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The Most Influential Books
Holy books, political books, fiction, whatever. Which books do you think have had the greatest impact and influence (positive or negative) on our world? Please only add books, not documents or essays.
Score
A book’s total score is based on multiple factors, including the number of people who have voted for it and how highly those voters ranked the book.
597 |
The Dictator's Handbook: Why Bad Behavior is Almost Always Good Politics
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4.25 avg rating — 10,967 ratings
score: 189,
and
2 people voted
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597 |
The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness
by
4.52 avg rating — 115,619 ratings
score: 189,
and
2 people voted
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603 |
A Writer at War: Vasily Grossman with the Red Army
by
4.19 avg rating — 3,635 ratings
score: 188,
and
2 people voted
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603 |
1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus
by
4.05 avg rating — 93,678 ratings
score: 188,
and
3 people voted
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605 |
The Castle of Otranto
by
3.19 avg rating — 40,313 ratings
score: 187,
and
3 people voted
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605 |
Queen Margot
by
4.15 avg rating — 14,396 ratings
score: 187,
and
4 people voted
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605 |
The Bad Beginning (A Series of Unfortunate Events, #1)
by
Lemony Snicket (Goodreads Author)
4.02 avg rating — 562,114 ratings
score: 187,
and
4 people voted
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605 |
Darwin's Black Box: The Biochemical Challenge to Evolution
by
3.79 avg rating — 4,028 ratings
score: 187,
and
2 people voted
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609 |
Club Dead (Sookie Stackhouse, #3)
by
Charlaine Harris (Goodreads Author)
4.02 avg rating — 243,833 ratings
score: 186,
and
3 people voted
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610 |
The Rig Veda
by
3.92 avg rating — 1,716 ratings
score: 185,
and
3 people voted
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611 |
The Positronic Man (Robot, #0.6)
by
4.13 avg rating — 7,173 ratings
score: 184,
and
2 people voted
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611 |
Of Plymouth Plantation, 1620-1647
by
3.50 avg rating — 2,192 ratings
score: 184,
and
3 people voted
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611 |
Boy's Life
by
4.40 avg rating — 40,354 ratings
score: 184,
and
2 people voted
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611 |
The Sealed Nectar | Biography of Prophet Muhammad
by
4.61 avg rating — 23,246 ratings
score: 184,
and
2 people voted
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615 |
Pathways to Bliss: Mythology and Personal Transformation
by
4.33 avg rating — 3,081 ratings
score: 183,
and
2 people voted
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616 |
Nineteen Minutes
by
Jodi Picoult (Goodreads Author)
4.18 avg rating — 412,726 ratings
score: 182,
and
2 people voted
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616 |
I Am Malala: The Story of the Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban
by
Malala Yousafzai (Goodreads Author)
4.16 avg rating — 614,754 ratings
score: 182,
and
5 people voted
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618 |
The Songs and Sonets of John Donne
by
4.13 avg rating — 358 ratings
score: 181,
and
4 people voted
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618 |
The Principles of Psychology: Volume 2
by
4.16 avg rating — 243 ratings
score: 181,
and
2 people voted
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620 |
Where Love Is, There God Is Also
by
4.11 avg rating — 2,004 ratings
score: 180,
and
4 people voted
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620 |
A Journal of the Plague Year
by
3.55 avg rating — 11,663 ratings
score: 180,
and
3 people voted
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622 |
Doctors from Hell: The Horrific Account of Nazi Experiments on Humans
by
4.01 avg rating — 3,380 ratings
score: 179,
and
3 people voted
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622 |
Truman
by
4.17 avg rating — 90,634 ratings
score: 179,
and
3 people voted
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624 |
Gandhi: An Autobiography
by
4.10 avg rating — 74,153 ratings
score: 177,
and
2 people voted
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625 |
The Black Stallion (The Black Stallion, #1)
by
4.20 avg rating — 75,226 ratings
score: 174,
and
3 people voted
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625 |
Seven Pillars of Wisdom: A Triumph
by
3.91 avg rating — 11,931 ratings
score: 174,
and
7 people voted
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625 |
The Silver Chair (Chronicles of Narnia, #4)
by
3.95 avg rating — 324,558 ratings
score: 174,
and
3 people voted
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625 |
Left-Wing Communism, an Infantile Disorder: A Popular Essay in Marxian Strategy and Tactics
by
4.19 avg rating — 3,029 ratings
score: 174,
and
2 people voted
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629 |
The Secret of Divine Civilization
by
4.80 avg rating — 148 ratings
score: 173,
and
2 people voted
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630 |
Love of Life
by
4.06 avg rating — 286 ratings
score: 171,
and
2 people voted
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631 |
Planet of the Apes
by
3.99 avg rating — 47,874 ratings
score: 170,
and
3 people voted
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632 |
The Namesake
by
4.02 avg rating — 281,158 ratings
score: 169,
and
2 people voted
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632 |
Uncommon Dissent: Intellectuals Who Find Darwinism Unconvincing
by
William A. Dembski (Editor)
