The best/most interesting NONfiction

[myrdden]

I also recommend reading Cosmos by Carl Sagan.

I would go one step farther and recommend all the books written by Carl Sagan. I found them a great read and thought provoking even if I didn't one hundred percent accept all of his arguements.

Myrdden

 

[myrdden]

I got to meet him a couple years back... Nice guy with great ideas. His book on Hyperspace is also fascinating.

I second this recommendation as well. Hyperspace is a facinating, if not a bit bizarre, read - if you are into funky and exotic physics.

Myrdden

 

[Agback]

G'day

The big, number one standout with lights flashing is "Guns, Germs, and Steel" by Jared Diamond. I think everyone ought to read this book.

I enjoyed "An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations" by Adam Smith, but I guess a lot of people might find it heavy going.

Richard Dawkins writes well and clearly, mostly about evolution and animal behaviour. Try his "The Blind Watchmaker".

Barbara Tuchman picked fascinating topics, did profound research, and wrote very well. I recommend her "A Distant Mirror" and "The March of Folly".

Regards,


Agback

 

[Agback]

I'm currently reading A Brief History of Time, by possibly the smartest man in the world. I'm finding it quite interesting.

I found that Hawking gave a reasonable summary of the physics I had studied (up to the end of 2nd year at university) and conveyed absolutely nothing about anything more advanced than that. And the funny thing is taht my father had the same experience, except that he finished physics at the end of high school. So I'm afraid taht I can't second a recommendation of 'A Brief History of Time' to someone who is out to explore new material.

Regards,


Agback

 

[Storminator]

Hey! Just remembered a great one: The Economy of Cities by Jane Jacobs.

A very interesting look at economies and economic growth of cities. I recommend it for anyone interested in world building. A very easy read as well.

One thing I distinctly remember is her hypothesis that cities could come BEFORE agriculture.

PS