Books That Will Change your Worldview

The great thing about summer is finally having time to read the book list you've been saving up-- at least for me anyways. Ah, the intellectual pursuit of life! All the wisdom that someone else took the time to write down. Here are my top three recommendations:

1. The Omnivore's Dilemma
I read this last fall, and it completely changed the way I look at food (and inspired me to devote a life to improving its production). Michael Pollan is a very clear writer with a good sense of humor and a stunning story of his journey into the mechanics of food production. Especially with food appearing so often in the news, it's important that everyone understand the way the system works and be conscious of what you're choosing to nourish yourself with. I'm now reading his Botany of Desire: a Plants-eye View of the World which tells the story of the apple (sweetness), tulip (beauty), cannabis plant (intoxication), and potato (control) and how they domesticated people to do their bidding. Pick it up, or he actually has a new one too, In Defense of Food.

2. The Marx-Engels Reader
Whether or not you trust the outcome of Marx's theories, reading his original work is essential to a well-rounded understanding of history and thought. Included here the best summary available, from the Communist Manifesto all the way to Volume One of Das Capital. As well as better understanding the world rules and daily conflicts we live in, it got me started in philosophy and has lead to further reading in Nietzsche, Kant, and the man, Che Guevara (his Motorcycle Diaries are fantastic, the actual diary the movie was based on).

3. Blessed Unrest
If you are revolutionary-minded, or believe in a cause, you may be interested to hear about a broad-scale change of public mentality that has led to hundreds of thousands of activist interest groups in recent years. When do radical movements with the same things in common stop being isolated and become a new way to live? This book has inspired me to do something for this unnamed movement for truth in life.

Other self-help books that are valuable and insightful:

• How to Win at College by Cal Newport. The best college life guidebook, I follow it religiously.
• Let your Life Speak by Parker J. Palmer. Find your own vocation in life, the voice that guides you to where you need to be.
• Arriving at Your Own Door by Jon Cabat Zinn. 128 daily zen lessons that lead to a mindfulness and presence that is a great base for any stresses life throws.
  

Take the time to read a book this summer. Most of these are cheap, small books that you can get on Amazon for under $20. I'd love to hear any recommendations you've read, as well... leave a comment!

-Eddie