Recommendations based on Refactoring: Improving the Design of Existing Codeby Martin Fowler

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

  1. The Pragmatic Programmer: From Journeyman to Master

    by Andy Hunt
    A guide to mastering the craft of programming, using practical techniques and approaches.

    Straight from the programming trenches,, The Pragmatic Programmer, cuts through the increasing specialization and technicalities of modern software development to examine the core process–taking a ... (Goodreads)

  2. Design Patterns: Elements of Reusable Object-Oriented Software

    by Erich Gamma
    A guide to creating effective and efficient software through the principles of object-oriented design.

    Capturing a wealth of experience about the design of object-oriented software, four top-notch designers present a catalog of simple and succinct solutions to commonly occurring design problems. ... (Goodreads)

  3. The Mythical Man-Month: Essays on Software Engineering

    by Frederick P. Brooks Jr.
    A collection of essays on software engineering, discussing the challenges of managing large software projects and the importance of teamwork and communication.

    Few books on software project management have been as influential and timeless as The Mythical Man-Month. With a blend of software engineering facts and thought-provoking opinions, Fred Brooks offers ... (Goodreads)

  4. Clean Code: A Handbook of Agile Software Craftsmanship

    by Robert C. Martin
    A guide to writing maintainable, efficient computer code through principles of good design.

    Even bad code can function. But if code isn't clean, it can bring a development organization to its knees. Every year, countless hours and significant resources are lost because of poorly written ... (Goodreads)

  5. The C Programming Language

    by Brian W. Kernighan
    Classic guide to the C programming language, covering syntax, data types, control flow, and more. A must-read for any aspiring programmer.

    This book is meant to help the reader learn how to program in C. It is the definitive reference guide, now in a second edition. Although the first edition was written in 1978, it continues to be a ... (Goodreads)

  6. Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity

    by David Allen
    A guide to improving efficiency and productivity through better organization.

    The book, Lifehack, calls ,"The Bible of business and personal productivity.","A completely revised and updated edition of the blockbuster bestseller from 'the personal productivity guru'",—,Fast ... (Barnes & Noble)

  7. Thinking, Fast and Slow

    by Daniel Kahneman
    An exploration of the two systems of the mind, and how they influence decision-making.

    In the highly anticipated Thinking, Fast and Slow , Kahneman takes us on a groundbreaking tour of the mind and explains the two systems that drive the way we think. System 1 is fast, intuitive, and ... (Goodreads)

  8. The Design of Everyday Things

    by Donald A. Norman
    Examining how design can influence human behaviour and improve user experience.

    Anyone who designs anything to be used by humans – from physical objects to computer programs to conceptual tools -- must read this book, and it is an equally tremendous read for anyone who has to ... (Goodreads)

  9. Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion

    by Robert B. Cialdini
    An analysis of the psychology of persuasion and how to use it to influence people.

    Influence, the classic book on persuasion, explains the psychology of why people say "yes"—and how to apply these understandings. Dr. Robert Cialdini is the seminal expert in the rapidly expanding ... (Goodreads)

  10. The Goal: A Process of Ongoing Improvement

    by Eliyahu M. Goldratt
    A business novel that follows a manufacturing plant's attempts to optimize production.

    Written in a fast-paced thriller style,, The Goal, is the gripping novel which is transforming management thinking throughout the Western world. Alex Rogo is a harried plant manager working ever more ... (Goodreads)

  11. Gödel, Escher, Bach: An Eternal Golden Braid

    by Douglas R. Hofstadter
    A complex exploration of logic, mathematics and art, exploring their relationships and interconnections.

    Douglas Hofstadter's book is concerned directly with the nature of “maps” or links between formal systems. However, according to Hofstadter, the formal system that underlies all mental activity ... (Goodreads)

  12. Rework

    by Jason Fried
    A guide to starting and running a successful business with unconventional advice and practical tips.

    Most business books give you the same old advice: Write a business plan, study the competition, seek investors, yadda yadda. If you're looking for a book like that, put this one back on the shelf. ... (Goodreads)

  13. Zero to One: Notes on Startups, or How to Build the Future

    by Peter Thiel
    A guide to launching a startup, exploring the power of entrepreneurship.

    If you want to build a better future, you must believe in secrets. The great secret of our time is that there are still uncharted frontiers to explore and new inventions to create. In Zero to One, ... (Goodreads)

  14. Turn the Ship Around!: A True Story of Turning Followers into Leaders

    by L. David Marquet
    A former submarine commander's account of transforming a failing organization into one of success.

    "Leadership should mean giving control rather than taking control and creating leaders rather than forging followers." David Marquet, an experienced Navy officer, was used to giving orders. As newly ... (Goodreads)

  15. Don't Make Me Think, Revisited: A Common Sense Approach to Web Usability

    by Steve Krug
    A guide to creating intuitive, user-friendly websites.

    Since Don’t Make Me Think was first published in 2000, over 400,000 Web designers and developers have relied on Steve Krug’s guide to help them understand the principles of intuitive navigation and ... (Goodreads)

  16. The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable

    by Patrick Lencioni
    An exploration of the dynamics of team-building, and how to overcome five common pitfalls.

