THE WINNERS

> CATEGORY: BUSINESS IMPACT <

“A DECENT MEAL”

by Michael Carolan
Redwood Press / Stanford University Press, 2021

Interview

“People Are Angry Because They Feel Their World Views and Values Are at Stake.”
This 10 min. read saves you up to 5 hours
For your knowledge advantage, we put together the most actionable insights from one getAbstract summary (one book with a total of 240 pages) on this topic. If you did this work yourself, you would be busy for at least 278 minutes (about 5 hours). Learn more.
“People Are Angry Because They Feel Their World Views and Values Are at Stake.”

How can people find each other in an increasingly fragmented society? Sociologist Michael Carolan says: through experiences.

Summary

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Michael Carolan

A Decent Meal

Learn what food reveals about US sociopolitical polarization, and how it can help bridge the empathy gap.

Redwood Press
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Author

Michael Carolan is a professor of sociology at Colorado State University, where he co-founded the Food Systems Institute for Research, Engagement and Learning. 

> CATEGORY: READERS' CHOICE <

“THE BUSINESS OF BUILDING A BETTER WORLD”

by David Cooperrider and Audrey Selian
Berrett-Koehler, 2021

Interview

“The ‘Great Trade-Off’ Is a Myth.”
This 17 min. read saves you up to 5 hours
For your knowledge advantage, we put together the most actionable insights from one getAbstract summary (one book with a total of 232 pages) on this topic. If you did this work yourself, you would be busy for at least 262 minutes (about 5 hours). Learn more.
“The ‘Great Trade-Off’ Is a Myth.”

Making the planet a better place doesn’t mean making less profit, says David Cooperrider. On the contrary.

Summary

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David Cooperrider and Audrey Selian

The Business of Building a Better World

This passionately rendered collection of essays sketches socially and environmentally conscious business models for the future.

Berrett-Koehler Publishers
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Authors

David Cooperrider serves as the Fairmount Minerals Professor of Social Entrepreneurship at the Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University.

Audrey Selian runs Artha Impact, an environmental and socially responsible investing firm. 

> CATEGORY: LEARNING IMPACT <

“L&D’S PLAYBOOK FOR THE DIGITAL AGE”

by Brandon Carson
ATD, 2021

Interview

“You’ve Got to Understand How the Work You Try to Improve Gets Done.”
This 12 min. read saves you up to 4 hours
For your knowledge advantage, we put together the most actionable insights from one getAbstract summary (one book with a total of 179 pages) on this topic. If you did this work yourself, you would be busy for at least 203 minutes (about 4 hours). Learn more.
“You’ve Got to Understand How the Work You Try to Improve Gets Done.”

Brandon Carson, author of L&D’s Playbook for the Digital Age, believes L&D must focus on performance readiness and recognize the potential for on-the-job learning and development – especially in tough economic times.

Summary

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Brandon Carson

L&D’s Playbook for the Digital Age

Future-proof your workforce for the digital age.

ATD Publications
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Author

Brandon Carson is a learning strategist. He also wrote Learning in the Age of Immediacy: 5 Factors for How We Connect, Communicate, and Get Work Done.

FROM THE SHORTLIST

The Best Books of the Year

“Cultish”

Amanda Montell 
Harper Wave, 2021

Summary

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Amanda Montell

Cultish

Think you’re immune to cults or cult-like thinking? Think again.

Harper Wave
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Author

Author

Language scholar Amanda Montell also wrote Wordslut: A Feminist Guide to Taking Back the English Language. In 2021, she created and cohosted the podcast Sounds Like A Cult.

“Electrify”

Saul Griffith
MIT Press, 2021

Summary

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Saul Griffith

Electrify

This ambitious, yet feasible blueprint could save the planet.

MIT Press
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Author

Inventor, entrepreneur and engineer Saul Griffith founded Rewiring America and Otherlab.

“Signals”

Jeff Desjardins
Wiley, 2021

Interview

Summary

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Jeff Desjardins

Signals

If a picture is worth a thousand words, so is a sharp data visualization.

Wiley
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Author

Jeff Desjardins is editor-in-chief of Visual Capitalist, a media site that creates and curates visuals about business and investing.

FROM THE LONGLIST

Books That Made a Difference This Year

“The Chancellor”

Karti Marton
Simon & Schuster, 2021

Summary

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Kati Marton

The Chancellor

Germany invented Angela Merkel and, as chancellor, she reinvented Germany.

Simon & Schuster
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Author

Author

New York Times best-selling author Kati Marton’s books include Enemies of the People – a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award – Hidden Power, True Believer and the memoir Paris: A Love Story.

