What 3 books you had read that influenced you the most?

[Buccaneer]

In honor of Scholes' reading thread, here's a question I've always wanted to ask: What 3 books you had read that have influenced you the most in your life (however you want to define it)?

[MrBug708]

The Bible, Pilgrim's Progress, and The Screwtape Letters

[Scholes]

1. When I was 16, I read On The Road, by Jack Kerouac, and fell in love with it. I got into him and all of the beatniks for a while, but grew out of it eventually, because their style just wasn't "me" anymore. But that book changed the way I looked at a lot of things, especially writing.

2. Atlas Shrugged, Ayn Rand. I really, really, enjoyed this book. I agreed with most of the messages she was using about government, capitalism, and people's motives and agendas. It helped influence my business/working philosophies.

3. Fever Pitch, Nick Hornby. I threw this one in here because I didn't want to think too hard, but this one is certainly up there. I got really into Champ Man, saw High Fidelity, found out Hornby wrote a book about soccer and the madness and obsession of it, and fell in even deeper, too bad it's about Arsenal.

[Tigercat]

I'm not a big fan of most philosophy, but I would have to go with
Aristotle, Nicomachean(sp?) Ethics and
Hobbes, Leviathan

And strangely enough, I'm not horribly religious(more independently spiritual) but I would have to say the old and new testaments also.

All have impacted or reinforced aspects of how I live my life.

Edit: What I could use is a book on how not to make 20 typos a minute.

[Buccaneer]

Here's mine:

1. American Heritage's Picture History of the Civil War.

I first read this in 1980 and this book has started my obsession into the American Civil War, as well as being the first book in my large CW library.

2. Peter Jenkins' Walk Across America

Peter was a disillusioned hippie-type that took off with his dog in the early 1970s and walked from New York to New Orleans (in this first book; the 2nd continues the walk to Oregon). While I didn't walk, I vowed to see and discover America, traveling the back roads and experience the land and its people. I've been doing that for 25 years since I read this book.

3. Jim Bouton's Ball Four

This was the first "adult" book I read - I believe I was 15 (in 1975). Coincidently, that was the peak year for me in terms of sports obsession and fanaticism. When I read this book, I started to "grow up" in following sports and its players, producing a cynicism and realism that is still with me today.

[Kodos]

Garfield Beefs Up
Garfield Out To Lunch
Garfield Bigger Than Life


Not necessarily in that order.

[Franklinnoble]

The Bible (King James Version)

Still influences my life, usually on a daily basis. If anyone's interested, and wants to see what the big deal is, start with the book of John and begin reading through the New Testament from there. If you have an open mind, you ought to be at least somewhat impacted by the end of Romans....

The Last Lion by William Manchester

An awesome biography of Winston Churchill. Sadly, Manchester only completed the first two volumes of what was meant to be a three-volume work, as he was left seriously incapacitated after a stroke several years ago, and I understand he passed away earlier this year. Still, the first two volumes are an incredibly engaging read, especially for such a lengthy work.

The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway

Actually, anything by Hemingway. If you haven't read his stuff, you're missing out on the best writer of the 20th century. Bar none.

[Tigercat]

Originally Posted by Kodos

Garfield Beefs Up
Garfield Out To Lunch
Garfield Bigger Than Life


Not necessarily in that order.

I would have gone with Endangered Odie?: Garfield Learns About Conservation if I were you.

[sabotai]

The Hobbit - Responsible for introducing me to the whole fantasy (and sci-fi) genre.

The Manual that came with my Commadore 64 - It had a section on the version of BASIC that the C64 came with. I've been a programmer ever since.

Having a hard time coming up with a 3rd.

[PilotMan]

1. The Bible, although I admit that I havn't read the whole thing.

2. The Road Less Traveled. M. Scott Peck

3. The Rich Dad/Poor Dad series, can't leave it at just the first book alone.

[Bad-example]

The Bible - Read enough to confirm I am not a christian.

Killer Angels - Thinking back to what made an impression during my formative years, this one really had an impact.

Dune - I love science fiction and this book was one of the first I read.

[Leonidas]

Atlas Shrugged, Ayn Rand - Helped teach me objective thought and to admire achievement.

Invisible Man, Ralph Waldo Ellison - IMO the greatest American novel. Definitely gave me new perspective on where certain people are coming from.

Dune, Frank Herbert - Like Atlas Shrugged, this book taught me new ways to think. It also taught me that there are consequences that ripple throughout culture and nature to seemingly unimiportant things. The pebble is not swept away, but really does change the course of rivers.

