# Book rec for someone who loved Blink, Guns, Germs and Steel and Omnivore's Dilemma? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 14, 2008, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/book-rec-for-someone-who-loved-blink-guns-germs-and-steel-and-omnivores-dilemma/477109 "2008-12-14T13:10:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2008, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/book-rec-for-someone-who-loved-blink-guns-germs-and-steel-and-omnivores-dilemma/477109/41 "2008-12-15T17:38:27Z")
If he has the slightest interest in architecture, I would recommend [_How Buildings Learn: What Happens After They’re Built,_](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/How_Buildings_Learn) by [Stewart Brand](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stewart_Brand). ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2008, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/book-rec-for-someone-who-loved-blink-guns-germs-and-steel-and-omnivores-dilemma/477109/42 "2008-12-15T17:56:42Z")
> [@WhyNot](#): > > …not that they really have anything in common. Just that they have all, at various times, been cited in many threads on the Dope, so I assume there are people here who have read and like them. What else would you recommend? > 😉 Guns, Germs and Steel and Omnivore’s Dilemma both have “sequels”. There’s also Poundstone’s “Secrets” series, the “Imponderables” series and of course the Straight Dope series. ---
**Author:** ![anu-la1979](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/47e85d/32.png) [@anu-la1979](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anu-la1979)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2008, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/book-rec-for-someone-who-loved-blink-guns-germs-and-steel-and-omnivores-dilemma/477109/43 "2008-12-15T18:04:08Z")
Fast Food Nation Freakanomics anything by Jon Krakauer, especially Banner of Heaven The Tipping Point (though it’s not as good as Blink) Friday Night Lights-this was the very first non-fiction I ever read! Devil in the White City-sorry to keep editing to add but I just thought of this one because I think you’re a Chicago doper, right? Garlic & Sapphires-Ruth Reichl. Assasination Vacation by Sarah Vowell There is an anthology published every year of “Best American \_\_\_ Writing of [insert year to date]”. I highly recommend the Travel and Science anthologies-those are the 2 I buy every year. This year’s travel anthology was edited by Anthony Bourdain. They’re rather like interesting short stories on different parts of the world. I’m not a natural non-fiction reader (my taste runs more to British Lit) so rest assured that all of these have the plotting of a novel 🙂 ---
**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 15, 2008, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/book-rec-for-someone-who-loved-blink-guns-germs-and-steel-and-omnivores-dilemma/477109/44 "2008-12-15T19:10:18Z")
> [@](#): > > There’s also Poundstone’s “Secrets” series, the “Imponderables” series and of course the Straight Dope series. There’s also Joel Achenbach’s _Why Things Are_ series. ---
**Author:** ![Sarahfeena](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sarahfeena/32/519_2.png) [@Sarahfeena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sarahfeena)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2008, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/book-rec-for-someone-who-loved-blink-guns-germs-and-steel-and-omnivores-dilemma/477109/45 "2008-12-15T19:38:21Z")
> [@Sleel](#): > > [Why We Get Sick](http://www.amazon.com/Why-We-Get-Sick-Darwinian/dp/0679746749), sort of a Freakonomics of disease theory. I have this at home, but haven’t read it yet. I’m recommending it on the strength of the recommendations I’ve received that encouraged me to buy it. Another good one about disease is [Survival of the Sickest](http://www.amazon.com/Survival-Sickest-Medical-Maverick-Discovers/dp/B0013L2E2M/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_b), which is an explanation of why disease is a GOOD thing for the survival of the human race! Very interesting. ---
**Author:** ![Surok](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cc9497/32.png) [@Surok](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Surok)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2008, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/book-rec-for-someone-who-loved-blink-guns-germs-and-steel-and-omnivores-dilemma/477109/46 "2008-12-15T20:05:02Z")
Slightly different from most of the books suggested, but he might enjoy [Memoirs of a Sword Swallower](http://www.amazon.com/Memoirs-Sword-Swallower-Daniel-Mannix/dp/0965046958/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1229371354&sr=8-1), the somewhat fictionalized autobiography of Dan Mannix, who joined a carnival sideshow by accident and learnt how to swallow swords, eat fire, and pick locks. I guess if the kid liked Guns, Germs and Steel, he might find this too light, but might find some of the details about why sword swallowing is physiologically possible interesting. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2008, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/book-rec-for-someone-who-loved-blink-guns-germs-and-steel-and-omnivores-dilemma/477109/47 "2008-12-15T20:39:58Z")
