Themes of courage, sacrifice, and individuation. BarstoolBallads.com and Amazon.
The End of Meaning:
Cultural Change in America Since 1945
William Sikes, M.Div. ’74, Ph.D.
Chronicles the dramatic decline of experiences that give life meaning and ponders the significance of this loss for society - and our humanity. Available Wipf and Stock late April.
Freddie’s Last Ride
M.A. Whelan, Ph.D. ’72, M.D.
“...An unbelievably detailed and compelling chronology...that moves from one vivid scene to the next....The book is about justice and injustice...by a doctor who is both authoritative and dogged.”—Allan Ropper, M.D. Amazon.
The Woman in Green: A Novel
Larry Lockridge, Ph.D. ’69
Deep dive into the Metafarcical. “Brilliantly skewers the pretensions of our modern dystopian age with devastating humor and inspired ranting.” Robert J. Mrazek. Artwork: Marcia Scanlon. Barnes & Noble, Amazon.
Gray Matters:
A Biography of Brain Surgery
Theodore H. Schwartz ’87, M.D. ’92
Experience what it’s like to hold the scalpel, extract a tumor, or fix a bullet hole—when every second can mean the difference between life or death.
Leadership Types
Laura J. Barnard ’02
Shatters outdated stereotypes and helps elevate your authentic leadership, empowering you to rise up within your industry, change the paradigm around representation in leadership, and make the world a more equitable place.
Radical Atlas of Ferguson, USA
Patty Heyda, M.Arch. ’00
Just who are our cities built for? Over one hundred maps chart the systemic forces defining inequality in the built environment, seen through the lens of Ferguson, MO, since the 2014 uprising. Available at Belt Publishing & Amazon.
Justice at Trial
Jim Brosnahan, LL.B. ’59
A memoir of Jim’s 60 years of investigating and trying murders, presidential coverups, bank fraud, First Amendment cases, and Supreme Court arguments among other civil and criminal cases. Available on Amazon.
Marching in Montgomery:
A Memoir of the Civil Rights Movement
John J. Hartman ’64
A personal memoir and a historical account of the author’s participation in the 1965 marches in Alabama for voting rights. On Amazon & IPBooks.net.
Create the Future: Powerful Decision-Making Tools for Your Company and Yourself
Rick Williams, M.B.A. ’77
Your leadership guide, including executive team exercises, for when you have an exciting opportunity or face a challenging threat and must get it right.
The Qumran Con:
A Dead Sea Scrolls Memoir
Raphael Golb, J.D., Ph.D. ’96
The Dead Sea Scrolls and their scandals meet the First Amendment and the criminal justice system. The author took on a threatened establishment—and fought to stay out of Rikers Island.
Surviving Your Doctor
Frank M. Torti, M.D. ’73, M.P.H. ’74
Suddenly serious illness strikes you or your family. This book tells you how to get the best care: how to get an effective second opinion, size up doctors and hospitals, and avoid mistakes even the smartest people make. On Amazon.
Stories From the Starting Line
Tom Raffio ’78 with Ellen Raffio
and Erika Alison Cohen
Tom Raffio, President & CEO, Northeast Delta Dental, his wife Ellen, and Erika, all avid runners, share conversations with marathon winners, elite racers and everyday joggers.
A View Near the Finish Line:
Observations and Discussion
Thoughts for Salons
Dennis Joy Johnson, M.B.A. ’72
Passing the baton. My writing initially aimed for my grandchildren and then it morphed into social commentary and thoughts for discussion and debate.
Time Awareness Works!
Make Your Time Work for You
Susan Riegler, Ed.M. ’93
Includes stories and tools to enhance the reader’s sense of time and reduce stress. Makes a great gift for students, graduates, harried friends, and retirees. https://amzn.to/46iWOGo
My Quest for Wisdom
at Harvard Divinity School
Shenandoah Titus, MRPL ’24
A compelling, profound, and powerful short story! The author, a whistleblower attorney and Berkeley Law alumnus, also completed coursework at HLS. PDF copy: attorney.titus13@gmail.com.
The Business of Secrets
Fred Kinch, M.B.A. ’65
True adventures in selling cryptographic equipment worldwide during the Cold War, including traveling to combat zones, struggling to avoid sleeping in the streets of Cairo, and receiving unexpected visits from MI6 agents.
How to Achieve a Perfectly
Unintelligible Presentation
E. Brad Thompson, M.D. ’60
This book, “…with a lot of quirks and charm…” (Jesup Library), takes a humorous, reverse psychological approach to help all speakers improve their talks. Amazon, Barnes & Noble.
Exposing Bad Plastic Surgery
and the Secret to Avoiding It
Thomas J. Francel ’78
This book...will go a long way in curtailing bad plastic surgery. It belongs in the hands of anyone contemplating plastic surgery and on shelves of all practitioners."—Foad Nahai, M.D.
Caravan of Specters
Carlos García Saúl ’85
Novel based on actual events. In 1898, the US conquers Puerto Rico to find thousands dying from a mysterious illness. Army physician Bailey Ashford races against time to conquer the pandemic before it devastates the island.
