book recommendations

[AKR]

ok, so i'm doing this part time job where i just sit there, and supervise parent visitations with their kids. i need some book recommendations. most books at our libraries here are, like, older than the libraries themselves. they're actually engraved on tablets, so there's not a great chance for newer books. but anyways, does anyone have some ideas? it can be new or old, as they get new books in every now and then. something relevant to science, politics, religion. (for those of you who don't know, i'm a libertarian atheist, so please no right wing, fundy books or anything)

[zaxx25]

"From Beirut to Jerusalem"

Its highly informative, recognized by MOST as unbiased account of an American journalists time in the middle east and his honest appraisal of the situation.

The author is Thomas Friedman who is considered by many to be the preeminent American jounalist of his generation.

Or read "The Painted Bird". Its pretty graphic though.

[Shaun1990]

"The God Delusion".

[AKR]

Originally Posted by Shaun1990

"The God Delusion".

haha, that was one of the first books i browsed in the library website. checked out right now, though.

[The Experiment]

Since you are Libertarian:

F.A. Hayek - The Road to Serfdom

Anything by Milton Friedman

Easy to read but a very good reads, all of them.

[mr_oo3]

Originally Posted by The Experiment

Since you are Libertarian:

Anything by Milton Friedman

No, Friedman wasn't a libertarian, he installed centralised banks in some South American country.

'1984' - George Orwell. A must read.

'The Old Man & The Sea' - Hemmingway.

[zaxx25]

No, Friedman wasn't a libertarian

You beat me to it....

funny how Old style conservatism has been so perverted by the neo-cons and vulcans that people cant even recognize FISCAL CONSERVATISM anymore.

[MantisShrimp]

Originally Posted by zaxx25

"From Beirut to Jerusalem"

Its highly informative, recognized by MOST as unbiased account of an American journalists time in the middle east and his honest appraisal of the situation.

The author is Thomas Friedman who is considered by many to be the preeminent American jounalist of his generation.

Or read "The Painted Bird". Its pretty graphic though.

Good book, probably Tom Friedman's master work...also sells for very cheap used for some reason
Maybe because the average american doesn't give a **** about lebanon

[MantisShrimp]

Also if you are an atheist struggling to understand the potential for non-dogmatic spirituality, or seeking meaning outside the conventional evangelical railroading we endure every day, I highly recommend The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran. It's more of an earth book than a religious book, almost occult.

[Thy_Kingdom]

Sidney Pitier - "Measure of a Man"
Great book overall. There were a few topics I didn't understand probably because of my age and limited experience(Growing old in America, forgiveness, becoming a father) but a lot that I enjoyed such as his experience in the 60's during the civil rights movements, his political views, guidance to black males in America, courage & perseverance. Many of the topics I liked were ones that all people could relate to, but most importantly young men as he devotes a large section of the book to morals and what it is to be a good man.


Next up, another book regarding morals and leadership:
Colin Powell - "My American Journey"

[US_Ranger]

Originally Posted by mr_oo3

No, Friedman wasn't a libertarian, he installed centralised banks in some South American country.

'1984' - George Orwell. A must read.

'The Old Man & The Sea' - Hemmingway.

I couldn't stand "The Old Man and the Sea" and this is coming from a Hemmingway fan. What a boring book that was......maybe I'll like it when I'm 60.

[SYRIANKID]

Websites:

www.sunnipath.com
www.livingislam.org
www.sunnah.org
www.masud.co.uk
www.islamic-awareness.org

Books:

What are some recommended books on Islamic spirituality?

The History of the Qur?anic Text from Revelation to Compilation

http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showth...t=reading+list

[AKR]

Originally Posted by mr_oo3

No, Friedman wasn't a libertarian, he installed centralised banks in some South American country.

'1984' - George Orwell. A must read.

'The Old Man & The Sea' - Hemmingway.

hah, i actually picked up 1984 this morning before i saw the rest of the replies in this thread. i also got 'atlas shrugged.'

thanks everyone for the recommendations; i'll put some of these down for later.

[JSPoole]

I think you would be interested in reading conversations with god ( a series). and I'd be interested in what an athiest thinks of them...they aren't preachy or insist you believe in god or anything so dont worry :P

[Skwidward]

Imajica - Clive Barker (fiction with religious undertone)

Religion and Science - Bertrand Russel (You'd love this)

[buddhastalin]

Originally Posted by US_Ranger

I couldn't stand "The Old Man and the Sea" and this is coming from a Hemmingway fan. What a boring book that was......maybe I'll like it when I'm 60.

i felt this way too. also with death in the afternoon. all his other novels were great though. i even liked across the river and into the trees.

[Chowboy]

"Battle Cry of Freedom"

If you are even slightly interested in the Civil War, this is an excellent primer.

[vikings v2]

angels and demons

the da vinci code

angels and demons definatly has a good mix between religion and science trying to explain them(but their novels i dunno if your looking for a novel)

[IraHays]

Originally Posted by vikings v2

the da vinci code

He said something relevant to religion.

