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

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

#131

Post by Zanni »

I'd say that The Scout Mindset: Why Some People See Things Clearly and Others Don't [0] is the book for the current moment. Don't be put off by the subtitle. It's not about condemning a particular group as fuzzy thinkers. Rather, it's a manual for overcoming your own biases with immediate, actionable advice. For example, if you express your beliefs as "percent confident" rather than "true or false," it's easier to update them based on new evidence.

[0] https://www.amazon.com/Scout-Mindset-People-Things-Clearly-e...

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

#133

Post by Brajeshwar »

I decided to learn/understand why Religion is the center-stage for almost every event that happens to humanity. This year, I’m planning to read the books, at least, of the top 5 religions of the world.

Read Bhagavad Gita[1], had read the Bible[2] in hotel stays but will read it again, and the Quran[3] is waiting in the book-shelf. No, not religious at all; in fact, very far from it.

Some time back, someone did a nice collection of HackerNews recommended books[4].

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhagavad_Gita

2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bible

3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quran

4. https://hacker-recommended-books.vercel.app/

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

#134

Post by strzibny »

ImaCake wrote: post #51
dusted wrote: post #34

It's probably cliché, and there are so many good books.. I must say "1984" because I read that as a kid, and it was not only the first "real book" i read from cover to cover, but also the one that I felt most strongly influence my thinking.

I know people love 1984 but I found it exceedingly boring when I tried to read it. But it does have some very interesting ideas. My issue with 1984 may have been prior exposure to it's best ideas elsewhere. Orwell is a great writer, highly recommend both "Homage to Catalonia" and "Animal Farm". Complex topics written in an accessible style.

I think Animal Farm is better.

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

#135

Post by passion__desire »

banana2 wrote: post #48
nullptr_deref wrote: post #22

Maybe not for all but, Bhagavad Gita: As it is. Do not read the explanation which are biased to god and religion. But you can definitely read the stanzas. The idea that we are actor whose duty is to act is a powerful concept, especially when you are feeling low. The book also has some egoistic stuff like "I am god, obey me." But once you filter some of these, you see bigger picture.

Definitely not a recommendation I see often. I only came to know of the Gita by this quote: "To work you have the right, but not to the fruits thereof". Resonated with me, and brought me to the concept of "karma yoga". How did you come across it?

Alternative worded quote :

"It is possible to commit no mistakes and still lose. That is not a weakness. That is life." - Jean-Luc Picard

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

#136

Post by skripp »

Code: The Hidden Language of Computer Hardware and Software.

Wonderfully written book on how computers work.

It's even a good read for the curious non-technical reader. However, some chapters might be a bit hard for them. The first road block seem to be the chapter on logic gates, but with some help it's not that bad.

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

#137

Post by huijzer »

A Mind For Numbers: How to Excel at Math and Science by Barbara Oakley.

The book is almost childish in some sections, but the lessons are great. I'm still using many of the lessons daily such as taking a break when stuck on a hard problem, doing the most difficult task of the day first or that it is okay if you don't understand something immediately.

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

#139

Post by adreamingsoul »

biren34 wrote: post #114

Okay at the risk of being offensive, all the comments before mine are made by overly intellectual fools. I'm not usually so insulting--but as a father of two, if my 3 year old and 1.5 year old could only read one book, it would have to be "Oh, the places you'll go" by Dr. Suess. Sorry to stomp on Das Kapital and its ilk, but if you get only one book, I can't imagine a better first message to convey than the endless p…

I agree with OP. Even though it may be a book for children, it is worth reading.

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

#140

Post by pindab0ter »

Brajeshwar wrote: post #133

I decided to learn/understand why Religion is the center-stage for almost every event that happens to humanity. This year, I’m planning to read the books, at least, of the top 5 religions of the world. Read Bhagavad Gita[1], had read the Bible[2] in hotel stays but will read it again, and the Quran[3] is waiting in the book-shelf. No, not religious at all; in fact, very far from it. Some time back, someone did a nice…

May I recommend the Ten Minute Bible Hour podcast? It’s a podcast that goes through the entirety of the book of Matthew, but without the sermon. Instead he covers historical, social and cultural context to help people better understand how the original audience would have read it and come to a better understanding of what the Bible says. Again: without the sermon.
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