The Most Widely Read Books
- Birol SAĞLAM
- 18 Şub
- 11 dakikada okunur
As you know, writing was invented in 3200 BC. However, the first book worth reading, the “Epic of Gilgamesh”, waited about 600 years to appear on the stage after this invention.
Following this first spark, book writing reached its peak only with the development of philosophy in Ancient Greece, and many great works were written during this period, which entered the list of the most widely read books in the world.
The most important event in the history of the existence and spread of books after ancient Greece was undoubtedly the transition to mass book production with the invention of the printing press by the German inventor Gutenberg around 1440.
Before this date, books had been written by many thinkers, historians and philosophers on various topics. However, these works were confined to libraries with a small number; even some very valuable works were completely or partially lost.
It is estimated that there were a total of 30 thousand books all over the world before the invention of the printing press. The invention of the printing press made the printing and reproduction of books so easy that millions of books (40 thousand original books, 15 million prints) were produced in Europe by the end of the 15th century.
The Renaissance and the Enlightenment came about by learning old ideas from Ancient Greece, Rome and the Islamic world through books.
The proliferation of books and libraries has spread academic education and literacy. The result was a tremendous explosion of creativity in Western civilization, art, writing, philosophy, science and thought.
This leap paved the way for the Age of Reform and Reason.
The role of books today is the same: societies that produce a lot of books and read a lot are ahead of those who do not value books in their social, economic and political lives.
Finding books worth reading requires an intellectual effort.
Common Features of the Most Widely Read Books
The most widely read books in the world are works that discover something new as they are read, deserve to be read analytically and in depth.
These books deal with universal and ever-current topics such as love, friendship, justice, freedom, struggle, the common sufferings of humanity and human nature. When you read Plato's “The State”, you gain a new perspective on today's political and social problems.
In addition, these books contain messages that inspire the reader and add value to his life. For example, Marcus Aurelius' work “Thoughts to Myself” is a source of wisdom that offers guidance on how a good life should be.
These books maintain their timeliness independent of the period in which they were written and offer new perspectives to the reader in order to solve vital problems.
However, the number of these valuable books is not very high. Although it takes skill and effort to search for these works, it is worth this effort. Because modern people don't have enough time to read worthless books.
In one dimension of intellectuality, it is worth reading, finding and reading books that enrich life and provide new perspectives.
List of Must-Read Books
It often comes across in written and visual media: Must-read books or 10 must-read books…
These lists do not mean much to the intelligent reader. To put forward the view that a list of designated books will be absolutely must-read books for the reader is nothing more than media marketing.
My advice is this: search for the few valuable books that are of value to you, that are suitable for your interests, and know why you should read a good book. You can find these books among the Decently read books throughout the ages.
The 10 books I have selected here on the subject of philosophy of life and politics are works chosen entirely within the framework of my personal preferences. These books are just a selection of hundreds of books that have entered the list of the most widely read books and are filled with life wisdom.
The selection principles on this list can guide you. But time is short; there are millions of books and we have to choose the best ones.
A Selection from the List of the Best Books to Read (In My Opinion)
The Art Of War
The Author of the Book and the Time of Publication
Sun Tzu is thought to have been a military strategist and commander who served the Chinese province of Wu during the period between 770 Dec-476 BC. Some scholars claim that the work may have been written between 475-221 BC, when China was divided Dec.
What is it About and Why should I Read it?
The Art of War is about military strategy and winning the war. it appeared in Europe at the end of the 18th century. It is thought that Napoleon may have read the work. Some military historians have suggested that this work influenced Napoleon's approach in the European War.
The book is an immortal work that has clearly influenced military leaders for centuries. General Douglas MacArthur said that he always kept the Art of War on his desk.
Many of today's war strategies and principles of warfare have been created inspired by Sun Tzu.
In addition to its historical interest, The Art of War is also a work that many leaders in the business world have read and recommended due to its references to leadership principles.
Some historians argue that the Art of War still influences the Chinese army. The book is one of the best resources for learning about the nature of war and leadership.
State
The Author of the Book and the Time of Publication
Plato is one of the Ancient Greek philosophers. He lived between the years 427-347 BC.Dec. Plato, who was Aristotle's teacher, left deep traces in the history of philosophy.
Plato wrote The State around 390 BC.
