Most important books you've read

[whitetrashgriz]

very old thread but i remembered that many on here really liked "into thin air" by jon krakauer. i really enjoyed that book too but i recently finished his book, "under the banner of heaven" and i was blown away. i'm sure many here have read it but those who haven't i would highly recommend it. he is one of my favorite authors so obviously it is very well written. however, the insight you get into mormonism and religion as a whole is jaw-dropping. very glad i read this book, and i'm going to have to read up some more on some of the issues he covered because this certainly gave me a new perspective on how i view things.

[kcatz]

Whitetrash I completely agree! He took a great amount of time detailing the thoughts and how their beliefs originated, all of that detail gives a perspective into the LDS faith that few outside would get to know.

[catatac]

Where the Red Fern Grows. Laugh, but I list this because it was the first book I ever read and it really instilled in me that enjoyment you can only get by reading a good book.

After that I would say...

Entropy
The Holographic Universe
Into Thin Air
Endurance
Undaunted Courage

[Gorak]

I would go so far as to say anything by John Krakauer. I'm currently reading "where men win glory" about Pat Tillman.

Also the Bible? really? far too much sex and violence for me.

[TIrwin24]

The Bible.

Watch out BAC might try start a debate with you based on this particular book...

As for me, anything that I've read by Jon Krakauer has definitely stood out in my mind as very memorable. ie. Into Thin Air or Under The Banner of Heaven

[SonomaCat]

The Bible.

Watch out BAC might try start a debate with you based on this particular book...

As for me, anything that I've read by Jon Krakauer has definitely stood out in my mind as very memorable. ie. Into Thin Air or Under The Banner of Heaven

I happen to think the Bible is an immensely interesting and incredibly important book. It definitely will make my "most important book" list. I read it cover to cover in high school, and that reading changed my entire perception of many things.

I think the mark of an important book is that it would lead to intelligent and meaningful debates on important topics ... which is a common thread of so many of the great books listed here.

I need to put some thought to my complete list.

[TIrwin24]

The Bible.

Watch out BAC might try start a debate with you based on this particular book...

As for me, anything that I've read by Jon Krakauer has definitely stood out in my mind as very memorable. ie. Into Thin Air or Under The Banner of Heaven

I happen to think the Bible is an immensely interesting and incredibly important book. It definitely will make my "most important book" list. I read it cover to cover in high school, and that reading changed my entire perception of many things.

I think the mark of an important book is that it would lead to intelligent and meaningful debates on important topics ... which is a common thread of so many of the great books listed here.

I need to put some thought to my complete list.

I was just joking around with you BAC. I just remember immensely long (and sometimes frustrating) debates on this board in regards to the bible

[CelticCat]

Can't really say any book has changed my outlook on life or anything, but I did enjoy the three classic satirical dystopia novels:

1984 - George Orwell
A Brave New World - Aldous Huxley
We - Yevgeny Zamyatin

Okay so maybe they did teach me to keep a cautious eye on everything I see or hear from media or the government.

Lucky Jim was pretty fun, as far as British literature goes.

[CapitalCityCat]

Two of the books I've recently re-read that have made me change the way I look at things are:

Tuesdays with Morrie

For One More Day

Tuesdays with Morrie gave me a greater appreciation for my father and a desire to learn more about his past, so I can share those stories with my children.

For One More Day wasn't my favorite book, but when read in conjunction with Tuesdays with Morrie, it also gave me a greater appreciation of those close to me.

[AlphaGriz1]

The Federalist Papers

Sharing the Wealth - Alex Spanos - BEST book I have ever read, great story, great guy and non politcal.

and even though he stole the title of the book I wanted to write in highschool

The Way Things Ought to Be - Rush Limbaugh

See I told You So - Rush Limbaugh

Meltdown - Thomas Woods

My Grandfathers Son - Clarence Thomas

Obamanomics - Tim Carney

[SACCAT]

Deep thoughts...By Jack Handey.

[seataccat]

What a great topic. Here is my list off the top of my head.

