4.48 avg rating — 57,643 ratings

"I originally placed science, philosophy and psychology higher only because they have more direct impact on my relationship with people and with life. Shakespeare, however, should decidedly be first, as he provides a compleat (sic) aesthetic substrate upon which to build a beautiful life. Psychology and philosophy and history, oh my! are presented in a magnificently poetic way, not easy, but sublime! Probably the most unique and insightful person up to his time and certainly the greatest writer of all time."

4.37 avg rating — 873,242 ratings

"One of those books you would like to put on the "read before you die" list. But, it would be much better to read it when you are young, then once a decade thereafter. An amazing insight into the human dilemma as well as the most tragic episode in human history. This book can very well change your life by making you aware of how to make or discover meaning in your own life. Must read!
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4.03 avg rating — 2,908 ratings

"Along with Cosmos, the foundation of my early education, this is a later entrant that completely turned my thinking inside out and actually made me an even more avid scholar. Howard Bloom is an absolute genius, but his eccentricities and lack of a PhD have made him a non-factor in modern academia and main stream media."

4.40 avg rating — 158,653 ratings

"The first really intellectual book I read as a child, totally opened me up to becoming a scientist and scholar and lifelong learner. He covered so much ground and made it all so interesting!"

4.07 avg rating — 175,914 ratings

"Nietzsche is without a doubt the most provocative philosopher of all time. I don't subscribe to most of his theses, but he is thought provoking, hopefully causing you to think of the alternatives to his idee's. Along with Kant, the most influential of the last millennium."

3.73 avg rating — 122,453 ratings

"This is in the category of Jonathan Livingston Seagull and Siddhartha. I think I have to place it on top because I have read it and the sequels three times and they just make me feel so darn good!"

3.99 avg rating — 63,924 ratings

"I love biographies, most of all about scientists, learning their insights and discoveries while traveling the drama of their lives. Such an enjoyable way to learn some of the most important psychological insights I know of. It has given me a totally new view of humanity and relationships and deepened my ability to think and respond even more rationally."

4.14 avg rating — 135,116 ratings

"Hermann Hesse, another top 100 writer, tells this coming of age story with a Nietzschean bent. Mesmerizing. His allegorical writings are all top notch."

4.03 avg rating — 1,393,363 ratings

"Grand existential absurdity. One of the best forays into the absurd which I believe should never go out of style. Unlike modern absurdists like David Foster Wallace, the books were not exemplars of absurdity, but more allegorical with philosophical thought bubbles."

3.53 avg rating — 17,623 ratings

"The beginning of the Ancient Alien mythology. Presenting myriad anachronisms, I was entranced. Taught me to ask questions of entrenched knowledge and think outside the box - sometimes way outside."

4.27 avg rating — 121,678 ratings

"As a poet and a human being, this book was revelatory. A wise man and great poet."

4.45 avg rating — 317,456 ratings

"While I am not a believer, it is one of the pillars of western civilization and I find it enchanting; the prose and poetry are gorgeous."

4.39 avg rating — 384,958 ratings

"Dostoevsky is one of the top ten writers of all time, and this parable of Christ is another wonderful ride."

3.93 avg rating — 39,022 ratings

"How to be your own person; hear a different drum."

3.90 avg rating — 283,029 ratings

"In support of rationalism. In opposition to the American evangelists of ignorance and superstition. Read this book!"

4.38 avg rating — 1,361,014 ratings

"A beautiful writer of horrific things. This is the first of his autobiographical trilogy. The Holocaust, man's inhumanity, psychology, existentialism, Judaism, great subjects all."

4.29 avg rating — 80,234 ratings

"More learned and lyrical rationalism from the first great popularizer of science."

4.01 avg rating — 121,899 ratings

"Not especially a fan of the book, per se', but the theory of evolution and all the scientists inspired by it, especially Richard Dawkins, I thank you, Mr. Darwin."

4.16 avg rating — 192,474 ratings

"Who else to follow Darwin, but his greatest expositor? The rationalist's rationalist. His perfectly English scholarly barbs are quite amusing as well."

liked it 3.00 avg rating — 2 ratings

"Can I list my own book? Probably bad form, but it is fitting, I must say. Writing the poems in this book was my life and taught me so much about myself; what more could anyone want, but the meaning of life spelt out right within your calling. I confess I love my poetry as much as many of the great masters. As I have said, "if you can't find what you want or dream of, create it." I hope more will share in the fruits of my soul some day and they will be recognized as worthy components of any poetry library. I place it at number 20 because I really don't want to self-aggrandize here. Simply speak my truth. I also have to admit that I like reading more than writing, so I actually have to tear myself away if I want to create and not just absorb. As Nietszche says, "some day you must stop learning, and write!" I will never stop learning, but I get his point."

3.94 avg rating — 2,519,078 ratings

"I rarely read a novel since I was a child reading Stephen King. And since, I have read mostly classics. Oh my, yes, a modern, easy read, but quick and fun and full of great history and archaeology and fascinating takes on some lingering mysteries. Nobody has yet matched Brown's style of intrigue, mystery and historicity in such plausible prose. I keep looking, but to no avail. I have to wait for Dan or I have to write one myself. Don't make me do that! I have much more fun reading!"

4.29 avg rating — 1,075,550 ratings

"I was depressed for two weeks after reading this book. That is how deeply it grabs you. It reaches into your gut, unsettles you, then rips your intestines right through your left cerebrum!"

3.94 avg rating — 393,660 ratings

"I wish Kafka had written more, having died so young. He is in the vein of Dostoevsky, Camus, Sartre, etc., but there is something about his writing that cracks open a sort of surreal schizoid kernel inside. Like being on LSD I would imagine, and nearly as life-altering."

4.08 avg rating — 102,445 ratings

"The first psychology book I read as a youth and still one of my faves. Got me thinking straight from a young age."

3.96 avg rating — 112,587 ratings

"Oh, Hitch, how well we miss thee! It's all in the title. Rationalism to the rescue!"

4.02 avg rating — 313,681 ratings

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"Being a poet and bipolar, I found Sylvia's autobiographical novel to be truly touching."

4.16 avg rating — 29,565 ratings

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"I would like to choose Wayne Dyer's entire opus, but this was the first one I read and I ran to the bookstore the moment he pumped out another gem."

4.09 avg rating — 30,018 ratings

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4.30 avg rating — 14,712 ratings

"Brilliant! And still holds today as a guide to the frightening politics in America in 2018."

4.11 avg rating — 840 ratings

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4.17 avg rating — 82,331 ratings