[Axxon]

Originally Posted by Leonidas

Atlas Shrugged, Ayn Rand - Helped teach me objective thought and to admire achievement.

Invisible Man, Ralph Waldo Emerson - IMO the greatest American novel. Definitely gave me new perspective on where certain people are coming from.

Dune, Frank Herbert - Like Atlas Shrugged, this book taught me new ways to think. It also taught me that there are consequences that ripple throughout culture and nature to seemingly unimiportant things. The pebble is not swept away, but really does change the course of rivers.

Surely you mean Ralph Ellisons invisible man right? That was an amazing book and fits your description perfectly. I still think about it now and then and want to reread it as an adult but I read it in high school in the late 70's.

[bamcgee]

The Fountainhead - definitely had an impact in my teen years, although today I see how stunted the relationships depicted in the novel were. Ayn Rand was no expert on love or friendship, and indeed they don't fit into her philosophy very well. (Atlas Shrugged's endless sermonizing turned me off.)

A World Lit Only By Fire - another Manchester book on this list. Fascinating, almost conversational read about the medieval ages and how western civilization developed. Loved the Churchill books too. You can't go wrong with him.

War and Peace - yeah yeah yeah. Pretentious selection here. Long too. But man, Tolstoy could write, even in translation. He showed more insight into character than anything else I've ever read. Opened up a whole fascination with Russia.

[Leonidas]

Originally Posted by Axxon

Surely you mean Ralph Ellisons invisible man right? That was an amazing book and fits your description perfectly. I still think about it now and then and want to reread it as an adult but I read it in high school in the late 70's.

You're right, embarrassing reference for the evening.

[Noop]

1. Malcom X
2. A wrinkle In Time
3. The Prince( Audio Book)
4. Sun Tzu Art of War(Audio Book)

I have countless stuff on history and the black movement of the 60's I havent read them all but i have atleast read a few chaps..( Shocked?)

[FBPro]

1-The Bible
2-The Purpose Driven Life
3-?

[Cap Ologist]

1. The Bible

2. Desiring God by John Piper

3. The God You Can Know by Dan DeHaan.

[Axxon]

Originally Posted by Noop

1. Malcom X
2. A wrinkle In Time
3. The Prince( Audio Book)
4. Sun Tzu Art of War(Audio Book)

I have countless stuff on history and the black movement of the 60's I havent read them all but i have atleast read a few chaps..( Shocked?)

Noop, read Ellisons Invisible Man. It's not about the 60's but it is about race and society and it's an amazing book.

"I am an invisible man," he says in his prologue. "When they approach me they see only my surroundings, themselves, or figments of their imagination--indeed, everything and anything except me."

I've never forgotten what those words said and meant but I'll admit, I didn't type them from memory. I looked them up.

[Buccaneer]

Originally Posted by Axxon

Noop, read Ellisons Invisible Man. It's not about the 60's but it is about race and society and it's an amazing book.

"I am an invisible man," he says in his prologue. "When they approach me they see only my surroundings, themselves, or figments of their imagination--indeed, everything and anything except me."

I've never forgotten what those words said and meant but I'll admit, I didn't type them from memory. I looked them up.

Does it come in audio books form?

[Schmidty]

The Bible is too obvious, so I'll say:

1. The Hobbit - Tokien (First book I ever read all the way through, and started my love of reading)

2. Anthem - Ayn Rand (Very short book, but it really affected me and spurred me to write as well)

3. Startide Rising - David Brin (Random pick, but I remeber readingn this book, and series, and thought it was one of the most interesting and creative novels I have ever read.

[Axxon]

Originally Posted by Buccaneer

Does it come in audio books form?

It'd be multiple cassettes. That sucker was long.


Wow, actually it does.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...77427?v=glance

You know, if the author narrates it I just might buy it to hear him speak.

[Draft Dodger]

1 - C.S. Lewis The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
2 - Mitch Albom Tuesdays with Morrie
3 - lose little paperback sports almanacs - they had TONS of info...I had them for baseball, football and hockey. wish I could remember the name of the series...

[Noop]

Bucc I know you think I am some dumbass because of some of my comments I have said which is fine because it is all you have to judge on. Also I my grammar which seems to suck worst then a stripper late on her rent... Bad Joke I got nothing...


Axxon I have heard about that book I guess I will have to looking into it especially since it is on audio.

[Flasch186]

1 the torah

2 the celestine prophecy

3 the history of the world Question and answer book

[gstelmack]

Starship Troopers - great book on personal responsibility

Ender's Game - it's you and me against the world, let's attack!

