75 must-read geek books
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Atlas Shrugged
This gallery of fiction and nonfiction books every geek should read is a compilation of recommendations from TechRepublic members, contributors, and editors. (You can also view the recommendations in list format in this Geekend post.) If you want to recommend a geek book to the TechRepublic community, post the title in this discussion.
Atlas Shrugged, recommended by Edmond Woychowsky as the ultimate geek book, discusses how modern “geeks” hold the weight of the heavens upon their shoulders like Atlas in the Greek myths. Ayn Rand’s tenets are in total contrast to modern business theories (for instance, there is no “I” in team) and suggest that certain individuals are irreplaceable. Edmond wrote, “I find the concept of a world that demands the fruits of geek labor, yet belittles the geeks themselves strikingly familiar.”
This book is sure to spark a memory or two in your mind and stimulate conversation, which Edmond’s original TechRepublic post did.
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The Lord of the Rings
J. R. R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings is one of the most popular books in the fantasy genre and has captured the hearts and enriched the imaginations of millions of geeks and non-geeks. The story about a young Hobbit who inherits a magical ring and must carry it to the volcanic mountains of Mordor where it must be destroyed contains all of the essential elements of a great work of fantasy and literature. The Lord of the Rings is a must-read for everyone.
This geek book was recommended by TechRepublic member Woody Goode in the discussion about Atlas Shrugged.
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2001: A Space Odyssey
Perhaps the only novel written in sync with a movie, 2001: A Space Odyssey is Arthur C. Clarke’s and Stanley Kubrick’s joint masterpiece. After a mysterious, ancient monolith discovered on the moon sends a signal toward Saturn, the crew of the Discovery is set to investigate what is out there. Equipped with the latest in computer technology, HAL 9000, the crew embarks on their mission, only to later realize that HAL 9000 was created too much like the human mind.
This geek book recommendation is featured in Jay Garmon‘s TechRepublic article “The perfect sci-fi library.”
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The War of the Worlds
The H. G. Wells alien invasion story The War of the Worlds has interested readers for more than 100 years. This is another must-read if you want to have geek cred.
Nicole Bremer Nash suggested this book in her TechRepublic article “A required reading list for geeks.”
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The Fountainhead
Another popular book by Ayn Rand, The Fountainhead is the story of a struggling architect; however, it’s really about the strength of the individual, good and evil, and fascism. Though it was written during World War II, it is still relevant today.
This geek book was recommended by TechRepublic member mudpuppy1 in the discussion about Atlas Shrugged.
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The Soul of a New Machine
Imagine what would happen if, when you graduated from college, an engineering firm hired you, coerced you into working excessive overtime, and exploited your naivete about the way the workplace is supposed to function. Author Tracy Kidder witnessed this during his visit to Data General in the 1970s and wrote about it in his book, The Soul of a New Machine. Now, almost 30 years later, the book is still relevant to today’s geeks.
This geek book was recommended by TechRepublic member JackOfAllTech in the discussion about Atlas Shrugged.
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Hackers: Heroes of the Computer Revolution
Ever since the late 1950s, hackers have been trying to bend the rules, take risks, and find unorthodox ways to solve problems. Author Steven Levy chronicled those brainiacs in his book Hackers: Heroes of the Computer Revolution, which he recently updated for the book’s 25th anniversary edition.
This geek book was recommended by TechRepublic member JackOfAllTech in the discussion about Atlas Shrugged.
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Brave New World
Brave New World is a look into a utopian future where humans are pharmaceutically controlled to serve the ruling order. Author Aldous Huxley tells the story with a 1930’s point of view of the future, but it’s still astonishingly relevant.
This geek book is featured in contributor Nicole Bremer Nash‘s TechRepublic article “A required reading list for geeks.”
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Frankenstein
Mary Shelley’s famous horror novel Frankenstein is next on our list. As Nicole Bremer Nash stated in her TechRepublic article “A required reading list for geeks“: Consider who the real monsters are.
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If Chins Could Kill: Confessions of a B Movie Actor
Actor Bruce Campbell is probably best known for his role as Ash in the film Evil Dead, but he has also appeared in a multitude of movies, TV shows, and video games. In this memoir, he describes his experiences as a self-proclaimed B-movie actor.
