Books that changed me
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The books that changed me
I hope you'll be inspired to create your own and share it.
Snow Crash
Snow Crash (Bantam Spectra Book)
Amazon Price: $8.24 (as of 02/15/2012)
Neal Stephenson blends humor and pop culture and an expert's eye for science fiction. This book woke me up to the reality of the world we were about to enter, and it gave me the energy and confidence to imagine a world fundamentally different than the one we were leaving.
When I ran Yoyodyne ten years ago, every one of my employees had to read this book.
New Rules
New Rules for the New Economy
Amazon Price: (as of 02/15/2012)
Kevin Kelly does the non-fiction version of Snow Crash. Even a decade later, this book informs, provokes and guides.
The thing about the internet pioneers is that most of them weren't just a flash in the pan. Kevin co-founded Wired magazine and continues to be one of the most influential writers online.
It's hard to imagine spending time working online and not understanding what he wrote about here.
Zig Ziglar
See You at the Top: 25th Anniversary Edition
Amazon Price: $14.99 (as of 02/15/2012)
I couldn't decide between this book and "Secrets of Closing the Sale". I'm not sure it really matters, since you'll end up reading both.
You know, I have zero patience for people who look down on self-help books... the good ones, anyway. That's like an athlete deploring people who train for the marathon.
There were many many years when I was beat up, toast, ended, no rope left. And the only thing that kept me from quitting and getting a job as a bank teller were the tapes that Zig did.
Charles Darwin
From So Simple a Beginning: Darwin's Four Great Books (Voyage of the Beagle, The Origin of Species, The Descent of Man, The Expression of Emotions in Man and Animals)
Amazon Price: $22.89 (as of 02/15/2012)
There are a thousand great books about evolution, but I picked the originals.
Evolution doesn't care a bit about whether or not you believe in it. It's like gravity. It's there, it's a law, it's true, get used to it.
The lesson of Darwin's life, though, his profound impact on the world on the basis of an idea that spread--this has inspired me to rethink change, to rethink influence and to rethink the responsibility each of us has to move the conversation forward.
My notebook
Add to my list (or start your own)
Brain Rules: 12 Principles for Surviving and Thriving at Work, Home, and School (Book & DVD) by John Medina
Most of us have no idea what's really going on inside more...3 points
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
My Heart Is Afraid that it will have to suffer," more...2 points
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey
In The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, author more...2 points
Budapest: A Novel by Chico Buarque
Perhaps Brazil's most influential and beloved composer more...1 point
The Lie: Evolution by Ken Ham
An eye-opening look at the harmful effects of evol more...1 point
Three Magic Words by Uell S. Andersen
This is one that changed the way I see things. _____________ more...1 point
Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man: What Men Really Think About Love, Relationships, Intimacy, and Commitment by Steve Harvey
Steve Harvey, the host of the nationally syndicated more...1 point
Life Without Limits by Lucinda Bassett
In Life Without Limits, Bassett asks, "If you more...0 points
Peace Pilgrim: Her Life and Work in Her Own Words by Peace Pilgrim
Peace Pilgrim walked and spoke continuously across more...0 points
Readers: Have you read any of the above?
Fetching blurbs now... please stand by
mrplay-dead says:
I've read 7 Habits and the Alchemist. I would also recommend Covey's "First Things First"
Posted November 06, 2011
razchorev says:
I've read Steven Covey's and Zig's books, and if we're talking about self development, I'd recommend the following classics I've read and enjoyed:
Spencer Johnston - Who Moved My Cheese?
Dale Carnegie - How to win friends and influence people?
Napoleon Hill - Think and grow rich.
and even the new kid on block - Robert Kiyosaki - with his Rich Dad Poor Dad book series. There are a lot of repetition in his books, but they are fun and fast read.
Posted May 31, 2009
ocdgirl2000 says:
I read Stephen Covey, 7 habits. It was Ok. The Alchemist looks good!I'll look for it at my favorite thrift store. Great books there all the time.
Posted February 14, 2009
Rewards4life says:
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho is a very moving read, I am glad to see it on your list. I recognize some of the books here and will be giving Snow Crash a look up in the near future. Thank you for your top 10, it's good to see what the great minds read in their time of relaxation. Cheers and keep it up.
