Primo Levi, The Periodic Table.
Ask HN: What book have you given as a gift?
491–500 of 529 posts
Re: Ask HN: What book have you given as a gift?
#492The Double Helix (Watson)
Re: Ask HN: What book have you given as a gift?
#493Breakfast at Tiffany's (Truman Capote).
Re: Ask HN: What book have you given as a gift?
#494The 4 part LBJ book series by Robert Caro.
Re: Ask HN: What book have you given as a gift?
#495"The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich: A History of Nazi Germany" by William L. Shirer. It's a classic history book of our century which, despite its title, primarily focuses on Hitler's raise to power in the early 30s and the long, painful and ultimately futile international attempts at avoiding WW2 in the late 30s. It's a book I wish everyone would read, particularly everyone in a public office and the media. It's…
There is also a good biography about Hitler from a historian called David Irving. He is the guy that studied the history of hitler and ww2 for decades. Although he is perceived as very controversial author, I think his books are the closest thing to the truth.
https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/extremist-files/indi...
How do you separate what is true from what is he biased about?
Re: Ask HN: What book have you given as a gift?
#496Earlier quoted context omitted.
I'm sure there are some who complained of that, but nobody I know did. Look up "Bush Hitler" and you'll see plenty of images. It's the American national past-time to compare our president to either Hitler or the Antichrist, depending on your persuasion.
As I said, I'm sure that plenty of people did. Fringe groups will always have extreme opinions. That's different than mainstream news sources and even multiple historians making the comparison. No credible argument could be made for Bush (or any other Republican) being a fascist, but Trump's campaign follows many fascist criteria. Compare the results, to see for yourself that it's obviously a whole different degree:…
No credible argument could be made for Bush (or any other Republican) being a fascist, but Trump's campaign follows many fascist criteria.
You must be young, or lack memory, because plenty of people said the exact same thing about Bush a decade ago. If Trump wins, lame as that will be, he won't become Hitler. "Many fascist criteria" is not the same as fascist.
Re: Ask HN: What book have you given as a gift?
#497i play a game where i have duplicate copies of some books to give to anyone interested who has yet to have heard of one here's a incomprehensive list in alphabetical order: a people's history of the united states; howard zinn a rebours; joris-karl huysmans alcestis; euripides apology; plato belaya staya; anna akhmatova die verwandlung; franz kafka elements; euclid epic of gilgamesh; unknown ficciones; jorge luis borg…
a rebours is sick.
sick like, 'against the grain is dope yo'
or sick like, 'the decadence on display in against the grain is revolting'
Re: Ask HN: What book have you given as a gift?
#498The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand is one I've given adults. For kids, every year a local group called Book Harvest does a thing with Barnes & Noble where if you go in a B&N store, you can donate a book straight to Book Harvest which gives books to disadvantaged kids. For them, I usually grab a few books like A Wrinkle in Time or some Choose Your Own Adventure books or something. I also semi-frequently buy (by accident) a…
I'm still looking for the discontinued Dutch version of Atlas Shrugged (also Ayn Rand for those who don't know) to give to people around me (many don't regularly read in English). It changed me, I think it can do wonders for insecure people that tend to efface themselves for "the good of the group" and that may be less happy than they could be because of it. Also it may very well provide people with unbalanced marria…
One of my biggest issues with Rand outside of the ethics espoused is that her writing has no faith in the reader to get the message without it being constantly reiterated over and over and over. For probably the worst example just look at Atlas Shrugged where after 300-400 pages of the same message a thrown against a handful of strawmen you get 60 +/- monologue pages that are all the same idea wrapped in a different parable.
Re: Ask HN: What book have you given as a gift?
#499Earlier quoted context omitted.
I was a talent buyer for the live music industry - booking bands for a music venue. Involved being physically at the space a few times a week.
And here I am trying to transition going from tech into music (as a musician though - we'll see how it goes). Any words of wisdom from your side of the music bench?
You can definitely do both! I still perform music as well. I went from performer -> music industry pro -> programmer. Making money as a performer was definitely the toughest. But it pairs well w/ tech work if you can do your job during the day and play at night. If you're trying to make it in rock music, you'll be disgusted at how little has to do w/ how good you are or how good your music is. It's very much who you know and how well you can promote yourself. If you're trying to make it in jazz/classical it's more of a meritocracy so just practice a lot and you'll get gigs. Good luck!
Re: Ask HN: What book have you given as a gift?
#500Earlier quoted context omitted.
I'm still looking for the discontinued Dutch version of Atlas Shrugged (also Ayn Rand for those who don't know) to give to people around me (many don't regularly read in English). It changed me, I think it can do wonders for insecure people that tend to efface themselves for "the good of the group" and that may be less happy than they could be because of it. Also it may very well provide people with unbalanced marria…
I don't understand how Ayn Rand always seems to trigger down votes here. Me either, but I'm used to it. Whatever. The downvoters are probably the people who thought Ellsworth Toohey was the hero in The Fountainhead .
Actually, its because Rand readers tend to have mentalities like yours - "Anyone who doesn't agree with me just doesn't get it because they don't recognize how supremely intelligent I am".
You aren't the first and you won't be the last Rand fanboy with this attitude. :)