Wednesday, August 22, 2007
The reading habits of Americans, and a question
How many books did you read last year? According to this poll, 27 percent of American adults did not read a single book last year. I am, frankly, amazed that the percentage is that low.
If you are one of those people -- admittedly, highly unlikely if you are reading this or any other grown-up blog -- and you are not succeeding in the economy, you may want to start reading books.
The survey reports lots of differences in reading habits, virtually all of which confirm my prejudices (I love it when a survey turns out that way!). One result was that women read more than men in every category except history and biography. If you pay attention to what people read on airplanes, the main opportunity to see a lot of people reading at once, you know men read a lot of history. In my experience, educated men in business are far more likely to discuss history books and lend them to each other than novels or even other non-fiction books. Why is it true?
13 Comments:
By 
Eric, at
Wed Aug 22, 08:44:00 AM:
IMO, probably because history is largely the recorded accounts of the actions of men. Smart men will learn from the experience of others.
By Angevin13, at
Wed Aug 22, 11:56:00 AM:
My guess? It's because people in business secretly wish they had become historians instead :)
When I was a history grad student, and my friends (in the business world) asked what I studied, they were interested in it and fascinated by it, but always asked the same follow-up, "What are you going to do with that? How much money can you make with that?"
By D.E. Cloutier, at
Wed Aug 22, 02:05:00 PM:
"...people in business secretly wish they had become historians instead."
Not me. I would have become a tomb raider.
By 
, at
Wed Aug 22, 03:08:00 PM:
Do people who read more books become more economically successful, or is it only people who are more economically successful have the time to read books?
By D.E. Cloutier, at
Wed Aug 22, 03:33:00 PM:
Phrizz11, reading books often contributes to a person's success in the business world. For one thing, it makes you more interesting at business lunches and dinners.
Many top male executives like to talk about art and history. Many also like to talk about women.
By D.E. Cloutier, at
Wed Aug 22, 03:46:00 PM:
P.S. Many male executives like to talk about ties, too. If TH ever writes a post about ties, he may see quite bit of reaction from his male readers in the business world.
By , at
Wed Aug 22, 09:00:00 PM:
Truth is more interesting than fiction.
By Country Squire, at
Wed Aug 22, 09:17:00 PM:
Dec,
I thought you were a tomb raider!
By Jimmy K., at
Wed Aug 22, 11:04:00 PM:
Couldn't it be said that all books that relate facts are history books?
Even a math book is about the past history of math.
By D.E. Cloutier, at
Wed Aug 22, 11:36:00 PM:
Country Squire, I have dabbled in the antiquities business from time to time.
By D.E. Cloutier, at
Thu Aug 23, 03:14:00 AM:
P.S. Country Squire, my core business is the export of defense items. That would make me a tomb maker more than a tomb raider.
By Jason Pappas, at
Thu Aug 23, 10:11:00 AM:
It's because people in business secretly wish they had become historians instead. -angevin
Possibly, but for me it’s philosophy. However, similar to Jimmy K’s observation, that usually means the history of philosophy.
Americans are a very pragmatic people who prefer to learn from experience, often from their mistakes. However, smart Americans prefer to learn from other people’s mistakes. History is an excellent object lesson.
By Dawnfire82, at
Fri Aug 24, 06:56:00 PM:
"According to this poll, 27 percent of American adults did not read a single book last year. I am, frankly, amazed that the percentage is that low."
Do not underestimate the power of Harry Potter...
"Americans are a very pragmatic people who prefer to learn from experience, often from their mistakes. However, smart Americans prefer to learn from other people’s mistakes. History is an excellent object lesson."
Rise and Fall of the Third Reich needs to be required reading for political science majors.
