I'm currently really enjoying "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" by Robert Pirsig. http://www.amazon.com/Zen-Art-Motorcycle-Maintenance-Inquiry...
A very interesting read for hackers.
Ask HN: Summer reading
31–40 of 48 posts
Re: Ask HN: Summer reading
#32Heres a few ive read int he last month or two that I enjoyed on some level
Technopoly - http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/79678.Technopoly: the author puts forth the argument that technology isn't always good, and may replace parts of our life that are more beneficial. I don't agree with a lot o the points, but it was fascinating to see technology from a very different view point than I see it in.
Turing's Cathedral - http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12625591-turing-s-cathedr...: A terribly named book, since it barely mentions Turing (its focus is John von Neumann and his team). It does, however, give a reallly well documented look into the stone age of digital computing.
Cluetrain Manifesto - http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/81195.The_Cluetrain_Manif...: Its been a long time since I read this originally, but I reread it again recently. If you haven't before, you should. Mostly about running a company online.
Enchantment - http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9895917-enchantment: I like Guy Kawasaki's books. This one is a bit less focused on startup/tech, more on how you interact with people (both as a person and as a brand).
Racing the Beam - http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5435210-racing-the-beam: A deeeeeeep dive on the atari system. Literally discusses how the controllers manipulate the bits in memory to do different actions.
Checklist Manifesto - http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6667514-the-checklist-man...: A surgeon made a study to see how much the health care industry could be improved by having a checklist before preforming common tasks (hands are washed, patient is correct patient, etc). Phenomenal results, with really interesting implications as to human nature and expectations.
Re: Ask HN: Summer reading
#33Gödel, Escher, Bach by Hofstadter is my personal favorite piece of non-fiction.
Re: Ask HN: Summer reading
#34Two books which helped me to understand people and to organise my own thoughts:
Applying Psychology to Everyday Life: A Beginner's Guide http://www.amazon.co.uk/Applying-Psychology-Everyday-Life-Be...
A Whole New Mind - Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future http://www.amazon.co.uk/Whole-New-Mind-Right-brainers-Future...
Re: Ask HN: Summer reading
#35Kingpin: How One Hacker Took Over The Billion-Dollar Cybercrime Underground: This book won't necessarily teach you all that much, but it is a true story and it's both intensely interesting and not lacking in substance. It's written by a past hacker, as well, so there are no irritating mistakes or hand-holding around technical concepts that can sometimes get annoying in general interest books about computers. I highly suggest reading this, it's captivating and it's the kind of book that gets you excited about computers and the potential they give you.
Re: Ask HN: Summer reading
#36I also have to suggest The Intelligent Investor by Benjamin Graham. Graham was a genius and revolutionized the financial world. He wrote the book in the 50's, and it has been republished with anecdotes tying it to the modern day many times. The most recent republishing was after the tech boom, so that version has many references to that phenomenon in the anecdotes. However, Graham's original and unabridged words are included as well. He's incredibly lucid and pragmatic, denouncing mysticism for analytic techniques. The book is still considered to be the bible of value investing; Warren Buffett said his investment philosophy was "85% Benjamin Graham."
Re: Ask HN: Summer reading
#37I also have to suggest The Intelligent Investor by Benjamin Graham. Graham was a genius and revolutionized the financial world. He wrote the book in the 50's, and it has been republished with anecdotes tying it to the modern day many times. The most recent republishing was after the tech boom, so that version has many references to that phenomenon in the anecdotes. However, Graham's original and unabridged words are…
I've ordered this book just hours before this thread was live. Now I'm more eager to read it. Thank you!
Re: Ask HN: Summer reading
#38I also have to suggest The Intelligent Investor by Benjamin Graham. Graham was a genius and revolutionized the financial world. He wrote the book in the 50's, and it has been republished with anecdotes tying it to the modern day many times. The most recent republishing was after the tech boom, so that version has many references to that phenomenon in the anecdotes. However, Graham's original and unabridged words are…
Related to finance, "The Four Pillars of Investing" is a solid read if you are new to finance and personal investing. It's getting a little dated but there are lots of great tips and explanations in it.
Re: Ask HN: Summer reading
#39Why must it be non-fiction? I'll stick to non-fiction since you asked, but I think its an odd limit to put in place in this discussion. -------- In my opinion the essential book for anyone interested in science and technology would be How To Win Friends and Influence People . By far the most important book. By far. I really can't overstate the importance of learning to interact with other people in polite, persuasive…
"normal" conversation? what's that?
In all seriousness, in my opinion, there's not such thing as normal conversation, people are different, conversations too.
Re: Ask HN: Summer reading
#40Why must it be non-fiction? I'll stick to non-fiction since you asked, but I think its an odd limit to put in place in this discussion. -------- In my opinion the essential book for anyone interested in science and technology would be How To Win Friends and Influence People . By far the most important book. By far. I really can't overstate the importance of learning to interact with other people in polite, persuasive…
The Emperor of All Maladies was a great book. Even with all the weight it carried dealing with such a serious topic, I could hardly put it down.