LoginMeaningful Non-fiction
Mr. Saturn
10 years, 11 months ago at Jun 6 16:58 - Please recommend any non-fiction books that changed the way you look at life.
Thanks for the suggestions.
This is my list.
Thanks for the suggestions.
This is my list.
Mackenzi
10 years, 11 months ago at Jun 6 17:49 - Okay Mr. Saturn, I dunno if this is what you're looking for but here are some meaningful nonfiction books I've enjoyed. I don't know how much they might help you, but for me they were eye-opening and thought provoking, and they really changed my perspective on life.
Musicophilia and The Man Who Mistook his Wife for a Hat by Oliver Sacks. He's a neurologist and comes across a lot of unique and interesting cases. His books are less technical and more about telling these people's stories than the exact science behind the problems and solutions he encounters. They make you look at things about yourself and others you would normally take for granted. If you like those he has quite a few books published in the same vein.
When You Are Engulfed in Flames by David Sedaris
Actually I recommend all David Sedaris books. I read that one I linked to under special circumstances so it really really moved me, but all of his books are fascinating and interesting, and more importantly, deeply personal. It's rare to see someone else's life in such a personal way, it really helped me open up to myself about my own life and see that other people are more than the masks we put on when in the presence of others.
One I haven't read but is on my to-do list: The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot. This is about a woman from the 50's who had cervical cancer, and how her tumor, removed from her dead body in 1951, continues to produce cells even today. The books tells us what this "immortal tumor" means for science but also what it means for Lacks's remaining family, especially her daughter. Loss, relationships, the nature and costs of scientific research, lots of thought provoking topics.
Slightly off-topic, do you listen to Radiolab? That's where I heard about the Henrietta Lacks story and book, and it's got some amazing, perspective-altering stories. Free to listen, published by NPR, the site's here if you're interested: www.radiolab.org/
Musicophilia and The Man Who Mistook his Wife for a Hat by Oliver Sacks. He's a neurologist and comes across a lot of unique and interesting cases. His books are less technical and more about telling these people's stories than the exact science behind the problems and solutions he encounters. They make you look at things about yourself and others you would normally take for granted. If you like those he has quite a few books published in the same vein.
When You Are Engulfed in Flames by David Sedaris
Actually I recommend all David Sedaris books. I read that one I linked to under special circumstances so it really really moved me, but all of his books are fascinating and interesting, and more importantly, deeply personal. It's rare to see someone else's life in such a personal way, it really helped me open up to myself about my own life and see that other people are more than the masks we put on when in the presence of others.
One I haven't read but is on my to-do list: The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot. This is about a woman from the 50's who had cervical cancer, and how her tumor, removed from her dead body in 1951, continues to produce cells even today. The books tells us what this "immortal tumor" means for science but also what it means for Lacks's remaining family, especially her daughter. Loss, relationships, the nature and costs of scientific research, lots of thought provoking topics.
Slightly off-topic, do you listen to Radiolab? That's where I heard about the Henrietta Lacks story and book, and it's got some amazing, perspective-altering stories. Free to listen, published by NPR, the site's here if you're interested: www.radiolab.org/
Mr. Saturn
10 years, 11 months ago at Jun 6 19:07 - Thanks for the recommendations. Radiolab seems interesting. My favorite podcast is Filmspotting.
VisifyBooks
10 years, 11 months ago at Jun 18 20:42 - We are going to convert the books on our "currently reading" and "want to read" lists into video summaries in the near future if you're interested in those non-fiction books.
Deleted user
Deleted
10 years, 3 months ago at Feb 1 8:59 - Start with Mark Ames' Going Postal. It will broaden your perspective on Reaganomics tremendously and break it down for you.
xxixii
10 years, 2 months ago at Feb 23 10:21 - Dragons Of Eden by Carl Sagan - a very interesting read in which noted scientist/Christian and general good guy Sagan explores various subjects - its all written a very easy style so even a science hater will be able to read and enjoy it
The New Rulers Of The World by John Pilger - exposing how the British Empire basically handed the baton of power over to USA as "ruler of the world" Ironically the Brits saw themselves as benevolent dictators and were even proud of "civilising" the darkest regions - An utterly fascinating chapter on Iraq and sanctions and Pilgers spot on prediction of the plundering that would take place after the second Iraq war.I recall they were not even allowed to import tennis balls and other obscure items as they maybe broken down to to be used as chemical weapons...LOL
The Best Democracy Money Can Buy by Greg Palast - hugely readable book detailling how the modern US govts rig elections and intervenes in other nations affairs and how struggling countries are further exploited by the IMF and the World bank - I think Palast has a blind spot on 9-11 as IMHO there are far too many coincidences for it to be as the official version - IMHO I think the govt got wind of the idea and let it happen sacrificing many people in the process to provide an excuse to basically do what its done since
and something completely different
History of the World in 6 Glasses by Tom Standage
I was given this and its a great book...breaking down the history of mankind and linking it to the popular drink/s at the time/era...so we start with beer, then wine, spirits, coffee, tea , coca cola and finally water - Why water at the end? Well the author rightly states that pure drinkable water is actually quite rare so beer with its fermentation process actually made most water drinkable. Lots of interesting tidbits and facts in the book. I liked the fact that wine was considered the drink of the gods by the Greeks and so because only a God could drink it neat...man drank it watered down. Anyone NOT drinking wine was considered almost heretical and crazy too.
The New Rulers Of The World by John Pilger - exposing how the British Empire basically handed the baton of power over to USA as "ruler of the world" Ironically the Brits saw themselves as benevolent dictators and were even proud of "civilising" the darkest regions - An utterly fascinating chapter on Iraq and sanctions and Pilgers spot on prediction of the plundering that would take place after the second Iraq war.I recall they were not even allowed to import tennis balls and other obscure items as they maybe broken down to to be used as chemical weapons...LOL
The Best Democracy Money Can Buy by Greg Palast - hugely readable book detailling how the modern US govts rig elections and intervenes in other nations affairs and how struggling countries are further exploited by the IMF and the World bank - I think Palast has a blind spot on 9-11 as IMHO there are far too many coincidences for it to be as the official version - IMHO I think the govt got wind of the idea and let it happen sacrificing many people in the process to provide an excuse to basically do what its done since
and something completely different
History of the World in 6 Glasses by Tom Standage
I was given this and its a great book...breaking down the history of mankind and linking it to the popular drink/s at the time/era...so we start with beer, then wine, spirits, coffee, tea , coca cola and finally water - Why water at the end? Well the author rightly states that pure drinkable water is actually quite rare so beer with its fermentation process actually made most water drinkable. Lots of interesting tidbits and facts in the book. I liked the fact that wine was considered the drink of the gods by the Greeks and so because only a God could drink it neat...man drank it watered down. Anyone NOT drinking wine was considered almost heretical and crazy too.