Mega projects never seem to get done on time, or on budget. Planners often repeat similar errors due to a lack of data on comparable projects. Fortunately someone has spent a career building a database to provide evidence for understanding them projects and allowing for comparative time and cost comparisons. Summarizing findings, sharing experiences and providing a wide range of case studies, Bent Flyvbjerg and Dan Gardner's 2023 book "How Big Things Get Done: The Surprising Factors That Determine the Fate of Every Project, from Home Renovations to Space Exploration and Everything In Between" is an interesting read. At first glance, and particularly for those who are involved in project management, the "findings" and suggestions verge on common sense. However, given the frequency that these "common sense" approaches do not occur, the book certainly has a place. Lessons include: Investing time in planning (think slow, act fast), having a plan / theory of change / many other names from a range of domains that have a similar meaning, working with people who have experience, the importance of teams, the value of modularity and learning, avoiding first times / customs / biggest / tallest / fastest that require doing things newly for the first time, creating costing and timelines based on similar actual projects rather than theoretical scenarios ... I think the value of this book is not the list of tips and tricks, but the in-depth case studies as well as the evidence drawn out from the large database created by the author(s). The authors (first author one assumes) has also a wide range of firsthand experience from around the world and in different sectors (building schools in Nepal to transportation projects) which provide insight into the application of the "common sense" ideas. This is an enjoyable, easy read. The content is accessible for non-academics and is not buried in technical management jargon. If you are interested in project management, this is worth a read (or a listen, there is an audiobook version).