I was browsing Reddit a few months ago, and in the Ask Me Anything (AMA) section of the site. I came across this awesome thread by Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson. Therefore, I am sharing the words of a wise man-the word of the wise is timeless.
In the post, a user, ElCracker asked, “Which books should be read by every single intelligent person on planet?”
Dr. Tyson proceeded to name his top 8 must read books for intelligent people and gave a simple one sentence explanation as to why those books should be read. I have provided a link to where you can get the books listed as a free ebook, a free audio version and of course, I have also added a quick link for you to add those books to your AccuTeach Shelf. Here are the books he recommended.
The Bible, by Multiple Authors:
to learn that it’s easier to be told by others what to think and believe than it is to think for yourself.
Where can you get a copy of the free version?
- The free eBook version
- The free Kindle edition
- The free audio book version-many to choose from here.
- Add it to your AccuTeach Shelf
Newton’s System of the World, by Sir Isaac Newton:
“to learn that the universe is a knowable place.”
Where can you get a copy of the free version?
- The free eBook version and a web audio version is on the page as well.
- The free audio book version located at list 16
- Add it to your AccuTeach Shelf
On the Origin of Species, by Charles Darwin:
“to learn of our kinship with all other life on Earth.”
Where can you get a copy of the free version?
- The free eBook version and a free version is also located here.
- The free audio book version
- Add it to your AccuTeach Shelf
Gulliver’s Travels, by Jonathan Swift:
“to learn, among other satirical lessons, that most of the time humans are Yahoos.”
Where can you get a copy of the free version?
The Age of Reason, by Thomas Paine:
“to learn how the power of rational thought is the primary source of freedom in the world.”
Where can you get a copy of the free version?
The Wealth of Nations, by Adam Smith:
“to learn that capitalism is an economy of greed, a force of nature unto itself.”
Where can you get a copy of the free version?
- The free eBook version
- The free audio book version and there is a free version here as well.
- And add it to your AccuTeach Shelf
The Art of War, by Sun Tsu:
“to learn that the act of killing fellow humans can be raised to an art.”
Where can you get a copy of the free version?
- The free eBook version and here as well
- The free audio book version
- And add it to your AccuTeach Shelf
The Prince, Niccolo Machiavelli:
“To learn that people not in power will do all they can to acquire it, and people in power will do all they can to keep it.”
Where can you get a copy of the free version?
Dr. Tyson followed up by proclaiming, of the books listed:
“If you read all of the above works you will glean profound insight into most of what has driven the history of the western world.”
Finally, Dr. Tyson went on to thank the Redditers for their participation and interest. He also cautioned that his one liners are not intended to be a review of the books listed; instead they are,
“…a statement about how the book’s content influenced the behavior of people who shaped the western world. So, for example, it does no good to say what the Bible “really” meant, if its actual influence on human behavior is something else. Again, thanks for your collective interest. -NDTyson”
What do you think about his list of must read books for intelligent people? I will be curating and sharing lists of the best free books and technology around that we all love. Who does not like free?