Books you would recommend to a teen

[buford t justice]

What book would you recommend to a teenager to expand his or her understanding of the world.

I'll start with To Hell And Back by Audie Murphy.

Would give them somewhat of an understanding what some people have sacrificed to maintain this great country.

 

[G_Stines]

How old are we talking? If you are in the say.. high school range, I highly recommend, BRAVE NEW WORLD and its sequel, ISLAND by Aldous Huxley. They have to do with a genetically engineered utopia that basically falls apart. Good lessons on how nothing is perfect.

George Orwell's 1984, classic and about the power of Big Brother if you let the government run the country instead of the country running the government.

If you simply want to expose them to the joys of reading, what if any reading interests do they already have?

 

[buford t justice]

Those are some great books, my kids have read Brave new world and The doors of perception but not Island.

I wasn't just meaning my children though, I just wondering what book someone would recommend to any teen,something that would have helped you understand the world better at an earlier age.

Thanks for the reply.

 

[cordex]

In addition to the classics mentioned:
My Side of the Mountain - Maybe better for pre-teens but very good - emphasizes self reliance and glorifies outdoorsmanship.
Cryptonomicon and all three books of the Baroque Cycle - Covers history (somewhat fictionalized, of course), science, economics, philosophy, swashbuckling, building wealth, etc
Moon is a Harsh Mistress, Starship Troopers - interesting philosophies
Diamond Age - A book about a book that helps children learn, and learn to think for themselves
Unintended Consequences - Gun culture

 

[ArmedProgrammer]

The Walking Drum by Louis L'Amour... It's not what you think . It's NOT a spaghetti western. It's based in the 12 Century and is a great historical novel with TONS of good lessons.

 

[Bapak2ja]

The Holy Bible. I know, lots of objections. Still, even if one rejects the monotheistic and exclusivistic claims of Yahweh (personal name of the deity of the Bible, used for purposes of identification only), it contains great insight on human nature (especially in the Proverbs), the origin and proper role of government, morality, equality, respect for one's neighbor/fellow human being, purpose of life, etc.

It is a far easier read that the Quran, the Bhagavad Gita, the Mahabharata or I Ching. Not as interesting as the Kama Sutra, though, but it is applicable for people who do not worship sex.

The Lord of the Rings trilogy presents a great perspective on the battle between good and evil; insights on courage, honor, and duty; the wisdom of limiting the use of power; the danger of uncontrolled lust for power and control; etc. This may require Dad to actually spend time talking to son or daughter to explain the lessons to be learned. It will be easy for the child to just read the story and overlook the powerful life lessons to be learned.

Watership Down. Excellent story about rabbits which actually reveals vital lessons about life, honor, courage, and government—democracy vs. dictatorship.

Animal Farm by George Orwell. Again, needs dad to explain it so the kids do not miss the real lesson in the fable story line.

 

[Mike H]

The Courage to be Free by Charlton Heston.

 

[phrozen5100]

Two books with a scientific (not politically correct) approach to describing differences in brain function and development between the sexes:

The Male Brain (Brizendine)
The Female Brain (Brizendine)

Because one should appreciate that life can always be worse:

One Bullet Away (Fick)

 

[snowrs]

The Stranger by Camus
A Catcher in the Rye by Sallinger
Siddartha by Hesse
Bible by Various
Koran

 

[badwolf.usmc]

In addition to those already listed above i would add the following:

Starship Troopers
Ender's Game
A Message to Garcia: Not really a book, more an article, but a very good article for anyone to read.

 

[Kitty]

Fahrenheit 451 (funny how it is ALWAYS towards the top of "banned book" lists)
Stranger in a Strange Land

 

[MrsXtremeVel]

Holes, by Louis Sachar

Walk Two Moons, by Sharon Creech

Hatchet, by Gary Paulsen ( there are a series that goes with this book)

Great reads for a teenager.

 

[ATOMonkey]

Liberty and Tyranny by Levin

Gives insight into the current political process, and the distinction between big and little government.

Common Sense by Beck is a quick read and points out some major flaws in our current system.

Quiet Strength by Tony Dungy is a great book for instilling the beginnings of character from a man with more than enough character.

Both of the Freakonomics books by Levitt and Dubner give excellent insight into how incentives actually work in our culture.

For economic hisotory and the evolution of the socialist society
"New Deal or Raw Deal" by Folsom

Just a couple that I'm looking at on my shelf right now.

I also will second "one bullet away" by Fick. Great read.
"Joker One" by Campbell is in the same vein as "one bullet away." Great first hand account of combat by a recon marine in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Afghanistan books I've enjoyed.
First and Foremost "Horse Soldeiers" by Stanton is just f'ing amazing.
"Kill Bin Laden" by Fury
"Not a Good Day to Die" Nalor
"Lone Survivor" by Luttrell
"War" Junger (see also the indi movie "Restrepo" movie made from the film shot when he was writing the book) This also encompasses Giunta's MOH battle.

 

[Kirk Freeman]

Time Will Run Back, Hazlitt

Economics in One Lesson, Hazlitt