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Ask HN: Life Changing Books?

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61–70 of 234 posts

Re: Ask HN: Life Changing Books?

#62
Studying Positive Psychology feels like a good benefit-for-time-spent. A great book on it is Stumbling on Happiness by Daniel Gilbert. It's a great overview of how error-prone our predictions about what will make us happy are; along with, if I remember right, good advice for how to maximize happiness (alternatively, read The How of Happiness for more-direct advice).

https://www.amazon.com/Stumbling-Happiness-Daniel-Gilbert/dp...

https://www.amazon.com/How-Happiness-Approach-Getting-Life/d...

Re: Ask HN: Life Changing Books?

#64
post #40

Harry Potter and the Methods of Rationality. I delayed for too long reading this thrilling book. It was like getting a brain massage. So many wonderful lessons in rational thinking packed into a truly enjoyable and memorable story. In response to some questions: It's not a kids book. It's a fan-fiction inspired by the original books, but written with adults in mind. You can read it for free at http://www.hpmor.com/ .

Is it fiction or non-fiction?

It's a Harry Potter fanfic written by a believer in Rationality, so it's a version of Harry Potter mixed in with a strange religion.

Re: Ask HN: Life Changing Books?

#65
Buddhism Without Beliefs by Stephen Batchelor.

It's considered one of the founding books of the secular Buddhist movement. Not only did it open me up to the depths of the meditative path as a therapeutic practice (rather than religious practice), but it inspired me to complete a university degree in Religious Studies.

Re: Ask HN: Life Changing Books?

#67
post #8

Books that have changed my life: - How to win friends and influence people. Helped me understand the dynamics of relationships in a unon manipulative and empathetic way. - Sapiens. Changed my view on human organizations and religion - the monk who sold his Ferrari - meditations by Marcus Aurelius - the screwtape letters. Letter 15 specifically changed me

"How to win friends and influence people"

It's a great book, however it creates one problem, when all of the advice is implemented. It makes you a perfect listener, but doesn't mention the imbalance it can cause.

Re: Ask HN: Life Changing Books?

#69
post #65

Buddhism Without Beliefs by Stephen Batchelor. It's considered one of the founding books of the secular Buddhist movement. Not only did it open me up to the depths of the meditative path as a therapeutic practice (rather than religious practice), but it inspired me to complete a university degree in Religious Studies.

Great book. I almost put this down on my list (many Buddhist books have influenced me).

Re: Ask HN: Life Changing Books?

#70

Here are mine: - "The 48 Laws of Power" by Robert Greene - "The Gift of Fear" by Gavin de Becker - "Left of Bang" by Patrick van Horne and Jason Riley - "Influence" and its follow-up "Pre-suasion" by Robert Cialdini - "Courage is Calling" by Ryan Holiday (yes it was published this year but I found it helpful) - "How to Win Friends and Influence People" by Dale Carnegie - "No One Ever Told Us That" by John D. Spooner…

48 laws of power, influence, win friends, and to some degree rich dad, when put together in a list, could tell a story about someone. I’m curious in a non-attacking sort of way, do you consider yourself a sociopath, or to have more manipulative tendencies than those around you?
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