Ask HN: What are your favorite books?
47 comments
From my favorite author Anthony J. Dos Reis[0]
If you want to learn assembly language, computer architecture and C++ all at the same time: Assembly Language and Computer Architecture Using C++ and Java , Course Technology, 2004 [1]
If you want to learn how to write compilers, context free grammars, regular expressions and implement grep: Compiler Construction Using Java, JavaCC, and Yacc, IEEE/Wiley, 2012 [2]
If you want to learn functional programming, lambda calculus and LISP: An Introduction to Functional Programming Through Lambda Calculus by Greg Michaelson [3]
My programming skills had grown dramatically with this books. I would wholeheartedly recommend the books mentioned above for those who are interested to learn.
[0] - http://cs.newpaltz.edu/~dosreist/
[1] - https://www.amazon.com/Assembly-Language-Computer-Architectu...
[2] - https://www.amazon.com/Compiler-Construction-Using-Java-Java...
[3] - https://www.cs.rochester.edu/~brown/173/readings/LCBook.pdf - https://www.amazon.com/Introduction-Functional-Programming-C...
If you want to learn assembly language, computer architecture and C++ all at the same time: Assembly Language and Computer Architecture Using C++ and Java , Course Technology, 2004 [1]
If you want to learn how to write compilers, context free grammars, regular expressions and implement grep: Compiler Construction Using Java, JavaCC, and Yacc, IEEE/Wiley, 2012 [2]
If you want to learn functional programming, lambda calculus and LISP: An Introduction to Functional Programming Through Lambda Calculus by Greg Michaelson [3]
My programming skills had grown dramatically with this books. I would wholeheartedly recommend the books mentioned above for those who are interested to learn.
[0] - http://cs.newpaltz.edu/~dosreist/
[1] - https://www.amazon.com/Assembly-Language-Computer-Architectu...
[2] - https://www.amazon.com/Compiler-Construction-Using-Java-Java...
[3] - https://www.cs.rochester.edu/~brown/173/readings/LCBook.pdf - https://www.amazon.com/Introduction-Functional-Programming-C...
Here are a few:
Sync: The Emerging Science of Spontaneous Order by Steven Strogatz
Prime Obsession: Bernhard Riemann and the Greatest Unsolved Problem in Mathematics by John Derbyshire
Predictably Irrational: The Hidden Forces That Shape Our Decisions by Dan Ariely
The Peter Principle: Why Things Always Go Wrong by Laurence J. Peter and Raymond Hull
Sync: The Emerging Science of Spontaneous Order by Steven Strogatz
Prime Obsession: Bernhard Riemann and the Greatest Unsolved Problem in Mathematics by John Derbyshire
Predictably Irrational: The Hidden Forces That Shape Our Decisions by Dan Ariely
The Peter Principle: Why Things Always Go Wrong by Laurence J. Peter and Raymond Hull
The Phoenix Project by Gene Kim, Kevin Behr, George Spafford - https://www.amazon.com/Phoenix-Project-DevOps-Helping-Busine...
Why Nations Fail - amazing book for understanding why some countries are dirt poor while others are rich. Absolutely phenomenal read.
The Inner Game of Tennis
Think And Grow Rich - I based my cover letter off of some of the concepts in this book and it has worked remarkably well.
Think And Grow Rich - I based my cover letter off of some of the concepts in this book and it has worked remarkably well.
I came here to post The Inner Game of Tennis and was pleasantly surprised to see it in the top comment.
The book is only tangentially related to tennis - the real meat of the book is about how to adopt useful mentalities which will help you succeed at a variety of things. It's an extremely easy read and can be finished casually in a few days.
A great book which made me question some of my most deeply held beliefs about learning.
The book is only tangentially related to tennis - the real meat of the book is about how to adopt useful mentalities which will help you succeed at a variety of things. It's an extremely easy read and can be finished casually in a few days.
A great book which made me question some of my most deeply held beliefs about learning.
Back when I was still a student (of music), I read The Inner Game of Tennis and found it to be incredibly useful!
I also recommend it.
I also recommend it.
The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business
Seven Habits of Highly Effective People
NonViolent Communication: A Language of Life
Seven Habits of Highly Effective People
NonViolent Communication: A Language of Life
Big science fiction fan
1. Revelation Space
2. Hyperion
3. The Postman
4. The Day of the Triffids
5. Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
[1] - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Revelation_Space
[2] - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyperion_Cantos
[3] - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Postman
[4] - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Day_of_the_Triffids
[5] - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hitchhiker%27s_Guide_to_th...
1. Revelation Space
2. Hyperion
3. The Postman
4. The Day of the Triffids
5. Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
[1] - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Revelation_Space
[2] - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyperion_Cantos
[3] - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Postman
[4] - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Day_of_the_Triffids
[5] - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hitchhiker%27s_Guide_to_th...