Dune - I was assigned this as a freshman in high school after blowing through the other reading assignments. It was the first real time I ever felt really challenged in school.

[Buccaneer]

Originally Posted by Noop

Bucc I know you think I am some dumbass because of some of my comments I have said which is fine because it is all you have to judge on. Also I my grammar which seems to suck worst then a stripper late on her rent... Bad Joke I got nothing...


Axxon I have heard about that book I guess I will have to looking into it especially since it is on audio.

and I'm just a curmudgeon, so that makes us even, sort of.

[pennywisesb]

1. The Bible
2. A Seperate Peace by John Knowles-I don't know how many have read this, but I read it for my frosh English course in high school and couldn't put it down. It really just clicked for me.
3. 1984 by George Orwell-Great book, really shows what could happen if the government goes unchecked.

[oliegirl]

1. To Kill a Mockingbird
2. Tuesdays with Morrie
3. ????

I read Tuesdays with Morrie after I saw the movie on TV, and cried even harder than I did watching the movie. Amazing book.

To Kill a Mockingbird...think I read it the first time in 8th grade, still have that original copy and have read it countless times since then. Love the movie too. So many important life lessons in those pages...

[SFL Cat]

1. The Holy Bible
2. To Kill A Mockingbird -- It moved me like no other novel the first time I read it, it still moves me today.
3. Dune -- An amazing epic that outdoes even Tolkien IMO.

[Axxon]

Lets try it again.

1. Shogun - loved the philosophy. learned how a true leader should act. actually, how anyone should act.

2. The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant - ok, it's three books but it is an amazing study of the mind and tackles a lot of tough issues. Plus, the main character hates people so I can relate.

3. Green Eggs and Ham - one of my first reads and the one that started my love of the language that I still have today.

[Noop]

Originally Posted by Buccaneer

and I'm just a curmudgeon, so that makes us even, sort of.

Curmudgeon - 1 archaic : MISER
2 : a crusty, ill-tempered, and usually old man


Miser - a mean grasping person; especially : one who is extremely stingy with money.

So if I asked for a dollar you wouldn't give me one. But instead you would go into a 20 minute speech about hard work and how you use to work for nickle back in the shop in Iowa.

[Axxon]

Originally Posted by Noop

Curmudgeon - 1 archaic : MISER
2 : a crusty, ill-tempered, and usually old man


Miser - a mean grasping person; especially : one who is extremely stingy with money.

So if I asked for a dollar you wouldn't give me one. But instead you would go into a 20 minute speech about hard work and how you use to work for nickle back in the shop in Iowa.

A nickle, HAH! That must have been back in the day when folks could earn overtime.

[cthomer5000]

Catcher in the Rye (J.D. Salinger) - I think Salinger nailed the frustration of life with this book. I've never read a book where I so often found myself in complete agreement with the thoughts of a main chracter. There are 3-4 specific passages which I find incredibly profound observations about the average person.

1984 (George Orwell) - The first real sci-fi book I read. It's certainly helped me keep a skeptic's eye on technology. Also, the climax of this book still gives me the absolute chills when I read it.

Ishmael (Daniel Quinn) - An insanely thought provoking book that has really helped me re-think a lot of beliefs I took for granted. I really feel it's also helped me look at the world in an entirely different light subsequently. For me, quite literally a life-changing book.

[Buccaneer]

Originally Posted by Noop

Curmudgeon - 1 archaic : MISER
2 : a crusty, ill-tempered, and usually old man


Miser - a mean grasping person; especially : one who is extremely stingy with money.

So if I asked for a dollar you wouldn't give me one. But instead you would go into a 20 minute speech about hard work and how you use to work for nickle back in the shop in Iowa.

No, I would give you a dollar if you didn't give any of it to the federal govt or would vote for anyone that would want you to give that dollar to them.

By the way, I never associated the word curmudgeon with miser before. Also, anything wrong with hard work?

Back on books. Axxon mentioned Shogun. Despite of my love for American History and historical novels, Shogun was actually the best historical novel I had ever read. It didn't change my life or anything so that's why I didn't list it.

[Noop]

Originally Posted by Buccaneer

No, I would give you a dollar if you didn't give any of it to the federal govt or would vote for anyone that would want you to give that dollar to them.

By the way, I never associated the word curmudgeon with miser before. Also, anything wrong with hard work?

