The Brooklyn Library just released a special list. Put together by their librarians and some influential New Yorkers to celebrate the upcoming 250th anniversary of our country. Here are some of the books I've read and a few surprising books on the list...in my opinion.
Here are a few of the books or topics that were missing: The bible, all the works of William Shakespeare, "Lord of the Rings", Harry Potter, Mr. Rogers, Walt Disney, and anything on George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, FDR, JFK, and Theodore Roosevelt. I'm sure there are others too.
"Team of Rivals": Doris Kearns Goodwin: The genius of Abraham Lincoln in keeping his rivals close by putting them in his administration. It is a fascinating book to read for anyone interested in politics.
"The Elements of Style" Strunk & White: I read this in journalism class a very long time ago. As a writer I really should have a copy of this, I'll have to get one.
"How To Win Friends and Influence People" Dale Carnegie: Published in 1936 and one of the all-time great self-help books which I have read many, many times over the years. Highly recommended for anyone dealing with people and I will read it again.
"The Hunger Games." Suzanne Collins: Really? "The Lord of the Rings" did not make this list, this is one of a number of novels I question how influential they have been.
"The Story of Barbie and the Woman Who Created Her" Cindy Eagan: I would read it, but I've never heard it ever mentioned.
"The Monster at the end of this Book" The only Sesame Street book on the list I have read many times with my granddaughter. I think this is an unusual choice.
"The Snowy Day" Erza Jack Keats: I have read it many times to my granddaughter and she loves it.
"Sears, Roebuck, & Co. Consumer's Guide for 1894" An interesting choice, because it was where everyone got their goods through a catalog a very long time ago. I have not read it, but I know what it was.
"The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" Mark Twain- I read this a very long time ago and since I just read biography on Mark Twain I know it absolutely should be on this list.
"All The Presidents Men" Woodward and Bernstein-I have read it and watched the movie about the Watergate break-in and cover-up.
"Kitchen Confidential" Anthony Bourdain: I did read this and found it interesting, but one of the most influential books? If you say so.
"The Great Bridge" David McCullough: A book on the building of the Brooklyn Bridge I would read especially by this famous author. How about the one he wrote on The Wright Brothers? Definitely should be on the list or the one on John Adams or 1776.
"Lies My Teacher Told Me" James W. Loewen" This book is about how history is taught. I wasn't overly impressed with it, but I read it recently. I thought he was trying to prove a point and stretching things a bit much.
"The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin" I have read this and it was terrific.
"The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" L. Frank Baum: A must to be on this list and his story on how he wrote it and the obstacles he overcame is almost as good as the story.
"Walden" Henry David Thoreau: I have read it recently. It's a great story of living out in the woods and observing the simplest of lives.
"Common Sense" Thomas Paine: I did read this a long time ago, definitely a classic.
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