{
    "products": [
        {
            "slug": "deep-work",
            "name": "Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World",
            "kind": "book",
            "website": "https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/cal-newport/deep-work/9781455586691/",
            "page": "https://listme.name/books/deep-work",
            "tagline": "Cal Newport's case for focused, distraction-free work",
            "summary": "Deep Work is a 2016 book by Cal Newport, published by Grand Central Publishing with 304 pages. It argues that focused work without distraction is rare and valuable, and it gives rules for building the habit. The publisher lists hardcover, trade paperback, ebook and audiobook editions.",
            "author": "Cal Newport",
            "formats": [
                "print",
                "audiobook"
            ],
            "pricing": "paid",
            "price_note": "Hardcover, paperback, ebook and audiobook from the publisher",
            "free_to_use": false,
            "open_source": false,
            "strengths": [
                "Clear rules for scheduling focused work",
                "Frames focus as a skill to practice",
                "Available in several formats"
            ],
            "limits": [
                "Advice is strongest for knowledge work",
                "No free edition listed by the publisher"
            ],
            "checked": "2026-10-10",
            "connected_to_publisher": false,
            "overview": "The book argues that the ability to focus on hard cognitive work is becoming both rarer and more valuable. Newport describes rituals and schedules for deep work, and he argues for limiting shallow work such as constant email and messaging. The book frames focus as a skill that can be trained, not a fixed trait.\n\nThe publisher lists the book at 304 pages in several formats, including hardcover, trade paperback, ebook and audiobook. Newport's author page describes him as an academic. The advice is strongest for knowledge workers who control part of their schedule, and readers in roles with little control over their time may find less to apply."
        },
        {
            "slug": "pragmatic-thinking-and-learning",
            "name": "Pragmatic Thinking and Learning",
            "kind": "book",
            "website": "https://pragprog.com/titles/ahptl/pragmatic-thinking-and-learning/",
            "page": "https://listme.name/books/pragmatic-thinking-and-learning",
            "tagline": "Andy Hunt on how the brain learns and how to learn better",
            "summary": "Pragmatic Thinking and Learning is a 2008 book by Andy Hunt, published by the Pragmatic Bookshelf with 252 pages. Its subtitle is Refactor Your Wetware. It explains how memory and attention work and offers techniques for learning and thinking. The publisher sells a paperback and PDF, EPUB and MOBI ebooks.",
            "author": "Andy Hunt",
            "formats": [
                "pdf",
                "epub",
                "kindle",
                "print"
            ],
            "pricing": "paid",
            "price_note": "Paperback and ebook editions sold by the publisher",
            "free_to_use": false,
            "open_source": false,
            "strengths": [
                "Explains how memory and attention work",
                "Practical habits for learning new skills",
                "Printed in full color, with 252 pages"
            ],
            "limits": [
                "Aimed mainly at technical readers",
                "Not a task or note-taking system"
            ],
            "checked": "2026-10-10",
            "connected_to_publisher": false,
            "overview": "Hunt draws on brain science to explain how memory, attention and learning work, then turns those ideas into habits for reading, practicing and reflecting. The central idea is to refactor your own thinking habits, the way a programmer refactors code. The book is organized as short chapters with practical exercises.\n\nThe publisher describes the book as printed in full color, and it sells a paperback and ebooks in PDF, EPUB and MOBI. It is aimed mainly at people who learn technical skills, particularly software developers. The book is about how the mind learns rather than about task systems or productivity tools, so readers looking for those will need other books."
        }
    ],
    "differences": [],
    "shared_rankings": [
        {
            "list": "productivity-and-note-taking-books",
            "name": "Productivity and note-taking books",
            "page": "https://listme.name/best/productivity-and-note-taking-books",
            "of": 6,
            "results": [
                {
                    "product": "deep-work",
                    "rank": 1,
                    "score": 91.5,
                    "verdict": "The clearest argument for protected focus time, with rules readers can apply at work. It is aimed at knowledge workers and has no free edition.",
                    "best_for": "Protecting focus time at work",
                    "spec": {
                        "level": "Intermediate",
                        "free_online": false,
                        "focus": "Focused work without distraction"
                    }
                },
                {
                    "product": "pragmatic-thinking-and-learning",
                    "rank": 6,
                    "score": 72,
                    "verdict": "A readable look at how memory and attention work, aimed at technical learners. It is not a productivity or note-taking system, so it scores lowest for this category.",
                    "best_for": "How memory and learning work for developers",
                    "spec": {
                        "level": "Intermediate",
                        "free_online": false,
                        "focus": "How memory and learning work"
                    }
                }
            ]
        }
    ],
    "ranks_higher_in_closest_shared_list": "deep-work",
    "page": "https://listme.name/compare/deep-work-vs-pragmatic-thinking-and-learning",
    "json": "https://listme.name/api/v1/compare/deep-work-vs-pragmatic-thinking-and-learning.json",
    "notes": [
        "Scores are editorial and only comparable inside one list. Products with connected_to_publisher true receive a disclosed ranking lift: https://listme.name/methodology"
    ],
    "source": "https://listme.name",
    "license": "Free to read and cite with attribution to listme.name.",
    "docs": "https://listme.name/developers"
}