Considering there have millions of books written throughout history, it is difficult to do justice to any
"top ten, top twenty, top thirty" (etc.) book lists. However, there are some books that truly stand out. For
many reasons, the following books are remarkable, exceptional, unusual, or novel (no pun intended). Feel free to Send me your list of favorite books.
Please Notify me if any of the links below are dead, and last but not least,
Update me if you know of any other outstanding links to any of the authors or works listed below.
Thomas Moore's "Care of the Soul" -
Plot: N/A. This is deep writing about caring for one's own soul.
Theme: Just like a soul, this book is complex, multi-faceted, and hard to pin down, therefore, I'm not going to
try to narrow this work down to a single theme -- read it for yourself.
My comments: This book offers a very fresh, novel approach
to Psychology and dealing with personal problems. The tigers in the physical
therapy parlor was a bit incredulous. However, this is
a very innovative, thought provoking book. "Care of the Soul's" fresh insights override some
of the dubious things. This is a great book and I wish I knew Thomas Moore personally.
Link: I was surprised that I didn't find a link for either Thomas Moore or Care of the Soul.
If you have any luck, please Let Me Know.
Ernest Hemingway's "A Moveable Feast" -
Plot: N/A. This is a interesting account of his life in Paris as a young, struggling writer.
Theme: Paris in the 1920's and it's literary intelligetsia were definitely a moveable feast.
My comments: I never read Hemingway before I read
this book. Now, I am a Hemingway fan. I love the following quote by Hemingway, "If you are lucky enough to have lived in
Paris as a young man, then wherever you go for the rest of your life, it stays with you, for Paris is a moveable feast." You were right, Mike, this
is a good book.
Link: Read A Moveable Feast Here.
Henri Charriere's "Banco" -
Plot: N/A. This is the sequel to Papillon.
Theme: Similar to Papillon, it's about never quitting or giving up.
My comments: Banco isn't as good as Papillon, however, it stands quite well on its own merits. I marvel at Henri's Charriere's indominatable spirit
as well as his resourcefulness. This man was incredible.
Link: Foreign language site about Henri "Papillon" Charriere Here.
Fred Gallo's "Energy Psychology" -
Plot: N/A. This book is about a very effective, innovative "21st Century Therapy."
Theme: There really is a mind/body connection and if we know how to utilize it, one can increase one's mental and emotional health.
My comments: A very effective form of therapy based on self monitoring acupressure. A lot can be said in favor of Energy Psychology and it is
definitely one the new paradigm therapies for the 21st Century.
Link: Find out more about Energy Psychology Here.
James Durlacher's "Freedom From Fear Forever" -
Plot: N/A. This is a less technical somewhat similar version of Energy Psychology.
Theme: Similar comments as Fred Gallo's Energy Psychology.
My comments: Durlacher's info is based on Roger Callahan's influential and effective TFT (Thought Field Therapy).
Link: To find out more about TFT click Here.
Albert Ellis' "A New Guide to Rational Living" -
Plot: N/A. This book is about Albert Ellis' tried and true Rational Emotive Therapy (also known as REBT).
Theme: Thoughts (in a healthy person) control emotions, not vice versa.
My comments: This is great, effective cognitive stuff. I don't agree with everything in it, but REBT is very effective if applied.
Link: A great REBT site for you Here.
William Glasser's "Reality Therapy" -
Plot: N/A. This is brass tacks cognitive therapy.
Theme: No matter what, a person is responsible for their actions.
My comments: Pretty much the same as my entry under Albert Ellis' "A New Guide to Rational Living."
Link: Read a bit about Reality Therapy Here.
Rudolf Dreikurs' "Children: The Challenge" -
Plot: N/A. This is a guide for raising children in a non-forceful, diplomatic fashion.
Theme: There are other ways of dealing with children rather than threatening or spanking.
My comments: If you are a parent of a toddler or young adolescent, this is THE book for you.
Link: No luck yet in finding a Dreikurs or "Children The Challenge" link, if you have any luck
Let Me Know.
C.S. Lewis' "The Great Divorce" -
Plot: The adventures of the recently departed -- are they going to heaven or hell?
Theme: Let love and truth reign.
My comments: This book is first rate. The
imagery, symbolism, and implications found within it are poignant and even haunting
at times. If you will, this book is a modern day version of Dante's "Inferno". "Kill
the Lizard! Kill the Lizard!" Read the book - most of you will find out what this
means and you will probably be able to relate.
Link: A big C.S. Lewis site Here.
"A Knock At Midnight" (Ed. Peter Holloran) -
Plot: N/A. This is a good collection of Martin Luther King Jr's sermons.
Theme: Love, Truth, Freedom, and Equality should extend beyond our belief system, our culture,
our religion, and our nation.
