This thread is for those books or similar items that compliment the purpose of the SDMB - to fight ignorance; preferably with wit, style and feeling. (I’m asking that fiction and books that should be read just because they are fun to read be left to Cafe Society)
My contributions: The Universe and the Teacup by K. C. Cole - an essay on math, science and human nature. What Einstein Told his Cook by Robert L. Wolke - kitchen science explained in a question/answer format with a great sense of humor
Coming of Age in the Milky Way, by Timothy Ferris A People’s History of the Supreme Court, by Peter Irons The Battle for God, and Holy War, by Karen Armstrong Darwin’s Ghost, by Steve Jones Guns, Germs, and Steel and The Third Chimpanzee by Jared Diamond The Beak of the Finch, by Jonathan Weiner
Finding Darwin’s God by Kenneth Miller - An attempt to reconcile the concepts of science and religion. Extremely well written and thought provoking, wherever you sit on that debate. The Prince by Niccolò Machiavelli - Until you’ve read this, you don’t know Jack about politics. Dark and cynical, but at times very funny and always interesting.
This is going to sound like an odd choice, but I recommend Have a Nice Day and Foley is Good by Mick Foley, aka professional wrestler Mankind. It debunks a lot of the myths about the business (hence the fighting ignorance bit), and it has wit, style and feeling in spades. Foley is a surprisingly articulate and intelligent man, and went through quite a lot to get to a top spot in the business. His writing is funny, if a bit reliant on sophmoric humor, but somtimes has a wryness to it that I appreciate.