“The Conscience Code”

G. Richard Shell
HarperCollins Leadership, 2021

Interview

“You Don’t Have to Be Old and Wise to Do What’s Right.”
This 13 min. read saves you up to 7 hours
For your knowledge advantage, we put together the most actionable insights from 2 getAbstract summaries (2 books with a total of 320 pages) on this topic. If you did this work yourself, you would be busy for at least 371 minutes (about 7 hours). Learn more.
“You Don’t Have to Be Old and Wise to Do What’s Right.”

G. Richard Shell explains the value of honest, moral behavior for both individuals and organizations.

Summary

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G. Richard Shell

The Conscience Code

You can flourish in your career without sacrificing your values and integrity.

HarperCollins Leadership
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Author

G. Richard Shell is chair of the Wharton School’s Legal Studies and Business Ethics Department.

“The End of Marketing”

Carlos Gil
Kogan Page, 2021

Summary

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Carlos Gil

The End of Marketing

Learn authentic digital brand marketing – for any platform – from an industry pioneer.

Kogan Page Publishers
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Author

Carlos Gil is CEO of Gil Media Co., an international keynote speaker and digital storyteller. He has over a decade of experience leading social media strategy for global brands.

“How to Begin”

Michael Bungay Stanier
Page Two, 2022

Interview

“Unlock Your Greatness by Working on the Hard Things.”
This 9 min. read saves you up to 3 hours
For your knowledge advantage, we put together the most actionable insights from one getAbstract summary (one book with a total of 114 pages) on this topic. If you did this work yourself, you would be busy for at least 128 minutes (about 3 hours). Learn more.
“Unlock Your Greatness by Working on the Hard Things.”

Accomplishing something that makes you proud starts with picking the right goal. Author and entrepreneur Michael Bungay Stanier explains the ingredients of a “worthy goal” and shares best practices for working toward it.

Summary

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Michael Bungay Stanier

How to Begin

Embark on an ambitious, inspiring personal challenge to make a difference for yourself and your community.

Page Two Publishers
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Author

Michael Bungay Stanier is a best-selling author, public speaker, coach and founder of Box of Crayons, a learning and development company.

“Impact Players”

Liz Wiseman
HarperBusiness, 2021

Interview

“Five Practices Distinguish ‘Impact Players’ from All Other Equally Capable Employees.”
This 12 min. read saves you up to 6 hours
For your knowledge advantage, we put together the most actionable insights from one getAbstract summary (one book with a total of 304 pages) on this topic. If you did this work yourself, you would be busy for at least 353 minutes (about 6 hours). Learn more.
“Five Practices Distinguish ‘Impact Players’ from All Other Equally Capable Employees.”

Many are smart, productive, and motivated, but only a few employees make a significant difference for organizations. Liz Wiseman has investigated what sets these “Impact Players” apart – and how to become one yourself.

Summary

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Liz Wiseman

Impact Players

Become a top contributor on your team by adopting the mind-set and behaviors of high-impact performers.

HarperBusiness
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Author

Liz Wiseman leads The Wiseman Group, a leadership research and development firm. She is the author of Multipliers and Rookie Smarts.

THE AWARD

What You Need to Know

NEWS

In 2022, the getAbstract International Book Award presents five prizes in three categories to outstanding business books:

In the main category Business Impact, our expert jury awards one English- and one German-language publication with prize money of USD/EUR 10,000 each. Click here to discover the German nominees. 

Our readers also cast their votes: As part of the Readers' Choice Awards, you had the opportunity to vote for your favorite book on the English- and German-language longlist.

Our new Learning Impact Award was presented for the first time this year in the international category. 

BACKGROUND

getAbstract International Book Award 2022: The Winners
getAbstract International Book Award 2022: The Winners
getAbstract International Book Award 2022: The Winners

This year, getAbstract honors five outstanding books in three categories and two languages. Here are the best titles of the year.

Book Award 2022: What Is Awarded – and Why?
Book Award 2022: What Is Awarded – and Why?
Book Award 2022: What Is Awarded – and Why?

All about the criteria of the getAbstract International Book Award, the jury and the selection process. 

HERITAGE

The getAbstract International Book Award has been presented annually since 2001 to books that offer brilliant contributions to current economic, social and entrepreneurial topics. Here is our list of previous winners.

In 2022, the prize was awarded in cooperation with the German business magazine brand eins for the second time. The award ceremony took place on the occasion of the Frankfurt Book Fair in October 2022.