 | Posted by PartieArtie on 9 July, 2008 - 10:32 |
Please share the books that had the most impact on the way you think and your values. I can personally think of two books that had the biggest impact on me:
1. The Story of B by Daniel Quinn
2. Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert Pirsig
What's yours? :)
-Art
By: ms-395917781 at 22 July, 2008 - 08:35
Considered a work of fascism by many, I would much rather classify it as a work of military and civic philosophy. I first read this book at the recommendation of a friend of mine, Fred Canaan, while in the 101st Airborne Division. It immediately piqued my sense of purpose as to why I was a Soldier. Ball point pens, highlighters, and placemarkers found their way into subsequent copies, and I have read it at least 60 times, cover to cover. Each time, I walked away with another gem that I applied to my profession. I made the book a mandatory reading item for my noncommissioned officers, buying copies for them as promotion gifts. The culminating point, which is not contained within the book, but hidden beneath a rarely used path, is the obligation of service (not necessarily military service, I might add) to the country and to its people. My last tour in Iraq expanded on that observation, with service to the global community as an identifying premise. No doubt, the one book that I would most regard as the catalyst for my identity.
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By: LeBard at 22 July, 2008 - 14:33
I agree that service to ones country is very important. My mother hails from Denmark where everyone joins the military for 2 years, in Italy it is much the same with a choice of civic or military service. I also think it would bring about a more uniform level of discipline not achieved at school.
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By: ms-397873141 at 19 July, 2008 - 23:34
This is the personal diary of a teenage girl, drug addict.
This is a real story. It realy happened to this girl... and at the end of the book, after all what she had done to stop drug, she dieds from an overdose, whithout being sure that she really wanted to take drug again or if she was poisonned by an other drugged personn... This dead, just when everything went better, is horrible. My opinion about drug addicts has changed since I read this book.
(sorry for the mistakes, I'm french...
If you read french, you shoulg click on this link in order to read a text which a lot of french people enjoy ! http://notrecoeurnestpasanous.over-blog.com/article-20077489.html)
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By: rebecca at 14 July, 2008 - 23:18
I could not believe how Waris managed to escape adversity and how someones life and circumstances can change so dramatically.
This both changed me as it described how we take some things so forgranted. Waris describes how water and food was so precious to the nomadic tribe she grew up with and her disgust at seeing people take it forgranted elsewhere (leaving taps dripping, wasting food etc). After reading this I have never been able to leave the tap on while brushing my teeth or walk down the street eating food. It taught me to respect thing that are essential, even if they are easy to come by for some of us.
Edit: Just letting you know I blogged about this post on the Booktagger blog HERE.
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By: LeBard at 9 July, 2008 - 23:30
Hi Art,
Wow, so many books that have influenced my life...
A recent book:
The 4 Hour Work Week by Tim Ferris connects with me on an independent work spirit.
A timeless book:
I seem to always find myself coming back to the book of Ezekiel in The Bible. I love the ancient language, imagery and strength.
A story of forgiveness:
Les Miserables by Victor Hugo
Tips on being a CEO:
How to Become a CEO by Jeffrey J Fox
These stick out in my mind at this moment.
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