What are the three books that most impacted you and why?

Question

It can be anything from the first book you read all on your own, to the hottest best-seller that you just could not put down! And please, tell me WHY it struck you like it did. Thanks.

Answer 1

(Could you make that "affected" or "influenced"?

I really dislike that modern use of "impact"

"This product will be impactful on your sales.")

Alastair Cooke: America.

Possibly the first history book I actually enjoyed reading,

and remarkable because it opened my eyes to the possibility that things were not as tidy and simple as the pre-packaged stuff I was fed at school.  Even within the book Cooke notes different accounts.

A real wake-up call that accounts written are not necessarily accounts true and settled.

The Bible.  It made me a Christian, and later an atheist.

It took me into epistemology, and hermeneutics.  It taught me how many different ways a text could be read and understood.  It led me into the history of the church, and hence of the Western world.

Colin Wilson: The Outsider.

It was the first time I had seen myself in the mirror, written in a book.

Colin Wilson had seen, depicted and analysed the dilemmas and decisions of some people who are not part of mainstream society.  He made sense of my life: not in terms of making the world make sense, but making it clear why the world didn't make sense.

A formal diagnosis of my "outsiderness" didn't come till about five years later.

I've read books with more instant "wow" factor, but these have had more lasting effect.

Answer 2

1.How to make friends -you learn how to make friends as well as improving your esteem and making great sales.Its a book that generalises everything.It gives ideas on how to deal with others aa well as knowing what you are goo it.

2. Rich Dad Poor Dad - teaches you how to make money and how to handle your children when it comes to monay matters.

3. The 7 Habits of highly effective poeple- it also looks at life in general.Teaches you all, talk about family relationships, friends, work all is covered.

Thanks for asking

Answer 3

The New Testament

A Course in Miracles

Old Path White Clouds

(each told me how to find my natural place in the universe and dwell therein in peace)

Answer 4

Pride and prejudice. Love all Jane Austen romances. Beautiful era, less complicated but people still had same feelings.

The God Delusion by  Richard Dawkins. After reading this I was able to undertand why I was agnostic and even able to take the step toward athiesm.

Animal Farm by george orwell for providing my first awareness of political systems and social injustice

Answer 5

1984....first book I read that actually spoke to me on a deep level, it is as valid, if not more, today than it was when I first read it.

Quantum Healing....made me realize many little things that can impact the bigger picture, piqued my curiosity with meditation and inner peace (something I hadn't thought about prior to reading it)...it truly was fascinating.

The Prophet....beautifully written, profound lessons, it has steered me into a more spiritual-based existence.

Answer 6

Shades Children by Garth Nix. It's such a good story and makes several valid points on human nature as well as being able to make you care for all the characters it made you think about the plot too.

The thief of always by Clive Barker. Amazing book about a house that every child would want to live in but makes points about shallowness and family without seeming preachy. I also love the imagery in this book.

The noughts and crosses trilogy (especially 'the knife edge') by Malorie Blackman. They are so sad and make a lot of good points about racism and the world we live in while still being great.

Answer 7

Dear and Glorious Physician - Taylor Caldwell - a tough look at how we get what we deserve.

Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte - the virtues of religion and self-control.

The DaVinci Code - take a hard, literal look and ask questions.  There is no shame in the search for answers.

Answer 8

1) "Everybody Poops" by Taro Gomi

In all seriousness - It boils down a touchy scientific subject (pooping) into a funny kid's book.  It saves self-conscious, clueless adults from wracking their brains on how to explain to a 3y/o.  It's also a great tool for helping kids make the transition from diapers to being potty trained.

2) "The Count of Monte Cristo" (unabridged, thank you very much) by Alexandre Dumas

Like all Dumas books, it's well-written and a 'must read'.  It illustrates the various complexities of human nature (motive, greed, loyalty, jealousy, survival, love, death, hope, charity, innocence, etc) while running the gamut of genres (action, romance, intrigue, drama, etc).

3) "The Bible"

It seems like a cop-out, but I'm putting it here anyway.  It's more than a basis for faith and morality.  Even if you don't believe in God or anything else the Bible stands for, you can look at it as a piece of literature.  It has everything anyone could want: greed, loyalty, jealousy, survival, love, death, journeys, hope, metaphor, charity, morals, innocence, gore, violence, s*x, intrigue, drama, action, destruction, history, plot twists, etc.

Answer 9

Way of the Peaceful Warrior by Dan Millman - taught me patience and strength of character.

The Essential Crazy Wisdom by Wes "Scoop

Nisker - intellectual humor that answered a lot of questions

Journey of Socrates - truly heart-touching, taught me acceptance and unconditional love