My 2006 Top 10 second hand books that I've actually read

1. The Dancing Wu Li Masters—Gary Zukav

The book literally blew my mind. I never thought that physics could be this...er…fun and troubling. All those theories about reality…more bizaare than Poul Anderson’s time paradox novels.

2. The Seat of the Soul—Gary Zukav

Eastern philosophy, theology and science.

“I was drawn again and again to the writings of William James, Carl Jung, Niels Bohr and Albert Einstein…I found in them something special, although it was not until later that I was able to understand that special ness: these fellow humans reached for something greater than they were able to express directly through their work…they were mystics.”

3. For Whom the Bell Tolls—Ernest Hemmingway

Finally I was able to finish the book. Reading Hemmingway is like reading a play. There are traces of Gertrude Stein’s repetition in his writings, not surprising since they were friends.

4. Existentialism from Dostoevsky to Sartre—Walter Kaufmann

The book that taught me what existentialism is not all about.

5. Rendezvous with Rama—Arthur C. Clarke

From the master of space objects comes Rama, a floating Noah’s ark?

Now why is it that my Space Odyssey 3001 was missing from my library? The last guy who borrowed the book goes by the name of hmmmm…Gnatz.

6. Religion in Sociological Perspective—Keith Roberts

A scientific study of religion.

7. The Bluffer’s Guide to Philosophy—Jim Hankinson

Irreverent introductory book about philosophy that proves humor is the best way to teach difficult things.

8. The Communist Manifesto—Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels

Why would anyone read this little read book?

9. Star Trek: The Motion Picture—Gene Roddenberry

I love Star Trek. I have a humble collection of 1960-70’s Star Trek Log series, lots of theology and philosophy in there.

10. The Cost of Discipleship—Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Hmmmm…..No comments.

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“I suffer thirst, Govinda, and on this long Samana path my thirst has not grown less. I have always thirsted for knowledge. I have always been full of questions. Year after year I have questioned the Brahmins, year after year I have questioned the holy Vedas….I have spent a long time and have not yet finished, in order to learn this, Govinda: that one can learn nothing. There is, so I believe, in the essence of everything, something that we cannot call learning. There is, my friend, only knowledge—that is everywhere, that is Atman, that is in me and you and in every creature, and I’m beginning to believe that this knowledge has no worse enemy than the man of knowledge, than learning.”

--Hermann Hesse