The five-book method is a powerful approach to learning a new subject by reading five carefully selected books that provide a solid foundation and technical baseline. This method allows you to follow your curiosity through a subject, using things you find naturally interesting as the structural foundation for future learning.

The first book should be the most popular, best-selling book on the topic, which helps generate excitement and motivation. The second book should be more technical and closely related to the subject under investigation. The third book should be semi-technical, building on the ideas learned in the first two books and providing a macroscopic perspective on the subject. The fourth book should be a hard book that gives a taste of the kind of problems that real experts in the domain are thinking about. The fifth book should be directly about the future of the topic, where it's heading, and when it's heading, giving a sense of the cutting edge.

As you read these books, take specific notes on the historical narrative, terminology, and anything that catches your attention. This will help you establish a technical baseline and remember the information more easily. It's important not to get frustrated during this process, as frustration is a cue that you're moving in the right direction.

Studies have shown that reading books improves long-term concentration, reduces stress, and staves off cognitive decline. Moreover, books pay performance dividends, as they provide a higher return on investment (ROI) compared to other learning materials like blogs and articles.

In conclusion, the five-book method is an effective way to learn a new subject by building a strong foundation, developing a technical baseline, and following your curiosity. This approach not only enhances your knowledge but also improves your cognitive abilities and overall performance.