4.03 avg rating — 110 ratings
score: 169,
and
2 people voted
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634 |
VALIS
by
3.91 avg rating — 32,231 ratings
score: 168,
and
2 people voted
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634 |
The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test
by
3.92 avg rating — 78,423 ratings
score: 168,
and
3 people voted
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634 |
El camino
by
4.10 avg rating — 12,948 ratings
score: 168,
and
2 people voted
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637 |
How to Make Your Child a Winner
by
4.12 avg rating — 49 ratings
score: 167,
and
2 people voted
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638 |
Blue Like Jazz: Nonreligious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality
by
3.90 avg rating — 117,951 ratings
score: 166,
and
2 people voted
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639 |
Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance
by
Barack Obama (Goodreads Author)
3.94 avg rating — 230,060 ratings
score: 165,
and
2 people voted
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640 |
Starcrossed (Starcrossed, #1)
by
Josephine Angelini (Goodreads Author)
4.05 avg rating — 75,451 ratings
score: 164,
and
3 people voted
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640 |
The Cherry Orchard
by
3.69 avg rating — 44,403 ratings
score: 164,
and
2 people voted
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640 |
The Heart of Islam: Enduring Values for Humanity
by
4.31 avg rating — 1,904 ratings
score: 164,
and
2 people voted
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643 |
The Mabinogion
by
3.93 avg rating — 8,475 ratings
score: 162,
and
4 people voted
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643 |
The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles
by
Steven Pressfield (Goodreads Author)
3.97 avg rating — 115,192 ratings
score: 162,
and
2 people voted
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645 |
Resurrection
by
4.17 avg rating — 27,544 ratings
score: 161,
and
3 people voted
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646 |
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
by
3.78 avg rating — 149,443 ratings
score: 159,
and
5 people voted
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646 |
To Build a Fire
by
3.98 avg rating — 26,039 ratings
score: 159,
and
3 people voted
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646 |
The Malleus Maleficarum
by
3.16 avg rating — 2,857 ratings
score: 159,
and
2 people voted
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649 |
What Everyone Needs to Know about Islam
by
3.75 avg rating — 432 ratings
score: 158,
and
2 people voted
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650 |
And the Band Played On: Politics, People, and the AIDS Epidemic
by
4.39 avg rating — 28,964 ratings
score: 156,
and
4 people voted
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650 |
You Can Never Go Wrong By Being Kind: 101 Inspirational Stories of Kindness & Generosity
by
4.50 avg rating — 4 ratings
score: 156,
and
2 people voted
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652 |
An Essay on Man
by
3.70 avg rating — 1,851 ratings
score: 155,
and
3 people voted
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652 |
Elvis and Me: The True Story of the Love Between Priscilla Presley and the King of Rock N' Roll
by
4.01 avg rating — 30,521 ratings
score: 155,
and
3 people voted
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652 |
Capitalism, Socialism and Democracy
by
3.99 avg rating — 2,907 ratings
score: 155,
and
2 people voted
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652 |
The Return of Sherlock Holmes (Sherlock Holmes, #6)
by
4.27 avg rating — 69,172 ratings
score: 155,
and
2 people voted
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656 |
The Decameron
by
3.88 avg rating — 42,942 ratings
score: 153,
and
3 people voted
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656 |
Phenomenology of Perception
by
4.18 avg rating — 6,348 ratings
score: 153,
and
2 people voted
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658 |
Prayers & Poetry
by
Rashawn Johnson (Goodreads Author)
4.80 avg rating — 5 ratings
score: 152,
and
2 people voted
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659 |
Martin Eden
by
4.48 avg rating — 52,323 ratings
score: 151,
and
2 people voted
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660 |
The Principles of Psychology: Volume 1
by
4.16 avg rating — 758 ratings
score: 150,
and
2 people voted
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660 |
Notes from the Underground
by
4.17 avg rating — 214,322 ratings
score: 150,
and
2 people voted
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662 |
A Moveable Feast: Life-Changing Food Adventures Around the World
by
Don George (Editor)
3.74 avg rating — 906 ratings
score: 149,
and
2 people voted
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663 |
Eros and Civilization: A Philosophical Inquiry into Freud
by
3.90 avg rating — 3,713 ratings
score: 148,
and
3 people voted
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663 |
De Fabels van La Fontaine
by
4.02 avg rating — 15,309 ratings
score: 148,
and
2 people voted
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665 |
Sphere
by
3.83 avg rating — 195,818 ratings
score: 147,
and
2 people voted
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666 |
Transfer of Power (Mitch Rapp, #3)
by
4.34 avg rating — 59,543 ratings
score: 146,
and
2 people voted
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666 |
The Stepford Wives
by
3.88 avg rating — 52,761 ratings
score: 146,
and
3 people voted
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666 |
The Taming of the Shrew
by
3.74 avg rating — 178,942 ratings
score: 146,
and
4 people voted
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669 |
The Duchess of Malfi and Other Plays
by
