If everyone in the world could read one book...

thestonesfan · Dec 8, 2003

...which one would you have them read? Why?

Talk amongst yourselves.

polymath · Dec 8, 2003

Can't see any poll.

It would have to be a good book on evolution by someone like Darwin, Dawkins, or Stephen Jones.

Reason: So people can see what a rational, well-thought-out explanation for the diversity of life looks like. To get them to realise that there is usually a logical explanation for everything.

It's a very difficult question, the stonesfan

My second choice would be Lord Of The Rings, just because it is such a good book.

addiv · Dec 8, 2003

I don't know if many people would understand, let alone be interested in Darwin or Jones, polymath.

I think I would let them read some old tale about good and bad to teach them some basic morality, hoping it will result in less violence in the world.

thestonesfan · Dec 8, 2003

Sorry about the no-poll. I was going to make one, but didn't click the box. I edited the post, but it seems it didn't take. Apologies!

Here were the books I was going to include on the poll:

The Bible
Das Kapital
Atlas Shrugged
Mein Kampf
The Adventures of the Babysitter's Club

Aphex_Twin · Dec 8, 2003

George Orwell - "1984"
Jean Jacques Rousseau - "Social Contract"
Adam Smith - "The Wealth of Nations"
Malcom Little - "The Autobiography of Malcom X"

thestonesfan · Dec 8, 2003

Originally posted by Aphex_Twin
George Orwell - "1984"
Jean Jacques Rousseau - "Social Contract"
Adam Smith - "The Wealth of Nations"
Malcom Little - "The Autobiography of Malcom X"

Are those in some kind of compendium edition now?

jpowers · Dec 8, 2003

Please refer to sig.

Aphex_Twin · Dec 8, 2003

There should be at least... The "Books for the people" compendium

I really can't decide between those.

Eastern Knight · Dec 8, 2003

Bible

Jorge · Dec 8, 2003

The best book ever: Don Quijote de la Mancha.

Bozo Erectus · Dec 8, 2003

Animal Farm by Orwell. A human from any place or point in history would understand exactly what its about and what its trying to say.

Ozz · Dec 8, 2003

Worlds in Collision By Dr. Immanuel Velikovsky

Science?

thestonesfan · Dec 8, 2003

I have yet to read Animal Farm or 1984, but I plan to. I do think "Animals" is one of Pink Floyd's best records!

As for myself, I say Atlas Shrugged.

Aphex_Twin · Dec 8, 2003

Animal Farm is a small booklet which you could read in one afternoon. 1984 would take 2,3 days.

Bozo Erectus · Dec 8, 2003

Its not as good as holding it in your hand, but heres an online version.

http://www.online-literature.com/orwell/animalfarm/

I think I lean more towards Dark Side of The Moon

EzInKy · Dec 8, 2003

Robert Heinlein's "Time Enough For Love".

thestonesfan · Dec 8, 2003

Originally posted by EzInKy
Robert Heinlein's "Time Enough For Love".

What's that about?

RoddyVR · Dec 8, 2003

Originally posted by Dumb pothead
Animal Farm by Orwell. A human from any place or point in history would understand exactly what its about and what its trying to say.

while i tend to agree with you in theory, in practice i know that that statement isnt true.

when we read that book in 10th or 11th grade i thought it was great and (like you) though that it would apply to prety much everyone's world.

however, 90% of the class was completely oblivious of the point of the book.
"why did the pigs start walking on two legs?, there's no way that can happen" was proly the most common response to the book in that class.

jpowers · Dec 8, 2003

Originally posted by RoddyVR

while i tend to agree with you in theory, in practice i know that that statement isnt true.

when we read that book in 10th or 11th grade i thought it was great and (like you) though that it would apply to prety much everyone's world.

however, 90% of the class was completely oblivious of the point of the book.
"why did the pigs start walking on two legs?, there's no way that can happen" was proly the most common response to the book in that class.

Ah, High School English teachers. Truly the last refuge of starry-eyed idealists on the planet. Only someone as removed from reality as they could possibly hope that 16-year olds would be able to concentrate on anything of deeper meaning than the girl/boy sitting two rows over that might have looked their way once in the hallway. Animal farm would be better for 12-year olds or 19-year olds, but anyone that close to losing their virginity is never going to be able to pay attention to allegory or metaphor.

Simon Darkshade · Dec 8, 2003

I'm the farthest thing from a starry eyed idealist.

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