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Steve’s Reading List
First of all, I am not a speed reader, and I don’t consider myself an “avid reader.” But I do enjoy reading from time to time. The list of books on this page goes back many years. I tend to read books in fits and bursts — I’ll read three or four books back-to-back over the course of a few months, and then not read again for a few months. I’ve managed to keep a list of most of the books I’ve read over the past several years. As you can see, I generally read non-fiction, with a leaning toward stories of the natural world and human adventure and struggle.
Each of the book cover images below links to the book’s page at Amazon.com. I earn a small (very small) commission if you make a purchase after following one of the links. Books with larger images are ones I recommend over the others.
CURRENT READING
ON HOLD
Religion and Science by Bertrand Russell
PREVIOUSLY READ
The Holy by Daniel Quinn - It was an easy read, and I more-or-less enjoyed it, but this story was not nearly as compelling as Quinn’s earlier work. This tale felt overly contrived, but even then it somehow failed to convey a clear point. Quinn’s earlier stories, such as “Ishmael,” “B,” and “Dachau,” unfold in a very organic way and as a result, so does the “message” to the reader.
The Golden Spruce by John Vaillant - The intriguing story of a unique tree, the native culture surrounding it, and the survivalist cum eco-terrorist who chopped it down. What the book lacked in the more subtle aspects of artistic storytelling, it made up for in the sheer uniqueness of the events and characters that inhabited it. However, it is nowhere near as gripping as Krakauer’s Into Thin Air to which it is compared on the back cover.
Tales of Adam by Daniel Quinn - In these supposed “outtakes” from his masterful Ishmael, Quinn illustrates the animist viewpoint through seven short tales about a hunter-gatherer father and his son. Clearly the stories are contrived for Quinn’s purpose, but unfortunately they read that way, too, and lack the genuineness of Quinn’s other writings. I don’t recommend this unless you are a Quinn fanatic. I thought I was, but now I’m not so sure. I’ve got a couple more recent Quinn works waiting, so I guess we’ll see. I still highly recommend his earlier books (see below).
Letter to a Christian Nation by Sam Harris - Harris’s concise and uncomprising refutation of ultra-conservative Christian doctrine throws down the proverbial gauntlet at biblical literalists and, more generally, foreshadows the perils — intolerance, hatred, even murder — associated with blind religious faith of any kind. An absolute must-read… though it is unfortunate that most of the readers of this book will already agree with Harris’s point of view.
My Oregon by Bob Welch — Probably not of much interest to non-Oregonians. In fact, you might even have to be a Lane County resident to really appreciate this collection of articles from Register-Guard columnist Bob Welch. Even so, he captures much of what it means to be an Oregonian and what the people of Oregon value — even though he places way too much importance on sports, in my opinion.
Papillon by Henri Charriere - “Papillon,” which means “butterfly” in French, was the nickname given to Charriere, and it reflects his unwavering belief that one can remake themselves through sheer will. His numerous attempts at escaping from the French penal colonies of South America between 1931 and 1945 form the basis of his transformation. His is a story of both physical and mental survival. Charriere is at once a convict crushed by the harsh conditions of his imprisonment and a sort of nobleman struggling to maintain a code of honor in a thoroughly corrupt system. Despite its length, the book reads quite easily and provides a unique profile of human endurance and transformation.
Ugly Americans: The True Story of the Ivy League Cowboys Who Raided the Asian Markets for Millions by Ben Mezrich - I moderately enjoyed this book, but I think Mezrich could have done a much better job making this story more compelling, as he did in Bringing Down the House. Here, the story lacks suspense and seems carelessly assembled.
Born to Steal: When the Mafia Hit Wall Street by Gary Weiss - Profile of the greed, corruption, and total amorality of the so-called “chop stock” brokerages of the 1990s. The book focuses on one Louis Pascuito and his rise and fall as an illegitimate broker and his eventual role as an informant in the government’s efforts to put an end to these abuses. A worthy read.
Deep Descent: Adventure and Death Diving the Andrea Doria by Kevin F. McMurray - A straightforward, if occasionally uninspired, recounting of scuba diver accidents and deaths on the wreck of the Andrea Doria.
Adrift: Seventy-six Days Lost at Sea by Steven Callahan - A mesmerizing retelling of an astounding voyage in which the indomitable human spirit has never been more evident.
The Hungry Ocean: A Swordboat Captain’s Journey by Linda Greenlaw - Greenlaw offers a snapshot of her unique experiences fishing for swordfish in the Atlantic Ocean in this well-written, easy to read, but less than riveting recounting.
Shadow Divers: The True Adventure of Two Americans Who Risked Everything to Solve One of the Last Mysteries of World War II by Robert Kurson - Awesome adventure, intriguing history, and fascinating detective work are expertly woven together in the telling of this true story about two wreck divers who find — and ultimately identify — the wreck of a German submarine off the East coast of the United States.
The Search for the Giant Squid by Richard Ellis - This thorough, well-written book about these fascinating and oft-maligned sea creatures is, ironically, a bit dry at times.
Brimstone (abridged audiobook) by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child - A dark and occasionally grisly mystery, marginally suitable for long drives.
