Ask HN: What is one book you would recommend everyone to read?

#1

Post by mach1ne » Mon, Feb 07, 2022, 6:47 AM UTC

HN produces better book recommendations than any other place I know of. People at HN have recommended such books like Chimpanzee Politics, which are so basic yet eye-opening that everyone would benefit from reading them.

If you would get to recommend a single book for everyone to read, what would it be?

Re: Ask HN: What is one book you would recommend everyone to read?

#2

Post by fvold » Mon, Feb 07, 2022, 6:49 AM UTC

1984.

Yes, I know you've probably read it already, but it's probably time to read it again.

Re: Ask HN: What is one book you would recommend everyone to read?

#3

Post by egc » Mon, Feb 07, 2022, 6:55 AM UTC

The World without us

Its an incredible non-fiction book

Re: Ask HN: What is one book you would recommend everyone to read?

#4

Post by cyneox » Mon, Feb 07, 2022, 6:59 AM UTC

- Way of the peaceful warrior

- Range

- Conversations with God

- Factfulness

- Accelerate: Building and Scaling High-Performing Technology Organizations

Re: Ask HN: What is one book you would recommend everyone to read?

#5

Post by pizza » Mon, Feb 07, 2022, 7:07 AM UTC

at the risk of sounding like a broken record freedom from the known

Re: Ask HN: What is one book you would recommend everyone to read?

#6

Post by anon2020dot00 » Mon, Feb 07, 2022, 7:10 AM UTC

Not for everyone, but some people would probably benefit from reading Clayton Christensen's books such as The Innovator's Dilemma, Competing Against Luck and How Will You Measure Your Life?

His explanation of Correlation vs Causation while likely obvious to some was eye-opening for me as well as his idea of looking at products from what Job they fulfill standpoint

Re: Ask HN: What is one book you would recommend everyone to read?

#7

Post by theshrike79 » Mon, Feb 07, 2022, 7:14 AM UTC

If you're in software, read Peopleware. _Especially_ if you lead, or intend to lead, any kind of team.

Re: Ask HN: What is one book you would recommend everyone to read?

#8

Post by youeseh » Mon, Feb 07, 2022, 7:16 AM UTC

Getting More by Stuart Dimond is a good book on negotiating and building relationships.

Re: Ask HN: What is one book you would recommend everyone to read?

#9

Post by Pandabob » Mon, Feb 07, 2022, 7:18 AM UTC

Talebs Fooled by randomness.

Re: Ask HN: What is one book you would recommend everyone to read?

#10

Post by honkycat » Mon, Feb 07, 2022, 7:18 AM UTC

Slaughterhouse-5 by Kurt Vonnegut.

It is a book about turning beauty into ruin. About the stupidity and cruelty of man. And also about the authors love of humanity and finding joy and love in the fate we all share.

Vonnegut stared into the abyss and never lost his idealism.