# What's the most useful book you've bought? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 20, 2013, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-useful-book-youve-bought/656241 "2013-04-20T18:53:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Lakai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9de0a6/32.png) [@Lakai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lakai)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2013, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-useful-book-youve-bought/656241/1 "2013-04-20T18:53:52Z")
I’m looking for books that: (1) Taught you something, and (2) that something was very useful, and (3) it was taught very efficiently. I have two examples: 1.[Typography for Lawyers](http://www.amazon.com/Typography-Lawyers-Matthew-Butterick/dp/1598390775). Just look at the Amazon reviews. I read the book in one weekend, and it took one more weekend to learn how to apply all the techniques in the book. You’ll learn enough about typography in a few days to give you an advantage over 99% of the general population. It’s helpful for everyone, but lawyers can learn everything they need to know about typography from reading this one book. [Their website](http://www.typographyforlawyers.com/) contains most of the information that’s in the book, except for font recommendations, and instructions on how to use Word to implement their techniques. 1. [I Will Teach You to Be Rich](http://www.amazon.com/Will-Teach-You-Be-Rich/dp/0761147489/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1366483372&sr=1-1&keywords=i+will+teach+you+to+be+rich). I hesitated to buy this book at first because of its title. I changed my mind after I read a free chapter online. This book taught me all the basics of managing finances. It hit the sweet spot between how much you should learn before you hit diminishing returns on your knowledge. Again, in a few short days I learned more about managing my finances than about 90% of the population. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2013, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-useful-book-youve-bought/656241/2 "2013-04-20T19:17:48Z")
[The TV Typewriter Cookbook](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TV_Typewriter#TV_Typewriter_Cookbook) I used it to turn an electronics and computer hobby into a successful career. It wasn’t that it included all the information to do that, it was the just a simple clear explanation of how video terminals worked that provided the start to using other available resources that required that introductory information. ---
**Author:** ![SpoilerVirgin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@SpoilerVirgin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpoilerVirgin)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2013, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-useful-book-youve-bought/656241/3 "2013-04-20T19:21:50Z")
I mention it so often I should probably just make it my signature, but [Learned Optimism](http://www.amazon.com/Learned-Optimism-Change-Your-Mind/dp/1400078393/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1366485444&sr=8-1&keywords=learned+optimism) changed my life. Nothing works for everyone, but for anyone who experiences depression or anxiety, or just wants to improve their emotional well-being, it’s worth a try. It provides very straightforward, usable tools for improving the way you think and feel. ---
**Author:** ![RoniaBorkason](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9dc877/32.png) [@RoniaBorkason](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RoniaBorkason)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2013, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-useful-book-youve-bought/656241/4 "2013-04-20T20:24:25Z")
I don’t buy a lots of books, but my pocket size [Visual Quick Tips: Crochet](http://http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0470097418) has been really useful, and I’ve even lent it out with great success for the borrowers. ---
**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:** [April 21, 2013, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-useful-book-youve-bought/656241/5 "2013-04-21T00:04:27Z")
_[After the Fact: The Art of Historical Detection](http://www.amazon.com/After-Fact-Art-Historical-Detection/dp/0073385484/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1366501971&sr=1-3&keywords=after+the+fact)_ by James West Davidson and Mark Hamilton Lytle. I’ve recommended this book before. It’s a book about how historians look at the evidence they have and use it to form a history. But I’ve found it to be more broadly useful; it gives you insights into how to look at things and figure out their meaning. Note: The book has been in print for thirty years and has undergone several revisions. Track down a copy of the first edition (1982) if you can. The authors included some good stuff they decided was redundent and dropped from subsequent editions. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2013, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-useful-book-youve-bought/656241/6 "2013-04-21T00:06:54Z")
[The Money Book for the Young, Fabulous & Broke](http://www.amazon.com/Money-Book-Young-Fabulous-Broke/dp/1594482241) by Suze Orman. I’ve read it twice and lent it several times. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2013, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-useful-book-youve-bought/656241/7 "2013-04-21T00:29:54Z")
_Elements of Style_, Strunk and White. How to make English grammar less than tedious. ---
**Author:** ![Fir\_na\_tine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a587f6/32.png) [@Fir\_na\_tine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fir_na_tine)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2013, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-useful-book-youve-bought/656241/8 "2013-04-21T00:54:00Z")
[Readers Digest Home Repair Manual](http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Do-It-Yourself-Manual-Editors-Readers/dp/0895773783) Still consult my circa 1960 edition every so often. No homeowner should be without one. Amaze yourself with how much money you save. ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2013, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-useful-book-youve-bought/656241/9 "2013-04-21T02:25:24Z")
> [@Fir\_na\_tine](#): > > [Readers Digest Home Repair Manual](http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Do-It-Yourself-Manual-Editors-Readers/dp/0895773783) > > Still consult my circa 1960 edition every so often. No homeowner should be without one. Amaze yourself with how much money you save. We have an earlier edition of that one, in a closet somewhere. Also Readers Digest manuals on needlework and home improvement, and carpentry. Mom gave them for Christmas. They’ve all seen some use. I use my bird and cloud identification books often, but the most useful book I’ve owned was a big thick hardcover “parents encyclopedia” from the early 60’s. It came with a subscription to Parents magazine. Basic no nonsense advice (with photos) on feeding, potty training, how to know when to call the doctor, etc. It helped diagnose pyloric stenosis, when the GP couldn’t figure out why #2 son couldn’t keep anything down. ---