What is the Topic and Why should I Read it?
The state is one of the most influential works in the history of philosophy. Many scholars consider him a masterpiece of political theory and ethics. It examines the nature of justice, the ideal society and the role of the individual in society.
Plato states in his work that philosophers should rule the ideal society and that justice is the key to a good social structure. According to Plato, justice is the basic component for a well-functioning society.
One of the most famous parts of the state is the allegory of the cave. The allegory of the cave, which represents the enlightenment process and the journey from ignorance to knowledge, is one of the most interesting topics of philosophy that is still being discussed.
Plato's The State is definitely worth reading for anyone interested in philosophy, politics or ethics.
When you read the book, it is impossible not to be surprised at the wisdom of 2500 years ago in the senselessness of ongoing political discussions. It will contribute to a better understanding of democracy.
Ethics to Nikomakhos
The Author of the Book and the Time of Publication
Aristotle is a personage who lived between 384-322 BC and is Decried as the greatest philosopher.
He learned philosophy from Plato and taught Alexander the Great. Aristotle was interested in every branch of philosophy and science.
What is the Topic and Why should I Read it?
Aristotle's Ethics to Nicholas is a foundational text in Western moral philosophy that focuses on the nature of the good life and the role of virtue in achieving it.
The main idea of Aristotle's Ethics to Nicholas, which he wrote in dedication to his son, is this: “eudaimonia”, which means ”happiness, joy, flourishing”, is the ultimate goal of human life.
Aristotle argues that achieving eudaimonia requires a lifelong pursuit of virtue and self-improvement.
Ethics to Nikomakhos is a powerful light that comes from centuries beyond and illuminates our way about how we should live today.
On Friendship
The Author of the Book and the Time of Publication
Marcus Tullius Cicero was a Roman statesman, scholar, orator and writer who lived between Dec. 106-43 BC. He wrote his work on Friendship in 44 BC.
What is the Topic and Why should I Read it?
Cicero's book On Friendship is one of the most important works of Antiquity. It contains determinations about what friendship is and how it should be, which the Stoics and Epicureans considered essential for a good life.
Plato's dialogues are written using it as an example. Gaius Laelius, the main speaker in the book, talks about his friendship with Scipio and gives wise advice about the nature, benefits, and limits of friendship.
Friendship has not lost anything of its value and content in the course of 2000 years. It is as necessary for a good and happy life today as it was yesterday.
The work is a masterpiece that should be read in order to learn the true nature of friendship and enrich friendships in the direction of these principles.
Prince
The Author of the Book and the Time of Publication
Niccolò Machiavelli, born in Florence in 1469, was a great strategist. He played an active role in the Italian urban wars. He was imprisoned on charges of a conspiracy against the Medici. After his release, he retreated to the family farm, where he wrote Prince.
Machiavelli died in 1527. The Prince was published in 1532, after Machiavelli's death.
What is the Topic and Why should I Read it?
The Prince is the first work of political science. The observations made five hundred years ago are also valid for today. Machiavelli wrote this book to the Medici Family to show them how to gain and retain power.
Machiavelli emphasized the value of "soft power" while emphasizing an unquestioned authority. His advice is important: "A prince should respect talents, encourage talented people and honor those who are good at their profession.”
The prince is an important document of history due to the fact that he created an effective set of rules for administrations and managers. These rules have been used by various forces, for good and evil.
The Italian patriots, who would later unite Italy in the 19th century, saw him as a passionate prophet of Italian unification.
The prince is also the source of the Machiavellian thought that represents the motto ”the goal makes the means legitimate". It has been condemned by many as the "Tricks of the Devil". Machiavelli, VIII. He was accused of inspiring Henry to defy the Pope and inciting the massacre of Protestants in France.
Nevertheless, The Prince remains one of the most widely read books in Western history. Many of the modern leadership texts written today refer to this book.
Articles
The Author of the Book and the Time of Publication
Michel de Montaigne, born in 1533, is the naming father of the essay genre. Montaigne, who has always been a defender of free thought, is also referred to as one of the most important figures of Renaissance literature and the first “modern man”.
The essays were first published in 1580; Montaigne died in 1592.
What is the Topic and Why should I Read it?
Montaigne's “Essays", in which he wrote extraordinary stories and observations about almost everything, were admired and read many times in almost every generation after him.
