# 5 books for smart-making goodness! **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 28, 2010, 10:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-books-for-smart-making-goodness/562158 "2010-11-28T10:41:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![salinqmind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ec8ea/32.png) [@salinqmind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2010, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-books-for-smart-making-goodness/562158/21 "2010-11-29T04:55:02Z")
The Encyclopedia of Country Living by Carla Emery. Over 800 pages, this came out in the 70’s. If you want to buy land and start yourself a farm, it covers that. And how to raise rabbits, slaughter and cut up a pig, raise/cook/preserve every possible fruit and vegetable, make your own pasta, milk a cow, bake bread, preserve eggs in a barrel over the winter, make butter and cheese, shoe a horse, maintain a compost heap…and much much more. ---
**Author:** ![Kozmik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/8dc957/32.png) [@Kozmik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kozmik)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2010, 6:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-books-for-smart-making-goodness/562158/22 "2010-11-29T06:00:12Z")
Decision Points by George W. Bush. Tales of H.P. Lovecraft. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll. The Victory of Reason by Rodney Stark. My Life as a 10-Year Old Boy by Nancy Cartwright. There you have it. Fiction. Non-fiction. Fantasy. Biography. History. Not necessarily in that order. ---
**Author:** ![Critical1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3e96dc/32.png) [@Critical1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Critical1)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2010, 8:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-books-for-smart-making-goodness/562158/23 "2010-11-29T08:04:16Z")
W. Edwards Deming. I recommend him highly. ---
**Author:** ![thinksnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thinksnow/32/2849_2.png) [@thinksnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thinksnow)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2010, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-books-for-smart-making-goodness/562158/24 "2010-11-29T17:42:57Z")
**Outliers: The Story of Success** by Malcolm Gladwell > [@](#): > > why do some people succeed, living remarkably productive and impactful lives, while so many more never reach their potential? Challenging our cherished belief of the “self-made man,” he makes the democratic assertion that superstars don’t arise out of nowhere, propelled by genius and talent: “they are invariably the beneficiaries of hidden advantages and extraordinary opportunities and cultural legacies that allow them to learn and work hard and make sense of the world in ways others cannot.” Examining the lives of outliers from Mozart to Bill Gates, he builds a convincing case for how successful people rise on a tide of advantages, “some deserved, some not, some earned, some just plain lucky.” > > Outliers can be enjoyed for its bits of trivia, like why most pro hockey players were born in January, how many hours of practice it takes to master a skill, why the descendents of Jewish immigrant garment workers became the most powerful lawyers in New York, how a pilots’ culture impacts their crash record, how a centuries-old culture of rice farming helps Asian kids master math. But there’s more to it than that. Throughout all of these examples–and in more that delve into the social benefits of lighter skin color, and the reasons for school achievement gaps–Gladwell invites conversations about the complex ways privilege manifests in our culture. He leaves us pondering the gifts of our own history, and how the world could benefit if more of our kids were granted the opportunities to fulfill their remarkable potential. **Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us** by Daniel H. Pink > [@](#): > > …everything we think we know about what motivates us is wrong. He pits the latest scientific discoveries about the mind against the outmoded wisdom that claims people can only be motivated by the hope of gain and the fear of loss. Pink cites a dizzying number of studies revealing that carrot and stick can actually significantly reduce the ability of workers to produce creative solutions to problems. What motivates us once our basic survival needs are met is the ability to grow and develop, to realize our fullest potential. (reviews from Amazon) ---
**Author:** ![pancakes3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ba9def/32.png) [@pancakes3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pancakes3)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2010, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-books-for-smart-making-goodness/562158/25 "2010-11-29T19:09:49Z")
Tom Vanderbilt: TRAFFIC. it’s about driving. ---
**Author:** ![newcomer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/e5b9ba/32.png) [@newcomer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/newcomer)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2010, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-books-for-smart-making-goodness/562158/26 "2010-11-29T20:02:52Z")
In no particular order: > **[Literary Theory: An Introduction: Eagleton, Terry: 9780816654475: Amazon.com:...](https://www.amazon.com/Literary-Theory-Introduction-Terry-Eagleton/dp/0816654476)** > > Literary Theory: An Introduction \[Eagleton, Terry\] on Amazon.com. \*FREE\* shipping on qualifying offers. Literary Theory: An Introduction Literary Theory: An Introduction - Terry Eagleton > **[Art: A New History: Johnson, Paul: 9780060530754: Amazon.com: Books](https://www.amazon.com/Art-New-History-Paul-Johnson/dp/0060530758)** > > Art: A New History \[Johnson, Paul\] on Amazon.com. \*FREE\* shipping on qualifying offers. Art: A New History Art: A New History - Paul Johnson > **[Gödel, Escher, Bach: An Eternal Golden Braid: Hofstadter, Douglas R:...](https://www.amazon.com/G%C3%B6del-Escher-Bach-Eternal-Golden/dp/0465026567)** > > Gödel, Escher, Bach: An Eternal Golden Braid \[Hofstadter, Douglas R\] on Amazon.com. \*FREE\* shipping on qualifying offers. Gödel, Escher, Bach: An Eternal Golden Braid Gödel, Escher, Bach: An Eternal Golden Braid - Douglas R. Hofstadter > **[Ideas: A History of Thought and Invention, from Fire to Freud: Watson, Peter:...](https://www.amazon.com/Ideas-History-Thought-Invention-Freud/dp/0060935642)** > > Ideas: A History of Thought and Invention, from Fire to Freud \[Watson, Peter\] on Amazon.com. \*FREE\* shipping on qualifying offers. Ideas: A History of Thought and Invention, from Fire to Freud Ideas: A History of Thought and Invention, from Fire to Freud - Peter Watson > **[The Complete Monty Python's Flying Circus; All the Words Volume One: Graham...](https://www.amazon.com/Complete-Monty-Pythons-Flying-Circus/dp/0679726470)** > > The Complete Monty Python's Flying Circus; All the Words Volume One \[Graham Chapman, Eric Idle, Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones, John Cleese, Michael Palin\] on Amazon.com. \*FREE\* shipping on qualifying offers. The Complete Monty Python's Flying Circus;... The Complete Monty Python’s Flying Circus; All the Words Volume One - Graham Chapman, Eric Idle, Terry Gilliam , Terry Jones, John Cleese, Michael Palin ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2010, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-books-for-smart-making-goodness/562158/27 "2010-11-29T21:46:57Z")