Reading Between
the Letters of the Gospels
Mark C. Kiley, Ph.D. ’83
Drawing on Aratos, Vergil, and others, this study asks whether and how discrete Greek letters correctly ordered within a text comment on an explicit theme nearby. bit.ly/readingbtwn.
Reflections:
An Architect’s Memoir
Charles Belson, M.Arch ’75
A delight to read. Emotionally engaging. Surpasses architect Howard Roark in Ayn Rand’s The Fountainhead for capturing the design ethos of one’s own era. At the Harvard Book Store.
The Walking Otters
Edward R. O'Malley ’71
Set in Detroit, eighth-grade classmates Cab and Julia are drawn together by the sudden death of Cab’s father. Street-smart Cab and sophisticated Julia explore worlds they never knew existed—poetry, art, sports, and murder.
The Inner Light and World Religions:
How Meditating Mystics Use Sleep
as a Ladder to Trigger Ecstatic Visions
Philip T. Nicholson, S.M. ’74
See a realistic video and learn more about this book at: bit.ly/inlightwr. Paper & e-book on Amazon.
Softening the Blow:My Story
Richard Alexander, M.B.A. ’64
Are you ready for the death of someone you love? Be with me when my crisis struck, and my meandering path toward recovery. This could help you. Amazon or e-mail rich@richalex.net.
How the Harvard Business School
Changed the Way We View Organizations
Jay W. Lorsch, D.B.A. ’64
Invented by the scholars who launched Harvard Business School, this medical model will still cure companies today. Available on Amazon.
Black Homeownership on Martha’s Vineyard: A History
Richard Lewis Taylor, M.B.A. ’76,
J.D. ’77 and Thomas Dresser
The challenges, triumphs, and sense of community on Martha’s Vineyard that has endured with the arrival of Black homeowners in the 19th century.
Home
Sean Palfrey ’67, M.D.
Former Faculty Dean
From decades of experimental in-camera photography and “musings” raised by the images, Dr. Palfrey is publishing a series of six small books. Available on Amazon and in bookstores.
The Journey Home
Foreword: Julia C. Davis ’73
Jeanne C. DeFazio
A collection of memories from those who came into communion with God by accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior. These Christians share the uncensored version of their encounter with God.
Hell Lost
Ann Bennett Spence
(Bian An), A.M. ’69
For 500 years a Temple of Hell stood in Beijing; it was smashed during the Cultural Revolution. But 20 years earlier, Joe Bennett had captured images of its monsters. www.biananspence.com.
Greenlight to Freedom
Casey Lartigue, ALB ’89, Ed.M. ’91
and Songmi Han
Songmi Han recounts her daring escape from North Korea to reunite with her mother. This memoir reveals the courage and resilience of a young woman defying a brutal regime.
Answered Prayers:
In Pursuit of a Useful Life
Walter V.L. Eversley, Ph.D. ’76
This book encourages people to persevere in prayer. Other titles by the author are also available. On Amazon or write to Dr. Eversley at: 214 Lambeth Rd., Baltimore, MD 21218.
The Rise of Constantine
Greg Theokas, J.D./M.B.A. ’71
Striving to overcome his illegitimacy, Constantine shares his story. From humble beginnings to conquering the Mediterranean and expanding Christianity, his accomplishments were vast. Yet there was a dark side. On Amazon.
Learning the Fine Art of Flying Solo
Cheryl Klein, M.Div. ’84
None of us would ever choose to be alone, right? UU minister/counselor helps you find what you need to move forward when you find yourself facing life on your own. Available on Amazon.
Collected Bequia Poems1971-2021
Richard Dey ’73
“I felt as if I had been there!”—Bruce Bennett. “These poems are well-crafted and sensitive.”—The Caribbean Writer. Available at The Grolier Poetry Book Shop or rdeyop@gmail.com.
What We All Know, What We All Forget: The Arts, Nature, and the Human Spirit
D. Sperry Finlayson, M.L.A. ’89
Aesthetics, not as a “science” or “theory,” but as available—to our delight—in actual lived experience. Available at dsperryfinlayson.com.
Top Problems Facing Colleges:
And What to Do
Norman R. Smith, Ed.D. ’84
Third edition updated for 2024-2026. Focuses on challenges facing smaller, tuition-revenue-dependent colleges. Written for senior officers and trustees. Available from online retailers.
From Bottom to Top Tier
in a Decade
Norman R. Smith, Ed.D. ’84
Updated second edition 2024. How New York’s Wagner College averted near-bankruptcy and evolved into a Top Tier institution. Book available from most ebook retailers.
Building Culture
Julian Rose ’06
Spanning generations and geographies, this collection of interviews with sixteen of the world’s most celebrated architects captures their reflections on the complex and fascinating process of creating inspiring museums for art.
The Startup Game
William H. Draper III, M.B.A. ’54
Bill Draper has worked with top entrepreneurs for more than 50 years in fabled Silicon Valley. The Startup Game is an up-close look at how the world of venture capital and entrepreneurship works. Available on Amazon.com.
