Salon - - BOOKS.. that alter us - Page 2

G. Couch · #16 05-27-2002, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Doug Nelson

My opinion of Ayn Rand's books doesn't belong in a nice forum like this

I got a good chuckle from that comment Doug...I was thinking the very same thing!

DannyRaphael · #17 05-27-2002, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Danny- Are you a self-help guru in your spare time?

With kids 4 and 6-years old (and growing quickly), who has spare time (except like now when they're asleep)?

I believe I heard somewhere that a "guru" is one with the ability to lead others from darkness to light. If that's true, I'm afraid I'd fall into the category of "rugu," that is, one who leads others from light into darkness!

Seriously, Greg, like just about everyone I've had a few stretches in life that were a little (well, actually a lot) more challenging than others and found inspiration along the way from some of these books.

Since the early 1980s I've made a point of having "a great day (not just a good day)" every day, regardless of the weather, traffic, stupid drivers, the stock market, relatives, world affairs, what's going on at work, etc. In all fairness some days have definitely been 'greater' than others, but at a minimum each was great in its own way. It's been my observation that not many people seem to enjoy life and living as much as I do, so I guess you could say that I've gotten pretty good at "self-helping-myself." (...but I stop well short of going blind.)

Then a little over a year ago I discovered this little application called Photoshop and all the cool PS videos, add-on software and books you can get a ridiculously cheap prices on eBay and half.com, plus I stumbled on RP.com. Now I'm REALLY havin' fun!

rondon · #18 05-27-2002, 11:43 PM

well fellows guess I missed something.. whats wrong with ayns thoughts ?

fugitive · #19 05-27-2002, 11:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Doug Nelson
I read Flowers for Algernon (Charly) as a kid, loved it. Saw the movie only recently, but I didn't care for that.

Didn't read Mosquito Coast, but the movie still comes to mind anytime I see one person ruining someone else's dream.

My opinion of Ayn Rand's books doesn't belong in a nice forum like this

There was a good film about her life, out a while back. In the '70s, I was quite impressed by her writing. I remember on called Anthem that I liked.
greg

Doug Nelson · #20 05-27-2002, 11:45 PM

Isn't it weird how you rarely hear people discuss movies that changed their life?

rondon · #21 05-27-2002, 11:55 PM

sadly I think the only movie they ever made was 'fountain head"... really wanted to see "atlas shrugged" filmed ...
think that was gregory peck in fountain head eh ?

fugitive · #22 05-27-2002, 11:56 PM

I think folks should read more classics. I bet they don't even talk about the 19 Century in school any more.
I have probably read between 500 and a 1000 books so it's difficult to recall.

I loved Dracula, the original.
Walden or Waldens Pond may have changed me. I think everyone with a brain should read it.

The Naked Ape brought me to a more educated place on evolution.
Also Lucy, on a paleoentologist who discovered a 5 million yr old woman.

The Diary of Anne Frank, changed me.

Brave New Worlds

1984

Stranger in a Strange Land

rondon · #23 05-28-2002, 12:02 AM

well .... if nothing else.... looks like we'll have debate

fugitive · #24 05-28-2002, 02:44 AM

You mean like the Scopes trial?

Sharon Brunson · #25 05-28-2002, 07:35 AM

I read all the time, can't imagine going 20 years without reading. I find that different books speak to me at different ages. Sometimes when I reread them later, they seem less powerful. But at varying times in my life...these are some of the books that meant a lot to me:

1. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest....Ken Kesey (also at that
(Sometimes a Great Notion)

2. Angle of Repose....Wallace Stegner

3. The Wall....John Hersey

4. The Accidental Tourist...Anne Tyler

5. Their Eyes Were Watching God...Zora Neale Hurston

6. A Confederacy of Dunces...John Kennedy Toole

I'm sticking with fiction this time. I could name more, but I'll stop.

Sharon

Doug Nelson · #26 05-28-2002, 07:59 AM

The Accidental Tourist...one of my favorite alltime books

fugitive · #27 05-28-2002, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Doug Nelson
The Accidental Tourist...one of my favorite alltime books

I liked the film a lot, as it was my first glimps of Jeena Davis.

G. Couch · #28 05-28-2002, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by rondon
well fellows guess I missed something.. whats wrong with ayns thoughts ?

Well, nothing is really wrong with them, I just do not agree with her on a lot of things! She obviously spent a long time formulating her philosophy and her books have been very influential...but I think her philosophy has achieved more of a cult status than anything else...sort of like L. Ron Hubbard. Her own personnel life is a testament to the impracticality of her philosophy.

I can't help but think that her writing, with it's "rational self interest" and views on Capitalism, was required reading for Enron executives...

rondon · #29 05-28-2002, 04:07 PM

Well maybe I did miss something.... I never followed her life... just read 2 of her books... besides atlas shrugged .. I read fountainhead..
The only thing I came away with were the dangers of too much goverment... nepotism... etc...
and maybe a loss of indivualism.

is it too late to retract atlas shrugged and substitute "candy"

Jakaleena · #30 05-28-2002, 11:04 PM

Rondon - please don't retract Atlas Shrugged. I was going to list it if you hadn't.

Hard to limit it to five, but here are the ones I thought of right away:

1. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey
2. Foundation Trilogy by Isaac Asimov
3. Woman on the Edge of Time by Marge Piercy
4. The Velveteen Rabbit (a children's book) by Margery Williams
5. Available Light by Marge Piercy (or any other of her poetry books)