This geek book recommendation is featured in contributor Nicole Bremer Nash‘s TechRepublic article “A required reading list for geeks.”
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Shadows Over Innsmouth
H.P. Lovecraft’s horror novel Shadows Over Innsmouth has inspired many authors to revisit the New England town where the original story took place to once again scare readers. The book pictured above contains several spin-off novels, as well as the original.
This geek book recommendation is featured in contributor Nicole Bremer Nash‘s TechRepublic article “A required reading list for geeks.”
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The Call of Cthulhu
H.P. Lovecraft’s The Call of Cthulhu contains several short stories that are guaranteed to scare the willies out of you.
This geek book recommendation is featured in contributor Nicole Bremer Nash‘s TechRepublic article “A required reading list for geeks.”
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Does IT Matter?
In Does IT Matter? author Nicholas Carr examines the role IT plays in business and its overall success. (I think most, if not all, TechRepublic members would say that IT does matter.)
This geek book recommendation is featured in contributor Greg Shultz‘s TechRepublic article “10 books every IT pro should read.”
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Godel, Escher, Bach: An Eternal Golden Braid
A stimulating look into the way the human mind works, Godel, Escher, Bach: An Eternal Golden Braid uses examples from Kurt Godel, M.C. Escher, and Johann Sebastian Bach to examine how life, thoughts, and technology are linked.
This geek book recommendation is featured in contributor Greg Shultz‘s article “10 books every IT pro should read.” Greg suggests reading this captivating book in small chunks over time.
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Show-Stopper!
Show-Stopper! is the tale of the creation of Windows NT 3.1 in the early 1990s. Author G. Pascal Zachary also looks at programmer life behind the Microsoft facade and describes how working on this project destroyed some team members’ lives.
This geek book recommendation is featured in contributor Greg Shultz‘s TechRepublic article “10 books every IT pro should read.”
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The Cuckoo's Egg
What would you do if you discovered a hacker on your network? What if you realized that hacker was tapping into resources at universities, defense contractors, and military bases? In The Cuckoo’s Egg, Cliff Stoll recounts how he found, tracked, and eventually captured a hacker in action.
This geek book recommendation is featured in contributor Greg Shultz‘s TechRepublic article “10 books every IT pro should read.”
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The Google Story
Every IT pro has used Google, and yet, I doubt many of us know how Google got its start and what went on behind the scenes at the company. In The Google Story, authors David A. Vise and Mark Malseed give you the complete inside story.
This geek book recommendation is featured in contributor Greg Shultz‘s TechRepublic’s article “10 books every IT pro should read.”
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The Road Ahead
The Road Ahead is Bill Gates’ analysis of the computer revolution as seen just after Windows 95 was released. His predictions were so far off (things happened much faster than he predicted) that he had to re-release this book less than a year later with accelerated timelines.
This geek book recommendation is featured in contributor Greg Shultz‘s TechRepublic article “10 books every IT pro should read.”
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Wikinomics: How Mass Collaboration Changes Everything
Wikipedia and its related sites have changed the world of information management. In Wikinomics: How Mass Collaboration Changes Everything, authors Don Tapscott and Anthony D. Williams look at how Wikipedia has changed the way we collaborate on and share information. The authors also examine how businesses can use wikis to efficiently publish and manage information.
This geek book recommendation is featured in contributor Greg Shultz‘s TechRepublic article “10 books every IT pro should read.”
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iWoz: Computer Geek to Cult Icon
Co-founder of Apple Computer and quirky technologist Steve Wozniak tells his story in iWoz: Computer Geek to Cult Icon. From the creation of the PC to the founding of Apple to his many other projects, Wozniak keeps the reader engaged in an entertaining story.
This geek book recommendation is featured in contributor Greg Shultz‘s TechRepublic article “10 books every IT pro should read.”
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20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
What geek library would be complete without at least one work from Jules Verne? Perhaps Verne’s most famous work, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea is an adventure story about a French writer who embarks upon a mission to discover what the mysterious “whale” really is. He is soon captured by none other than Captain Nemo, a wealthy man who has turned his back on society.
