List of Must-Read Books
Mr Tout asked me to compile a list of significant, must-read books. This was in response to his being blown away by a book of his that I had read and he hadn't, despite my many urgings over the years.
This book was
1. The Face of Battle - John Keegan
Nearly as good:
2. The History of Warfare - John Keegan
The usual suspects:
3. Dune
4. The Godfather
But now for the less famous:
5. Blood Money
6. Steel My Soldiers' Hearts - Col. David Hackworth
Very readable. Not quite as insightful into the nature of the world, but very readable. Gripping. Could have used a few more maps, especially at the climactic battle.
7. Guerilla Warfare - Che Guevara
8. Coup d'Etat - Edward Luttwak
This blew my socks off.
9. The Territorial Imperative
Heavy going - the guy is a writer, not a scientist, and he loves to show off his beautiful, crystalline, flintlike but difficult prose. But interesting.
10. Guns, Germs and Steel
Everything you ever wanted to know about how and why the white man - and the myth of the intrinsic superiority of the white man - conquered the earth.
11. The Consolations of Philosophy - Alain de Botton
Cheeky yet readable prose. Love his outlook. Basically he takes us through the history of philosophy - real philosophy, i.e. the significance of pleasure and pain - through looking at 6 key philosophers. Sets it forth so simply even your brother-in-law could understand it. Ends with Nietzsche and a great take on his message.
This book was
1. The Face of Battle - John Keegan
Nearly as good:
2. The History of Warfare - John Keegan
The usual suspects:
3. Dune
4. The Godfather
But now for the less famous:
5. Blood Money
6. Steel My Soldiers' Hearts - Col. David Hackworth
Very readable. Not quite as insightful into the nature of the world, but very readable. Gripping. Could have used a few more maps, especially at the climactic battle.
7. Guerilla Warfare - Che Guevara
8. Coup d'Etat - Edward Luttwak
This blew my socks off.
9. The Territorial Imperative
Heavy going - the guy is a writer, not a scientist, and he loves to show off his beautiful, crystalline, flintlike but difficult prose. But interesting.
10. Guns, Germs and Steel
Everything you ever wanted to know about how and why the white man - and the myth of the intrinsic superiority of the white man - conquered the earth.
11. The Consolations of Philosophy - Alain de Botton
Cheeky yet readable prose. Love his outlook. Basically he takes us through the history of philosophy - real philosophy, i.e. the significance of pleasure and pain - through looking at 6 key philosophers. Sets it forth so simply even your brother-in-law could understand it. Ends with Nietzsche and a great take on his message.
posted by Patrick Henry at 11:32
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