The Intelligence from The Economist Battle of the texts: which books changed the world?
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Dec 26, 2025 
In this engaging discussion, Oliver Morton, Senior Editor at The Economist and author of "The Moon, A History for the Future," explores which books have truly changed the world. He delves into the impact of Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein" on science fiction and contrasts the revolutionary ideas of Galileo and Darwin. The conversation also highlights how Virginia Woolf's "A Room of One's Own" reshaped women's literature and how Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice" redefined marriage. Plus, the cultural influence of the Harry Potter series and contemporary worries about books' relevance are hot topics.
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Frankenstein Reframed Creation And Futures
- Mary Shelley's Frankenstein reframes creation from divine to human and seeded modern science fiction.
- Oliver Morton argues that science fiction then shaped how people imagine and build the future.
Science Books Reshaped Method And Worldview
- Galileo's Il Saggiatore emphasized measurement over faith and sharpened scientific method debates.
- Darwin's On the Origin of Species offered a new true account of life that reshaped science and culture.
Scientific Ideas Disrupt Social Comforts
- Darwin struggled personally with publishing because of religious ties and social implications.
- Catherine Nixey notes books that open new worlds also close others, creating winners and losers.