This geek book recommendation is featured in Jay Garmon‘s TechRepublic article “The perfect sci-fi library.”
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Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?
Phillip K. Dick’s Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? tells the exploits of Rick Deckard, an android killer in a post-nuclear San Fransisco where most humans have emigrated to Mars. Deckard’s task is made harder by the fact that the androids he’s supposed to kill look and act like humans. The novel Blade Runner is based on Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?.
This geek book recommendation is featured in Jay Garmon‘s TechRepublic article “The perfect sci-fi library.”
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Foundation
Some authors are required reading for any good geek, and Isaac Asimov (Dr. Isaac Asimov in the Star Trek universe) is certainly on that list. Set in the far-distant future, Foundation (and the subsequent tales) is the story of the Galactic Empire run by humans who have all but forgotten Earth. Brilliant mathematician Hari Seldon has calculated that the Galactic Empire will collapse within 500 years, leaving a new Dark Age. Seldon has a plan, however; he will create the Encyclopedia Galactica: the largest-ever collection of human knowledge. The only problem is that it will take generations to complete.
This geek book recommendation is featured in Jay Garmon‘s TechRepublic article “The perfect sci-fi library.”
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Harry Potter
Harry Potter is a series that geeks and their kids can enjoy. The story is based around a group of pre-teens (to begin with) who are endowed at birth with magical powers and who must use those powers to fight evil for the good of the world.
This geek book recommendation is featured in Jay Garmon‘s TechRepublic article “The perfect sci-fi library.”
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His Dark Materials
His Dark Materials is a mix of children’s adventure, fantasy, and science fiction. This is another series that geeks and their children could enjoy together.
This geek book recommendation is featured in Jay Garmon‘s TechRepublic article “The perfect sci-fi library.”
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The Day of the Triffids
When a comet shower blinds most of the world’s population, the few humans who can still see must try to rebuild civilization while fighting flesh-eating plants called triffids in The Day of the Triffids.
This geek book recommendation is featured in Jay Garmon‘s TechRepublic article “The perfect sci-fi library.”
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The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
Another must-have for geeks and their proto-geek children, the C.S. Lewis fantasy classic The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (as well as the rest of the Narnia series) is a tale about a group of children who stumble into a magical world via a wardrobe. The children then band together to rid this magical world of the evil Witch and her followers.
This geek book recommendation is featured in Jay Garmon‘s TechRepublic article “The perfect sci-fi library.”
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The Time Machine
For readers who are new to H. G. Wells, The Time Machine is a good starting point. It’s an epic tale about time travel, humanity, and technology in a future world where the human race has split into two sub-races. The time traveler must help to save the weaker, more child-like of the races from the stronger, more animalistic race. Wells also manages to put a great hook on the end of the story by (spoiler alert) having the time traveler suddenly leave his “normal” time to go to who knows what time period.
This geek book recommendation is featured in Jay Garmon‘s TechRepublic article “The perfect sci-fi library.”
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Fahrenheit 451
In Fahrenheit 451 (which is set in the not-too-distant future), books are deemed dangerous enough that there are firemen whose sole job (now that everything else is made to be fireproof) is to burn books. As Geekend contributor Edmond Woychowsky wrote, “I feel that it’s ironic and somewhat recursive to ban a book about banning books.”
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Slaughterhouse-Five
Kurt Vonnegut’s Slaughterhouse-Five follows Billy Pilgrim who, after being abducted by aliens from the planet Tralfamadore, becomes unstuck in time. We read about his long stay on that planet, as well as his time in a POW camp in Dresden, Germany, which is based on Vonnegut’s own experiences.
This geek book recommendation is featured in TechRepublic contributor Edmond Woychowsky‘s article “I read banned books.”
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Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West
An engaging twist on the classic The Wizard of Oz, Gregory Maguire’s Wicked looks at the original from a slightly skewed point of view. If you enjoy this book, be sure to check out Maguire’s other, similar works.
This geek book recommendation is featured in Edmond Woychowsky‘s TechRepublic article “I read banned books.”
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Contact
As much as conspiracy theorists would like us to believe otherwise, there is no credible evidence that humans have ever made contact with – or even detected – aliens. However, if we did, the story could go something like Carl Sagan’s Contact.