The Exploding Whale: And Other Remarkable Stories from the Evening News by Paul Linnman - This is the definitive text on the single most amazing thing that has happened in the history of humankind. Ok, perhaps a slight exaggeration, but Linnman does a fine job of capitalizing on the interest in Oregon’s exploding whale in order to tell what he believes are the truly remarkable stories of his career as a TV journalist and news anchor.
Angels and Demons (abridged audiobook) by Dan Brown - A fast-paced, tense thriller with all the over-the-top action you need during a long, boring drive in the car.
Bringing Down The House: The Inside Story of Six M.I.T. Students Who Took Vegas for Millions by Ben Mezrich - Couldn’t put it down! An intriguing and tense story based on actual events that more than makes up for the author’s occasionally clumsy and forced style.
Prey (audiobook) by Michael Crichton - A simple but engaging sci-fi story about what might happen when computerized nanobots run amok.
The Last Dive: A Father and Son’s Fatal Descent into the Ocean’s Depths by Bernie Chowdhury - This engaging look at the seemingly inevitable demise of two divers is paralleled by the author’s own death-defying experience; a good study of the psychology of people who engage in extreme activities.
Neutral Buoyancy by Tim Ecott - A rather haphazard collection of writings pertaining to SCUBA diving, containing some historical information as well as vivid descriptions of dives.
Under the Banner of Heaven by Jon Krakauer - A compelling examination of Mormon Fundamentalism and the violent, delusional lives led by some of its followers.
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury - This classic on extreme censorship is not as compelling as Quinn’s After Dachau and Orwell’s 1984.
After Dachau by Daniel Quinn - History is an agreed upon fiction. In this cautionary tale, Quinn examines the mutability of historical fact and perspective.
Beyond Civilization by Daniel Quinn - Quinn continues to refine his vision of neo-tribalism and the effect it may have on our current civilization.
Wreck of the Whaleship ESSEX by Owen Chase, First Mate (I. Haverstick and B. Shepard, eds.) - The amazing tale of survival that was the inspiration for Melville’s Moby Dick.
My Ishmael by Daniel Quinn - This sequel to the groundbreaking original delves into some of the more practical aspects of Mother Culture, such as the relationship between school and work.
The Perfect Storm by Sebastian Junger - A great recounting of the massive October 1991 nor’easter and its victims.
The Professor and the Madman by Simon Winchester - The odd and intrguing tale of an insane Civil War veteran’s prolific contributions to the creation of the Oxford English Dictionary.
Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer - A captivating look at the tragic Alaskan journey of Christopher McCandless.
Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer - Amazing. The must-read true story of the 1996 Mt. Everest disaster.
Visual Explanations by Edward Tufte - Enjoyable read and beautfully published; content not up to par with the other two books, though
Day One: Before Hiroshima and After by Peter Wyden - Should be required reading. Excellent.
Brave New World by Aldous Huxley - A thought-provoking utopian view
Cod: A Biography of the Fish That Changed the World by Mark Kurlansky - Interesting and well-written look at the social, economic, and environmental impact of cod fishing throughout history.
Los Alamos by Joseph Kanon - Fun if you’re familiar with Los Alamos, NM; otherwise, just a so-so murder mystery.
When Elephants Weep: The Emotional Lives of Animals by Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson and Susan McCarthy (did not finish)
The Story of B by Daniel Quinn - Take the next step after Ishmael. Delve deeper into a new worldview that will change you forever.
Ishmael by Daniel Quinn - So, you want to know how things came to be this way? Read this. A fascinating development and perspective.
Life, The Universe, and Everything by Douglas Adams - Not as good as the first two
Last Chance To See by Douglas Adams and Mark Carwardine - Excellent. Adams’ unique wit applied to the world’s endangered species
The Chamber by John Grisham - Eh… it was ok. Definitely better than the movie!
The Restaurant at the End of the Universe by Douglas Adams - Can’t wait to read the next book
Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams - Fun, fun, fun
Being Digital by Nicholas Negroponte - A very readable look at the digital revolution and how it may impact our lives in the future
Snow Falling On Cedars by David Guterson - Lush description, rich detail, mystery, romance… a beautiful work
The Hot Zone by Richard Preston - An amazing, terrifying, and true story
Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors by Carl Sagan and Ann Druyan - A great perspective on our physical and emotional evolutions
Without Remorse by Tom Clancy - An ok story, but a mediocre attempt at romance; stick with the action, Tom
The Visual Display Of Quantitative Information by Edward R. Tufte - A must read for creators of charts and graphs
How To Shit In The Woods by Kathleen Meyer - Very entertaining, but also seriously informative
Disclosure by Michael Crichton - Good, old-fashioned fun
A Case Of Need by Michael Crichton - A good medical mystery, but (unintentionally) sexist
Sphere by Michael Crichton - Stretches the imagination, but still an exciting story
The Andromeda Strain by Michael Crichton - Out-dated sci-fi can still be entertaining
The Client by John Grisham - A fun, easy read
Envisioning Information by Edward R. Tufte - Beautifully formatted, equally interesting
