The Last Word with Matt Cooper Non-Fiction Books Of The Year With Paschal Donohoe And Lise Hand
Dec 19, 2025
Paschal Donohoe, Managing Director at the World Bank and former Irish Minister for Finance, is joined by journalist Lise Hand to share their top non-fiction picks of the year. They delve into Sarah Wynne-Williams' insider look at Facebook's culture and discuss Simon Jenkins' concise history of America. Donohoe also highlights the implications of globalization in politics, while Hand reflects on Gavan Reilly's insights into Ireland's parliament. Their lively banter illuminates the changing landscape of contemporary literature.
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Concise Histories Clarify Present Turmoil
- Simon Jenkins condenses 250 years of American history into a readable, thoughtful survey.
- Paschal Donohoe says this helps situate present US turmoil within recurring eras of big change.
Jaw-Dropping Insider Tales From Facebook
- Lise Hand recounts reading Careless People with her 'jaw swinging' at Sarah Wynne-Williams' insider stories from Facebook/Meta.
- She highlights Wynne-Williams' access to Mark Zuckerberg and Sheryl Sandberg and the book's explosive public impact.
Behind-The-Scenes Of Zuckerberg's Rise
- Lise Hand describes vivid scenes of Zuckerberg on the corporate jet and his difficult personality.
- She stresses the arc from idealism to power and self-interest that derailed Facebook's early promise.
