Books like Instinct by Michael A. Smerconish

Daniel Kahneman's "Thinking, Fast and Slow" explains how two distinct mental systems shape our judgments and decisions, offering insights into the biases that influence everyday choices.

The Power of Habit shows how tiny habits shape our lives and how they can be transformed to achieve personal and organizational success.

Malcolm Gladwell explains how small changes can trigger massive social shifts, using ideas, products, and behaviors that spread like epidemics to illuminate the moment when a movement reaches its critical mass.

Explores how rapid judgments—‘the blink’—are shaped by experience and environmental cues, showing how we can sharpen intuition to improve decision‑making in work, relationships, and society.

Daniel H. Pink explores how intrinsic motivation—not external rewards—drives better performance, creativity, and well‑being, drawing on three decades of research and practical examples for individuals and organizations.

Nudge offers a practical guide to libertarian paternalism, showing how subtle design changes can help people make wiser decisions without restricting freedom.

Rolf Dobelli presents 99 concise chapters that explain everyday cognitive biases, showing how awareness can sharpen decision‑making at work and in life.

Explore how hidden psychological forces shape our economic decisions, from personal finance to the 2008 crisis, with Dan Ariely’s behavioral economics insights.

n Super Bowl XLIX, Seahawks coach Pete Carroll made one of the most controversial calls in football history: With 26 seconds remaining, and trailing by four at the Patriots' one-yard line, he called for a pass instead of a hand off to his star running back. The pass was intercepted and the Seahawks lost. Critics called it the dumbest play in history. But was the call really that bad? Or did Carroll actually make a great move that was ruined by bad luck? Even the best decision doesn't yield the best outcome every time. There's always an element of luck that you can't control, and there is always information that is hidden from view. So the key to long-term success (and avoiding worrying yourself to death) is to think in bets: How sure am I? What are the possible ways things could turn out? What decision has the highest odds of success? Did I land in the unlucky 10% on the strategy that works 90% of the time? Or is my success attributable to dumb luck rather than great decision making? Annie Duke, a former World Series of Poker champion turned business consultant, draws on examples from business, sports, politics, and (of course) poker to share tools anyone can use to embrace uncertainty and make better decisions. For most people, it's difficult to say "I'm not sure" in a world that values and, even, rewards the appearance of certainty. But professional poker players are comfortable with the fact that great decisions don't always lead to great outcomes and bad decisions don't always lead to bad outcomes. By shifting your thinking from a need for certainty to a goal of accurately assessing what you know and what you don't, you'll be less vulnerable to reactive emotions, knee-jerk biases, and destructive habits in your decision making. You'll become more confident, calm, compassionate and successful in the long run.

Former Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates gives a candid, personal account of his time serving Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama during the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

Reveals why Jackson's bold leadership as a general cemented "Old Hickory"'s reputation for being tough and ultimately led to his election as President of the United States in 1828.

A first‑time, CIA operative shares a gripping, real‑life account of undercover missions and counter‑terrorism work in the Middle East, revealing the personal challenges and faith that sustained her through decades of danger.