"Straw Dogs" is a philosophical critique of modern humanism and the belief in human progress. The book challenges the commonly held views that humans are fundamentally different from other animals and that they can shape the world according to their will. Drawing on an eclectic mix of Western philosophy, Eastern mysticism, and scientific knowledge, the author argues that human life is no more significant than that of straw dogs, which were used as ritual objects in ancient Chinese sacrifices and then discarded. The book presents a radical perspective that calls into question many of the foundational assumptions of Western thought, ultimately suggesting that humans should embrace a more humble, realistic understanding of their place in the world.

"At The Existentialist Café" is a non-fiction book that explores the lives and ideas of a group of philosophers known as the existentialists. The book takes readers on a journey through the cafes of Paris in the 1930s and 40s, where philosophers such as Jean-Paul Sartre, Simone de Beauvoir, and Maurice Merleau-Ponty would gather to discuss their ideas about freedom, being, and the meaning of life. Bakewell weaves together their personal stories, philosophical theories, and the historical context in which they lived, to create a compelling and accessible introduction to existentialism.