# Suggestions for a "Supervillain Corps Reading List"? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 16, 2008, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-for-a-supervillain-corps-reading-list/441565 "2008-03-16T18:35:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Ranchoth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranchoth/32/1066_2.png) [@Ranchoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranchoth)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2008, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-for-a-supervillain-corps-reading-list/441565/1 "2008-03-16T18:35:43Z")
A bit o’ clarification, if, if needed, and I may. For a little story project I’m working on, I’m putting together a “Supervillain Corps” reading list—patterned after the idea of such things as the [Commandant of the Marine Corps’ Reading List](http://home.comcast.net/~antaylor1/usmccommandant.html), only with a supervillain’s bent on “fostering and imparting the required principles of leadership and tradition” to his hordes of minions. Works to include fiction and non-fiction, with a plan to include a few “editor’s review” note, glowingly praising or (often willingly) misinterpereting the message of the books. (I have a blurb describing S.M. Stirling’s _Marching Through Georgia_ as “A classic, heartwarming saga of the potential of the human will, as seen through the lens of a world that never had the chance to be.” I think that gives you an idea of what I’m heading for. 🙂 ) So far, I have: •Fiction _World War Z_—Max Brooks _When the Tripods Came_—John Christopher _Devil’s Guard_—George Robert Elford _Triage_—Leonard C. Lewin _The Monkey Handlers_—G. Gordon Liddy _The Prince_ (quote duh unquote) _Paradise Lost_—John Milton _[The Cardinal’s Mistress](http://oddbooks.co.uk/oddbooks/musso.html)_—Benito Mussolini (!) _Anno Dracula_—Kim Newman _Tik-Tok_—John Sladek _The Iron Dream_—Norman Spinrad Mark Waid’s _Empire_ The [Heroes in Hell](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heroes_in_Hell_%28novel%29) series •Non-Fiction -[_If We Can Keep a Severed Head Alive_](http://oddbooks.co.uk/oddbooks/fleming.html)—Chet Fleming -_My Tank is Fight_—Zack Parsons -Probably various torture manuals, and/or the _Malleus Maleficarum_. -_The Biology of Doom_—Ed Regis -_The Satanic Bible_ -_Inside the Third Reich_—Albert Speer …that sorta stuff. Anyone have any old favorites (or un-favorites) they’d like to add? ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2008, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-for-a-supervillain-corps-reading-list/441565/2 "2008-03-16T19:43:49Z")
_How To Be A Villain_ > **[How to Be a Villain: Evil Laughs, Secret Lairs, Master Plans, and More!!!:...](https://www.amazon.com/How-Be-Villain-Laughs-Secret/dp/B0008102BS)** > > How to Be a Villain: Evil Laughs, Secret Lairs, Master Plans, and More!!! \[Zawacki, Neil, Dignan, James\] on Amazon.com. \*FREE\* shipping on qualifying offers. How to Be a Villain: Evil Laughs, Secret Lairs, Master Plans, and More!!! _The Villain’s Guide to Better Living_ > **[The Villain's Guide to Better Living: Zawacki, Neil, Brown, Bill: Amazon.com:...](https://www.amazon.com/Villains-Guide-Better-Living/dp/B0008EH6PA)** > > The Villain's Guide to Better Living \[Zawacki, Neil, Brown, Bill\] on Amazon.com. \*FREE\* shipping on qualifying offers. The Villain's Guide to Better Living _Evil Inc Annual Report 2005_ > **[Evil Inc Annual Report Volume 1: Guigar, Brad, Guigar, Brad: 9781411680708:...](https://www.amazon.com/Evil-Inc-Annual-Report-1/dp/1411680707)** > > Evil Inc Annual Report Volume 1 \[Guigar, Brad, Guigar, Brad\] on Amazon.com. \*FREE\* shipping on qualifying offers. Evil Inc Annual Report Volume 1 \* The same, for 2006\* > **[Evil Inc Annual Report Volume 2 (Evil Inc Annual Report Tp (Toonhound)): Guigar,...](https://www.amazon.com/Evil-Inc-Annual-Report-Toonhound/dp/0615136206)** > > Evil Inc Annual Report Volume 2 (Evil Inc Annual Report Tp (Toonhound)) \[Guigar, Brad, Guigar, Brad\] on Amazon.com. \*FREE\* shipping on qualifying offers. Evil Inc Annual Report Volume 2 (Evil Inc Annual Report Tp (Toonhound)) ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2008, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-for-a-supervillain-corps-reading-list/441565/3 "2008-03-16T19:46:33Z")
[QUOTE=Ranchoth] Works to include fiction and non-fiction, with a plan to include a few “editor’s review” note, glowingly praising or (often willingly) misinterpereting the message of the books. [/QUOTE] _The Man Who Used The Universe_ by Alan Dean Foster, the inspiring story of a man who - unencumbered by simple minded impulses such as ethics, loyalty, or love - brilliantly shapes the future of three species for his benefit. And manages to get himself acclaimed as a hero and savior in the process ! ---
