Ask HN: Interesting (Non software) books? • Hacker News Board

Re: Ask HN: Interesting (Non software) books?

#81

Post by MikeCapone » Mon, Mar 29, 2010, 6:20 PM UTC

A few that I've read recently and liked:

Predictably Irrational by Dan Ariely

Mostly about cognitive biases. Helps you think better by knowing your shortcomings.

Whole Earth Discipline by Stewart Brand

About protecting the environment, but with interesting takes on nuclear power, GMOs, cities and slums, etc.

Good Calories, Bad Calories by Gary Taubes

Made me re-think a lot of things about food. Despite the "pop-science" title, this is a well researched book that looks at countless studies from the past 150 years.

American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheier by Martin Sherwin and Kai Bird

A biography of Robert Oppenheimer. Fascinating man.

The Blank Slate by Steven Pinker

A must read. Evolutionary psychology.

Re: Ask HN: Interesting (Non software) books?

#82

Post by kingsley_20 » Mon, Mar 29, 2010, 6:22 PM UTC

Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience, by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi

AMZN blurb: You have heard about how a musician loses herself in her music, how a painter becomes one with the process of painting. In work, sport, conversation or hobby, you have experienced, yourself, the suspension of time, the freedom of complete absorption in activity. This is "flow," an experience that is at once demanding and rewarding--an experience that Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi demonstrates is one of the most enjoyable and valuable experiences a person can have. The exhaustive case studies, controlled experiments and innumerable references to historical figures, philosophers and scientists through the ages prove Csikszentmihalyi's point that flow is a singularly productive and desirable state. But the implications for its application to society are what make the book revolutionary.

Re: Ask HN: Interesting (Non software) books?

#83

Post by Mongoose » Mon, Mar 29, 2010, 6:25 PM UTC

The Art of War is definitely worth at least one read.

Re: Ask HN: Interesting (Non software) books?

#84

Post by barnaby » Mon, Mar 29, 2010, 6:34 PM UTC

Lately I'm into reading Biographies of Entrepreneurs.

Reserved "Founders at work" at the library, but currently reading "Match King" the biography of Ivar Kreuger. After failing a bunch of times, he figured it out: put on a show and pretend you're successful then other people buy in. Problem is he took that too far.

Surprisingly, good to read as an entrepreneur, both inspirational AND _cautionary_.

Re: Ask HN: Interesting (Non software) books?

#85

Post by access_denied » Mon, Mar 29, 2010, 6:34 PM UTC

Mongoose wrote: post #83

The Art of War is definitely worth at least one read.

So is the "War of Art".

Re: Ask HN: Interesting (Non software) books?

#86

Post by yatsyk » Mon, Mar 29, 2010, 6:36 PM UTC

olalonde wrote: post #29

Richard Dawkins' "Selfish Gene" and "God Delusion" are excellent reads.

'Selfish Gene' was very influential for me. It was interesting to observe mine and others behaviour through this theory.

Re: Ask HN: Interesting (Non software) books?

#87

Post by MikeCapone » Mon, Mar 29, 2010, 6:36 PM UTC

ktf wrote: post #46

Pale Fire, by Nabokov. A story of insane obsession, which I'm sure many HN readers could relate to...

I enjoyed it, but if you want epic Nabokov, check out ADA. It's a HUGE book, but very rewarding if you have the patience.

Re: Ask HN: Interesting (Non software) books?

#88

Post by GvS » Mon, Mar 29, 2010, 6:42 PM UTC

I can recommend Zamonia series by Walter Moers:

   The 13 1/2 Lives of Captain Bluebear
   Rumo & His Miraculous Adventures
   The City of Dreaming Books

Awesome fantasy books.

Re: Ask HN: Interesting (Non software) books?

#89

Post by mattdennewitz » Mon, Mar 29, 2010, 6:44 PM UTC

david foster wallace: oblivion

Re: Ask HN: Interesting (Non software) books?

#90

Post by grinich » Mon, Mar 29, 2010, 6:45 PM UTC

lionhearted wrote: post #61

If you're talented and get frustrated with stupid people, you have to read "Musashi" by Eiji Yoshikawa. I mean, you have to. Musashi was one of the greatest (maybe the greatest) swordsman of all time. He invented a Japanese longblade/shortblade mixed style of swordsmanship, at one point fighting himself out of an ambush when he was attacked by over 30 men. He was undefeated in over 60 duels, including defeating argua…

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