BOOKS.. that alter us

[rondon]

I was sitting here mulling things over .. and as often is the case realized my thoughts were probably prompted by books I've read..

nothing unusual there.. but taking into account I haven't read a book for close to 20 years.... I realized that maybe we could pass on to younger members that the written words have a great impact also ...

a picture is worth a thousand words ... there are many thousands of words in a good book though..

so.... leaving religion (and photo's) out of it... thought I might ask.. what are the top 5 books that folks think may have had an impact on the way they view life.

[Doug Nelson]

Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, by Robert Persig (god, I hate being a cliche, but there it is)

Chop Wood, Carry Water: A Guide to Finding Spiritual Fulfillment in Everyday Life, by Rick Fields

Real World Photoshop, by David Blattner and Bruce Fraser

Ringworld, by Larry Niven

Growing a Business, by Paul Hawken

[rondon]

ah.... but one crossed the line... no photo's .... sorry . and the last thought out response ?

[Doug Nelson]

Ah, then substitute Internet Unleashed, 1993 edition

[rondon]

done....

[jeaniesa]

Ishmael - Daniel Quinn

In the Absence of the Sacred: The Failure of Technology and the Survival of the Indian Nations - Jerry Mander

Diet for a New America - John Robbins

Spiritwalker - Hank Wesselman

The Alchemist - Paulo Coelho

Jeanie

[G. Couch]

Chaos by James Gleick

Art and Fear by David Bayles and Ted Orland

The Pleasure of Finding Things Out: The Best Short Works of Richard P. Feynman by Richard Feynman (actually, any book by Feynman is a wonderful read!)

Night by Elie Wiesel

The Real Frank Zappa Book by Frank Zappa...


...I'll throw in one more - Fast Food Nation by Eric Schlosser

[DannyRaphael]

Rondon... Interesting thread. You got me rollin'...

Simple Abundance, Sarah Ban Breathnach. (Strong reinforcement for the "Attitude of Gratitude" model for living.)

Awaken the Giant Within: How to Take Immediate Control of Your Mental, Emotional, Physical & Financial Destiny!, Anthony Robbins. (Biggest breakthrough: I have the power to choose my attitude.)

The 21 Success Secrets of Self-Made Millionaires: How to Achieve Financial Independence Faster and Easier Than You Ever Thought Possible, Brian Tracy. (The title is very misleading; it was definitely used for marketing purposes. The focus is on work habits and attitudes for success.)

Unleashing the Power Within: How to Change Who You Are to Get What You Want, Joe Land.

A Whack on the Side of the Head; A Kick in the Seat of the Pants, Roger van Oche. (The ultimate book on spurring creativity.)

Success Is Never Ending. Failure Is Never Final, by Robert Schuller. (Came in especially handy when I was unemployed [for the first time in my life] for nearly a year and was having a heck-of-a-time finding work. Then I was hired by Microsoft, and lemons eventually turned to lemonade.)

1-2-3 Magic: Effective Disciplin for Children 2-12, Thomas W. Phelan, Ph.D. (Utilizing these techniques have made the first almost 6 years of parenting a lot more sane. Based on feedback we get from parents and teachers, they're working well.)

The Girl, The Gold Watch and Everything, John D. McDonald.

White Fang and Call of the Wild, Jack London.

OK. I'll shutup now :o and go back to (re)reading what I think is the absolute best Photoshop book on the planet, one reviewed and discussed many times at RP, one written by Katrin.

~DannyR~

[Doug Nelson]

Ishmael was marvelous. They totally butchered it for the movie, though. Very sad.

[CJ Swartz]

"The Mother West Wind Stories" that I read as a child reinforced my love of nature and animals, and my belief that every thing on this Earth has its purpose and justification for existence. These stories also strongly taught ethics, and probably made even more sense to me than my parents' teachings about the importance of hard work, respectful treatment of each other, and doing the right thing every day.

"Marshmallow" is also a child's book -- a simple story of an old lady, her cat, and the addition of a baby bunny to the household. The storyline included cute little poems, and the book was illustrated (no photos, Ron -- I'm not breaking any rules) with soft, lovely charcoal drawings. I love this book! I'm sure that I already loved cats when I first read the book (or had it read to me), but after I read it, I also loved poetry, illustrations, and bunnies. "A house is not a home without a bunny!"

"The Lord of the Rings" trilogy (first read one summer while I was in college) opened my eyes to the Beauty of the written word -- this was the first time that I enjoyed the descriptions of the people, their surroundings, etc. instead of scanning it quickly to get to the "good stuff" -- the plot turns, the action, the character development. To this day, I can turn to ANY page in the three books and enjoy what I read, instead of having to go to the beginning of a chapter to be in synch with the storyline. I also think of Frodo and Sam when I am faced with a big challenge -- I try to be a brave hobbit.

[rondon]

nice looking stuff so far.... thought I better post mine before people thought I was copying their thoughts... well ... thats a stretch... but for now came up with these..

atlas shrugged
wind from the carolinas
saigon
charley
mosquito coast
...
odd choices I'm sure.... but this is the lounge... not the pro side... always was influenced by them....

[rondon]

CJ .. we really must do something with that avitar

[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

[G. Couch]

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

[jeaniesa]

Originally posted by Doug Nelson
Ishmael was marvelous. They totally butchered it for the movie, though. Very sad.

Didn't see the movie - and am very glad I didn't!
Jeanie

[G. Couch]

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]

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]

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

[fugitive]

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]

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

[rondon]

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]

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]

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

[fugitive]

You mean like the Scopes trial?

[Sharon Brunson]

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]

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

[fugitive]

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]

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]

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]

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)