# What books should a 14 year old read to get a better body of knowledge? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 31, 2003, 9:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-books-should-a-14-year-old-read-to-get-a-better-body-of-knowledge/192095 "2003-07-31T09:59:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Ice\_Wolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/dfb087/32.png) [@Ice\_Wolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ice_Wolf)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2003, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-books-should-a-14-year-old-read-to-get-a-better-body-of-knowledge/192095/41 "2003-08-01T13:02:21Z")
Not sure about suggestions that haven’t already been put for a “better body of knowledge”, but at **Aslan’s** age I was reading _The Scarlet Pimpernel_ in omnibus version and the collected Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes stories. If anything, they showed how the English language could be used to portray passion with _sang froid_. I’ll second the suggestion of the _Cartoon History of the World_. Those are books I consume with great glee. ---
**Author:** ![Merfy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/dc4da7/32.png) [@Merfy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merfy)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2003, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-books-should-a-14-year-old-read-to-get-a-better-body-of-knowledge/192095/42 "2003-08-01T13:57:58Z")
I originally had a very long bibliography of works that covered the western canon from Plato to Nietzsche with some other additions and a list of secondary sources, but then I decided that was overkill. Here are my five recommendations: 1. Dialogues of Plato. I think the Trial and Death Dialogues, the _Republic_, and the _Symposium_ are the most important. They are beautiful, their influence sneaks into Western thought in so many ways, and they are almost certain to draw a reaction from you. If you have read these, seek out some of his lesser known dialogues. 2. _The Education of Henry Adams_. This is a beautiful, elegant book. It is impossible to absorb all its lessons in one reading, but it is worth the read for its style alone, IMO. 3. Aristotle’s _Nicomachean Ethics_ and his Organon. You said that you wanted to understand “how the world has been run.” After Aristotle’s rediscovery in the Middle Ages, his ideas absolutely _dominated_ Western thought for a very long time, but very few people fully understand them. These are by far the most difficult recommendations on my list–the Organon tracts will cure the worst insomnia. 4. Since Machiavelli’s _Discourses_ have been recommended, I recommend Livy’s _History_ itself. Reading his work with an eye toward how he utilizes myth and tale provides an important lesson in the reading of all history, IMO. It is also a rather enjoyable read. 😃 5. I really wanted to recommend some obscure medieval political philosophy or 17th century British thinker (they’re my specialties…or will be when I’m finished), and while I think those things have their place, the works are not easily accessible. Instead, I’ll recommend the Philippic orations by Cicero–best _ad hominem_ attacks ever (heh :D) and an interesting take on the times. ---
**Author:** ![FriarTed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/friarted/32/1052_2.png) [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2003, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-books-should-a-14-year-old-read-to-get-a-better-body-of-knowledge/192095/43 "2003-08-01T15:16:36Z")
THE LAW by Frederick Bastiat -19th Century French libertarian thought about the purpose of government MERE CHRISTIANITY by CS Lewis for a good insight into US Right-wing thought & conspiracy theory- AN OVERVIEW OF OUR WORLD by Jack McManus (John Birch Society) MYSTERIES OF TIME AND SPACE- Brad Steiger- overview of the Paranormal by a True Believer ANTHEM by Ayn Rand- a fictional primer to her thought, you’ll love it or hate it, you’ll either want to devour the rest of her work or you’ll decide you never need to read another thing by her, but at least you’ll know who she was & what she stood for. ---
**Author:** ![js\_africanus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/87869e/32.png) [@js\_africanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/js_africanus)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2003, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-books-should-a-14-year-old-read-to-get-a-better-body-of-knowledge/192095/44 "2003-08-01T15:45:42Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by FriarTed \* > \*\*MERE CHRISTIANITY by CS Lewis \*\* _The Age of Reason_ by Thomas Paine. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-books-should-a-14-year-old-read-to-get-a-better-body-of-knowledge/192095.md?page=2)