I dont think anything is wrong with hard work. But I think working hard to go nowhere is a problem. I know it is sorta of odd but it happens... Now back to books A wrinkle In Time is my all time favorite book. I would place the blame for me being so against the grain to that book. I can't even begin to tell you how many times when I was 7 I tried to teleport using the method of the book. Wow those where the days when all I did was read the book to see if I am missing a key move or something so I can travel to another planet. I must admit I don't like to read those adult books because the words hurt my eyes but put it on audio I will listen to it four or five times because while i chat and surf I usually have a book playing.

[Antmeister]

It was hard to narrow down to three books, but I would have to say:

You Have Been Here Before - Dr. Edith Fiore: I picked up this book at 12 years old. For whatever reason, I had a huge interest in the unexplained and paranormal. This book was just full of case studies of a hypnotherapist who takes back a number of subjects into previous lives (reincarnation). This book has influenced my spiritual beliefs forever since it also prompted me to do more research on the subject.

There Eyes Were Watching God - Zora Neale Hurston: This was back in 1990 and was required reading in my World History class. Up to that point, history was not my favorite subject, but because of that book (which is basically historical fiction), I began to have more interest in history.

Texas Instruments - TI/99 4A Basic Book: At about 11 years old, the TI/99 4A computer was the first in my household. What came with the computer was a book on the BASIC programming language. This was my first taste to programming and I have been interested in it ever since.

[Axxon]

Originally Posted by Buccaneer

No, I would give you a dollar if you didn't give any of it to the federal govt or would vote for anyone that would want you to give that dollar to them.

By the way, I never associated the word curmudgeon with miser before. Also, anything wrong with hard work?

Back on books. Axxon mentioned Shogun. Despite of my love for American History and historical novels, Shogun was actually the best historical novel I had ever read. It didn't change my life or anything so that's why I didn't list it.

I first read it at a young age, that's why it had a large effect on my thinking.

[SplitPersonality1]

Tough question:

The Earthsea Trilogy (Ursula K. LeGuin) - My uncle gave me these books when I was very young and it led me to Tolkein, Donaldson, Herbert, Asimov and the other SF/Fantasy greats.

The Iceberg Hermit (Arthur Roth) & Julie of the Wolves (Jean Craighead George) - In remembering books from my childhood, I have come across a common theme. Survival in the wilderness. In the Iceberg Hermit, a young man survives a shipwreck and survives on an iceberg for two years. In Juile of the Wolves, a young Eskimo girl escapes an arranged marriage only to find herself alone in the Alaskan wilderness. I suppose I could also add "My Side of the Mountain" and the Little House books to this group.

Animal Farm (George Orwell) - I read this in seventh grade and still remember how chilling much of it was. Very good book about communism, human nature and life in general. One of my all-time favorites. - "All animals are equal. Some animals are more equal than others."

The only reason I did not include the Bible in my list of three is because it is too easy an answer for me.

[Crapshoot]

Wow- a lot of people covered ground I agreed with. And maybe its me, but the bible as no 1 for so many people... is ... interesting to me.
btw- great, great, thread.

1. The Fountainhead- the closest thing I have to a Bible - an amazing book. Read it at 14-15, and it just helped me make sense of what I thought I saw. I've gotten beyond it, and stopped taking Rand at pure face value - but its still my foundation to a great extent. Bamcgee nailed the fact that Rand's view of relationships are somewhat stunted- that being said, I dont think her concept of love is much of an outlier in the system as you may percieve- Fundementally, we do it for ourselves - and Rand was honest about it.



2. Calvin and Hobbes- I wrote my college essay on the dichotomy between Calvin and Howard Roark- two of the most influential figures in my life.

3. The Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy. If I could have one book the rest of my life- this would be it. Mostly Harmless.

Close and I wish I could include them:

Catcher in the Rye- nailed me when I needed it the most.
Stranger in a Strange Land- fundementally a humanistic story.
1984- Haunting.
Flowers for Algernon- the descent into pure mediocrity- scares me more than any crap that calls itself horror.

[Alf]

1 - Germinal, Emile Zola => the book that started me reading

2 - 1984, seems I am in the majority here

3 - Farenheit 451, a must read


notable mentions as my first reads in english

On the road, Kerouac
Zen & the Art of Motocycle, ??
FOF strategy guide by various board members

edit, I need to pick-up the hitchiker's guide to the galaxy

[Sharpieman]

1. The Bible, also books left out, like Thomas, Judith, Prayer of Azariah for example.
2. For Whom The Bell Tolls - Read this a long time ago, incredible novel, my favorite.
3. Holy Blood, Holy Grail - Not that I agreed with it, but it made me discover my spirituality and made me realize that religion is a disease to faith.

[Super Ugly]

James Joyce, "Dubliners" - the last story, "The Dead", is probably the most beautiful thing I've ever read.

