BF2S Forums Brain food books

A People's History of the United States
Had heard about it, haven't read it myself yet, but I want to... even if it is way left-leaning and has some problems. But nothing's perfect.


Oh wait, you're Canadian... well, I dunno, read this if you want, but not like you should care heh

The Oxford English Dictionary

A Short History of Ethics

Post-War History of Europe Since 1945- Tony Judt.

I am reading Jonathan Fenby's "History of Modern China". Here's a review of it: http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/ … 032555.ece

About half way through with it and it's REALLY interesting, really nice read. Also very jaw dropping.

You might also try "The Bin Ladens". http://www.amazon.com/Bin-Ladens-Arabia … 1594201641

Then there's "The Islamist" by Ed Husein. This is probably my most favorite book ever.

Also "Blood River: A Journey Through the Broken Heart of Africa". A reporter takes a trip following the Congo River. The things he sees and hears along the way are unbelievable. This is tied with "The Islamist" in regards to amazingness. I read each book in a matter of days, I couldn't put either down.

The China book and the Bin Laden book are both very long and interesting, so they'll certainly last the longest.

"The Correct Opinions" by Jordan

The Joy of Sex

Last edited by Macbeth (2009-12-01 11:34:38)

mtb0minime wrote:

A People's History of the United States
Had heard about it, haven't read it myself yet, but I want to... even if it is way left-leaning and has some problems. But nothing's perfect.


Oh wait, you're Canadian... well, I dunno, read this if you want, but not like you should care heh

I've got a signed copy   Saw Zinn speak a few years ago.

Demon Haunted World by Carl Sagan.  Solid book, very informative and practical.  A must read for everyone.

Bill Bryson, "A Short History of Nearly Everything"
Written by a travel writer, who's pretty witty...
Bill gets tired of being around science types, so he wrote an idiot's guy to science.  Starts with the big bang, formation of planets, string theory, geology, biology, etc moves to genetics.  Specifically he uses common means to explain complicated topics once meeting with the scientific illuminati. 

For instance, on the vastness of space - if the earth was the same size as the period at the end of this sentence, if you were to keep the scale the same, you'd need sheets of paper 1 1/2 miles long to include pluto in the solar system.  He also discusses the scientists' quirks in figuring out their theories to start with (for instance - one guy would subject his wife and kids to vacuums, where they would pass out and then go eat dinner).

http://www.randomhouse.com/features/bil … 0767908184

Pug wrote:

Bill Bryson, "A Short History of Nearly Everything"
Written by a travel writer, who's pretty witty...
Bill gets tired of being around science types, so he wrote an idiot's guy to science.  Starts with the big bang, formation of planets, string theory, geology, biology, etc moves to genetics.  Specifically he uses common means to explain complicated topics once meeting with the scientific illuminati. 

For instance, on the vastness of space - if the earth was the same size as the period at the end of this sentence, if you were to keep the scale the same, you'd need sheets of paper 1 1/2 miles long to include pluto in the solar system.  He also discusses the scientists' quirks in figuring out their theories to start with (for instance - one guy would subject his wife and kids to vacuums, where they would pass out and then go eat dinner).

http://www.randomhouse.com/features/bil … 0767908184

that is a good book, very entertaining and informing, not too heavy. +1.

Pug wrote:

Bill Bryson, "A Short History of Nearly Everything"
Written by a travel writer, who's pretty witty...
Bill gets tired of being around science types, so he wrote an idiot's guy to science.  Starts with the big bang, formation of planets, string theory, geology, biology, etc moves to genetics.  Specifically he uses common means to explain complicated topics once meeting with the scientific illuminati. 

For instance, on the vastness of space - if the earth was the same size as the period at the end of this sentence, if you were to keep the scale the same, you'd need sheets of paper 1 1/2 miles long to include pluto in the solar system.  He also discusses the scientists' quirks in figuring out their theories to start with (for instance - one guy would subject his wife and kids to vacuums, where they would pass out and then go eat dinner).

http://www.randomhouse.com/features/bil … 0767908184

was going to post this but you beat me to it +1

also:

Apocalypse 2012: an investigation into civilization's end by lawrence e. joseph
kind of cool, looks at all the scientific explanations as why the world could end in 2012. The author himself doesn't think its going to end (he isn't some superstitious nut, but he fins it interesting).

and:

A brief history of time by Stephen Hawking
really interesting and pretty basic if you are interested in the universe/physics

The Complete Kama Sutra