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Important Books to Read

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Black Like Me - John Howard Griffin
and a second vote for Autobiography of Malcom X excellent book.
The Greatest Generation Speaks - Tom Brokaw, although he really didn't write much in it
Why they Kill? - Richard Rhodes (gives a good understanding of the psychological side of murder and violent crime)

i'm sure there are a few more, but those are the only ones i can think of right now
 


<< Don't get me wrong on this, but one book you should read, if you haven't already, is the Bible. You don't even have to take it from a religious stand point.

The bible is hands down, one of the most influencial books in western culture. Soo many authors make references to it, that you can miss alot of symbolism or points that these authors are trying to portray. If you are reading any classical western literature, your gonna miss alot if you don't have a basic understanding of biblical stories.
And if you don't care for that too much, so much blood shed has been fought over this book, you might as well read what all the fuss is about. >>



Actually, reading the Bible is what made me an agnostic. My friends and their parents had filled me with a bunch of religion in grade and Jr high school. My agnostic father had me read the Bible, without any suggestion or editorial from him at all. It sure opened my eyes.
 
AmusedOne - I think he was trying to say that either way it is an influential book. The book of Job was enough for me, although I read more in a philosophy of religion class. (We read Nietzsche in there too, and what are you insinuating, huh?) Makes you wonder about how many people really read the Bible and think about it doesn't it? Anyway, now I've got lots of good ideas for reading material, keep 'em coming!
 
I've read the Bible and agree its a must read. Not only is it the most influential book in recorded history, but forms the basis for so much. Btw, my favorite quote is from the bible. Mark 8:36 for those interested.
 


<< AmusedOne - I think he was trying to say that either way it is an influential book. The book of Job was enough for me, although I read more in a philosophy of religion class. (We read Nietzsche in there too, and what are you insinuating, huh?) Makes you wonder about how many people really read the Bible and think about it doesn't it? Anyway, now I've got lots of good ideas for reading material, keep 'em coming! >>



Yep. In my experience, the most religious Christians are usually the ones who haven't read the Bible cover to cover. (Please, no flames. It's only my personal observation and opinion.)

I'm insinuating that libertarianism is liberalism without oppression. I was a modern liberal once, until I realized that modern liberalism is as oppressive, if not more so than modern conservatism.
 
Pretty commonly read, but it's for a reason, and definitly should be looked at.

Animal Farm - George Orwell. Satire of Europe from Karl Marx through Through post-WWII.

Brave New World, Brave New World Revisited- Aldous Huxley. Can't really explain too much without giving it away. Great, great book. Utopian society type stuff, with a lot of great thoughts, implications, theories,a nd how some men view the world. Better than 1984. Revisited should be read shortly after.

A not so common one is Iococca an autobiography. The best economics book I've seen. He is a pure genious. Read and learn.
 
i see you asked about non-fiction. but i will throw in another book that would be good but is fiction. makes you think about life if nuclear war occurred. Alas, Babylon - Pat Frank
 
I also enjoyed Edward Gibbon's The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. Very interesting reading especially as an American. The problem faced by the RE are surprising like what is going on today and may give a clue as to what pitfalls to avoid in the future. A must read.
 
Paved with Good Intentions The Failure of Race Relations in America by Jared Taylor.
The Bell Curve by Herrnstein and Murray

These two books helped solidify and articulate my worldview. The basic opposing camps of sociology are Nature vs. Nurture. Which is more influential to a group, the environment or the genes? While almost everyone agrees that both play a part, there is a lot of controversy over which influence is greatest.

I fall on the Nature side of the argument. A lot of what a person is in life is what they were at birth, with some exceptions to the rule undoubtedly. I figure it's a 70/30 split or something with Nature getting the 70.
 
The books that have affected me the most are 1984 and The Catcher in the Rye, both fiction. As for non-fiction, I just finished reading Class: A Guide Through the American Status System by Paul Fussell and it was an interesting read. It's a series of observations about how people look, act, and live give away their social status. I didn't agree with all the characterizations but one of his main points about the middle class being far more self-conscious and pretentious than the other classes was well-stated. Two readers on white-collar crime that really influenced me to study law are Corporate and Governmental Deviance: Problems of Organizational Behavior in Comtemporary Society (Ermann/Lundman), and White Collar Crime (Geis/Meier/Salinger).
 
G&ouml;del, Escher, Bach: an Eternal Golden Braid

and, I also would like to add my recommendation for The Art of War as well as Howard Zinn's The People's History of the United States of America

also notable is Hamlet...
 
Moby Dick by Herman Meville
Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad
Art of War by Sun Tzu
To Hell and Back by Audie Murphy
Samurai! by Saburo Sakai
 
I would recommend "On Democracy" by de Tocqueville. I've read parts of it and got the entire work for Christmas.

It's really long...it's my summer project.

--Sarah
 
The Road to Serfdom by F.A. Hayek.

Up From Slavery by Booker T. Washington.

Parliament of Whores by P.J. O'Rourke.
 


<< jaydee - I'll have to read Brave New World. I guess 1984 belongs on this list also... >>


Ya, I've heard all about it, but for some reason, I've never been able to get into it. I've started the book 4 times, but keep losing interest after about 20 pages or so. I guess it's just not my type.
 
Brave New World is interesting to say the least. If you have read Ayn Rand's Anthem, then is it right up your alley
 
"Queasy - I'll read "The Terrible Truth about Liberals" if you read the "Autobiography of Malcolm X.""

I saw the movie Malcom X....does that count? 🙂 hehe

Seriously, I'm up for it. I don't have a problem with reading that. I always wanted to read about his trip to Mecca where he realized that people of all races were Muslim and prayed together. I believe that is when he left behind his hatred towards all white men and ultimately what he was killed for.

 
"Brief History of Time", Stephen Hawkings...
"The Problem of Pain", CS Lewis...
"Guests of the Shiek", Elizabeth Fernea.
 
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