William Burroughs, "Naked Lunch" - not really one I 'enjoyed' that much, but seeing that this thread is about what influenced me, I'd have to go with this one. It is a crazy, crazy book, and very funny.

Jean Toomer, "Cane" - anyone who has an interest in issues of race and identity (especially people who enjoyed "Invisible Man") should check it out. It's not a 'worthy' book, it's incredibly well written.

[wade moore]

Originally Posted by cthomer5000

Catcher in the Rye (J.D. Salinger) - I think Salinger nailed the frustration of life with this book. I've never read a book where I so often found myself in complete agreement with the thoughts of a main chracter. There are 3-4 specific passages which I find incredibly profound observations about the average person.

1984 (George Orwell) - The first real sci-fi book I read. It's certainly helped me keep a skeptic's eye on technology. Also, the climax of this book still gives me the absolute chills when I read it.

Ishmael (Daniel Quinn) - An insanely thought provoking book that has really helped me re-think a lot of beliefs I took for granted. I really feel it's also helped me look at the world in an entirely different light subsequently. For me, quite literally a life-changing book.

Ishmael had a lot of very good, though provoking ideas...

However...

There was something about the book I just did not care for that much... I think it dragged on to long or just lost focus towards the end... I cannot really place my finger on it. I felt like it was a great message and concept that just could have been delivered in a much better way... (not by me of course)...

[MIJB#19]

I can't say I've been reading much and I doubt that any book I read made a big impact on me. That said, two books I read did make me look a bit different to the small world I live in.

De Steile Helling - Maarten 't Hart - Dutch book by probably the most famous person from Maassluis. Really puts the whole society in Maassluis in perspective, even as it's situated in the 50/60's.

Brilliant Orange - David Winner - English writer who campares the Dutch soccer team, it's style and the repuations with anything else Dutch. Proably not a master piece, but written by an outsider. Put the whole culutre in the NLs in another perspective to me.

The Bible - some Dutch translations - I spent my 4th through 12th year of my life on a school where one specific teacher was very extreme in proclaiming how good Christianity is. I really felt good about being caring about others, but the "this is the only truth" part turned me off and taught me that kids should be kept away from religion until they turn 18 or 21 and go on their own discovery of religion and where they'd fit in. Reading it is a big word, but it's existence surely partily made me how I am today.

[albionmoonlight]

Catcher in the Rye (noted above)

To Kill a Mockingbird (noted above)

The Journal of Albionmoonlight by Kenneth Patchen. Very hard to describe. A sort of surreal, abstract, allegorical anti-war novel written in 1941. It is the book responsible for really moving me from the right to the left of the political spectrum on most all economic issues. I have since become more comfortable taking a moderate politial/social position and don't really follow this book as a bible anymore--but it still really influenced where I am today.

In addition, it was the first novel that I read that really challenged the idea of what the novel is as an art form, incorporating pictures, journals within journals, warped timelines, unreliable narrators, etc..

[Daimyo]

The Old Man and the Sea and Chuang Tzu (or Zhuang Zi) really stand out. The third would probably be the Commodore instruction manual that taught me BASIC just about 20 years ago.

[Senator]

The Bible - ever present.

Vision Quest : Terry Davis- Read it years before the movie, began a correspondence with the author that still exists today, and it cemented my belief of taking the harder paths and the good that can be achieved from it. Spoke to my athletic goals at the time, as well.

LBJ: The Path to Power : Robert Caro - I read this book when I was 17 and knew then I wanted to be politically active. It made a huge impact on me.

Runner up: The official biography of Winston Churchill : Martin Gilbert - 24 volumes of study on the only man I have ever called my hero.

[HornedFrog Purple]

Besides the Bible...

All 25 Volumes of the Warren Report

Friday Night Lights

I, Robot by Issac Asimov: Got me into sci-fi/fantasy when I was a kid and never stopped.

[Franklinnoble]

Originally Posted by Senator

The Bible - ever present.

Vision Quest : Terry Davis- Read it years before the movie, began a correspondence with the author that still exists today, and it cemented my belief of taking the harder paths and the good that can be achieved from it. Spoke to my athletic goals at the time, as well.

LBJ: The Path to Power : Robert Caro - I read this book when I was 17 and knew then I wanted to be politically active. It made a huge impact on me.

Runner up: The official biography of Winston Churchill : Martin Gilbert - 24 volumes of study on the only man I have ever called my hero.

Can you still get the full, unabridged Gilbert biography?

I've seen condensed versions in stores, but I hate those things... How does Gilbert's work compare to Manchester's?