Starting with Whitehead:
Raising Children to Thrive
in Treacherous Times
Lynn Sargent De Jonghe ’64
This widely praised book invokes the philosophy of A.N. Whitehead, elaborating his helical learning, process involving romance, precision, and generalization.
Dirty Science
Bob Gebelein ’56
WINNER OF 4 BOOK AWARDS. Self-knowledge for academia: How dirty politics overpowers critical thinking and blocks academic freedom. Paperback, Kindle, and audiobook on Amazon.com.
Happiness and Survival
Bob Gebelein ’56
For personal happiness and survival of the species, everybody needs to go to a psychotherapist. Severe criticism of the academic community for actually removing knowledge from our culture. Available at store.bookbaby.com.
Ideas:
A Secret Weapon for Business
Andrew Pressman, M.D.S. ’94
We all need creative ideas for solving challenging problems, innovating, and reconciling dilemmas. What every executive should know about collaborating, design thinking, and leading teams.
Arroyo Circle
JoeAnn Hart, A.L.B. ’97
In Arroyo Circle, hoarding and homelessness are depicted through the twin lens of environmental degradation and late-stage capitalism as it tracks the lives of Shelley, handmaiden to a hoarder, and Les, an unhoused, shape-shifting scientist in Boulder, Colorado.
Rebuilding the American Town
David Gamble, MAUD ’97
and Patty Heyda, M.Arch. ’00
In the face of suburban sprawl, climate change, disinvestment, and increased political polarization, the small town in the U.S. is unexpectedly progressive, experimental, urban, and global.
How Excellent Companies
Avoid Dumb Things
Neil Smith, M.B.A. ’84
New York Times Bestseller. Ex-McKinsey consultant reveals the 8 hidden barriers thatplague even the best businesses.
Personae of Ed:
Literary, Psychological, Spiritual
Edward R. Levenson ’63, Ph.D.
Descriptions, with humor, of 58 of the identities of the MSSM (Multiple Self States Model) of Edward/Ed/Eddie. Available on Amazon Kindle at: https://amzn.to/3MXv0i6.
Symptomatic—The Symptom-based Handbook for Ehlers Danlos Syndrome and Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders
William B Ericson Jr., M.D. ’83
Are you, or is someone you know “double-jointed”? Joint hypermobility issues affect 1/3 to 1/2 of women, and can represent a collagen mutation that can have a profound effect on other parts of the body. This book explains it all.
Orchids and Fronds,
Not the Usual Rose:More Poems
Paul Highby, A.M. ’68
Light in tone, the author’s poetry addresses subjects ranging from Buddhism to the cave-painting of Cro-Magnon man, with plenty of crows, parrots, cows, ants, and a valentine thrown in. Amazon.
Covert City
Eric Driggs, M.P.P. ’08
and Vince Houghton
Corruption, crime, and spies. Delve into Miami’s little-known history as a clandestine intelligence battleground crucial to winning the Cold War and how it shaped the city we know today.
The Back Bay Collection:
Seaboard Poems
Howell Rogers ’11
Sailing & the Eastern Seaboard are inspiration for shared connections. Poems of romance and unrequited love, nostalgia and spirituality, patriots and kinships. 20th & 21st c. photos.
Distraction
Edwin Egbobawaye, A.L.M. ’20
Engages the subject of distraction from a variety of situations, using fictional theatrical plot with protagonist in different chapters of the book to elucidate distraction in a practical way—Beware of distraction!
AI Mastery for Finance Professionals
Glenn Hopper, A.L.M. ’21
A comprehensive guide that explains the fundamentals of AI, its practical applications in finance, and how financial institutions can effectively implement AI strategies. Learn cutting-edge techniques and explore the future of AI in finance.
Searching for the Path Within
Christopher Lennox ’65
(pen name of vetted alum)
After Mexican travels, in San Francisco for grad school amid the counterculture and war protests, the author practiced meditation and trained at Tassajara Zen Mountain Center. Available on Amazon.
Spatial Transparency in Architecture
Camilo Rosales, M.Arch. ’85
Examines the phenomenon of spatial transparency, and catalogs some of the most common and recurring architectural configurations that produce spatial transparency effects.
Cityscapes
B.W. Williams ’83
The W.H.O. estimates that half of the world’s population is currently living in cities and will continue to climb. The theme of this collection of urban short stories and poems revolves around life in the city during four seasons. Amazon.
Architecture as Art:
The Work of Stephen M. Sullivan
Stephen M. Sullivan, M.Arch. ’81
Illustrates the author’s residential architectural practice based in the Pacific Northwest and his design philosophy based on the classics of Western architecture and traditions of Japan.
The Mediatrician’s Guide
Michael Rich, M.D. ’91, M.P.H. ’97
How children use social media and smartphones may risk anxiety or depression—but they don’t have to. Get evidence-based, compassionate guidance for raising healthy, smart, kind kids in a screen-saturated world.