3.89 avg rating — 2,110 ratings
score: 145,
and
3 people voted
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669 |
Timaeus and Critias
by
3.84 avg rating — 2,098 ratings
score: 145,
and
2 people voted
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671 |
The True Believer: Thoughts on the Nature of Mass Movements
by
4.20 avg rating — 11,654 ratings
score: 144,
and
2 people voted
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672 |
Hay bin Yakzan
by
3.83 avg rating — 6,867 ratings
score: 143,
and
2 people voted
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672 |
Lonesome Dove (Lonesome Dove, #1)
by
4.57 avg rating — 226,710 ratings
score: 143,
and
3 people voted
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674 |
You Can Lead an Atheist to Evidence, But You Can't Make Him Think: Answers to Questions from Angry Skeptics
by
2.97 avg rating — 95 ratings
score: 142,
and
2 people voted
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675 |
The Lady of the Rivers (The Plantagenet and Tudor Novels, #1)
by
Philippa Gregory (Goodreads Author)
4.05 avg rating — 91,463 ratings
score: 141,
and
2 people voted
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675 |
Miracles: What They Are, Why They Happen, and How They Can Change Your Life
by
Eric Metaxas (Goodreads Author)
4.04 avg rating — 2,299 ratings
score: 141,
and
2 people voted
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677 |
Ecce Homo
by
3.81 avg rating — 19,437 ratings
score: 140,
and
2 people voted
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678 |
Dimensional Adventures With Arabella: A 5th Dimension Butterfly Fairy from The Land of Rom (A Journey to the 4th Dimension Rad Bad Beetle Jamboree) (Volume 1)
by
Karen Dowers (Goodreads Author)
4.78 avg rating — 9 ratings
score: 139,
and
2 people voted
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679 |
The Division of Labor in Society
by
3.84 avg rating — 2,280 ratings
score: 138,
and
3 people voted
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679 |
The Kingmaker's Daughter (The Plantagenet and Tudor Novels, #4)
by
Philippa Gregory (Goodreads Author)
really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 49,720 ratings
score: 138,
and
2 people voted
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679 |
History of the Russian Revolution
by
4.18 avg rating — 1,872 ratings
score: 138,
and
2 people voted
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682 |
The Complete Poems
by
3.84 avg rating — 512 ratings
score: 137,
and
2 people voted
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682 |
The Complete Writings of Roger Williams
by
4.20 avg rating — 5 ratings
score: 137,
and
2 people voted
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684 |
The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman
by
3.73 avg rating — 22,803 ratings
score: 136,
and
4 people voted
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684 |
The Complete Mystical Works
by
4.68 avg rating — 105 ratings
score: 136,
and
2 people voted
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686 |
New Science
by
3.99 avg rating — 923 ratings
score: 134,
and
3 people voted
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686 |
A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier
by
4.16 avg rating — 192,909 ratings
score: 134,
and
2 people voted
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688 |
From the Earth to the Moon
by
3.75 avg rating — 38,593 ratings
score: 132,
and
3 people voted
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688 |
The Seven Daughters of Eve
by
really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 7,570 ratings
score: 132,
and
2 people voted
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690 |
The Other America: Poverty in the United States
by
4.06 avg rating — 1,192 ratings
score: 127,
and
2 people voted
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690 |
Nathan the Wise
by
3.31 avg rating — 19,003 ratings
score: 127,
and
2 people voted
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692 |
The State of the Union: Notes on an Obama Administration
by
3.92 avg rating — 24 ratings
score: 126,
and
2 people voted
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692 |
The Unparalleled Adventure of One Hans Pfaall
by
3.04 avg rating — 1,543 ratings
score: 126,
and
2 people voted
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694 |
The Revolt of the Masses
by
4.03 avg rating — 6,329 ratings
score: 125,
and
2 people voted
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694 |
Ten Days that Shook the World
by
3.94 avg rating — 7,616 ratings
score: 125,
and
3 people voted
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696 |
The Worst Hard Time: The Untold Story of Those Who Survived the Great American Dust Bowl
by
Timothy Egan (Goodreads Author)
4.06 avg rating — 60,601 ratings
score: 124,
and
3 people voted
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697 |
Empire of the Summer Moon
by
4.25 avg rating — 65,110 ratings
score: 123,
and
4 people voted
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697 |
Dead Reckoning (Sookie Stackhouse, #11)
by
Charlaine Harris (Goodreads Author)
3.82 avg rating — 132,586 ratings
score: 123,
and
2 people voted
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697 |
The New Industrial State
by
3.91 avg rating — 492 ratings
score: 123,
and
2 people voted
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697 |
Solaris
by
3.99 avg rating — 126,021 ratings
score: 123,
and
2 people voted
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1,479 books ·
5,281 voters ·
list created November 15th, 2008
by Crazy Uncle Ryan (votes) .
2250 likes · Like
Lists are re-scored approximately every 5 minutes.
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Comments Showing 1-50 of 122 (122 new)
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JoAnn
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Jul 07, 2009 07:41PM