This geek book is recommended by TechRepublic member GSG in the discussion about “A required reading list for geeks.”
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Dune
One of the most popular sci-fi books of all time, Dune is about a desert planet called Arrakis that is the source of Melange, which is a powerful drug and powers interstellar travel. This is the battle between the two Houses that are vying for control of the planet.
This geek book is recommended by TechRepublic member AnsuGisalas in the discussion about “A required reading list for geeks.”
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Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
In the entertaining read, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance author Robert Pirsig uses the story of a father and a son taking a cross-country motorcycle trip to illustrate how we can unify technology with artistry.
This geek book is recommended by TechRepublic member ascott in the discussion about “A required reading list for geeks.”
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Lila
In this Robert Pirsig book, he uses a somewhat romantic story between a man and a woman sailing down the Hudson River in New York State to explore how we can live well.
This geek book was recommended by TechRepublic member boxfiddler in the discussion about “A required reading list for geeks.”
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Profiles of the Future: An Inquiry into the Limits of the Possible
Another very popular Arthur C. Clarke novel, Profiles of the Future: An Inquiry into the Limits of the Possible considers how humanity will develop by focusing on the limits of what is possible rather than what is near in several realms of technology. In recent editions of the book, there are comments from Clarke in which he says developments happened much faster than he expected.
This geek book is recommended by TechRepublic member Brainstorms in the discussion about “A required reading list for geeks.”
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Revelation Space
In Alastair Reynolds’ first novel, Revelation Space is rooted a billion years ago in the “Dawn War.” This epic story of technology and wonder unfolds over a relatively short period of time.
This geek book is recommended by TechRepublic member Zengeek in the discussion about “A required reading list for geeks.”
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Starship Troopers
Starship Troopers may be Robert Heinlein’s most famous novel — perhaps because there’s a movie with the same name. In the book, Juan Rico signs up for the military and is sent to fight in a war with a mysterious alien race that none of the soldiers seem to know much about.
This geek book is recommended by TechRepublic member sboverie in the discussion about “A required reading list for geeks.”
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Where the Wild Things Are
Although Where the Wild Things Are is a children’s book, it is still enchanting to many grown-ups. The main character, Max, is sent to his room without supper after causing a ruckus in his wolf suit. Fortunately for him, a forest grows in his room, which allows him to continue his wild adventure and meet all sorts of Wild Things.
This geek book is recommended by TechRepublic member Dr_Zinj in the discussion about “A required reading list for geeks.”
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World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War
In World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War, which is a follow up to The Zombie Survival Guide, author Max Brooks presents stories about zombie attacks throughout the world. This collection may be enough to convince you to gather some weapons, pop a Phalanx or two, and wait for the zombie incursion, especially if reports from contributor Nicole Bremer Nash have any credibility.
Originally suggested by TechRepublic member Eric Anderson.
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The Geek Atlas
In Nicole Bremer Nash’s Geek Gifts 2010 review of The Geek Atlas: 128 Places Where Science & Technology Come Alive by John Graham-Cumming, she gives the travel guide four out of five stars.
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Little, Big
TechRepublic Senior Editor Selena Frye recommends Little, Big. She says: “John Crowley’s fantasy masterpiece about the world of faery subtly intersecting with the ‘real’ world won the World Fantasy Award for best novel in 1982. His writing often defies easy categorization, incorporating elements of fantasy, history, and mysticism along with realistic story lines and characters. Crowley teaches fiction writing at Yale and is also a recipient of the American Academy of Arts and Letters Award for Literature. Along with Little, Big, check out his Aegypt series, early science fiction (The Deep, Engine Summer), and recent novel about Lord Byron and his daughter Ada Lovelace.”
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The City & The City
Another recommendation by Selena Frye is this novel by China Mieville. From Selena: “I’m sure I’ve never read anything quite like The City and the City. That someone could conceive of such an intricate, psychologically and philosophically rich world, and then set a first-rate mystery-thriller into it leaves me rather slack-jawed. Is there such a genre as the existentialist noir crime novel of ideas?”
