Books I read

I am a great fond of books and kept on reading all sorts of books ( Marathi and English) This is the partial list of books I read which have enriched my thinking and helped me understand the world around me. I have given links to book reviews o references I found on the net for some books, though I plan to write my own reviews some other time.

a) Philosophy
1. Story of philosophy - Will Durant
Best book on history of philosophy. I learnt the principles of western philosophy from this book. More from net
2. Being and Nothingness – Sartre
A brilliant and exhaustive analysis of nature of our existence More from net
3. Inquiry into Human understanding – Hume
Difference between our perception and truth More from net
4. Science is not enough – Vannevar Bush
5. Nature of physical world
6.
b) Novels
1. Fountainhead – Ayn Rand
Excellent novel of young architect who revolted against established traditions and designed structures of novelty. Novel explains how society suppresses such innovations and forces mediocracy.More from net
2. Atlas Shrugged – Ayn Rand
Brilliant novel advocating freedom. It states that the progress is done by few talented individuals but they are not allowed to enjoy the benefit. It suggests the plight if all these intelligent persons take asylum in scret place and stop the work. It criticizes nationalization policy and socialism. More from net
3. We the living – Ayn Rand
Story of love traingle in communist country.
4. Wheels – Arthur Hiely
Automotive industry in America
5. Overload
Power crises and disruption activities by environmentalists and left parties
6. Final Diagnosis
A comparison between knowledge through experience and modern medicinal practice
7. Hotel
Hotel industry
8. Money Changers
Inside story of banks
9. Grapes of wrath
Nobel prize winner novel depicting the impact of industrialization and displacement of farmers in USA
10. Roots
Tracking the origin of black people to Africa. Narrates the harassment and brutal treatment by invaders and sufferings.
11. The thorn birds
Novel of the farmer family with detailed description of nature, and social culture Australia in 19th century
12. Midnight Children – Salman Rushdi
Childhood and social changes in India during partition
13. Man who came from cold
Spy story indicating use of men as pawns in game of espionage
c) General
1. Science fiction books by Asimov
Very good stories on science fiction
2. Odissy 2000 – Arthur Clerk
3. Imagination unlimited
4. I am OK, you are OK
Transactional analysis – Parent , Adult and Child behavior
5. Games people play
Psychological habits formed in human relations
6. Rich dad poor dad
Falacy in common belief that study and learning will make one rich
Comparison of common man and businessman
7. Prison Diary – Jayprakash Narayan
His experience in jail and description of his fight against emergency.
8. My several worlds – Perl Buck
Travel and life in china and other developing countries
9. Netscape story
Very interesting story of building Netscape browser with students from university
10. The HP way
Growth Hawlet Packard company from Guarage experiments to corporate
11. Who says elephant can’t dance
Gestener’s analysis of IBM’s failures and transformation he made in mindset of workers and emphasizing customer orientation
12. At speed of thought – Bill Gates
Early efforts of Bill Gates to create awareness about internet and his speculations about future growth of company
13. India 2020 – A. Kalam
Dream of building India strong and as a world power
14. My childhood – Maxim Gorky
The poverty and social life in Russia
15. Mother – Maxim Gorky
Struggle of common citizen in war
16. Exodus
Sufferings and determination of jews during deportation
17. Direct from Dell
Innovative approach by dell to reach customers directly
18. I am Iaocoka
Personal politics in high places of Ford company, birth of christeler car company
9. 1984- George Orwel
Imaginary picture of slavery of common man in future if communist revolution succeeds
20. Animal farm – George Orwel
Falacy in communist principles in administration by ironical story of animals revolting against man
21. Collapsing universe
Asimov’s scientific explation of universe, stars, big bang, black hole and similar concepts
22. Ana Karenina – Leo Tolstoy
Social love story in Russian soil.
23. Two on a tower –
Young astronomer and woman in love with him. What i liked most is the dedication and persuit of the scientist. More from net
24. New brave world
Story of growing human beings as robots designed for specific task
25. Rebecca
26. Lolita
27. Waste makers
28. Small is beautiful
29. God of small things
30. War and peace
31. Short stories by Chekov
32. Journey around the world in 80 days
33. Lost horizon
34. My universities – Maxim Gorky
35. Stolen white elephant and other stories – Mark Twain
36. Stolen harvest – Vandana Shiva
37. Future shock – Alwin Toffler
38. e - factor
39. Making money in cyberspace by Edwards and Linda Rohrbough
40. lessons from the Edge - Matthews and dennis
41. The new market leaders by Fred Wiersema
42. The writer within you - Charles Jacobs
43. Write more Sell More - Robert Bly
44. e-Business, Roadmap for success by Dr. Ravi Kalakota and Marcia Robinson
To be continued ---