Montaigne realized that the basic characteristics of all people are similar, and with careful observation they can be detected. When he wrote these, his fans couldn't help but ask the question “How does he know so much about me” in great surprise.
As Gustave Flaubert said, Montaigne's Essays are read not to learn something, but “to live”.
While reading the book, you may get the feeling that readers usually get, “There is material to read for a lifetime here, as if it were written yesterday,” you can say.
The Age of Reason
The Author of the Book and the Time of Publication
Thomas Paine was born in 1737; he is an American political activist, philosopher, writer, political theorist. He influenced the American Revolutionary War and the French Revolution with his thoughts.
The Age of Reason was published in 1794. Paine died in New York on June 8, 1809.
What is the Topic and Why should I Read it?
Thomas Paine, in his book The Age of Reason, while attempting to criticize the Torah and the Bible, said, “I believe in one God... I believe in happiness beyond the earthly life; I believe in equality and love between people, and I also believe that religious duties include fairness, efforts to make our fellow Decembers happy...” he begins his words by saying.
Immediately after he says that the books that are known as “sacred” are not God-made, but human-made things, he starts firing volleys.
The Age of Reason interrogates religious institutions, addresses the manipulative, exploitative qualities of religious institutions. Paine has been accused of irreligion for stating in his book that he believes in God, but opposes the current religious practices.
For the author of this book, which still occupies the top corner in many famous libraries today, Napoleon Bonaparte once said: “A statue of Thomas Paine made of pure gold should be erected in every city on Earth.”
Greetings to Catalonia
The Author of the Book and the Time of Publication
George Orwell was born in India in 1903. Orwell participated with his wife in the Spanish Civil War against Franco. A Salute to Catalonia, in which he describes his determinations in the Spanish Civil War, was published in 1938.
Salute to Catalonia is seen as a preliminary study of Orwell's immortal works “1984” and the books “Animal Farm”, an anti-Stalin allegory.
What is the Topic and Why should I Read it?
Salute to Catalonia is Orwell's unforgettable work in which he describes the landscapes, experiences and observations of the Spanish Civil War, a brutal conflict filled with crimes committed by both sides.
For those who are curious about the factual background of one of Orwell's most famous books “1984” and Animal Farm, Greetings to Catalonia is definitely a must-read book.
Decried among the Top 100 Nonfiction Books of the Twentieth Century, Orwell's The Spanish War showdown is a dazzling work of nonfiction narrative.
Man's Search for Meaning
The Author of the Book and the Time of Publication
Viktor Emil Frankl, born in 1905, is an Austrian neurologist and psychiatrist. He is the founder of logotherapy.
Frankl was arrested and imprisoned in a concentration camp with his family in 1942, and remained in concentration camps for 3 years. He described his experiences in these camps in his work Human Search for Meaning, published in 1946.
What is the Topic and Why should I Read it?
American writer Harold S. Kushner has described Man's Search for Meaning as "one of the greatest books of our time".
The essence of Frankl's thought is that the search for meaning in our lives should be the main motivating force of the individual. The concept of logotherapy put forward by Frankl argues that there can be meaning even in the most terrible conditions of life.
Frankl tells the reader about the terrible things he has experienced and seen, how he observes people, and how people try to cope with seemingly impossible obstacles.
Frankl's book is a work that deserves to be read many times for those who question life.
Firm Believers
The Author of the Book and the Time of Publication
Firm Believers is a non-fiction book written by American social philosopher Eric Hoffer. The work was first published in 1951.
What is the Topic and Why should I Read it?
Firm Believers explain with various arguments using world history and social psychology why mass movements have emerged to challenge the status quo.
Hoffer argues that fanatical and extremist movements, whether religious, social or national, arise when a large number of frustrated people who believe that their own individual lives are worthless or wasted join a movement demanding radical change.
In addition, he also makes on-the-spot determinations on undeveloped societies where immorality is intense.
The findings in the field of social psychology in the book are a work that is a candidate to become the bedside book of those who want to understand the modern world, as it provides an extremely provocative perspective.
When you read the book, you get the impression that it tells about today.
To summarize this long article, if we;
It is up to your dexterity to search for books that should be read among the most widely Deciphered books in the world and in Turkey and to enjoy these books. Have days full of quality books.