The Autobiography of Malcolm X
by Malcolm X and Alex Haley
Another great lesson in history. I really misunderstood Malcolm X before I read this book. Considering the time period and situation, I believe his words and actions were fully justified.
King of the World
by David Remnick
This book is about the greatest boxer EVER, Muhammed Ali. I've loved him since I was 3 years old. He instilled in me that it's okay to love yourself and talk about it as long as you can back it up.
Bad As I Wanna Be
by Dennis Rodman
This book describes the basketball star's rise to fame. He also gives us some insights into his thoughts on life and the game of basketball.
Memoirs of a Geisha
by Arthur S. Golden
I would have never picked this book if this girl I knew didn't turn me on to it. Am I glad she did too. This is an amazing story about a young girl named Chiyo that gets sold into the Geisha industry and how she grows up to become one of the most successful Geisha in Japan. It's really a novel but you'd never know it if the author didn't tell you.
The Secret Language of Relationships
by Gary Goldschneider and Joost Elffers
I seriously believe that Astrology is the closest thing to Cosmic Truth out there. This book not only tells you about your own sign, but it also tells you how you interact with other signs. It even divides birthdates into 48 groups (three for each sign and one for each cusp) for more accuracy. This book has been so right on about most of my existing relationships, that I now have the habit of looking at it when I meet someone so I know what to expect.
Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind
by Shunryu Suzuki
In my quest for Cosmic Truth in my younger days, I studied Buddhism. This was one of the first books that I read. This is a perfect primer for anyone trying to understand the philosophy of Zen Buddhism.
The Book of Questions
by Gregory Stock
This is a book of questions that asks what you would do in hypothetical situations. It's actually pretty good for getting to know someone because sometimes you ask questions you might not normally ask. The Love and Sex version is even better for using on chicks.
For the New Intellectual
by Ayn Rand
This is a perfect introduction into Ayn Rand's philosophy of Objectivism. It also contains key excerpts from her books We the Living, Anthem, The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged. Her points about rational selfishness were on point but alot of her long diatribes make her sound like a self-indulged pontificating windbag. Nonetheless, it is a worthwhile read.
The Prince [Online Version]
by Niccolo Machiavelli
Another book about acquiring power and keeping it.
The Book of Five Rings [Online Version]
by Miyamoto Musashi
This a text on martials arts that can be used to apply to any aspect of life in general.
The Art of War [Online Version]
by Sun-Tzu
The classic text on the topic of conflict.
The Difference between God and Larry Ellison
by Mike Wilson
A book about Bill Gates' arch-enemy and my personal hero, Larry Ellison, CEO of Oracle Corporation.
High Noon: The Inside Story of Scott McNealy and the Rise of Sun Microsystems
by Karen Southwick
This is a book about another fellow Bill Gates hater and business man I admire, Scott McNealy.
Million Dollar Consulting
by Alan Weiss
A book on making top dollar in the world of consulting.
The Mafia Manager
by V
Business management played according to the rules of the mafia.
Learn to Earn
by Peter Lynch
This is a great book for beginning investors. It explains the history of investing and how the stock market basically works in a way that's very comprehensive and easy to understand.
The Tightwad Gazette
by Amy Dacyczyn
This book was the starting point for turning my financial situation around. It helped me reduce my spending drastically when I was heavily in debt. Many of the cost-cutting methods in this book are a bit extreme but if you use at least 10 of them, you'll be well on your way to financial sanity and stability.
[The Tightwad Gazette Fan Club]
Ain't Nobody's Business If You Do [Online Version]
by Peter McWilliams
An excellent discussion about the absurdity of consensual crimes. The print version of this book goes for about $5.00 at Barnes and Noble nowadays.
1984
by George Orwell
This guy was so right on about the deceptive, repressive, and downright evil nature of unchecked government. This should be required reading for anyone who believes in personal freedom.
Brave New World
by Aldous Huxley
Another futuristic society where identity is suppressed.
The Political Racket
by Martin L. Gross
This book covers the problems of corrupt campaign finance policies in our election process and offers some solutions to them.
The Concord Principles
by Ralph Nader
This paper discusses what's wrong with the current election process and offers some remedies to it.
Opposing the System
by Charles A. Reich
Talks about how corporate greed (whose manifestation is "the System") controls various aspects of our lives and gives a basic outline on what we should do about it.
Power and Accountability [Online Version]
by Robert A.G. Monk and Nell Minow
A book about corporate responsibility.
Parliament of Whores
by P.J. O'Rourke
Another political satire
by the conservative columnist that describes the bungling and wheeling and dealing that goes on in the halls of power.
Rock This
by Chris Rock
Very funny book by a comedian I've liked for a long time. He covers alot of topics such as money, sex, O.J, racism, and politics.
Private Parts
by Howard Stern
A very funny life story of the proclaimed King of all Media.
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