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Carol wrote: "My computer went crazy when I tried to do this. So, I have voted twice. The first one is the Bible on my "real" list. "
I think this is one of the few lists that I didn't add any books but going to check yours out. This is a good list.
I think this is one of the few lists that I didn't add any books but going to check yours out. This is a good list.
Mukesh wrote: "The bible isn't the most influential book ever!"
What is?
What is?

Also, the level of influence will be determined by the demographic of the survey population and the survey is opinion, if an individual who "reads" the survey doesn't agree with the survey response, say so once share your opinion and then shutup.
Everyone has an opinion and it probably does not agree completely with yours, accept it and move on.


Wealth of Nations is on the list already, as is Plato's Republic, and Aristotle's Poetics.



About Harry Potter: I don't know about that one. Certainly it has been influential in recent years as it has brought reading back to the Nintendo generation, but influential in the way that these others are in actually shaping a culture? Eh.

If HP follows the example of The Lord of the Rings and becomes as embedded in our culture as firmly as King Arthur, it might be possible to declare it to be in the top one thousand.


108 people as of this writing. Don't you think the Koran has been extremely influential?




And as for the Origin of the Species, well, all I need to say is that evolution is the foundation of modern Biology. Taking evolution out of biology undermines everything, from the classification system on down. That, to me, is a pretty influential book.


Who thinks the novel Frankenstein is more influential than any other book on the list (except maybe Old Man and the Sea)?


The Bible is the basis of everything--would like to share with you. www.goodreads.com/ardisa


Certainly many people have bought the books, but i dont think they read them. When the bible was first written it was so in Greek. Greek was the universal language of the time. St Paul wrote it or put it together. Now I wont swear to this, i wasnt there.
The book is more of a symbol of moral authority, it empowers those who claim to know....the thoughts of God.
When the books were written illiteracy was the rule. Heck even now we have places that dont have high literacy rates. There is a tale in the bible about how people were bldg a stairway to the sky. God got upset and gave them all different languages. So they couldnt continue with their ambition. Apparently he didnt want to hear from us then.
Story tellers roamed the country and told stories for money. Stories are something you make up, they didnt have copyright laws then. Books were rare and people would pay to go have someone read to them.
You may remember "deux ex machina" something like that. So anytime the story was about to end up with the bad guys winning, the hero would show up in a white hat to say the day.
I could never read the bible...it didnt taste good. I started the Koran and was pleasantly surprised. Still I dont believe in magic, vodoo, and things like that. But many people do....and they call it faith. My god is better than your god. Want to make something out of it.

Watch out Carol...I believe I see a bible thumper heading your way.
It occurs to me that the Bible and the Koran are two sides of the same coin. Heads your good, tails your bad.
Or one side can have Mohamed and the other side Jesus. Now this coin would look good in my collection.





No matter what religion you practice (I'm not a catholic by the way), Guttenberg's edition of the Bible IS the most influential book ever, after all it was the first printed Book in the world, and that has made all the difference. If Guttemberg had decided to print his memoirs instead of the Bible, then that would be a very influential book, but not as much as a book that had been around for over a thousand years by the time it was printed

People voting for "The Gutenberg Bible" by Martin Davies might want to know that it is 64 pages and is described thus: "This book reproduces many illustrations from the Bible, and discusses how it was created and published, and its role in the early spread of printing in Europe."

My husband always says not to bring up religion or politics because it gets heated and it looks like it can happen online too.


Paul wrote: "Retarded that the spirit filled life is #2. Do people have no sense of history? These lists are so bad sometimes."
"Retarded?" You choice of words to express your dislike in this list is suspect. I understand your concern but you choice of descriptive values negates the value of your objection. Use your literary mind and use words that don't undermine an unfortunate group of individuals in our society.


yeah.?"
If you ask me this poll is very inflamable... dont get me wrong, if it were inflable AND had a point id be happy, but books are so subjective that this is rather pointless task
lets keep religious war to where they belong: medieval europe.
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