Books by Jordan Peterson, Robin Sharma, William Vanderbloemen, Vaclav Smil, and Nigel Crook were reviewed in-depth in multiple blog posts in 2024 by Dr. Richard (Rick) J. Goossen. Perhaps this list will pique your curiosity and add some books to your “To Read” list in 2025!

Rise of the Moral Machine: Exploring Virtue Through A Robot’s Eyes by Nigel Crook

• Nigel Crook, Professor of AI and Robots, Oxford Brookes University, presents a unique scientific and Christian theological perspective on morality and machines. A key question: are machines moral agents in their own right and what are the implications for society? The inevitability of the development of moral capacity in machines is due to three factors: increasing robot autonomy, the increasing integration of robots in society, and the increasing human likeness of robots.

Invention and Innovation: A Brief History of Hype and Failure by Vaclav Smil

• Vaclav Smil is a unique commentator, combining the skills of a scientific historian and political commentator. He also takes potshots at the likes of Yuval Harari, Mark Zuckerberg, and Elon Musk—but refers to Jonathan Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels with approval. His recent book, while technical in parts, is worth the read for the nuggets. He is a Distinguished Professor Emeritus at the University of Manitoba and author of 40 books. He is one of the favourite authors of Bill Gates. Smil has written a unique book on innovation, different from the vast majority offered by business school professors or business leaders. He is as surefooted as a mountain goat in his analyses.

Culture Wins: The Roadmap to an Irresistible Workplace by William Vanderbloemen

• William Vanderbloemen is the founder and CEO of Vanderbloemen Search Group, the leading Christian executive search firm in the US and widely recognized as having a great company culture. Vanderbloemen starts this book by talking about the imperative for companies and their leaders. He reflects on the rapid growth of his firm, Vanderbloemen Search Group. He discusses lessons he has learned, and that to understand your company's culture, he suggests asking 13 specific questions.

Colonialism: A Moral Reckoning by Nigel Biggar

• Nigel Biggar shared his experiences with the culture wars to the ELO Oxford Leadership Program cohort in 2024. Nigel Biggar is Emeritus Regius Professor of Moral Theology at the University of Oxford and Distinguished Scholar in Residence at Pusey House, Oxford. Biggar recently aroused the anger of the woke movement by having the temerity to engage in thinking around the various, often unchallenged, claims of the woke movement.

The 5am Club by Robin Sharma

• Robin Sharma, the spiritualist motivational speaker, has reportedly sold 20 million copies of his books—he can presumably do this by giving his flock what they want, addressing felt needs, and satiating their inner longings. Sharma provides a heavy dose of spirituality—with no qualms and apologies. By contrast, John Maxwell, when he brings up his Christian faith and role as a pastor, seemingly needs to apologize profusely and advise those lightly offended to skip quickly to the next sanitized chapter.

The Everday Hero Manifesto by Robin Sharma

• Is this a stretch to categorize motivational speakers as spiritualists in disguise, dispensing insights on the meaning of life? No, one just has to read what they actually say—often with the boldness that would not be tolerated by those affiliated with a conventional religion. One exemplar is Robin Sharma, among the world’s top 20 motivational speakers. His recent book reflects his approach. Part of the purpose of The Everyday Hero Manifesto is to provide “spiritual freedom."

We Who Wrestle With God by Jordan Peterson

• The “new atheists” are increasingly the shrill cockatoos of yesteryear and dwarfed by Peterson’s compelling analyses and metanarrative. Meanwhile, the woke ideologists who attack existing pillars of the West, particularly Christianity, are swirling in a cesspool of absolute contradictions.