This book changed my lifeThe Goat writes, "Some books have made a huge impact on my life." It's true. It wasn't until the b3ta mods read the Flashman novels that we changed from mild-mannered computer operators into heavily-whiskered copulators, poltroons and all round bastards in a well-known cavalry regiment.
What books have changed the way you think, the way you live, or just gave you a rollicking good time?
Friendly hint: A bit of background rather than just a bunch of book titles would make your stories more readable
(
chthonic, Thu 15 May 2008, 15:11)
« Go Back
A Short History of Nearly EverythingWhen I was at school I was forced to read an extract of a Bill Bryson book about his travels in England. Being young, and a bit thick, I thought he was having a go and I wondered to myself "who is this Yank who thinks he can say such horrible things about my lovely country?!" As I got a bit older though, I found out that he lived in England for 15 years or so, and that Barnstaple actually is a one-horse dump. Now, I love his travel writing but A Short History of Nearly Everything is a step above.
Every secondary school student should be forced to read this. It changed my life in that it made me want to read more factual stuff and less fiction. It`s simple and compelling and teaches you all kinds of weird and wonderful things whilst making learning fun. It`s full of little anecdotes about the fine lines between genius and insanity and makes you want to spend the rest of your life wandering around Africa or Australia discovering weird and wonderful things.
Love it, love it, love it.
(, Fri 16 May 2008, 5:32, 4 replies)
AgreeI nominated it above. There's a kids version out soon.
(, Fri 16 May 2008, 9:41, closed)
he has alsowritten a book about language called 'the mother tongue' - excellent stuff!
(, Fri 16 May 2008, 10:48, closed)
@kitescreechI didn`t know about the kids version. I hope it goes well and that schools get students reading it. It`d be nice to see some young people get into science.
(, Mon 19 May 2008, 2:54, closed)
@chameleon61I haven`t had a chance to read The Mother Tongue. I`ll have a look for it when I next get the chance to check Amazon. I`ve read most of the others though and I have to say that I`ve definitely been converted to fandom. If only I had millions of pounds to go with my months of holidays, I`d love to follow some of his travel adventures.
(, Mon 19 May 2008, 2:57, closed)
« Go Back