The Four Steps To The Epiphany - Steve Blank
Code by Charles Petzold
Artificial Life - Steven Levy
Time Reborn - Lee Smolin
The Singularity is Near - Ray Kurzweil
Surfaces and Essences - Douglas Hofstadter
How to Measure Anything - Douglas Hubbard
-- One of my favorites is How Not to Be Wrong by Jordan Ellenbreg
I have that on my list of "to read real soon now". Sounds fascinating.
Code by Charles Petzold
Artificial Life - Steven Levy
Time Reborn - Lee Smolin
The Singularity is Near - Ray Kurzweil
Surfaces and Essences - Douglas Hofstadter
How to Measure Anything - Douglas Hubbard
-- One of my favorites is How Not to Be Wrong by Jordan Ellenbreg
I have that on my list of "to read real soon now". Sounds fascinating.
See also: What are some books about everything?
http://qr.ae/8S14dl
The Art of Game Design: A Book of Lenses, Second Edition https://amzn.com/dp/B00OYUO4PY
I'm told the dead trees version is a must, but it's also massive, so pick your preferred inconvenience.
This is like Eno's Oblique Strategies deck in encyclopedia form.
Useful in any circumstances where you'd like to gain fresh perspective on a creation.
From Amazon :
The Art of Game Design presents 100+ sets of questions, or different lenses, for viewing a game’s design, encompassing diverse fields such as psychology, architecture, music, visual design, film, software engineering, theme park design, mathematics, puzzle design, and anthropology...
The Art of Game Design: A Book of Lenses, Second Edition https://amzn.com/dp/B00OYUO4PY
I'm told the dead trees version is a must, but it's also massive, so pick your preferred inconvenience.
This is like Eno's Oblique Strategies deck in encyclopedia form.
Useful in any circumstances where you'd like to gain fresh perspective on a creation.
From Amazon :
The Art of Game Design presents 100+ sets of questions, or different lenses, for viewing a game’s design, encompassing diverse fields such as psychology, architecture, music, visual design, film, software engineering, theme park design, mathematics, puzzle design, and anthropology...
1. https://www.amazon.com/Concepts-Techniques-Models-Computer-P...
2. https://www.amazon.com/Big-Book-Concepts-MIT-Press/dp/026263...
3. https://www.amazon.com/Gödel-Escher-Bach-Eternal-Golden/dp/0...
2. https://www.amazon.com/Big-Book-Concepts-MIT-Press/dp/026263...
3. https://www.amazon.com/Gödel-Escher-Bach-Eternal-Golden/dp/0...
Is it a HN feature that cuts off long URLs unless you click Reply to isolate the comment? Actually even after isolating the comment the URLs are cut off (but not quite as short). Highly annoying.
You should edit and put the titles before the links.
You should edit and put the titles before the links.
Updated as new comment since two hours already elapsed
[1] Concepts, Techniques, and Models of Computer Programming (MIT Press) - URL: https://www.amazon.com/Concepts-Techniques-Models-Computer-P...
[2] The Big Book of Concepts (MIT Press) - URL: https://www.amazon.com/Big-Book-Concepts-MIT-Press/dp/026263...
[3] Gödel, Escher, Bach: An Eternal Golden Braid - URL: https://www.amazon.com/Gödel-Escher-Bach-Eternal-Golden/dp/0...
[1] Concepts, Techniques, and Models of Computer Programming (MIT Press) - URL: https://www.amazon.com/Concepts-Techniques-Models-Computer-P...
[2] The Big Book of Concepts (MIT Press) - URL: https://www.amazon.com/Big-Book-Concepts-MIT-Press/dp/026263...
[3] Gödel, Escher, Bach: An Eternal Golden Braid - URL: https://www.amazon.com/Gödel-Escher-Bach-Eternal-Golden/dp/0...
I just started reading the Art of Learning
https://www.amazon.com/Art-Learning-Journey-Optimal-Performa...
I finished Linchpin a few weeks back and that was an amazing book https://www.amazon.com/Linchpin-Are-Indispensable-Seth-Godin...
Will It Fly is a great book I learning a lot of great marketing tricks from https://www.amazon.com/Will-Test-Business-Waste-Money/dp/099...
I finished Linchpin a few weeks back and that was an amazing book https://www.amazon.com/Linchpin-Are-Indispensable-Seth-Godin...
Will It Fly is a great book I learning a lot of great marketing tricks from https://www.amazon.com/Will-Test-Business-Waste-Money/dp/099...
Thank you, I think I will read all 3 of them!
Will it fly has a 5 star rating from 450 odd reviews!!
450 fiverr gigs.
I doubt that, he has a lot of fans.
I have to say, I learned a ton of cool tricks that one would have to spend weeks reading through forums to learn.
The part on how to build a market map is worth its weight in gold.
I opted for the kindle book, and the audio add on was only $2 which is an amazing price if you have bought other audio add ons.
I have to say, I learned a ton of cool tricks that one would have to spend weeks reading through forums to learn.
The part on how to build a market map is worth its weight in gold.
I opted for the kindle book, and the audio add on was only $2 which is an amazing price if you have bought other audio add ons.
Alan Kay's reading list:
http://www.squeakland.org/resources/books/readingList.jsp
Creativity, Inc. - Ed Catmull.