    In The Five Dysfunctions of a Team Patrick Lencioni once again offers a leadership fable that is as enthralling and instructive as his first two best-selling books, The Five Temptations of a CEO and ... (Goodreads)

  17. Presentation Zen: Simple Ideas on Presentation Design and Delivery

    by Garr Reynolds
    Guide to creating effective and engaging presentations through engaging visuals and storytelling.

    Garr Reynolds, author of the best-selling book on presentation design and delivery, is back with this newly revised edition of this classic book, Presentation Zen . Showing us there is a better way ... (Barnes & Noble)

  18. The Elements of Style

    by William Strunk Jr.
    A practical guide to written English, providing guidance on grammar and style.

    This style manual offers practical advice on improving writing skills. Throughout, the emphasis is on promoting a plain English style. This little book can help you communicate more effectively by ... (Goodreads)

  19. The Cuckoo's Egg: Tracking a Spy Through the Maze of Computer Espionage

    by Clifford Stoll
    A true story of a computer expert's pursuit of a hacker who broke into his system, leading to a global espionage investigation.

    Before the Internet became widely known as a global tool for terrorists, one perceptive U., S. citizen recognized its ominous potential. Armed with clear evidence of computer espionage, he began a ... (Goodreads)

  20. Business Model Generation

    by Alexander Osterwalder
    A guide to crafting business models and creating new sources of value.

    Business Model Generation is a practical, inspiring handbook for anyone striving to improve a business model or craft a new one. 1) Change the way you think about business models Business Model ... (Goodreads)

  21. The Selfish Gene

    by Richard Dawkins
    A study of evolutionary biology, exploring how genes act and how they impact behavior.

    Inheriting the mantle of revolutionary biologist from Darwin, Watson, and Crick, Richard Dawkins forced an enormous change in the way we see ourselves and the world with the publication of The ... (Goodreads)

  22. Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life

    by Marshall B. Rosenberg
    A guide to understanding communication, fostering healthy relationships and resolving conflicts.

    Do you hunger for skills to improve the quality of your relationships, to deepen your sense of personal empowerment or to simply communicate more effectively? Unfortunately, for centuries our culture ... (Goodreads)

  23. High Output Management

    by Andrew S. Grove
    An essential guide to managing people and processes to achieve maximum productivity.

    In this legendary business book and Silicon Valley staple, the former chairman and CEO of Intel shares his perspective on how to build and run a company. A practical handbook for navigating real-life ... (Barnes & Noble)

  24. The Personal MBA: Master the Art of Business

    by Josh Kaufman
    A comprehensive guide to business principles and practices, providing practical insights and tools for success in the business world.

    Master the fundamentals, hone your business instincts, and save a fortune in tuition. The consensus is clear: MBA programs are a waste of time and money. Even the elite schools offer outdated ... (Goodreads)

  25. Founders at Work: Stories of Startups' Early Days

    by Jessica Livingston
    Collection of stories from some of the greatest entrepreneurs, sharing their journey and experiences as founders.

    Founders at Work: Stories of Startups' Early Days is a collection of interviews with founders of famous technology companies about what happened in the very earliest days. These people are ... (Goodreads)

  26. Team of Teams: New Rules of Engagement for a Complex World

    by Stanley McChrystal
    Exploring the challenges of leading and managing in a world of complexity, uncertainty, and rapid change.

    The retired four-star general and and bestselling author of, My Share of the Task, shares a powerful new leadership model As commander of Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC), General Stanley ... (Goodreads)

  27. Einstein: His Life and Universe

    by Walter Isaacson
    A comprehensive biography of Albert Einstein, exploring his personal life, scientific achievements, and impact on the world.

    Einstein was a rebel and nonconformist from boyhood days, and these character traits drove both his life and his science. In this narrative, Walter Isaacson explains how his mind worked and the ... (Goodreads)

  28. Anything You Want

    by Derek Sivers
    A concise guide to building a successful business, emphasizing the importance of passion, purpose, and customer satisfaction.

    Best known for creating CD Baby, the most popular music site for independent artists, founder Derek Sivers chronicles his “accidental” success and failures into this concise and inspiring book on how ... (Goodreads)

  29. Predictably Irrational: The Hidden Forces That Shape Our Decisions

    by Dan Ariely
    An exploration of why humans make irrational decisions, and how to overcome them.

    Why do our headaches persist after taking a one-cent aspirin but disappear when we take a 50-cent aspirin? Why does recalling the Ten Commandments reduce our tendency to lie, even when we couldn't ... (Goodreads)

  30. The Elegant Universe: Superstrings, Hidden Dimensions, and the Quest for the Ultimate Theory

    by Brian Greene
    Exploring the hidden realms of physics, in pursuit of a unified theory of nature.

    Brian Greene, one of the world's leading string theorists, peels away the layers of mystery surrounding string theory to reveal a universe that consists of eleven dimensions, where the fabric of ... (Goodreads)