If you could give only ONE book to an alien ....

cklammer · 12-06-2009, 06:01 AM

This is going to a bit far out but here goes:

Imagine, you are meeting an alien requesting you: "Give me just ONE book only to make me understand the human race!"

Which ONE book would you give to the alien?

(book's language doesn't matter)

Note: some people will most likely show that they don't understand the meaning of the word "one". For those I say please do try ...

cklammer · 12-06-2009, 06:05 AM

And here is my own answer:

Cervantes, Miguel de: Don Quijote de la Mancha (Illustrated, Spanish) (here from the site)

mazzeltjes · 12-06-2009, 07:53 AM

Robert A. Heinlein
Stranger in a Strange Land

LDBoblo · 12-06-2009, 08:03 AM

Green Eggs and Ham is one book, right?

Sparrow · 12-06-2009, 08:09 AM

I would suggest Bertrand Russell's 'History of Western Philosophy'
Although, by focussing on Western civilisation, it obviously omits great tracts of important human thought; it does show how we have struggled with the big questions, and ended up where we are.

HarryT · 12-06-2009, 08:34 AM

Homer's "Iliad".

xianfox · 12-06-2009, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

Homer's "Iliad".

You stole my answer. Honestly, Iliad is what immediately came to my mind too. Of course I'd have to give it to him on an ebook reader too.

jinlo · 12-06-2009, 08:48 AM

"Humans: We Taste Bad and Are Bad for You!"

<Sorry, couldn't resist, but if such a book existed, it might not be bad idea to share it with the aliens.>

On a serious note, I would probably give Ben Hur as it focuses on the question of whether it's better to hope for justice in this life or salvation in the next. That debate has been going on for centuries all over the world and often plays a part in many issues today.

Dr. Drib · 12-06-2009, 08:54 AM

"The Cockroaches of Staymore," by Arkansan Donald Harington.

Everything good and bad about the human race, except told through the eyes of cockroaches. A classic novel about Family, Love, Devotion, Egotism, Hypocrisy, and Biblical philosophizing.

Don

MickeyC · 12-06-2009, 09:28 AM

The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams

Moejoe · 12-06-2009, 09:31 AM

Dan Brown's The Lost Symbol - as a warning!

Dr. Drib · 12-06-2009, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moejoe

Dan Brown's The Lost Symbol - as a warning!

Don

Sweetpea · 12-06-2009, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moejoe

Dan Brown's The Lost Symbol - as a warning!

They'd invade as soon as possible to clear the blemish on the universe...

poohbear_nc · 12-06-2009, 10:55 AM

I'll second cassidym -- Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy -- it has the whole story of the human race!

ardeegee · 12-06-2009, 11:02 AM

The Prince. Machiavelli.

12-06-2009, 06:01 AM	#1
cklammer Zealot Posts: 106 Karma: 450 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Device: Palm Centro, Acer Aspire One	If you could give only ONE book to an alien .... This is going to a bit far out but here goes: Imagine, you are meeting an alien requesting you: "Give me just ONE book only to make me understand the human race!" Which ONE book would you give to the alien? (book's language doesn't matter) Note: some people will most likely show that they don't understand the meaning of the word "one". For those I say please do try ... Last edited by cklammer; 12-06-2009 at 06:14 AM.

12-06-2009, 06:05 AM	#2
cklammer Zealot Posts: 106 Karma: 450 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates Device: Palm Centro, Acer Aspire One	And here is my own answer: Cervantes, Miguel de: Don Quijote de la Mancha (Illustrated, Spanish) (here from the site) Last edited by cklammer; 12-06-2009 at 06:07 AM.

12-06-2009, 08:54 AM	#9
Dr. Drib Grand Sorcerer Posts: 44,748 Karma: 55645321 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Peru Device: Kindle: Oasis 3, Voyage WiFi; Kobo: Libra 2, Aura One	"The Cockroaches of Staymore," by Arkansan Donald Harington. Everything good and bad about the human race, except told through the eyes of cockroaches. A classic novel about Family, Love, Devotion, Egotism, Hypocrisy, and Biblical philosophizing. Don Last edited by Dr. Drib; 12-06-2009 at 06:27 PM.

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12-06-2009, 07:53 AM	#3
mazzeltjes Addict Posts: 242 Karma: 177 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Amsterdam Device: sony 505	Robert A. Heinlein Stranger in a Strange Land

12-06-2009, 08:03 AM	#4
LDBoblo Wizard Posts: 1,385 Karma: 16056 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Asia Device: Kindle 3 WiFi, Sony PRS-505	Green Eggs and Ham is one book, right?

12-06-2009, 08:09 AM	#5
Sparrow Wizard Posts: 4,395 Karma: 1358132 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: UK Device: Palm TX, CyBook Gen3	I would suggest Bertrand Russell's 'History of Western Philosophy' Although, by focussing on Western civilisation, it obviously omits great tracts of important human thought; it does show how we have struggled with the big questions, and ended up where we are.

12-06-2009, 08:34 AM	#6
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Homer's "Iliad".

12-06-2009, 08:48 AM	#8
jinlo aka coco jinlo Posts: 415 Karma: 500002 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: NJ-USA Device: Just purchased Sony 505, but alas, it is for the wife	"Humans: We Taste Bad and Are Bad for You!" <Sorry, couldn't resist, but if such a book existed, it might not be bad idea to share it with the aliens.> On a serious note, I would probably give Ben Hur as it focuses on the question of whether it's better to hope for justice in this life or salvation in the next. That debate has been going on for centuries all over the world and often plays a part in many issues today.

12-06-2009, 09:28 AM	#10
MickeyC Grand Sorcerer Posts: 16,732 Karma: 12185114 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Florida Device: iPhone 6 plus, Sony T1, iPad 3	The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams

12-06-2009, 09:31 AM	#11
Moejoe Banned Posts: 5,100 Karma: 72193 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: South of the Border Device: Coffin	Dan Brown's The Lost Symbol - as a warning!

12-06-2009, 10:55 AM	#14
poohbear_nc Now what? Posts: 58,870 Karma: 135181808 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Durham, NC Device: Every Kindle Ever Made & To Be Made!	I'll second cassidym -- Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy -- it has the whole story of the human race!

12-06-2009, 11:02 AM	#15
ardeegee Maratus speciosus butt Posts: 3,292 Karma: 1162698 Join Date: Sep 2009 Device: PRS-350	The Prince. Machiavelli.