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General discussion (archive)Recommend me a book, win a GOG(146 posts)(146 posts)
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This is my favourite topic
Posted May 18, 2011
read "1994"
it's the book about how the world will most certainly end in 1994, written by the guy who says the world is going to end this Saturday.
Posted May 18, 2011
For a post that says he prefers non-fiction, it sure makes up a minute amount of the recommendations here. :p

I'm not a big non-fiction reader myself, but I love almost anything that deals with World War 2, or the Roman Empire.

The lists for either of these subjects are enormous and there's no way I could pick a favorite of either.

So, I'll just throw out a random selection:

Stalingrad - Well, it's about the battle for Stalingrad. :p I've always been amazed at how Russia managed to turn back the Germans (horrified too, but amazed as well). Loved it.

Caeser - Well, it's about Caesar, so it's wholly possible you'd be sick of hearing anything more about him, but I could never get enough, so this is my Rome-related recommendation.
Posted May 18, 2011
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deelee74: read "1994"
it's the book about how the world will most certainly end in 1994, written by the guy who says the world is going to end this Saturday.
Nice.
Posted May 19, 2011
I would suggest you read Friedrich Nietzsche's "Also Sprach Zarathustra" I am insanely jealous that the OP is German and can read this fine work in its original language. I was fortunate enough to read a Walter Kaufmann translated edition, which is really well done, and I bet the original is even better.

Stephen Hawking's "A Brief History of Time" makes for an excellent read if you're into cosmology and the theory behind what makes space-time. He also delves into various time travel theories such as changing your own future but does it without delving into hyperbole or sensationalism.

John McWhorter's "The Power of Babel" is a great book for those who wish to learn about the natural evolution of languages, how they change throughout time, what are the factors that contribute to linguistic change. The author, in my opinion, does a great job of laying everything out to the layman without being condescending or overly simplistic. He offers several real world examples that truly help the reader with understanding basic linguistic principles.

Desmond Morris' "The Naked Ape" and "The Human Zoo" are excellent reading choices for those who desire to learn more about the human species. They strip away the artificial layers of "civilization"that we have adorned and reveal us for the animals that we truly are. 'The Human Zoo" deals primarily with the human animal in the concrete jungle (the city) while "The Naked Ape" is a more detailed comparison between human interactions and how they mirror those of the animal world. Really fascinating reads.

Hope this helps.
Posted May 19, 2011
Here are some non-fiction books I think you should read:

-The Unimaginable Mathematics of Borges' Library of Babel
[url]=http://www.amazon.com/Unimaginable-Mathematics-Borges-Library-ebook/dp/B001FA0GUS/ref=wl_it_dp_o?ie=UTF8&coliid=I1ND33X77T5C7O&colid=3E86DYJXEGJT6[/url]
-Captain Sir Richard Francis Burton: A Biography
[url=]http://www.amazon.com/Captain-Sir-Richard-Francis-Burton/dp/030681028X/ref=wl_it_dp_o?ie=UTF8&coliid=I214FCWAN51GFU&colid=3V3N9768CVKEU[/url]
I haven't read them, but I want to.
Posted May 19, 2011
I'm amazed nobody has suggested these from Neal Stephenson yet....

If you like crypto, mathematics, WW2, as well as crypto, computers, hacking and intrigue in the modern corporate world, go read Cryptonomicon by Stephenson immediately. :)

If you like physics, mathematics, religion, social advances and 17th century England, run, don't walk to Quicksilver by Neal Stephenson. Come on, it has Newton and Leibniz as characters! :)

Quicksilver is actually a part of the Baroque Cycle trilogy, so it has two sequels as well, Haven't read those yet, though.

Also, as you say you like non-fiction, those books might be right up your alley. Although you might be annoyed by Stephenson mixing facts with fictional speculation. :)

[edit: aargh typos]
Post edited May 19, 2011 by Lehti
Posted May 19, 2011
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Arianus: Read the Assassin's Apprentice by Robin Hobb.
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orcishgamer: This one too, though it's rather depressing.
yeah, that first trilogy was powerful, I was crying by the end, only book series that's made me do that.

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wlmiv: For fiction I'll second a few suggestions that have already been made: George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series is definitely my favorite fantasy series (first book is A Game of Thrones), Stephen Erikson's Malazan Book of the Fallen is an interesting fantasy series because of the scope of the world that is imagined. I would personally find the characters and the story of Song of Ice and Fire more compelling than Malazan but I find the Malazan world and back story more compelling. Reading the Malazan books is almost like an archeological dig if that analogy makes sense. I'll also say the Wheel of Time series but the critiques about it booking tedious in the middle books is quite true (although because it was one of the first series I read it will also have a special place in my heart).