[J-Bol]

Originally Posted by AKR

ok, so i'm doing this part time job where i just sit there, and supervise parent visitations with their kids. i need some book recommendations. most books at our libraries here are, like, older than the libraries themselves. they're actually engraved on tablets, so there's not a great chance for newer books. but anyways, does anyone have some ideas? it can be new or old, as they get new books in every now and then. something relevant to science, politics, religion. (for those of you who don't know, i'm a libertarian atheist, so please no right wing, fundy books or anything)

Why not read the opposition's side on the matter? Reading something you already agree on is an easy way to become blind to the other side's argument. Sorry I can't recommend any books, though. I like novels based on history. Michael Curtis Ford has awesome novels on the Roman and Greek Empires and I just started reading Aztec Rage by Gary Jennings. I also read a lot about mythology and dogs.

[Gadsden]

Originally Posted by vikings v2

(but theirnovels i dunno if your looking for a novel)

*gasp* I thought it was all true!!!!


to OP, I would check out something by Thomas E. Woods Jr. I haven't read him yet, have read exerpts, but he writes about some very interesting subjects in a way that you wouldn't see typical of today.

for instance, his recent book "How the Catholic Church Built Western Civilization" talks about how Catholic heirarchy, strategy and policy helped recover Europe from the "dark ages"...
might want to check that out, or just amazon.com his name, he has about 5 or 6 books out anyways.

[potatoe]

Try the Bible why you're at it. Most have some kind of commentary (not all though)


Fahrenheit 451 (fiction). Set in the future (well, when it was written lol) think about todays society when reading it.

[AKR]

Originally Posted by J-Bol

Why not read the opposition's side on the matter? Reading something you already agree on is an easy way to become blind to the other side's argument. Sorry I can't recommend any books, though. I like novels based on history. Michael Curtis Ford has awesome novels on the Roman and Greek Empires and I just started reading Aztec Rage by Gary Jennings. I also read a lot about mythology and dogs.

why would i want to read things that i know are false? the other side's argument has been torn to shreds. i've never read anything by someone from my opposition-be it political or religious-that made me go, "well, they have a point there."

i spent 20 years going to a private christians school and going to church, plus countless hours in religious themed forums. i think i've given the opposition more than enough of my time.

[AKR]

Originally Posted by potatoe

Try the Bible why you're at it. Most have some kind of commentary (not all though)

i believe that falls under the "right wing fundy" category i spoke of. besides, i've read it far too many times.

Fahrenheit 451 (fiction). Set in the future (well, when it was written lol) think about todays society when reading it.

yeah, i ran across that book in my search. i'll keep it in mind.

[AKR]

Originally Posted by vikings v2

angels and demons

the da vinci code

angels and demons definatly has a good mix between religion and science trying to explain them(but their novels i dunno if your looking for a novel)

i'll take a novel if i feel it's relevant to the subjects i mentioned, and it has a lot of reality in it. like the two novels i picked up today.

[mlc82]

The Rigante series by David Gemmell is a must if you like fantasy books that tie in with history.

[JSPoole]

Originally Posted by AKR

why would i want to read things that i know are false? the other side's argument has been torn to shreds. i've never read anything by someone from my opposition-be it political or religious-that made me go, "well, they have a point there."

i spent 20 years going to a private christians school and going to church, plus countless hours in religious themed forums. i think i've given the opposition more than enough of my time.

Conversations with God is not right wing and fundy, and as far as I can tell, none of the points in any of the books have ever been ripped to shreds, so I would like an athiest's point of view on it since thus far I haven't really seen anything to challenge the book or my views on it...and if you don't get someone to challenge your views now and again I think that's not wise, as you get too stuck in your ways.

[jsewell0203]

Originally Posted by potatoe

Try the Bible why you're at it. Most have some kind of commentary (not all though)


Fahrenheit 451 (fiction). Set in the future (well, when it was written lol) think about todays society when reading it.

Bible - heading toward its 6.8 billionth printing. Needs no recommendation.

Fahrenheit 451 is one of the greatest books ever written.

Anything by Thomas Friedman is a must read. His critics typically are those who simply can't accept the reality of current economic trends. They think disagreeing with his conclusions somehow invalidates the power of his reasoning, it does'nt.

I don't read novels as a general rule or any kind of fiction for that matter, except something like 'Tecumseh' a biography written in the context of a historical novel. It is an art form that is very effective at conveying the subject and Allan Eckert does an incredible job with this latest work. Awesome book if you have any interest in the Frontiersman and or the Indian tribes that once ruled North America.

Joel Mokyr's 'Gifts of Athena' (Origins of the knowledge economy) is probably the single greatest book I have ever read on any scientific subject, in this case Economics and Technology.

[Thy_Kingdom]

Steel My Soldiers' Hearts - David Hackworth
Fitzpatrick's War - Theodore Judson

Two excellent books.

[Appetite]

The long walk to freedom - Nelson Mandela

Inspirational