|
Great Non-Art Books
Easiest way to explain this section: "Books that profoundly changed the way I think, or my ideas about the world."
I'd add to this list one item. Every week I read "The New Yorker" almost cover to cover. (All but the fiction) And I would recommend it to everyone. It's easily some of the best, most thought-provoking reading material out there.
|
Guns, Germs, and Steel
|
|
Jared Diamond
|
|
One of the most erudite books I've ever read. Not an easy read, (I'd read a chapter than take about a day to digest it mentally) but really astounding insights.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Price:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Catch-22
|
|
Joseph Heller
|
|
Maybe my all-time favorite novel. Definitely in my top 5. I've read it multiple times and laughed out loud every time.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Price:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Human Brain: A Guided Tour
|
|
Susan Greenfield
|
|
Written for the interested layman, a fascinating walk through the mechanisms of the brain. I couldn't put it down, I think I finished it in two sittings!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Price:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Making of the Atomic Bomb
|
|
Richard Rhodes
|
|
What I loved about this book is how the author makes this scientific story a page turner for the lay reader. Like a classic mystery novel full of stunning plot twists, he takes you on a very entertaining ride through history!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Price:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Truman
|
|
David McCullough
|
|
A really enjoyable read. I wish we had a few politicians like him these days. It's interesting to look back and see how unpopular he was, ("To err is Truman" became a well-travelled phrase) and yet in retrospect, he really made some wise decisions!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Price:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
John Adams
|
|
David McCullough
|
|
A long book, but it really gives you a sense of just how important a figure he is to American history. Winner of the Pulitzer Prize.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Price:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Genius: The Life and Science of Richard Feynmann
|
|
James Gleick
|
|
A great book. If you don't know anything about this man, READ THIS BOOK. If you've only read his humorous memoirs, READ THIS BOOK!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Price:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shadow
|
|
Bob Woodward
|
|
Not my usual reading material. A chronicle of how each of the last five president's (Nixon-Clinton) faced scandalous circumstances...poorly. Surprisingly, it made me MORE sympathetic and forgiving of anyone in that office!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Price:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