> [@Surok](#): > > Slightly different from most of the books suggested, but he might enjoy [Memoirs of a Sword Swallower](http://www.amazon.com/Memoirs-Sword-Swallower-Daniel-Mannix/dp/0965046958/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1229371354&sr=8-1), the somewhat fictionalized autobiography of Dan Mannix, who joined a carnival sideshow by accident and learnt how to swallow swords, eat fire, and pick locks. I guess if the kid liked Guns, Germs and Steel, he might find this too light, but might find some of the details about why sword swallowing is physiologically possible interesting. Heh. Actually, he’d probably love this for reasons you don’t know. Among our circle of friends is one sword swallower, one lock picker (professional locksmith, actually) and more people who eat, blow and spin fire than you can shake a stick at. He himself spun fire when he was younger, and then got bored with it, if you can believe that! We’re not technically a carnival sideshow, but we probably should be! Thanks again to everyone. I’ve got 8 books ordered, and assuming I get the standard Amazon giftcards I usually do for Christmas, I’ll order some more for him for his birthday in January. Y’all have saved Christmas, really. ---
**Author:** ![Sigmagirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c89c15/32.png) [@Sigmagirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigmagirl)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2008, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/book-rec-for-someone-who-loved-blink-guns-germs-and-steel-and-omnivores-dilemma/477109/48 "2008-12-15T20:43:07Z")
Awww. The Dopers who Saved Christmas. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2008, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/book-rec-for-someone-who-loved-blink-guns-germs-and-steel-and-omnivores-dilemma/477109/49 "2008-12-15T21:07:34Z")
> [@WhyNot](#): > > Heh. Actually, he’d probably love this for reasons you don’t know. Among our circle of friends is one sword swallower, one lock picker (professional locksmith, actually) and more people who eat, blow and spin fire than you can shake a stick at. He himself spun fire when he was younger, and then got bored with it, if you can believe that! We’re not technically a carnival sideshow, but we probably should be! In **that** case, I recommend a novel: [_Spangle,_](http://www.amazon.com/Spangle-Gary-Jennings/dp/156849727X) by Gary Jennings (about an American circus touring Europe in the 1860s and '70s). ---
**Author:** ![emmaliminal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7bcc69/32.png) [@emmaliminal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/emmaliminal)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2008, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/book-rec-for-someone-who-loved-blink-guns-germs-and-steel-and-omnivores-dilemma/477109/50 "2008-12-15T21:18:39Z")
> [@WhyNot](#): > > Thanks again to everyone. I’ve got 8 books ordered… Whadja git, whadja git?? Please tell! ---
**Author:** ![spoike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/da6949/32.png) [@spoike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spoike)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2008, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/book-rec-for-someone-who-loved-blink-guns-germs-and-steel-and-omnivores-dilemma/477109/51 "2008-12-15T21:20:17Z")
I know it’s probably too late (8 books! Can I come live with you?) but I just wanted to add: \*\*\*[Rats: Observations on the History and Habitat of the City’s Most Unwanted Inhabitants](http://www.amazon.com/Rats-Observations-History-Unwanted-Inhabitants/dp/1582344779/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1229375071&sr=8-1) \*\*\* I enjoyed the entire book, but found the chapter detailing the connection between anti-Chinese sentiment and the spread of bubonic plague in the United States particularly fascinating. There are also passages detailing the role of rats in the struggle for civil rights and unionization of sanitation workers. When I read that your son enjoys reading about the connections between seemingly unconnected things, I immediately thought of this book. Anyway, you’ve already got a whole bunch of books and probably don’t need another recommendation, but you may want to add it to the list for a later date. Personally, I’m bookmarking this thread, as the books described within all seem like perfect gifts for my brother-in-law (and great ones for me to borrow after he’s done). ---
