As part of my role as a teacher in a sixth-form college for gifted students, I have the option of requesting books be bought for the library. I do also talk about EA with interested students, but am primarily interested here in books that people feel might inspire students who haven't otherwise engaged with effective altruism. As well as obtaining recommended books for my own school's library, I am exploring the possibility of donating highly recommended books to the libraries of other very high performing sixth forms, several of which I already have connections with, and several others I could easily make.
The school already has copies of the 80,000 hours career guide, The Life You Can Save, and Superintelligence, though I am still interested in comments (positive or not) on these. The more details you can add about why you've recommended (or not) a book, the better.
I think gifted teenagers should be aware of the subjectivity and complexity of history and narratives. So my choices are geared around challenging existing narratives. I've also made an effort to choose some female authors.
1. Howard Zinn - A People’s History of the United States
An absolute blast of revisionist history, critiquing the American Dream from a range of angles. It is contentious, but that's the point - to provoke a debate.
2. The Golden Notebook - Doris Lessing
I've heard several people in EA dismissing fiction. This is ridiculous. Fiction has a lot to teach us about our own thought processes, the lives of others, and the cultures we live in. TGN is feminist and anti-war, and especially considering Lessing's non-standard educational background, the prose is utterly brilliant.
3. To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee
Hopefully this is on every school reading list on Earth, but just in case not, then I'll back it here. I cry every time I read Atticus' speeches.