**Author:** ![gaffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2008, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-for-a-supervillain-corps-reading-list/441565/4 "2008-03-16T19:58:51Z")
Before any other reading, every supervillan needs to read: [The Top 100 Things I’d Do If I Ever Became An Evil Overlord"](http://www.eviloverlord.com/lists/overlord.html) Read it. Memorize it. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Excellent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f19dbf/32.png) [@Mr.Excellent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Excellent)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2008, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-for-a-supervillain-corps-reading-list/441565/5 "2008-03-16T20:36:17Z")
[P.W. Singer’s “Children at War”](http://www.amazon.com/Children-at-War-P-Singer/dp/0520248767/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1205697676&sr=8-1): An invaluable resource on the recruitment, training, and use of child soldiers. Case studies from Sierra Leone, Uganda, and elsewhere illustrate how traumatized children kidnapped from their homes and equipped with light weapons can be turned into an inexpensive, highly effective guerrilla force. [P.W. Singer’s “Corporate Warriors”](http://www.amazon.com/Corporate-Warriors-Privatized-Military-Industry/dp/0801474361/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1205697960&sr=8-1): Good introductory text on the role that private military contractors - essentially, modern mercenaries - have played in the Balkans, Africa, and elsewhere. Discussion of recruitment issues is insightful, and examination of use of small forces to train/augment poorly equipped local militaries and “tip the balance” may be particularly useful for evil overlord forces with limited budgets. [Harry Frankfurt’s “On Bullshit”](http://www.amazon.com/Bullshit-Harry-G-Frankfurt/dp/0691122946/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1205698290&sr=8-1): Princeton philosophy professor examines the nature and uses of “bullshit” - statements made without regard for their truthfulness, purely in order to advance the speaker’s goals. These are distinct from lies, which the speaker knows to be untrue. Propaganda minions will find this particularly useful. [James F. Dunnigan’s “How to Make War”, 4th Edition](http://www.amazon.com/How-Make-War-Fourth-Comprehensive/dp/006009012X/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1205698547&sr=8-1): Solid primer on modern warfare. Explains the functions of basic military roles (infantry, air force, etc) and units (squad, platoon, etc), as well as modern military hardware. A valuable reference for any minion to keep near his desk. [Samantha Power’s “A Problem From Hell: America and the Age of Genocide”](http://www.amazon.com/Problem-Hell-America-Genocide-P-S/dp/0061120146/ref=pd_bbs_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1205698716&sr=8-2): The chapter on Rwanda is particularly valuable as a case study for how to conduct large-scale mass murder with minimal command-and-control facilities (commercial radio) and weapons (mostly, machetes). Note that this approach requires a sufficiently radicalized local population, a topic that the rest of this book also explores. Minions with limited time and/or budgets may substitute Samantha Power’s lengthy [Atlantic Monthly article on the Rwanda genocide](http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200109/power-genocide), available for free (legally) online. [John M. Barry’s “The Great Influenza”](http://www.amazon.com/Great-Influenza-Deadliest-Plague-History/dp/B0007XWMZQ/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1205699064&sr=8-1): Accessible history of the 1918 flu pandemic is a must-read for minions of supervillains planning conquest through the use of biological/chemical warfare. Barry argues, persuasively, that the Wilson Administration’s decision to censor and otherwise limit accurate information about the disease probably increased the death toll, and certainly increased the terror the disease caused - a useful lesson for minions who’ve infiltrated media and/or government. [“The 9/11 Commission Report”](http://www.amazon.com/Commission-Report-Terrorist-Hardcover-Authorized/dp/0393060411/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1205699263&sr=1-1): Compulsively readable analysis of the 9/11 attacks provides useful case study of how one can plan and execute a terror attack, as well as a portrait of the confusion likely to hinder any governmental response. Details of US Government security weaknesses and responses are somewhat obsolete, but the take-away message is as important as ever - well-motivated minions can hit even the hardest targets, with thoughtful and creative planning. The report is available online at [www.9-11commission.gov](http://www.9-11commission.gov) . All of these are actually on my bookshelf, and there are a lot more I might add later. 🙂 I would make an awesome minion. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Excellent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f19dbf/32.png) [@Mr.Excellent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Excellent)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2008, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-for-a-supervillain-corps-reading-list/441565/6 "2008-03-16T20:48:48Z")
