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

[Pontiuth Pilate]

Letters from the Earth. Mark Twain.

 

[JollyRoger]

Originally posted by rmsharpe
The Oxford English Dictionary.

Tried, but it changed the subject too much.

 

[Desmond Hawkins]

The Koran

 

[amadeus]

What? Why?

 

[Desmond Hawkins]

Originally posted by rmsharpe
What? Why?

Thus people could pick and choose their quotes more effectively while debating about Islam (a hot button lately), rather than just spew out heresay.

 

[Pontiuth Pilate]

You think the Bible is more appropriate "literature", RMS? "It is full of interest. It has noble poetry in it; and some clever fables; and some blood-drenched history; and some good morals; and a wealth of obscenity; and upwards of a thousand lies." As Mark Twain puts it.

 

[amadeus]

I don't think any religious text would be appropriate.

 

[Pontiuth Pilate]

But Man is the Religious Animal. He is the only animal that has the True Religion. Several hundred of them, in fact.

More Mark Twain...

 

[EzInKy]

Originally posted by thestonesfan
I figured there would be a few more nominations for philosophical works...

Most philosophical books are dry and one sided. Many of the works cited sell the author's point of view by entertaining the reader thus appeal to a much wider audience.

 

[CivCube]

Why not an anthology of literature?

 

[EzInKy]

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

It's about a nearly immortal man, Lazarus Long, who survives centuries of human strife and his zest for life.

 

[Zarn]

Like some others stated before, The Holy Bible

 

[Plexus]

I concur. The Holy Bible. (Technically, many books, I know)

 

[Enemy Ace]

Originally posted by thestonesfan
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

Mein Kampf is a piece of garbage that no one will ever need to read, ever!

My choice: The Dictionary

 

[Jeratain]

Originally posted by rmsharpe
What? Why?

I don't think any religious text would be appropriate.

Then why is it that you didn't question anyone who listed the Bible as their choice?

Anyways my choice is:

Lord of the Rings - J.R.R. Tolkien

 

[The Person]

Of the listed books - Das Kapital (I don't know why, haven't read it yet, but I surely would like to give it a try).

Just grabbed out of thin air - The Hichhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (I've based a religion on it, so it should be taken seriously).

BTW, if I could only choose ONE book, I would've been in trouble, since there are too many good books out there to say that "this is best book I've read".

 

[EzInKy]

Originally posted by Plexus
I concur. The Holy Bible. (Technically, many books, I know)

If it's to be a religious book then it should be books from all faiths otherwise people would be left with one sided views.

 

[Pikachu]

I vote for "Rome on 640k a Day".

Since there is so many people here with no knowledge about history, I guess I have to tell that "Rome on 640k a Day" is a strategy guide for Civ1. Reading that book definitely makes you a better person, or at least a better civ player and civ players are good people.

 

[Simon Darkshade]

Mein Kampf, The Liar, or Wolf in Shadow.

 

[luiz]

Mein Kampf is a piece of crap, it amazes that it managed to fool the well-educated german folks.

The book I would recommend for anyone is Animal Farm, by George Orwell. It can be easilly read in a couple of hours, and has easy understanding. It shows why no autocracy can work, and is emphatic about the destiny of most "social revolutions".