How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big - Scott Adams
Skunk Works: A Personal Memoir of My Years of Lockheed - Ben Rich
Seven Habits of Highly Effective People - Stephen Covey
How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big - Scott Adams
Skunk Works: A Personal Memoir of My Years of Lockheed - Ben Rich
Seven Habits of Highly Effective People - Stephen Covey
Try
The Forever War by Joe Haldeman. A great book about time dilation and Vietnam.
The Water Knife by Paolo Bacigalupi. A book about water rights in the south west that I can think of.
The Forever War by Joe Haldeman. A great book about time dilation and Vietnam.
The Water Knife by Paolo Bacigalupi. A book about water rights in the south west that I can think of.
Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman.
Also, strangely enough (not being a Harry Potter fan), I immensely enjoyed Harry Potter and the Methods of Rationality.
Also, strangely enough (not being a Harry Potter fan), I immensely enjoyed Harry Potter and the Methods of Rationality.
A)The Annotated Turing - Petzold
B)Armchair Universe: An Exploration of Computer Worlds -- A.K. Dewdney
The latter had many great ideas which inspired me to do interesting experiments on computers with minimal programming experience, it had a great chapter on recursion which really helped me understand recursion when it had no programming experience. I still go back and read sections of this book. Quite a joy IMHO
B)Armchair Universe: An Exploration of Computer Worlds -- A.K. Dewdney
The latter had many great ideas which inspired me to do interesting experiments on computers with minimal programming experience, it had a great chapter on recursion which really helped me understand recursion when it had no programming experience. I still go back and read sections of this book. Quite a joy IMHO
Here is Ellenberg's own list of books he has read in the last few years:
https://quomodocumque.wordpress.com/the-booklist/
https://quomodocumque.wordpress.com/the-booklist/
Just finished Grit by Angela Duckworth. Great insights for entrepreneurs/start-upers
Are Your Lights On?: A Treatise on the Definition of Diverse Problems
[deleted]
- Meditations by Marcus Aurelius
- A Guide to the Good Life: The Ancient Art of Stoic Joy by Irvine
- A Guide to the Good Life: The Ancient Art of Stoic Joy by Irvine
How to Win Friends and Influence People - The tips in this book do work magic.
Cosmos by Carl Sagan
The field guide to understanding human error
by Sidney Dekker
by Sidney Dekker
[deleted]
the hard thing about hard things - Ben is an amazing story teller, very personable, and great lessons
This one has been on my list. I'm starting it next!
This book was good - amazing story teller. Takes through highs and lows of his journey - feels like you are watching him in a boxing ring. Message: Persevere.
zero to one
I've read that. It's worth reading just to get into the mind of Peter Thiel. The "start small and monopolise" is what really stuck with me.
This is what he focuses on in his portion of "how to start a startup" on YouTube. It's cool to watch him talk about it. Great concept.
Infinite Jest
Ulysses
The Selfish Gene
The Histories of Herodotus
Moby-Dick
Gödel, Escher, Bach
Ulysses
The Selfish Gene
The Histories of Herodotus
Moby-Dick
Gödel, Escher, Bach
Melville "Bartlby the Scrivener" & Ramsey "When We Are No More: how Digital Memory Is Shaping Our Future"
Down "Brilliant Beacons: a History of the American Lighthouse"
Koestler "Darkness Before Noon" & "The Invisible Writing" & "The Ghost in the Machine"
John Gardner - anything really but October light and the sunlight dialogs in particular.
Down "Brilliant Beacons: a History of the American Lighthouse"
Koestler "Darkness Before Noon" & "The Invisible Writing" & "The Ghost in the Machine"
John Gardner - anything really but October light and the sunlight dialogs in particular.
A Song of Fire and Ice
Zennis
Wheel of Time
Quiet
Lord of the Rings
Irrational Exuberance
Zennis
Wheel of Time
Quiet
Lord of the Rings
Irrational Exuberance
Some of Edward de Bono's books about lateral thinking. Read some years ago. Concepts in it are not new, but may be unfamiliar to some/you, so mentioning. Lateral thinking can be useful for problem solving when traditional thinking methods don't work, or even if they do.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_de_Bono
And speaking of "wrong", since you mention a book with that in the name, de Bono has also written a book called "I am Right, You are Wrong", which is about the tendency all of us have to think that we are right and the other party is wrong.
Edit: Added his web site:
http://www.edwdebono.com/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_de_Bono
And speaking of "wrong", since you mention a book with that in the name, de Bono has also written a book called "I am Right, You are Wrong", which is about the tendency all of us have to think that we are right and the other party is wrong.
Edit: Added his web site:
http://www.edwdebono.com/
_barbarians at the gate_ is a good read if you're into that sort of thing (business, banking, law, money)
Robin Sharma's "The Monk who sold his Ferrari" is a good one. So is his "Who Will Cry When You Die?"
One of my favorites is How Not to Be Wrong by Jordan Ellenbreg (https://www.amazon.com/How-Not-Be-Wrong-Mathematical/dp/0143127535)