A couple important books I forgot to mention: [Micheal Howard’s “Clausewitz: A Very Short Introduction”](http://www.amazon.com/Gang-Leader-Day-Sociologist-Streets/dp/1594201501/ref=pd_bbs_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1205700147&sr=8-1): 84-page text provides exactly what the title promises - a solid overview of famous concepts such as the “fog of war”, the use of war to achieve political ends, and so on. Recommended reading for before the first Minion Orientation Session. [Sudhir Venkatesh’s “Gang Leader For A Day”](http://www.amazon.com/Gang-Leader-Day-Sociologist-Streets/dp/1594201501/ref=pd_bbs_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1205700147&sr=8-1) Engagingly written autobiographical account of a sociologist’s years studying a drug gang and low-income community in Chicago provides valuable managerial insights for mid-level minions. Discussion of the use of beatings in maintaining discipline is particularly useful. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2008, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-for-a-supervillain-corps-reading-list/441565/7 "2008-03-16T23:36:19Z")
**Ranchoth** –feedback? ---
**Author:** ![TWDuke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e495f1/32.png) [@TWDuke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TWDuke)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2008, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-for-a-supervillain-corps-reading-list/441565/8 "2008-03-16T23:52:41Z")
Machiavelli’s **The Prince** made it’s author into a byword for devious schemer. Speaking of notorious authors, **Mein Kempf** probably belongs on an evil megolomaniac’s bookshelf. Since the OP mentioned misinterpretation and deliberate misconstruing, the holy scriptures of just about any major religion can be used to justify a wide range of villainy. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2008, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-for-a-supervillain-corps-reading-list/441565/9 "2008-03-17T00:45:24Z")
_The Zombie Survival Guide_ : Important reading for any would-be necromantic overlord, under the principle of “know your enemy”. Once you know how the populace will attempt to thwart your hordes of the walking dead, you’ll know what commands to give to defeat their defenses ! ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2008, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-for-a-supervillain-corps-reading-list/441565/10 "2008-03-17T01:01:33Z")
_Soon I Will Be Invincible_: One brave man’s efforts to conquer the world, and the foolish mortals who try to stop him. _How to Survive a Horror Movie_ Know how your enemy (or victim) thinks. _The Bad Popes_ by E. R. Chamberlin. A goody that I’d recommend regardless, but learning from history is important in this line of work. ---
**Author:** ![Ranchoth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranchoth/32/1066_2.png) [@Ranchoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranchoth)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2008, 6:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-for-a-supervillain-corps-reading-list/441565/11 "2008-03-17T06:10:45Z")
[QUOTE=Bosda Di’Chi of Tricor] **Ranchoth** –feedback? [/QUOTE] Sorry for the late reply—I’ve been keeping vampire hours lately. Great stuff, so far! With **Mr. Excellent** ’s permission, I’d like to use a couple of his descriptions on the list, if I could, with credit. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Excellent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f19dbf/32.png) [@Mr.Excellent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Excellent)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2008, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-for-a-supervillain-corps-reading-list/441565/12 "2008-03-17T14:18:57Z")
[QUOTE=Ranchoth] Sorry for the late reply—I’ve been keeping vampire hours lately. Great stuff, so far! With **Mr. Excellent** ’s permission, I’d like to use a couple of his descriptions on the list, if I could, with credit. [/QUOTE] Of course! Does this mean I get command of some of your minions as well? ---
**Author:** ![Ranchoth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranchoth/32/1066_2.png) [@Ranchoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranchoth)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2008, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-for-a-supervillain-corps-reading-list/441565/13 "2008-03-17T15:14:24Z")
[QUOTE=Mr. Excellent] Of course! Does this mean I get command of some of your minions as well? [/QUOTE] A brigade, at least. Consider it done, my friend.