Most influential books

This seems like a well-read community, so I hope you can help me and each other ...

I am looking for people to list the two or three most influential books they have read as adults. These books should teach something valuable. I assume that, in general, this precludes fiction.

Please list the book title and author, and a brief description of why it you chose it. Also, please make sure that it is either described on Amazon.com or easily found by google.

Thanks

Here are two of mine:

1) "STEP: Systematic Training for Effective Parenting"
Dinkmeyer, et al.

Helped my wife and I with issues of how to discipline and encourage our children. This is easily the most important topic we have studied as parents.

2) "Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors"
Carl Sagen

Helped me place evolution into a context I could understand, with a focus on human evolution. Helped me understand what I am.

what happens if your not an adult?!?

my top 5:

1.Bobby Fischer Teaches Chess, (by bobby fischer)

2.Chess Fundamentals (Algebraic), (by Jose Capablanca)

3.The Ideas Behind the Chess Openings, (by Reuben Fine)

4.How to Reassess Your Chess: The Complete Chess-Mastery Course, (by Jeremy Silman & Siles Press)

5. and the rhp user guide

😉

seriously now-either kazou ishiguro and "the remains of the day", or "death of a salesman" by arthur miller (i know it's a play, but it has kinda influenced me...😛)

other contenders include all those frikking history books i've read this year. snyder...carr...jenkins...kershaw...kolb...taylor...*grits teeth*

Originally posted by genius
what happens if your not an adult?!?

Good thread!

1. "Amusing Ourselves to Death" by Neil Postman

2. "The Morality of Pluralism" by John Kekes

3. "Traveling Mercies" by Anne Lamott

I chose to include Postman because he is a very eloquent writer, and the subject matter is timely even though it was first published about 20 years ago (I think). He explores the effect the media (with an emphasis on television) has on not only our opinions and ideas, but also how we communicate with one another. Very good book!

I chose Kekes because this book should be required reading for everyone I know. It is a great starter book for anyone interested in the war between Dogmatism and Pluralism in political philosophy.

Finally, Lamott offers us a refreshing new look at Christian faith. She is equal parts wise and funny. Her book is a brief history of her faith, and while I don't always agree with her conclusions I find the book fairly encouraging. If you have ever found yourself caught between the icoherent and intolerable ramblings of the church, and the adament finality of athiests you might find hope in this book.

TheSkipper

TheSkipper

A true story to let you know why I asked the question here:

I ask my family to not give me gifts of any kind, any time. Not christmas, not my birthday (I celebrate neither). I can buy anything I need, and gifts seem silly -- I only need time with my family and friends. I am constantly looking for ways to improve my life and the lives of others.

So... in lieu of gifts I have been asking people for several (5 or 6) years now to tell me what books have influenced them the most and what ideas have been the most valuable. Only my father has responded! (With the "Boy Scout Handbook", not a bad book, but not a good read). Apparently it is easier to buy someone a well intentioned gift than it is to commit to describing a valuable book! Or maybe no one reads anything more complicated than a good story.

By the way, I am totally irreligious, and consider most religious books a total waste of time. Give me something contemporary and well thought out instead.

So I ask you, total strangers, in the hope that someone can offer something interesting. Who knows, you may benefit yourself from the process!

I don't think you should be so quick to dismiss fiction as
non-useful. Fiction is an art form, just like music or painting,
and some authors may find that the best format to express
their ideas.

Cribs

Originally posted by zucchini
This seems like a well-read community, so I hope you can help me and each other ...

I am looking for people to list the two or three most influential books they have read as adults. These books should teach something valuable. I assume that, in general, this precludes fiction.

Please list the book title and author, and a brief description of why it y ...[text shortened]... please make sure that it is either described on Amazon.com or easily found by google.

Thanks

Originally posted by Cribs
I don't think you should be so quick to dismiss fiction

Fiction as well? Excellent!

"The Stand" by Stephen King

I'm a sucker for end of the world type scenarios and this is the best I have ever read.

"Stranger In a Strange Land" by Robert Heinlein

Excellent sci-fi with a religious sub-text...awesome.

TheSkipper

Patrick F. McManus

All of his books are wonderfull.
They make me remember what life is all about, and don't let me forget how it is to be young.

Mike

Sample....http://www.mcmanusbooks.com/christmas.htm

Originally posted by rapalla7
Patrick F. McManus

All of his books are wonderfull.
They make me remember what life is all about, and don't let me forget how it is to be young.

Mike

The Longest Cave, which I read 25 years ago, may still be in print. It is about exploring the extensive cave system near the Green River in Kentucky. While the book is not at all intended to be self-help or anything like that, it can teach a thing or two about facing fear. Adult-sized cave explorer + tight squeeze tube + possibility of a rise in the water level inundating a trapped caver = major pucker factor. 😲

Originally posted by Paul Dirac
The Longest Cave,

That's the one.