What books influenced you heavily?

[Claymonkey]

I've gotten into the habit of listening to the audio book version of books I've read while exercising. It’s a win/win situation for me. It’s something to think about while out on a long walk and I get to return to books I’ve enjoyed while not feeling it would be time better spent reading something new. If it’s new I WANT to read it, not hear it, focus just on it.

Anyway, my batteries died on my last walk and I got to thinking about books that have heavily affected how I look at the world. Of course they all have in one form or another but I have a short list of books that I know have heavily influenced me.

1.) “Stranger in a Strange Land”, by Robert A. Heinlein

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0441790348/qid=1120419814/sr=8-1/ref=pd_bbs_ur_1/002-1080118-5811246?v=glance&s=books&n=507846

2) “The Fountainhead”, by Ayn Rand

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0451191153/qid=1120419889/sr=8-1/ref=pd_bbs_ur_1/002-1080118-5811246?v=glance&s=books&n=507846

And

3) “On Writing”, by Stephen King

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0743455967/qid=1120419962/sr=8-1/ref=pd_bbs_ur_1/002-1080118-5811246?v=glance&s=books&n=507846

The third is a much more recent edition and I consider to be a look into the creative process as a whole… not just writing

The first two were both read while I was a teenager and heavily affected how I think. Oddly you’d think they contradict each other. Stranger’s focus is on the necessity of being one with everything and everyone. Fountainhead’s focus is on the need of rugged individualism above all else. As ideas and a way to think... they compliment each other. The problem is when an author's ideas are turned into movements. Personally I think an idea is better as an idea, it stays malleable, once it’s a movement it will become rigid and start to lose the essence of what made it special in the first place.

Anyway, I bring this up because I want to know what books you all consider to be major turning points in what makes you… you! Give a brief reason how it affected you and why. A link to the book on amazon so we can all get a new or used copy would be nice too

[schmosef]

Travels by Michael Crichton. Changed my perspective on the world. Made me want to travel more.

If You Want to Write by Brend Ueland. Inspired me to do creative things.

The Source by James Michener. A novelised history of the land that is now the State of Israel.

Exodus by Leon Uris. A novelised history of the State of Israel.

Haj also by Leon Uris. A novelised history of the State of Israel told from the Arab perspective.

This Is My God by Herman Wouk. Judaism for dummies.

[DGhost]

you cannot be at a balance if you do not understand the sides involved. they may appear diametric, but they are far more connected than one would suspect. you cannot have night without day - even when they are seperated, they are so connected that in order for one to exist the other must as well. sometimes the easiest way to find the truth is to look into a lie.

[Claymonkey]

you cannot be at a balance if you do not understand the sides involved. they may appear diametric, but they are far more connected than one would suspect. you cannot have night without day - even when they are seperated, they are so connected that in order for one to exist the other must as well. sometimes the easiest way to find the truth is to look into a lie.

Agreed, you can't understand a coin if you only have seen one side. However, how many zealots of ANYTHING would agree with that? Still, I find the quickest way to understand something is to stick two 'knowledgeable' extremists into a discussion and listen.

[DGhost]

Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand. I liked The Fountainhead as well (and thought it was a far more palletable book), but thought that Atlas Shrugged was a far better exploration of her beliefs.

Heinlein has had way too many good books that have way too much good philosophy in it. Stranger in a Strange Land is the one book that unifies a lot of his beliefs, but their are so many lessons in each of his books that it would be a crime to limit reading to just that book.

there have been other books. The Crow, by J O'barr was another book that was influential to me. Neuromancer by William Gibson and Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson are some of my favorites, perhaps even influential in their own ways.

hmm, i'll have to go dig deep for books that have been very influential.

[schmosef]

I'm lost. What are we talking about now?

[Jessterw]

We've discussed this briefly, but I also found "Strange in a Strange Land" to be an excellent read; though, I can't say it wholly affected me. Been meaning to read "On Writing", but like everything else, I keep putting it off.

It's hard to say what books had an influential impact on my life; however, there are a few that come close.

1. "The Killer Angels" by Michael Shaara
On the surface it is a retelling of the events surrounding the Battle of Gettysburg and the people involved. Beyond that surface it is an illustration of human character.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0345348109/ref=pd_sxp_f/002-6058286-6210403?v=glance&s=books

2. "I and Thou" by Martin Buber
An interesting, if not a little rough at the edges, look at ethics. The latest volume is supposed to have made the material an easier read.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0684717255/ref=ase_wisdomportalcom/002-6058286-6210403?v=glance&s=books

3. "The Prophet" by Kahlil Gibran
A spiritual, yet nonsectarian, look at many aspects of our lives.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0394404289/qid=/sr=/ref=cm_lm_asin/002-6058286-6210403?v=glance

[Claymonkey]

I'm lost. What are we talking about now?

Dghost and I were talking about how the conflicting ideas actually nurture each other.

Oh, and I made a MAJOR mental mixup and was thinking Heinlein was Hubbard briefly. Odd considering I've read much from BOTH of them. I've fixed an earlier comment to fix that.

[Claymonkey]

Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand. I liked The Fountainhead as well (and thought it was a far more palletable book), but thought that Atlas Shrugged was a far better exploration of her beliefs.

Heinlein has had way too many good books that have way too much good philosophy in it. Stranger in a Strange Land is the one book that unifies a lot of his beliefs, but their are so many lessons in each of his books that it would be a crime to limit reading to just that book.

there have been other books. The Crow, by J O'barr was another book that was influential to me. Neuromancer by William Gibson and Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson are some of my favorites, perhaps even influential in their own ways.

hmm, i'll have to go dig deep for books that have been very influential.

Still need to read Atlas Shrugged, I've avoided it for the express reason in that I'm afraid that by proxy I won't like Fountainhead anymore because she took it to far.

I've lost count on how many Heinlein books I've read but I agree that a lot of his ideas are well thought out. Heck his stuff is often philosophy wrapped in science fiction. Something I think that the best sci fi does anyway.

[schmosef]

omg, how could I forget A Man in Full by Tom Wolfe.

It made me rethink EVERYTHING about myself. It should be required reading for all men. On the surface it's an amazingly crafted story of very different men of different stature and background who's lives intertwine. Underneath the surface it's a poignant essay on the definition of masculinity.

The writing is just brilliant. There's a chapter about a guy who applies for a job (I don't want to ruin it by giving away anymore detail) and it takes you through this incredible roller coaster of emotions from extreme highs to utter lows. At the end of the chapter I literally felt drained. I had to put the book down and rest.

[schmosef]

Dghost and I were talking about how the conflicting ideas actually nurture each other.

Which two conflicting ideas? That's what I'm not understanding.

Oh, and I made a MAJOR mental mixup and was thinking Heinlein was Hubbard briefly.

Yeah, I was wondering what you meant. I don't really understand Scientology. Care to elaborate a little.

[Claymonkey]

Which two conflicting ideas? That's what I'm not understanding.
Yeah, I was wondering what you meant. I don't really understand Scientology. Care to elaborate a little.

Rand's focus on the individual and focusing on oneself and Heinlein's discussion on the need for focus on being one with everything and everyone. It was more of a comment that they'd tend to conflict but you're more likely to need to spend time on both aspects of life since in my opinion you can't fully comprehend one without the other.

As for Scientology.... let me think on how to discuss that. If anyone else wants to take a crack at it first... be my guest.

[DGhost]

easiest way to explain scientology would be to read Operation Clambake.

[schmosef]

Funny, I just found that site on my own. I just read the Xenu leaflet. I'm convinced.

[DGhost]

be afraid. be very afraid. this is one rabbit hole that goes down *very* deep.