[Writing with Style: Conversations on the Art of Writing](http://www.amazon.com/Writing-Style-Conversations-Art-3rd/dp/0205028802/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1291066942&sr=8-1), by John R. Trimble. The thing about good writing is that its backbone is good, logical thinking. Learn to organize your thoughts enough to write well, and I guarantee you’ll have a more orderly brain. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2010, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-books-for-smart-making-goodness/562158/28 "2010-11-29T21:48:57Z")
_Brewer’s Dictionary of Phrase and Fable_ It will lead you into researching all sorts of things. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2010, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-books-for-smart-making-goodness/562158/29 "2010-11-29T21:59:14Z")
I just finished _[Here’s Looking at Euclid](http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/62658/title/Book_Review__Book_Review_Here%E2%80%99s_Looking_at_Euclid_A_Surprising_Excursion_through_the_Astonishing_World_of_Math_by_Alex_Bellos)_, by Alex Bellos, which is a good introduction to some of the more interesting parts of math. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![pancakes3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ba9def/32.png) [@pancakes3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pancakes3)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2010, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-books-for-smart-making-goodness/562158/30 "2010-11-29T22:22:53Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > _Brewer’s Dictionary of Phrase and Fable_ > > It will lead you into researching all sorts of things. well in that case, i would like to nominate [tvtropes.org](http://tvtropes.org) ---
**Author:** ![stpauler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9d8465/32.png) [@stpauler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stpauler)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2010, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-books-for-smart-making-goodness/562158/31 "2010-11-29T22:28:20Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > I agree. So much of literature contains biblical references that it’s pretty much a cornerstone of a liberal arts education. I’d one-up you with actually recommending the [Dictionary of Cultural Literacy.](http://www.amazon.com/New-Dictionary-Cultural-Literacy-American/dp/0618226478) Ignore the awful cover, this is the best large bathroom tome that I keep next to the toilet for quick reading and lots and lots of learning. Every doper should have a copy. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2010, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-books-for-smart-making-goodness/562158/32 "2010-12-01T15:14:13Z")
> [@stpauler](#): > > I’d one-up you with actually recommending the [Dictionary of Cultural Literacy.](http://www.amazon.com/New-Dictionary-Cultural-Literacy-American/dp/0618226478) Ignore the awful cover, this is the best large bathroom tome that I keep next to the toilet for quick reading and lots and lots of learning. Every doper should have a copy. I’ve never heard of this book - ordered. Looks interesting. I had not heard of \*\*An Incomplete Education \*\*until a few years ago either - good stuff. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2010, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-books-for-smart-making-goodness/562158/33 "2010-12-02T04:13:58Z")
A great book that I don’t think has been mentioned: _The Discoverers_ by Daniel J. Boorstin. ---
**Author:** ![handsomeharry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9c0ed/32.png) [@handsomeharry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handsomeharry)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2010, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-books-for-smart-making-goodness/562158/34 "2010-12-04T19:41:28Z")
1. Holy Bible 2. _Looking Out for Number One_, by Robert Ringer 3. _Morning of the Magicians,_ by Lewis Pauwels and Jacques Bergier. 4. Either \*Burr \*or \*Lincoln \*by Gore Vidal. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2010, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-books-for-smart-making-goodness/562158/35 "2010-12-04T20:06:14Z")
> [@Spoke](#): > > I concur with **Acid Lamp** that the \*\*King James Bible \*\*should be read by everyone… Ok, but we can all skip Leviticus, right? I wouldn’t claim to know what books make you smarter, but I for one found [Doubt: A History](http://www.amazon.com/Doubt-Doubters-Innovation-Jefferson-Dickinson/dp/0060097728) by Jennifer Michael Hecht to be utterly informative and fascinating. ---
**Author:** ![mittu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecd19e/32.png) [@mittu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mittu)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2010, 10:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-books-for-smart-making-goodness/562158/36 "2010-12-08T10:26:18Z")
Plenty of reading to keep me going there I think, thanks all. ---
**Author:** ![fessie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c37758/32.png) [@fessie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fessie)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2010, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-books-for-smart-making-goodness/562158/37 "2010-12-08T12:45:40Z")
If you want to learn about human nature and the rules of culture and war, and about God and greed and success and failure, read “Gone With the Wind” (but skip the movie). Then read Alex Hailey’s “Roots” and try to get your brain wrapped around man’s inhumanity (plus purge the racist imagery from GWTW). Then try Stephen Jay Gould’s “Mismeasure of Man”. With any luck you’ll love his writing and find him an entertaining guide through various biological sciences. Carl Sagan is a similar writer, his “Dragons of Eden” is fascinating and accessible. If you get nothing more than “correlation does not equal causation” from it, you’ll still be ahead of most journalists. But the one you really ought to read, above and beyond the others, is “Miss Manners’ Guide to Excruciatingly Correct Behavior.” Because if you can interact with a wide range of people in a civilized, constructive way, you’ll have a million learning opportunities. And absent good manners you’re going to have a hard time with life no matter how “smart” you are. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-books-for-smart-making-goodness/562158.md?page=1)