Stuff wot we should all read

[theclaud]

As it's a largely non-fiction consensus cloud, I'd add Darwin's Origin of Species. (I can't believe I've just typed consensus cloud without putting it in quotes.)

'Tis already in the cloud. But it reminds me that I'm a huge fan of Prof. Steve Jones, who not only re-wrote TOoS for the 20th/21st century, but is also pretty babelicious, and the best person ever at explaining complex specialist stuff for a non-specialist audience.

 

[Gravity Aided]

Richard Rhodes does a pretty good job of it in The Making of the Atomic Bomb, as well. I liked Churchill's volumes on WWII better than Keegan's book, but you see a lot more of the thought process when you read Churchill, he being directly involved, and reprinting many of his letters, minutes, and diplomatic communiques. Mere Christianity I last read when getting confirmed, but I seem to recall it being a bit of a hard go, but worth the effort.

 

[Alex H]

Bit of a mouthful for a book title, but anyway - what's it like?

Very slow going.

 

[Arrowfoot]

If Rachel Carson's Silent Spring was the first to create sense of awareness of mankind, name the book in the list that led to untold misery, death to millions, destruction of cultures and countries for nearly half a century. It also led to another book that appears on the list.

 

[stephec]

Paddington bear and winnie the poo should be must read books.

Are you confusing your fiction and non fiction?

You do know they're not real?

 

[welsh dragon]

Are you confusing your fiction and non fiction?

You do know they're not real?

Don't be silly man. Course they are

 

[SpokeyDokey]

Don't be silly man. Course they are

I think they sit in the 'On The Fence' category - along with The Bible those two books are either fiction or non-fiction or sometimes a curious mixture of both, depending on the individual reader's perspective.

Avatar is lovely and festive btw.

 

[welsh dragon]

I think they sit in the 'On The Fence' category - along with The Bible those two books are either fiction or non-fiction or sometimes a curious mixture of both, depending on the individual reader's perspective.

Avatar is lovely and festive btw.

Thank you. I was hoping to bring a bit of Christmas cheer.

 

[MacB]

Why SHOULD we all read any of these?

No compulsion, freedom of choice and all that but for you I'd say improving your intellect, futile an effort is that may be, wouldn't go amiss

 

[Hitchington]

The Eerie Silence: Are We Alone in the Universe? - Paul Davis
Auschwitz : The Nazis & The 'Final Solution' - Laurence Rees
The Shock of the New: Art and the Century of Change - Robert Hughes

All notable non-fiction books from my back catalogue

 

[User169]

Good to see that my fave book is on the list: Black Lamb and Grey Falcon.

On sciency-type stuff, Dawkins should of course be booted out and replaced with Schrodinger. Double Helix is an odd one - it has an undeniable verve, but it's an unreliable account and Watson is risible these days. Kuhn would get the heave ho from me and I'd take Feyerabend's Against Method.

The list does though look a bit anglocentric. How about Huizing's "Waning.."? Perhaps not universal enough, but was a big influence on people like Schama. Alternatively, Qutb's "Milestones" is something of a seminal text - better make sure HMG hasn't designated it terrorist material before you order a copy from Amazon.

Finally, Fergus Henderson's "Nose to Tail Eating" is good 'un, McGee's book wouldn't be out of place on the list either

 

[vernon]

'Tis already in the cloud. But it reminds me that I'm a huge fan of Prof. Steve Jones, who not only re-wrote TOoS for the 20th/21st century, but is also pretty babelicious, and the best person ever at explaining complex specialist stuff for a non-specialist audience.

I can vouch for that. He turned up at a science conference for school kids and my pupils thought that he was wonderful.

 

[vernon]

For the curry eaters, The Indian Restaurant Cookbook by Pat Chapman is a must have book in the kitchen.

 

[Gravity Aided]

I find Shelby Foote to be a little too much on military history, and a little too sympathetic to the losers. Bruce Cattons' books on the American Civil War should be read as a balance, and for more informational content and research into the personalities involved. Both Foote and Catton were writing about the same time, near the centennial of the American Civil War. I think that, if you put the two together, you get a better and more balanced viewpoint.

 

[Gravity Aided]

Let us Now Praise Famous Men- Stands up well as a photographic study, and as a book itself. Greatness, and a near perfect combination of two mens' vision.