Ten books that influenced me most
Tyler Cowen was prompted by a reader question to offer his ten most influential books . He challenged other bloggers to do the same, so here are mine (as for Tyler, this is my "gut list" though informed by a pleasant half hour looking through my bookshelves to prompt my memory). It surprises me how few economics books are here - but then I didn't do much formal economics study at the time of life that one chooses influential books: Easily at the top of the list is Douglas Hofstadter, Gödel, Escher, Bach - An Eternal Golden Braid . The first book that started me exploring the mysteries of cognition and consciousness - and a book of such beauty, grace and depth that my life's work would be complete if I could write anything like it. Most of his other books are excellent too. Christopher Alexander, A Pattern Language . Gives another insight into where abstract patterns can be found in the world - this time in the architecture of cities, buildings and rooms. Steve McC...