Interviewer

Sophie Roell, Editor
Sophie Roell is co-founder and editor of Five Books. Previously she worked as a journalist in London, Beijing, Shanghai and New York. As a financial reporter, she covered the early years of the Chinese stock markets and the transition of its economy after Deng Xiaoping’s 1992 tour of the south. She wrote about the North Korean economy from Pyongyang in 2001.
She studied modern history as an undergraduate at Oxford and, after travelling the world as a reporter for five years, took the Master’s in Regional Studies-East Asia at Harvard University. This wonderfully flexible program insists on at least one East Asian language and some courses on East Asia, but leaves plenty of room to roam about the university taking courses on random subjects. Five Books, set up in 2009, is an attempt to continue that experience.
Below, you’ll find Sophie’s Five Books interviews with experts. Her own recommendations, normally nonfiction, are here. She also reads a lot of mysteries.
Interviews by Sophie Roell
The best books on Jesus, recommended by Robert Morgan
Jesus was a 1st century Jew from Galilee who had a ministry of teaching and healing. He gathered disciples around him, but was eventually arrested and executed by the Roman governor of Judaea from 26 to 36CE, Pontius Pilate. But what else do we know about Jesus and what is his significance in an increasingly secular age? New Testament scholar Robert Morgan talks us through his favourite books on Jesus.
The Best Novels in English, recommended by Robert McCrum
Journalist Robert McCrum spent two years selecting the best novels ever written in English. Here he narrows it down to just five: a perfect introduction to the best fiction the English language has to offer.
The best books on Artificial Intelligence, recommended by Calum Chace
It could lead us all to immortality or spell the end of the human race. Author Calum Chace picks the best books on Artificial Intelligence or AI.
The best books on Fear of Death, recommended by Sheldon Solomon
Existential anxiety drives our lives but most of us are too frightened to think about it, says psychologist and author Sheldon Solomon. He chooses the best books to get a better understanding of our fear of death.
The best books on Dog Food, recommended by Jonathan Self
Dogs are like wolves and should be fed raw meat and bones, says the author and founder of Honey’s Real Dog Food company. He chooses the best books on dog food.
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1
Getting to 50/50: How Working Parents Can Have It All
by Sharon Meers and Joanna Strober -
2
A Grand Gender Convergence: Its Last Chapter
by Claudia Goldin -
3
Tempered Radicals
by Debra E Meyerson -
4
Behind the Kitchen Door
by Sarumathi Jayaraman -
5
Living Wages, Equal Wages: Gender and Labour Market Policies in the United States
by Deborah M. Figart and Ellen Mutari and Marilyn Power
The best books on Women and Work, recommended by Myra Strober
The best books on Women and Work, recommended by Myra Strober
Despite having slightly higher education levels, women working full-time in the US still only earn 79% of what men do. Stanford economist and author of Sharing the Work, Myra Strober, picks the best books—and one article—that explain the gender wage gap, and, more importantly, show us what we can do about it.
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1
The Varieties of Scientific Experience: A Personal View of the Search for God
by Carl Sagan -
2
The Atheist's Guide to Reality: Enjoying Life without Illusions
by Alex Rosenberg -
3
God in the Age of Science?: A Critique of Religious Reason
by Herman Philipse -
4
Breaking the Spell: Religion as a Natural Phenomenon
by Daniel Dennett -
5
A History of the Warfare of Science with Theology in Christendom
by Andrew Dickson White
The best books on The Incompatibility of Religion and Science, recommended by Jerry Coyne
The best books on The Incompatibility of Religion and Science, recommended by Jerry Coyne
Embracing a scientific worldview excludes the possibility of also believing in God, says evolutionary biologist Jerry Coyne. He picks five non-accommodationist books.
The best books on The Euro, recommended by Barry Eichengreen
With hindsight, was the euro a good idea? Will it come through the present crisis intact or will any country decide to leave? And what happens if they do? Economist Barry Eichengreen recommends the best books on the euro.
The best books on The Reagan Era, recommended by Doug Rossinow
Americans remember Reagan fondly, but what did the Gipper really stand for? The historian chooses the best books on Ronald Reagan and his time.
The best books on The Role of Religion, recommended by Selina O'Grady
Religion has an ability to create groups and communities that has yet to be surpassed, argues Selina O’Grady, author of And Man Created God: A History of the World at the Time of Jesus.