**Author:** ![LavenderBlue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e95f7d/32.png) [@LavenderBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LavenderBlue)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2008, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/book-rec-for-someone-who-loved-blink-guns-germs-and-steel-and-omnivores-dilemma/477109/52 "2008-12-15T21:28:44Z")
**Vaccine: The Controversial Story of Medicine’s Greatest Lifesaver** by Arthur Allen is a very good read. Allen is the Slate science editor. He manages equal parts awe and snark with chapters like People Who Prefer Whooping Cough. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2008, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/book-rec-for-someone-who-loved-blink-guns-germs-and-steel-and-omnivores-dilemma/477109/53 "2008-12-15T21:36:30Z")
> [@emilyforce](#): > > Whadja git, whadja git?? Please tell! Well, I wasn’t sure if I should say, because then the ones that didn’t get picked might feel rejected… But I know in threads like this I want to know too. I really do appreciate \*all \*the suggestions, and I sent them all to my mother for gift giving ideas, as well. After taking into account his taste, reading level and my current income, I chose: Freakonomics Salt: A World History Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed Outliers: The Story of Success Why Buildings Fall Down: How Structures Fail Everything Bad is Good for You Flushed: How the Plumber Saved Civilization As well as two DVD’s: George Carlin - You Are All Diseased George Carlin - Complaints and Grievances 😃 Throw in a new hat and gloves and a few stocking stuffers from the dollar store and he’s done. ---
**Author:** ![dangermom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e274bd/32.png) [@dangermom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dangermom)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2008, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/book-rec-for-someone-who-loved-blink-guns-germs-and-steel-and-omnivores-dilemma/477109/54 "2008-12-15T21:45:14Z")
Ooh ooh ooh, I’ve got another one, about cholera! It’s lovely and disgusting. _The Ghost Map: The Story of London’s Most Terrifying Epidemic–and How It Changed Science, Cities, and the Modern World_, by Steven Johnson. Put it on your “future” list! ---
**Author:** ![Surok](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cc9497/32.png) [@Surok](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Surok)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2008, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/book-rec-for-someone-who-loved-blink-guns-germs-and-steel-and-omnivores-dilemma/477109/55 "2008-12-15T21:46:35Z")
> [@WhyNot](#): > > Among our circle of friends is one sword swallower, one lock picker (professional locksmith, actually) and more people who eat, blow and spin fire than you can shake a stick at. Ah, then he’d maybe find it kinda dull - it’s not hugely detailed, and I guess if you know the real thing in person, you’re not going to find the book as impressive as I did growing up in a small town, with no sword swallowers in the vicinity 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Malthus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/85f322/32.png) [@Malthus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malthus)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2008, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/book-rec-for-someone-who-loved-blink-guns-germs-and-steel-and-omnivores-dilemma/477109/56 "2008-12-15T21:49:13Z")
> [@WhyNot](#): > > It’s for a 15 year old boy who seems tickled with large-scale “secrets”, not in a tin-foil hat kind of way, but in a figuring out how the world really works kind of way, if that makes any sense. One thing he seemed to like in all three books is the way the author makes Rube Goldbergesque connections between seemingly unconnected things. > > He also loves the military, military history and all things weaponey. (sigh.) I know it is too late to the party … but maybe for next time, _A History of Warfare_ by Keegan is good for the military - wanna know how it works - kinda kid. > **[A History of Warfare: Keegan, John: 9780679730828: Amazon.com: Books](https://www.amazon.com/History-Warfare-John-Keegan/dp/0679730826)** > > A History of Warfare \[Keegan, John\] on Amazon.com. \*FREE\* shipping on qualifying offers. A History of Warfare ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2008, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/book-rec-for-someone-who-loved-blink-guns-germs-and-steel-and-omnivores-dilemma/477109/57 "2008-12-15T21:57:26Z")
> [@Malthus](#): > > I know it is too late to the party … but maybe for next time, _A History of Warfare_ by Keegan is good for the military - wanna know how it works - kinda kid. > > [A History of Warfare: Keegan, John: 9780679730828: Amazon.com: Books](http://www.amazon.com/History-Warfare-John-Keegan/dp/0679730826/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1229377653&sr=8-1) Oh, that does look good! And yeah, I notice I missed the military stuff. Perhaps this will head the birthday list. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/book-rec-for-someone-who-loved-blink-guns-germs-and-steel-and-omnivores-dilemma/477109.md?page=2)