“The Jefferson Bible: The Life and Morals of Jesus of Nazareth” Thomas Jefferson
“The Age of Reason” Thomas Paine
“Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies” Jared Diamond
“Robinson Crusoe” Thomas Keymer
“Duel: Alexander Hamilton, Aaron Burr, and the Future of America“ Thomas Fleming
“Collapse” Jared Diamond
“Why Your World Is About to Get a Whole Lot Smaller: Oil and the End of Globalization“ Jeff Rubin
“Jefferson, Nationalism and the Enlightenment” Henry Steele Commager

You guys putting the federalist papers crack me up. I have actually read the federalist papers and didn't get a whole lot out of it. There are way way better reads about reasons to ratify the constitution.

I cant believe that "into thin air" and "the long walk" would exactly qualify as the most important books i've ever read. If you are looking for historical entertainment read "endurance" or "frozen in time: the fate of the Franklin expedition".

[nevadacat]

You guys putting the federalist papers crack me up. I have actually read the federalist papers and didn't get a whole lot out of it. There are way way better reads about reasons to ratify the constitution.

I cant believe that "into thin air" and "the long walk" would exactly qualify as the most important books i've ever read. If you are looking for historical entertainment read "endurance" or "frozen in time: the fate of the Franklin expedition".

I think the topic is about what books each person finds meaningful to HIMSELF. I don't recall being asked to pass judgment on others' choices. Keep your disparaging remarks to yourself.

[nevadacat]

Now, back on topic.

I recently listened to Brothers in Battle, Best of Friends by William "Wild Bill" Guarnere and Edward "Babe" Heffron. The audiobook was very moving; much more, I think, than if I had simply read the text. The narrator infused the two men's emotions into his reading--I'm assuming from listening to interviews conducted by the author--along with their South Philly accents. It gave me a much clearer picture of what the men in the thick of battle went through on an emotional level, and how it impacted them after the war. This book gave me a better appreciation of what vets had to live with after the war, since most--including my father--rarely talked about it.

While I found many parts of the Band of Brothers TV series moving, this audiobook really shook me to the core. I think I'd have to rate it as a personally-influential book.

[BelgradeBobcat]

Fever Pitch by Nick Hornby.

It's about an intelligent guy discussing his illogical obsession with his favorite team-Arsenal. I really identified with it. I have the same feelings following the Bobcats. Why does the outcome of a mere game-between players who could care less if I exist effect my personal happiness? I don't know-it just does.

[catsrback76]

Because the question is "most important"...

The Bible-
Leap Over A Wall: Eugene Peterson
Future Shock: Toffler
Good to Great: Collins
Mere Christianity: C.S. Lewis

[seataccat]

You guys putting the federalist papers crack me up. I have actually read the federalist papers and didn't get a whole lot out of it. There are way way better reads about reasons to ratify the constitution.

I cant believe that "into thin air" and "the long walk" would exactly qualify as the most important books i've ever read. If you are looking for historical entertainment read "endurance" or "frozen in time: the fate of the Franklin expedition".

I think the topic is about what books each person finds meaningful to HIMSELF. I don't recall being asked to pass judgment on others' choices. Keep your disparaging remarks to yourself.

Sir yes sir!!

[catatac]

You guys putting the federalist papers crack me up. I have actually read the federalist papers and didn't get a whole lot out of it. There are way way better reads about reasons to ratify the constitution.

I cant believe that "into thin air" and "the long walk" would exactly qualify as the most important books i've ever read. If you are looking for historical entertainment read "endurance" or "frozen in time: the fate of the Franklin expedition".

I think the topic is about what books each person finds meaningful to HIMSELF. I don't recall being asked to pass judgment on others' choices. Keep your disparaging remarks to yourself.

Sir yes sir!!

And... regarding the criticism of listing "Into Thin Air"... I'll also point out that I also listed "Endurance" as you recommend, in case you missed it.

[wbtfg]

Has anyone read Double Take by MSU alumnus and Helena native, Kevin Connolly? I see that book has been chosen for MSU's freshman convocation reading for the upcoming fall.

http://www.montana.edu/cpa/news/nwview.php?article=8478" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[CPACAT]

Freakonomics and Super Freakonomics by Steven Levitt and Sephen Dubner are interesting reads. Makes you question how people look at things and what some statistics really mean.