[This Week's Books] "Jensen Huang of Nvidia, The Thinking Machine" and More

Jensen Huang of Nvidia, The Thinking Machine

This is the official autobiography of Jensen Huang, the founder of Nvidia. Written at the official request of Jensen Huang, New Yorker journalist Stephen Witt spent three years closely interviewing 300 key figures at Nvidia to produce this work. The book details Jensen Huang's vision, leadership, and management philosophy, which played a pivotal role in the emergence of AI chatbots like ChatGPT by anticipating the era of artificial intelligence (AI) and dedicating himself to research and development from an early stage. It also provides an in-depth look at his human side. Following the smartphone era ushered in by Steve Jobs and the electric vehicle era brought by Elon Musk, the book sheds light on the AI era shaped by Jensen Huang. (Written by Stephen Witt | RHKorea)

What Did Those Men Swear Allegiance To?

The political military clique Hanahoe was a secret society organized by Jeon Doohwan, Roh Taewoo, Jung Hoyong, Kwon Bokdong, and Son Younggil, all of whom entered the four-year regular eleventh class of the Korea Military Academy during the Korean War in 1951. Hanahoe served as a powerful faction within the military, acting as President Park Chunghee's personal guard and effectively dominating the political system of the 1980s. The author, who reported in detail as a journalist during the 1993 purge of Hanahoe, argues that the recent 12·3 martial law was strikingly similar to the past 12·12 military coup, asserting that Hanahoe is not merely a relic of history. The book explores in depth the nature of Hanahoe's political soldiers. (Written by Kim Jaehong | Sideway)

Tariff War

Last month, U.S. President Trump announced reciprocal tariffs, throwing the world into turmoil. The day after the announcement, the Nasdaq plunged by 6%, wiping out $3.1 trillion in market capitalization in a single day. This was the largest drop in five years since the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020. The game of chicken with China even raised the possibility of an economic war. Although a recent U.S.-China tariff agreement has been reached, it is too early to feel reassured. President Trump's style of treating the economy as a tool for negotiation means that conflict could reemerge at any time. This book analyzes the context and impact of these developments. (Written by Choo Donghoon and two others | Hans Media)

How Did Korea Fall Apart?

In the fall of 2022, a column titled "Woke Up to Find Ourselves a Developing Country" drew significant attention. The column, which pointed out problems detected throughout the country just six months after the inauguration of the Yoon Suk-yeol administration, resonated with many readers. This book is a record of ongoing observation and investigation since then. It delves into the negative effects of recent years of politics, focusing on how democracy has been threatened and the economy has faced a severe crisis. Rather than only examining how things fell apart, the book also explores how to rebuild. (Written by Park Won | Seohae Munjip)

Read Intensely, Manage Differently

This is a practical strategy book that seeks ways to build sustainable businesses in an era shrouded in uncertainty. The author states, "Business is a journey to find order amid chaos and chance, and it begins with understanding the principle of 'essential uncertainty.'" The book examines the strategic structures of global companies such as Starbucks, Microsoft, and McDonald's, and highlights cases where founders of Bloomberg and Coffee Republic seized opportunities. It introduces the concept of 'essential uncertainty' strategy, which is based on the premise that uncertainty cannot be eliminated. (Written by Ahn Yooseok | Cheoeumbooks)

Radu Lupu Remains Silent

This book conveys the music and reflections of pianist Radu Lupu, who retired in June 2019 and passed away in April 2022. Known for his extreme reluctance to give interviews or appear in the media, little was known about his personal side. The book uncovers his humanity through the testimonies of 20 people who interacted with him during his lifetime, including fellow musicians, piano technicians, and managers. It shares stories such as pianist Cho Seongjin, who, feeling anxious before the Chopin Competition, was deeply moved by an encouraging phone call from Lupu, and members of the Cleveland Orchestra moved to tears during the intermission of a Beethoven piano concerto performance. (Written by Itagaki Chikako | Spring Day Books)