You should read much, not many (books).
Pliny the Younger
March 24th, 2002:
I have quite a few books, but there are few of them that I would recommend. As I go through my collection again, I'll post links to the books that I consider worth reading - as opposed to all the tripe I had to read through to get to them. Below are books for brain candy, and links to the left are for specific types. Of course, if you use my links, I get a commission from BarnesAndNoble - but the price is the same anyway. So, if you don't want me to make money, that's fine with me. (Go ahead, buy them through here! I DARE you! LOL)
A mind blowing and expanding book! I read it toward the end of last year - and have grown to appreciate the author's ideas as I notice similarities throughout my environment. He delves into the atomization of things, and describing them at a micro and macro level. An Object Oriented world view, in a sense.
If you're even slightly interested in Open Source development - or if you want to understand the most probable future of the the way business and work are done - read this.
The late Richard Feynman is a person known mainly for his exploits as a physicist, an instructor, and even his bongo habit. In this book he discusses things outside the realm of his specialty and adds his own perspective on the world, people, and many other things. Taken from a lecture he did, Feynman takes you through an amazing trip through the world in his common-sense and poignantly practical perspective (say that three times fast!). And yes, Hamadryad, I meant to use poignant. :)
A pleasant and easy read! If you don't have any idea of who Richard Feynman is, check out FeynmanOnline.Com, or the book below by James Gleick.
James Gleick is one of my favorite authors, and Richard Feynman became one of my favorite topics due mainly to this book (as well as doctor vince's suggestion). A great author, a great topic - the works of a Nobel Laureate, as well as his life... And his life never seemed to have a dull moment! From doodling in topless bars to playing the bongos to driving a Volkswagon with Feynman diagrams all over them...
An in depth look at the science of Chaos (which I think is a misnomer!), with a history that is as simple and easy to understand as it is riveting. I had just started toying with Fractals when I first found this book... and I was able to get to a completely new level with it. From the humble beginnings of the science by Lorenz, to future potential in this area... Wow... I have never looked at a plant the same, ever again.
If you think that you have more and more to do each day, you're right - and once again, Gleick writes a well researched book that shows the history of time, our use of it... And even a slightly DNAish (DNA == Douglas Adams) mention of wristwatches. Well, I thought so!. If feel that the world around you is quickening, but you don't want to say anything - read this book. It will prove you have a basis for that feeling.
An extremely thought provoking book. I won't pretend that I agree with everything that the author speaks of, but the book did make me consider the future of the internet... What my grandchildren's (yeah, right!) lives would be like - and how collective intelligence can augment the human facility. Definitely a worthwhile read.
If you think the history of Zero is boring, you're not a good geek. Charles Seife goes through history, and drags the skeleton's in Zero's closet out for everyone to see. It shows a lot of math history, but in a very entertaining way. And Zero is a dangerous idea... Just as dangerous as a null pointer...
A never ending roller coaster of Richard Feynman... They can't possibly write fiction as good as his biography!
Even more Feynman... If you've read any of the other books, you'll probably be driveling for another one. What a character, what genius...
OK, OK, I promise the next book isn't about Feynman. He's obviously a favorite of mine...
If you know how to communicate in any language, this book is a very good read about how language is created - and how many 'truths' are actually myths. It shows how language studies aren't effective... and that the language as spoken is not always the language you are taught... Very worthwhile! This made me look at language as if it were my own... Not some strange person who has a metal ruler with a tendency to come down on knuckles.
More brain candy coming as I go through my library...
