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READING RECOMMENDATIONS FOR EVERYONE

This page will be a gift I hope all of my friends will copy, keep, and use.  I have watched the transition of reading materials required in education go from the classics to modern writing that borders on pornography. Throughout this transition I have found several non-fiction and fiction works that have had an impact on my thinking and in fact my life. I hope the following reading suggestions nudge you into reading them and that you too will gain from them.  They are not placed in any order of importance as each one addresses different issues and might be more meaningful at different point in one's life. The list is in no way an end all of reading and in fact should only be a stimulus to guide one to enjoyable learning.

"The BIBLE", King James version. Why? because, regardless of your beliefs, it presents an individual with questions and viewpoints that expand the mind. Why the King James version?  Because the archaic wording forces a person to examine what is being said instead of simply accepting pap fed by someone to make what should be deep thought easier.

"The complete works of Plato" or at least "The allegory of the cave" When read with an open mind describes the social barriers to advanced learning.

"The Prince" awakens the reader to the necessity, at times, for the "tough love" approach to leadership.

"Guidelines for the leader and commander" Gen. Clark  Addresses the many facets of management and leadership.

"The Peter Principle" Dr. Peters. Often quoted by leaders and managers but when asked practically none of them have read the book and understand the nuances of the principle.

"The art of War" Sun Tzu Similar to the "Prince" highlights the decision making choices of the true leader.

"Those who walked away from Omelas" U Le Guin  Begs the question, "At what point do your ethical values outweigh social norms and safety".

"The Evolution of Management Thought" Wren Outlines major management concepts developed since Hammurabi to the present day. Wakens one up to the truth of the saying, "there are no new things under the sun".

"The Bathroom Book, Vols 1,2,3"  compact classics. Biographies, quotes, rules of games, and almost any other subject all condensed into approximately two pages. Just long enough to read during a bathroom visit. (better than crib notes for a daily education regimen)

"Philip Dru, Administrator" Col. House.  An enjoyable read if you approach it as a fictional western paperback. A true eye opener if you realize who Col. House was and that this is the blueprint for the "Progressive" movement to establish a "one world government".

"Hiroshima" John Hersey.  Short but with great impact, documenting the effects of the bombing of Hiroshima.

"Samurai" Subaru Saki An excellent documentary of the greatest Ace in World War II. An eye opener concerning the training and proficiency of the Imperial Air Force compared to the American Air Force.

As I used to tell my students, reading ANYTHING increases your knowledge and develops a wealth of references for you to use in decision making. Read a western and learn about horses, guns, and desert. Read a mystery and learn about clues, DNA, and reasoning. Read Porn and learn -------. From Sherlock Holmes to the Jane Auel series you become better able to understand others and convey your thoughts.

This list would give anyone, especially with the three volumes of the "Bathroom Book" a firm foundation to select other works they find of interest.  I could go on and list all "the greatest books of the western world" but, quite honestly, I find many of them bo-o-oring. If you read all of these let me know what you think.

TRY IT YOU'LL LIKE IT- - - - GRUMPY