"Some books you read. Some books you enjoy. But some books just swallow you up, heart and soul."
Joanne Harris
Books can change lives. The transformational power of literature has helped build companies, start new careers, expand the knowledge or explore the unknown. They can inspire and bring new perspectives and wipe of the prejudices.
I took some time to think about the ones that truly inspired me or changed my life in a way. It's a mix of fiction and general knowledge or self help books. Let me know what you think. :)
1. Tides of War - Steven Pressfield
Best known for his incredibly vivid and precise descriptions of battles, political intrigues and memorable characters of ancient Greece, Pressfield has a narrative gift like no other.
You might have heard about his best selling novel, "Gates of Fire", a breathtaking story about three hundred brave Spartan men who kept the invading Persian forces. However, as I already wrote about it here, I decided to share the other one here, as it had equal impact on me.
The main character was an inspiration for my username on this amazing platform. This is a story about Alcibiades, unprecedented in warfare, smart in politics, irresistible lover, he was a man that seduced the entire nation. He led his armies, invincible in battles on sea and land, but his high aspirations turned him into a tragic hero.
Attention Pressfield gives to all the little historical details is unmatched.
2. Rich Dad, Poor Dad - Robert Kiyosaki
Many people work hard their entire life, but they never seem to earn enough. In his book, Kiyosaki explains how to break out of this vicious circle and achieve financial independence.
Schools teach us how to work for money, but they never teach us how to make money work for us. So we just wait for that paycheck at the end of the month or hope for a raise or better position.
Robert Kiyosaki developed a unique perspective about money and economics by learning from his two fathers. One is his real father, highly educated man, but with poor fiscal understanding which led him to always struggle financially. The other is a father of his friend, 8-grade drop-out and a self-made millionaire.
This book shows how both of these approaches shaped author's thoughts about money.
3. Narcissus and Goldmund - Hermann Hesse
Among so many of his amazing titles, this might not be considered as one of his best work. However, besides Siddhartha, this one influenced me the most.
It's a story about relations between spirit and senses, art and science, presented in the characters of teacher and a monk Narcissus and Goldmund, his student, who eventually decides to escape the monastery and wander across the world, falling in love and growing as an artist along the way.
4. Obstacle is the Way - Ryan Holiday
In his third book, Ryan Holiday brings the wisdom of ancient Stoics like Seneca, Marcus Aurelius and Epictetus into a modern world. If you find their writings a bit too dry, you might enjoy this.
With the main message of "what stands in the way becomes the way" he is teaching that overcoming obstacles is a discipline like every other and that it can be acquired by practicing well known ancient wisdoms.
5. For whom the Bell Tolls - Ernest Hemingway
This classic is a the most touching document about the Spanish Civil War. It's a story about war intertwined with a beautiful love story, lust, adventure, comedy and, eventually, tragedy.
It tells about Robert Jordan, an American who leaves the United States and travels behind the enemy lines to work with Spanish guerrilla fighters, hiding in the mountains.
Like in his other novels, Hemingway's descriptions are sometimes too extensive. Other than that, this classic is a must read for every avid reader out there.
6. The 4-Hour Workweek - Tim Ferriss
Have you ever wondered how would it be to create a new reality of life, to take a small retirement, travel the world and not risk your business or financial security. As you are on Steemit, I'm guessing these thoughts cross your mind often.
In this book, Tim Ferriess shares his own experience and also comes up with a strategy on how to eliminate all distractions and streamline your business.
By following the steps of definition, elimination, automation and eventually liberation he shows how everyone can escape the deferred life plan and create absolute freedom.
7. Lord of the Rings - J.R.R. Tolkien
Ok, this one is the most obvious. If you followed any of my stories, you know how much I love the world of Middle Earth and everything that Tolkien created.
What is there not to adore? Adventures, dragons, misty mountains, dark lords and magic rings - it's a fantasy world like no other, and the way Tolkien writes about it, you really have a feeling like you are out there, living the adventure and not just leafing through pages in the comfort of your hobbit home.
Share in the comments books that influenced you the most. :)