Posted January 05, 2009
TerriLorah says:
No, not yet but I just read The Greatest Salesman in the World by Og Mandino that I found very inspiring.
Posted December 11, 2008
Lisa-Marie-Mary says:
I haven't read those - I did just get Tribes on audio, though! Everyone's raved so much about it - I had to get it! Two books that have changed me have been "My Grandfather's Blessings" by Dr. Rachel Naomi Remen and "Second Sight" by Judith Orloff. They both had an incredible impact on me.
Posted December 01, 2008
Transformation says:
Seth, I love you, man. And I would recommend reading Darwin's stuff too. But to be intellectually honest, we must state in fairness that the theory of evolution is an accepted theory only. Not quite law or truth as you state above (unless you have some proof that the rest of the scientific community has been missing up to date and is still looking for). I think we should be careful that we don't confuse the truth of natural selection with the theory of evolution. Two different things from Darwin's writings. By observing scientifically the process of natural selection, he theorized about evolution as the origin of species. We're still looking for "proof" today.
To me, the bigger point is this: If we accept as truth something that is indeed only theory, then our preconceptions may lead us to erroneous conclusions. And that may hinder us in sales, marketing, service, etc., whatever we do to make the world a better place. Just my opinion.
Posted November 30, 2008
chane says:
I haven't read any of them, but will add 3 of the 4 you've mentioned to my 'to read' list. As far as writing, I mostly type everything.
Posted November 29, 2008
Reader Feedback
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ActiveNewZealand
Nov 8, 2011 @ 8:05 pm | delete
- I read a lot and have only read one of those books! Looks like I have some reading to do...
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Rewards4life
Jan 5, 2009 @ 8:31 am | delete
- Great lens, always useful to have inspiration from others and in such a beautiful medium. I love to read and always try to find a little time everyday to indulge in my pleasure. I will favorite this page to read your selection so I can update my comments. Thank you 5*
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HairbandGirl1
Dec 28, 2008 @ 9:04 am | delete
- This is weird! I haven't read any of those books! Well, I have to say that I did read a book that inspired me. Only Emma! It tells you to believe in yourself, and don't give up when times get bad!
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femelas
Dec 12, 2008 @ 10:10 pm | delete
- I love brain rules, it's a good book. You also have a good lens and great resource.
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CandaceF
Dec 8, 2008 @ 10:05 pm | delete
- The two books that have literally changed the course of my life are: Think and Grow Rich by Napolean Hill and Now, Discover Your Strengths by Marcus Buckingham and Don Clifton. Both lead to new and extremely successful careers of my own design.
I've read both Snow Crash and Zig's book(s) - fabulous indeed, but not as earth shaking for me as the two I've listed. Brain Rules by John Medina was thought provoking and I look forward to seeing more from him in the future.
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GreenRevolution
Dec 7, 2008 @ 8:09 pm | delete
- Cool lens! I enjoyed reading it and would like to thank you for sharing the books that have helped change your life. Perhaps they can help change the lives of others as well. I'm glad that you found the courage to keep on going and find success. Congrats!
5 *****
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qlcoach
Dec 1, 2008 @ 5:00 pm | delete
- Of course The Secret is a transformational book, but for me what predated it is reading all of the 12-Step Big Books. These books inspire whether you struggle with addictions or not. Hope you will check out my own journey to life change via The Eby Way too. Sincerely: Gary Eby, author and therapist.
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jeremyeves
Dec 1, 2008 @ 7:30 am | delete
- No textbooks...what a shock. My contribution is Budapest, a translation from the original but the lyrical prose was a change for me. I appreciated that the form and structure of a language was not a function of proper punctuation. Every broken rule helps to form the future norms.
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Mavis
Nov 28, 2008 @ 1:22 pm | delete
- The Tao of Pooh written by Benjamin Hoff. Read at a very stressful time of my life. I open it's pages often to find great wisdom and insight into our life here on earth. I also love, The Power of Myth by Joseph Cambell. After reading that book you will never be the same.
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Goldfish
Nov 27, 2008 @ 4:36 pm | delete
- Only Darwin - but will add the others to my list. I received a pair of leather moleskines for Christmas last year - a fabulous gift!
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by sethgodin
Seth Godin is the bestselling author of 13 books. He writes about marketing, the spread of ideas and managing both customers and employees with respec... more »
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