Megan McArdle on the Oedipus Trap

In Defense of Troublemakers argues that unchallenged majority opinions can lead to biased, unoriginal, or false conclusions. Dissent, even when wrong, stimulates broader thinking and leads to better decisions. The book explores examples from history and contemporary society to illustrate the power of dissent in driving creative decision-making.

The Lobotomy Letters explores the controversial history of lobotomy, a psychiatric surgical intervention that was widely accepted in the mid-20th century. Drawing from original correspondence and professional papers, the book examines why lobotomy was sanctioned by psychiatrists and doctors, despite its later criticism as devastating and unscientific. By the late 1950s, tens of thousands of Americans had undergone the procedure, with some reporting improvements.

The Lobotomist explores the life and work of Dr. Walter Freeman, a neurologist who advocated for lobotomy as a treatment for mental illnesses. Drawing on Freeman's documents and family interviews, Jack El-Hai examines the complex and controversial career of this medical figure. The book delves into one of the darkest chapters of American medicine, highlighting both the desperation of psychiatric patients and the tragic outcomes of Freeman's procedures.

Published in 1962, 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest' is a seminal novel by Ken Kesey that delves into the dehumanizing effects of institutionalization and the struggle for individuality. The story, narrated by Chief Bromden, a half-Indian patient, takes place in an Oregon psychiatric hospital where the strict and oppressive regime of Nurse Mildred Ratched is challenged by the arrival of Randle P. McMurphy, a charismatic and rebellious patient. The novel explores the boundaries between sanity and madness, conformity and rebellion, and questions the power dynamics within institutions. It became a symbol of countercultural resistance and has had a significant impact on discussions surrounding mental health and societal treatment of the mentally ill.

Out of Africa is a lyrical memoir by Karen Blixen, written under the pen name Isak Dinesen. The book recounts her eighteen years in Kenya, detailing her experiences on a coffee plantation and her relationships with the local people and fellow expatriates. It is a poignant reflection on colonial life, love, and loss, structured as a series of anecdotes rather than a chronological narrative.