Ask HN: Good books?

#1

Post by bherms » Sun, Oct 03, 2010, 5:09 AM UTC

I just finished reading Atlas Shrugged, which I thought was a fantastic book. I'm reading Another Roadside Attraction now on the recommendation of a friend, but I think I want to read some non-fiction next, or at least eye-opening fiction. I'm thinking about some Bertrand Russel, Richard Feynman, or books on philosophy, human behavior, or economics.

What are some good books that you've read that are ground breaking, thought provoking, or changed the way you think/look at things?

ps: you can check out my shelf at shelfari.com/herms

Re: Ask HN: Good books?

#2

Post by dnautics » Sun, Oct 03, 2010, 5:20 AM UTC

"The meaning of it all: thoughts of a citizen-scientist". Probably worth reading more than any academically lionized philosopher.

"From Heaven Lake" is a really good non-fiction book that reads like a fiction.

Re: Ask HN: Good books?

#3

Post by bherms » Sun, Oct 03, 2010, 5:29 AM UTC

dnautics wrote: post #2

"The meaning of it all: thoughts of a citizen-scientist". Probably worth reading more than any academically lionized philosopher. "From Heaven Lake" is a really good non-fiction book that reads like a fiction.

Feynman was a fascinating and brilliant man. I've been reading a lot about him online, watching some videos on youtube, and reading through his quotes. I definitely need to pick up some of his books. I'll check out From Heaven Lake too. Thanks!

Re: Ask HN: Good books?

#4

Post by niyazpk » Sun, Oct 03, 2010, 5:33 AM UTC

Here is a list of books that I made a while ago by looking at the top recommended books from various places.

http://niyazpk.tadalist.com/lists/1629487/public

The list contains fiction as well as non-fiction. My pick: Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts - One of the best books I read last year (fiction).

Re: Ask HN: Good books?

#5

Post by zootar » Sun, Oct 03, 2010, 6:33 AM UTC

"The Moral Landscape: How Science Can Determine Human Values" by Sam Harris is a new release which falls into the category of philosophy, remarks on human behavior, and is bound to reference Bertrand Russell.

Harris, who has trained both as a philosopher and a neuroscientist, argues against the popular notion that science can have little or nothing to say about morality. Necessarily, he confronts related ideas like moral questions having no objectively right answer and science and religion being "nonoverlapping magisteria". Basically, he says that all moral questions must relate to maximizing the wellbeing of conscious creatures, and that what increases or decreases a creature's wellbeing can be studied scientifically at the level of the brain.

I just started reading it. Even if I'm not yet sure that I'm going to be completely convinced of the claim that "science can determine human values," I'm finding Harris to be a very clear thinker, as well as an amusing writer.

If you want a taste of his ideas and style, you can watch his TED talk, "Science can answer moral questions."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hj9oB4zpHww

http://www.amazon.com/Moral-Landscape-Science-Determine-Valu... (It isn't available from Amazon until October 5; I bought my copy in a bookstore.)

Re: Ask HN: Good books?

#6

Post by bherms » Sun, Oct 03, 2010, 6:43 AM UTC

zootar wrote: post #5

"The Moral Landscape: How Science Can Determine Human Values" by Sam Harris is a new release which falls into the category of philosophy, remarks on human behavior, and is bound to reference Bertrand Russell. Harris, who has trained both as a philosopher and a neuroscientist, argues against the popular notion that science can have little or nothing to say about morality. Necessarily, he confronts related ideas like m…

I read his book "The End of Faith: Religion, Terror, and the Future of Reason". I thought it was incredibly well written and presented some awesome points in favor of doing away with religion (however, I'm obviously biased as an atheist).

I haven't watched his TED talk yet, but I'll be checking it out asap.

The idea of "evolutionary morality" is covered in depth by Richard Dawkins quite often and really makes sense when you look at it. A society that avoids immoral behavior (moral meaning there is a victim, not religious-based moral ideals) benefits mutually. It's basically a moral version of the prisoners dilemma. I personally would rather have a society that bases morality on logic, reason, and thought than on fear of retribution from an angry man in the sky :)

Re: Ask HN: Good books?

#7

Post by Scott_MacGregor » Sun, Oct 03, 2010, 6:46 AM UTC

I'm not sure if this is non-fiction enough for you but, Tony Robbins, "Awaken the Giant Within" is one of my favorites. It is a good self help type book. It comes in Kindle too. http://www.amazon.com/Awaken-Giant-Within-Immediate-Emotiona...

Re: Ask HN: Good books?

#8

Post by bherms » Sun, Oct 03, 2010, 6:47 AM UTC

niyazpk wrote: post #4

Here is a list of books that I made a while ago by looking at the top recommended books from various places. http://niyazpk.tadalist.com/lists/1629487/public The list contains fiction as well as non-fiction. My pick: Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts - One of the best books I read last year (fiction).

Nice list! Several of those were on my "to read" list or I've already read.

You should consider signing up at shelfari. It's a cool site for tracking the books you've read, own, want to read, etc. You can also maintain a nice list and share with others. From a developers standpoint, it's pretty cool too, with a nice UI, some cool features, and a decent revenue model (Amazon affiliate).

Re: Ask HN: Good books?

#9

Post by bherms » Sun, Oct 03, 2010, 6:49 AM UTC

Clickable: http://shelfari.com/herms

Re: Ask HN: Good books?

#10

Post by skowmunk » Sun, Oct 03, 2010, 6:59 AM UTC

I had heard much about this book earlier :Guns, Germs and Steel ,

But only recently did I watch a documentary (hmm, probably on hulu.com) which was completely based on that book.

VERY GOOD.