Build a reading list that goes somewhere

Build me a reading path for {{topic}}, aimed at {{goal}}. My background: {{level}}.

1. Give 8-12 items in reading order, each with: title, author, year, format, why it comes at this point, what it uniquely gives me, and roughly how long it takes.
2. Mark each as foundational, current, or contrarian. Include at least two things that disagree with each other, and say what the disagreement is about.
3. Note which items are worth reading in full versus which chapters or sections only.
4. Name the canonical work I can skip, and why it's overrated for my specific goal.
5. Tell me what I'll be able to do after item 4 that I can't now — a mid-path checkpoint.
6. Flag anything you're not certain exists or where you're unsure of the author or year. Do not fabricate citations.
7. Add one practitioner source — a blog, docs, or newsletter — where this topic is discussed as it changes.

Verify what you can. Guessing a title wastes my week.