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2013, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-useful-book-youve-bought/656241/10 "2013-04-21T03:01:29Z")
[Total Recall: My Unbelievably True Life Story](http://www.amazon.com/Total-Recall-Unbelievably-True-Story/dp/1451662432/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1366511921&sr=1-1&keywords=total+recall+arnold+schwarzenegger) by Arnold Schwarzenegger. Seriously. For anyone willing to think about and take its lessons to heart, Arnold’s biography is probably the best self-help book and guide to living a full life that’s ever been written. I’m not kidding, it’s transformative. ---
**Author:** ![River\_Hippie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/river_hippie/32/26_2.png) [@River\_Hippie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/River_Hippie)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2013, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-useful-book-youve-bought/656241/11 "2013-04-21T03:06:01Z")
[The Guitar Handbook](http://www.amazon.com/Guitar-Handbook-Ralph-Denyer/dp/0679742751/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1366513579&sr=1-1&keywords=The+Guitar+Handbook) I bought this when I first started playing and it has helped me in many ways. ---
**Author:** ![Sudden\_Kestrel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecd19e/32.png) [@Sudden\_Kestrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sudden_Kestrel)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2013, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-useful-book-youve-bought/656241/12 "2013-04-21T04:10:58Z")
[_The Garden Primer_](http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-garden-primer-barbara-damrosch/1000278338) by Barbara Damrosch. Our copy is all dirt-smudged and dog-eared, with leaves stuck in for bookmarks. ---
**Author:** ![koeeoaddi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/koeeoaddi/32/408_2.png) [@koeeoaddi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/koeeoaddi)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2013, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-useful-book-youve-bought/656241/13 "2013-04-21T04:30:01Z")
[The Rand McNally Road Atlas](http://www.randmcnally.com/index.php/product/road-atlas), [The Vegetarian Epicure](http://www.amazon.com/The-Vegetarian-Epicure-Anna-Thomas/dp/B002NX41VQ), [The Western Garden Book](http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12552139-the-new-western-garden-book) and the [Oxford English Dictionary](http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7053332-compact-oxford-english-dictionary). ---
**Author:** ![Horatio\_Hellpop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Horatio\_Hellpop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatio_Hellpop)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2013, 5:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-useful-book-youve-bought/656241/14 "2013-04-21T05:51:58Z")
_On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft_ by Stephen King. Must-read for anyone intimidated by the prospect of writing, from a man who’s been there. _The Bedford Handbook_ by Diana Hacker. Every niggling detail about grammar, formatting and in-text citations in easy-to-find order. If I’d had these books 35 years ago, college would have been a very different experience. Sadly, they hadn’t yet been written. ---
**Author:** ![Waenara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/50afbb/32.png) [@Waenara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Waenara)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2013, 6:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-useful-book-youve-bought/656241/15 "2013-04-21T06:03:45Z")
_[Ratio](http://www.amazon.com/Ratio-Simple-Behind-Everyday-Cooking/dp/1416571728/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1366524070&sr=1-1&keywords=ratio)_ by Mark Ruhlman - shows you the basic ratios of water/flour/butter/milk/eggs in different kinds of doughs, batters, stocks, etc… Makes it so much easier when you’re trying to make something with whatever you have on hand, rather than going grocery shopping to fit a specific recipe. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Second\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbe5ce/32.png) [@The\_Second\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Second_Stone)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2013, 6:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-useful-book-youve-bought/656241/16 "2013-04-21T06:12:33Z")
As a student of politics and history, I wish I had found Thucydides account of the Peloponnesian War the second semester of college rather than my third year. Best book on politics I have ever read and second best book on history (after Herodotus). Very useful. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2013, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-useful-book-youve-bought/656241/17 "2013-04-21T13:17:34Z")
> [@Sudden\_Kestrel](#): > > [_The Garden Primer_](http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-garden-primer-barbara-damrosch/1000278338) by Barbara Damrosch. Our copy is all dirt-smudged and dog-eared, with leaves stuck in for bookmarks. I came in to recommend Damrosch. The one book every gardener – beginner or Master – should own. For writing: Anne Lamott’s _Bird by Bird._ ---
**Author:** ![D18](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c57346/32.png) [@D18](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D18)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2013, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-useful-book-youve-bought/656241/18 "2013-04-21T13:26:07Z")
[Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain](http://www.drawright.com/) not only showed me how to draw, but changed my way of viewing the world. I went from useless, to it being a truly rewarding hobby. [Stumbling on Happiness](http://www.amazon.ca/Stumbling-Happiness-Daniel-Gilbert/dp/0676978584) changed my life. ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2013, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-useful-book-youve-bought/656241/19 "2013-04-21T17:58:26Z")
That’s unpossible to answer. a book i’ve opened more than any other book and has the most information of any book i own is CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2013, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-useful-book-youve-bought/656241/20 "2013-04-21T18:24:14Z")
The Boy Scout Handbook. There are tons of practical skills in there, many of which you’d be hard-pressed to find anywhere else. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-most-useful-book-youve-bought/656241.md?page=2)