Some good science fiction: Asimov's Foundation Trilogy (read the original 3 first, he wrote prequels and later books but the original three should be the first you read). Also Asimov's Robot trilogy is quite good, each novel is basically a detective novel set in the future. I cannot recommend Robert Heinlein highly enough. Stranger in a Strange Land is my favorite of his, but many are great. I especially enjoyed The Moon is a Harsh Mistress, Farnham's Freehold, The Cat Who Walks Through Walls, Starship Troopers, and Time Enough for Love. Frank Herbet's Dune is another classic very worth reading (the first book can be read and enjoyed whether or not you ever read the sequels. Orson Scott Card's Ender's Game is another great science fiction book about children who are trained in war games to prepare for a coming war with an alien race. Arthur C. Clarke's Childhood's End is another great one about mankind's first encounter with an alien race.
Although I'm only just about to read George RR Martin's work, the Malazan Book of the Fallen series by Steven Erikson is excellent, like wlmiv says, really incredible world, his writing is darker than a lot of fantasy, and handled in an exceptional way, bittersweet and philosophical. And I as well hold The Wheel of Time in a special place. It has undeniable faults, but incredible strengths as well.

Since wlmiv mentioned them also, Ender's Game and Dune are classic in sci-fi, and similarly philosophical. Those others he mentioned, and that list by orcish gamer, are one's I'd had reccomended to me but haven't gotten to yet. They're on my list :)
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Ric1987: If you haven't read the Mistborn trilogy, do that.
Oh yeah this too :)
Post edited May 19, 2011 by brother-eros
Posted May 21, 2011
What about "Miracle in the Andes" by Nando Parrado? It's a biographic story of his survival in the plane crash and a week in the mountains, awaiting rescue. Very vivid, some cannibalism included. If that doesn't make you want to read it... oh well, then don't. :)
Posted May 23, 2011
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Lehti: I'm amazed nobody has suggested these from Neal Stephenson yet....

If you like crypto, mathematics, WW2, as well as crypto, computers, hacking and intrigue in the modern corporate world, go read Cryptonomicon by Stephenson immediately. :)

If you like physics, mathematics, religion, social advances and 17th century England, run, don't walk to Quicksilver by Neal Stephenson. Come on, it has Newton and Leibniz as characters! :)

Quicksilver is actually a part of the Baroque Cycle trilogy, so it has two sequels as well, Haven't read those yet, though.

Also, as you say you like non-fiction, those books might be right up your alley. Although you might be annoyed by Stephenson mixing facts with fictional speculation. :)

[edit: aargh typos]
I'm wounded D: I suggested Snow Crash and The Diamond Age several pages ago, ya heathen ; P
Posted May 23, 2011
I was an avid non-fiction reader like you till I read "A Clockwork Orange" by Anthony Burgess. Now all I do is read fiction!Probably one of the best pieces of fiction out there. It's about a dystopia in which ultra-violence is commonplace, and the slang is like Russian. Not only does it have a deeper meaning to it, but Burgess skilfully integrates the slang into the book without losing much meaning!
Posted May 23, 2011
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Lehti: I'm amazed nobody has suggested these from Neal Stephenson yet....

If you like crypto, mathematics, WW2, as well as crypto, computers, hacking and intrigue in the modern corporate world, go read Cryptonomicon by Stephenson immediately. :)

If you like physics, mathematics, religion, social advances and 17th century England, run, don't walk to Quicksilver by Neal Stephenson. Come on, it has Newton and Leibniz as characters! :)

Quicksilver is actually a part of the Baroque Cycle trilogy, so it has two sequels as well, Haven't read those yet, though.

Also, as you say you like non-fiction, those books might be right up your alley. Although you might be annoyed by Stephenson mixing facts with fictional speculation. :)

[edit: aargh typos]
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Cy-Fox: I'm wounded D: I suggested Snow Crash and The Diamond Age several pages ago, ya heathen ; P
I noticed. :)

I meant that it's surprising that nobody suggested these two books from Stephenson, as they're better than Snow Crash IMHO. Even though Snow Crash is great. :)

Haven't read Diamond Age though - will have to add it to my list!
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This is my favourite topic
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General discussion (archive)Recommend me a book, win a GOG(146 posts)(146 posts)
(146 posts)