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Everything Bad Is Good for You
One of TechRepublic Senior Editor Mark Kaelin‘s picks is Everything Bad Is Good for You: How Today’s Popular Culture Is Actually Making Us Smarter. Here’s Mark’s synopsis: “Despite what you may have heard our children are not being destroyed by the technology, although they are learning differently.”
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Stranger in a Strange Land
Stranger in a Strange Land is another pick from TechRepublic Senior Editor Mark Kaelin, who says “Even if you are not a Scientologist, you should read at least one Robert A. Heinlein book.”
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The Cluetrain Manifesto
TechRepublic Senior Editor Mark Kaelin says this about The Cluetrain Manifesto: “If you are not running your business with this mindset, you are doing it wrong.”
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Anathem
The Neal Stephenson novel Anathem was recommended by TechRepublic Editor in Chief Jason Hiner.
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Predictably Irrational
TechRepublic Editor in Chief Jason Hiner suggests reading Predictably Irrational by Dan Ariely.
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Amber series
TechRepublic Head Technology Editor Bill Detwiler recommends The Great Book of Amber: The Complete Amber Chronicles, 1-10 (Chronicles of Amber) by Roger Zelazny.
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Magician: Apprentice
TechRepublic Head Technology Editor Bill Detwiler recommends the Magician series by Raymond E. Feist. The first book in the two-part series is Magician: Apprentice.
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Magician: Master
Bill Detwiler recommends Magician: Master, the second book in the Magician series by Raymond E. Feist.
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The Serpentwar Saga: Book I
Bill Detwiler is also a fan of The Serpentwar Saga, a four book series by Raymond E. Feist. Shadow of a Dark Queen is the first book in the series.
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The Serpentwar Saga: Book II
Bill Detwiler recommends The Serpentwar Saga, a four book series by Raymond E. Feist. Rise of a Merchant Prince is the second book in the series.
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The Serpentwar Saga: Book III
Bill Detwiler recommends The Serpentwar Saga, a four book series by Raymond E. Feist. Rage of a Demon King is the third book in the series.
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The Serpentwar Saga: Book IIII
Bill Detwiler recommends The Serpentwar Saga, a four book series by Raymond E. Feist. Shards of a Broken Crown is the fourth book in the series.
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Code Complete
Steve McConnell’s Code Complete is essential reading for programmers, according to TechRepublic contributor Justin James.
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The Mythical Man-Month
TechRepublic contributor and Programming and Development blog host Justin James also recommends The Mythical Man-Month: Essays on Software Engineering.
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Ender's Game
Jay Garmon recommends Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card in the TechRepublic post “The ultimate science fiction book meme.”
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American Gods
In Jay Garmon‘s review of Neil Gaiman’s American Gods, he writes: “What sets American Gods apart and earned this book so many accolades is that Gaiman goes out of his way to write his novel the hard way, ignoring all the easy Dickensian/Dean Koontz tricks that could have easily shown up in a book like this. Along the way, Gaiman celebrates the unique elements of Americana that simply don’t exist elsewhereu2013the roadside attractions and hidden worlds that thrive only in the corners of a nation built around highwaysu2013while avoiding the easy icons of New York, Los Angeles, and the other major cities we’re used to seeing on TV.”
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Ringworld
TechRepublic member nyabdns recommends Larry Niven’s 1970 science-fiction novel Ringworld, which won a Hugo, a Nebula, and a Locus award.
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The Forever War
Jay Garmon recommends Joe Haldeman’s The Forever War. This book is featured in the TechRepublic post “Geek Trivia: Science-fiction double feature.”
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The Ghost Brigades
In Jay Garmon‘s post “The ultimate science fiction meme,” he recommends John Scalzi’s The Ghost Brigades.
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The Sword of Shannara
The Sword of Shannara by Terry Brooks is featured in the post “Top 10 sci-fi/fantasy books that should be movies” by Jay Garmon.
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Hyperion
Hyperion by Dan Simmons is featured in Jay Garmon‘s TechRepublic article, “Top 10 sci-fi/fantasy books that should be movies.”
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A Brief History of Time
One of my picks is Stephen Hawking’s A Brief History of Time.
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The Dilbert Principle
I also think another geek essential (especially IT pros who work in cubicles) is The Dilbert Principle by Scott Adams.
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