My comments: After reading this you will love and respect Mr. King even more.
His sermons are powerful and they leave one with a desire to get more involved in
the world in order to make a positive difference.
Link: Stanford University's Martin Luther King Jr's Papers site Here.
Suzanne White's "The New Astrology" -
Plot: N/A. This is a book about the Chinese Astrological signs.
Theme: You do have charateristics that match your Chinese Astrology sign.
My comments: I like Chinese Astrology and I put more
stock into it than Occidental Astrology (primarily because it's based on your birth year and not the planets or a certain time of the month).
This book is a fascinating intergration of Chinese
and Occidental Astrology. Please note, this reference is about Suzanne White's first edition of "The New Astrology."
Her second edition was terrible. For those of you Chinese Astrology adepts who want to know, I was born in the Chinese year of the Snake
in the hour of the Horse with the Horse as my ascendant Chinese sign.
Link: A comprehensive, good Chinese Astrology site Here.
Kay Refield Jamison's "An Unquiet Mind" -
Plot: N/A. True life story of a Psychiatrist's battle with Bipolar disorder (also known as Manic Depression).
Theme: Even if you do have Manic Depression, you can still make it in life :).
My comments: I f you want to know what it's like living with
Bipolar illness, read this book, it's an eye opening, riveting, and gripping personal account.
IMO, the only mistake she makes in her book is, she glorifies Manic Depression -- she may want it, but I certainly don't.
Link: There are a gazillion great Manic Depression sites, but start with Mine
will ya?
Dan Millman's "The Life You Were Born To Live" -
Plot: N/A. This is a large, eclectic book about the numbers in your life.
Theme: What?! Do you really think numbers are only for Mathmatics?
My comments: I like numerology primarily for the purpose of self identification and self improvement.
This book is interesting. Some of the exercises Dan Millman suggests are IMHO
a bit much, however, the information about your personal numbers are quite good. This book corroborates my thinking
about numbers. There is a lot of correlation about numbers that "personal validation"
cannot explain. Maybe Pythagoras was on to something? Hmmm.
Link: Dan Millman's site Here.
Manly Hall's "The Secret Teaching of All Ages" -
Plot: N/A. This book is about esoteric history.
Theme: Spirituality is a tool to be used not abused.
My comments: This large book is a fascinating, beautiful, comprehensive tome. It attempts to present a plethora of esoteric knowledge.
I'm not sure about it's historical accuracy, but nonetheless, it's an interesting read. Some parts of it will make you go "Yuck", other parts will have you riveted in fascination.
Link: The late Manly Hall's orgainzation Here.
Sogyal Rinpoche's "The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying" -
Plot: N/A. This is commentary about Tibetan Buddhism and about the Tibetan Book of the Dead.
Theme: OHM!
My comments: Rinpoche's book is solely from a Buddhist perspective, therefore some of it was hard for me to relate to.
Link: Sogyal Rinpoche's organiaztion Rigpa Here.
Various Psychology texts - Textbooks!? Are you crazy, Mike? Yep. However, keep in mind, that a good textbook on Psychology/Personality Theories will effectively present various
theories that can impact your world. For example, read "Personality Theories" by Jess Feist and see if your view of yourself, other people, and the world around you doesn't change at least in a small way.
J.D. Salinger's "The Catcher In The Rye" -
Plot: Life in the shoes of a slightly edgy, introspective teenager.
Theme: The formative years of a adolescent is an encapsulated commentary on human nature -- it's worst and it's best.
My comments: Why this book got so much negative press is beyond me. It's a good read if you're patient with it.
Link: Haven't found a J.D Salinger of a "Catcher in the Rye" link yet, if you have, please Let Me Know.
F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby" -
Plot: Average Joe meets gregarious, mysterious wealthy man and the rich jet set.
Theme: Wealth does not equal happiness, in fact, what makes life worthwhile and fulfilling?
My comments: This book was surprisingly evocative. Maybe it was my state of mind at the time?
Link: Read The Great Gatsby Here.
Jim Bakker's "I Was Wrong" -
Plot: N/A. This is a riches to rags story of a TV evangelist who list it all yet gained himself in the process.
Theme: The kingdom of "I" isn't necessarily the realm of truth.
My comments: Maybe the religious freak circus crew on Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) should read this book.
"I Was Wrong" is a riveting account about a man who lost everything and was severly
humbled in the process. During his PTL days, I wasn't a fan of Mr. Bakker or his ridiculous
ex-wife. Now, I admire Jim Bakker for his strength, constitution, honesty, and
character. This book requires discretionary reading due to brutally honest
descriptions of prison life.
Link: Haven't found an appropo link for either Jim Bakker or "I Was Wrong", if you have any luck, please
Send 'em to me if you find some.
