The Book(s) that changed the Way You See the World

[Catlady]

I don't know if I could say they "changed the way I see the world," but two books that heavily influenced me are Truman Capote's In Cold Blood and Woodward and Bernstein's All the President's Men.

[Stitchawl]

'Tao Te Ching' and 'Illusions' by Richard Bach. The former taught me that everything is just the way it's supposed to be. The latter gave me the tools to interact with it all.

Stitchawl

[Stitchawl]

That should read 'Tao Te Ching' by Lao Tzu。

[JohnRR]

The way I see the world can never be changed. I read books because I can escape into a different world and don't have to face the evil temporarily. I believe it is useless to say that the world is beautiful, you should enjoy life etc. Living is always suffering.

[crich70]

Originally Posted by JohnRR

The way I see the world can never be changed. I read books because I can escape into a different world and don't have to face the evil temporarily. I believe it is useless to say that the world is beautiful, you should enjoy life etc. Living is always suffering.

I prefer to think of it as 'we can't change the world, but we can change how we react to the world.' I'm sure there is a book somewhere that puts it more elegantly than I can though.

[varlog]

Originally Posted by JohnRR

The way I see the world can never be changed. I read books because I can escape into a different world and don't have to face the evil temporarily. I believe it is useless to say that the world is beautiful, you should enjoy life etc. Living is always suffering.

This is surly provocation, yes ? I bite of course...

I have the privilege to work with a guy who is sort of genius in mathematics/geometry. Whenever I have a problem in this area and I am not satisfied with my own solution, I go go to him and ask. He explains how he sees it and, when I understand what he means (which I usually do because he has this talent too), it changes the way I see this particular part of my daily reality. It is a real change because it stays with me. I see all similar problems in light of his vision thereof. And I have this somehow painful awareness that I would not find this answer on my own.
This is not the case when I ask somebody, who is not so gifted as my friend JG. Their answers help or not - but don't stay with me more than an hour.

I believe (actually I know it!) some authors are like my friend JG - in their particular space. They see what I cannot - even though I can grasp it when explained. But when I grasp it - it changes me.

So, JohnRR, I believe there is a book out there waiting for you .

[HomeInMyShoes]

I for sure thought that KJV stood for Kurt Jr. Vonnegut.

I'd have to say that my reading list for this year has changed the way I view the world. Having read 67 authors from different countries has been a great way to see more about the human condition.

Sometimes with books, it is the timing with which we read them as much as the book itself that determines the affect it has on us.

[varlog]

Originally Posted by HomeInMyShoes

Sometimes with books, it is the timing with which we read them as much as the book itself that determines the affect it has on us.

Very true!

I for sure thought that KJV stood for Kurt Jr. Vonnegut.

That reminds me. "Sirens of Titan" (don't laugh ) changed the way I see reality behind legends.

[JohnRR]

Originally Posted by varlog

So, JohnRR, I believe there is a book out there waiting for you .

Thank you varlog. I will try to find it.

[varlog]

Originally Posted by JohnRR

I will try to find it.

Don't forget to let us know when you find it .

@Catlady

I don't know if I could say they "changed the way I see the world," but two books that heavily influenced me are Truman Capote's In Cold Blood and Woodward and Bernstein's All the President's Men.

Some words of explanation would be welcomed. Particularly "In Cold Blood"? It made an impression on me, too - but I put it in drawer "Let's forget it, not my world" - and I did!

[crich70]

Originally Posted by varlog

Don't forget to let us know when you find it .

@Catlady

Some words of explanation would be welcomed. Particularly "In Cold Blood"? It made an impression on me, too - but I put it in drawer "Let's forget it, not my world" - and I did!

My dad knew a relative of the family in Mr. Capote's book. I met the man once yrs ago.

[kennyc]

Certainly can't choose one....but

Nonfiction:
The Selfish Gene by Richard Dawkins
and
Engines of Creation by Eric Drexler
and
The Psychopathology of Everyday Life - Freud

Fiction:
Dhalgren - Samuel R. Delany
Foundation Trilogy - Asimov
Grapes of Wrath - Steinbeck
Ringworld - Niven
....

[Catlady]

Originally Posted by varlog

Some words of explanation would be welcomed. Particularly "In Cold Blood"? It made an impression on me, too - but I put it in drawer "Let's forget it, not my world" - and I did!

It helped me to formulate my beliefs on murderers and capital punishment, which I won't go into here.

[gwhite]

Originally Posted by HomeInMyShoes

I for sure thought that KJV stood for Kurt Jr. Vonnegut.

I'd have to say that my reading list for this year has changed the way I view the world. Having read 67 authors from different countries has been a great way to see more about the human condition.

Sometimes with books, it is the timing with which we read them as much as the book itself that determines the affect it has on us.

I think that this is true.

Reading a particular passage written in language which evokes a spiritual epiphany can change ones life. For me, Milton would be an example of this or perhaps it was when I first heard Blake's words set to "Jerusalem" at an early age. I remember the hairs on the back of my neck stood up and I knew then that life would never be the same again.

[barutanseijin]

Pierre Bourdieu, Distinction. Hands down.

The subtitle says it's a critique of judgement, and that's what it is. The book demonstrates how social class & power informs cultural and aesthetic judgements. It changed the way i understood my own choices.