Need some good gems of books

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Being a beginner to many things, I’m newly interested in the topics of philosophy, history, and science. But I’m looking for books that are fun and a delight to read. I headed over to reading some of the top philosophy forums and I love how the people there make everything interesting by referencing various things in nature that turn out to tell us many things that one wouldn’t even normally think of. So are there any good books on philosophy intro that are easy and fun to read but yet full of intelligence? (I don’t want to read aquinas’ summa). Also what good books are there that are not dry and a bore but nice to read that cover the topics of the history of church and interesting figures and interesting things they did. Also any good popular science books for a 22 years old like me who never studied after high school? I’ve read hawking’s brief history of time years ago and enjoyed it so looking for more in that vein. Basically, some books that have the wit and humour of Cecil Adams yet full of intelligence and good food for the mind.
 
The Catholic Church Through the Ages: A History by John Vidmar OP has been recommended.

It’s on my to-read list; I haven’t gotten to it yet. Reviewers on Amazon commented that it’s detailed but easy to read.
 
daisybee said:
The Catholic Church Through the Ages: A History by John Vidmar OP has been recommended.

It’s on my to-read list; I haven’t gotten to it yet. Reviewers on Amazon commented that it’s detailed but easy to read.
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Thomas Aquinas by G.K. Chesterton is the only philosophy I can think of that might be " fun " and " light herted. " You can read it online here: ccel.org/ccel/chesterton

Linus2nd
 
I read a book recently that doesn’t fall in to any of the categories you’ve named but found it to be good enough to suggest to you. It’s called Unbroken. I don’t remember the author but it’s about a man who was a prisoner of war with the Japanese during WWII. It was an excellent and inspiring story. Check it out at your local library, I think you would enjoy it.
 
Linusthe2nd said:
Thomas Aquinas by G.K. Chesterton is the only philosophy I can think of that might be " fun " and " light herted. " You can read it online here: ccel.org/ccel/chesterton

Linus2nd
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I was going to recommend Chesterton too. Besides this I would recommend his books Orthodoxy and The Everlasting Man.

Also, though there is plenty to disagree with of course, Plato’s dialogues are surprisingly easy and enjoyable to read (by the standards of ancient philosophy books anyway).
 
Ok. That’s a whole lot less recommendations than I was looking for. 😃

I’m wondering… in the Jewish tradition there must be many fables and tales about the OT fathers and traditions and stories that offer insight into early Christianity. Any books on such Jewish things?
 
Twelve years a Slave is coming out as a movie, I would heartily recommend the book. It is about a free black man from Saratoga, NY who was kidnapped and sold south. He eventually makes it back home, thus the “12 years” part.
 
As a 21 year old who studies philosophy, I would advise you to just read philosophy. When I started I had no idea what I was reading, but I would read something, find a summary on the Internet, and now I understand what I read. I would recommend starting out with Plato. His dialogues are actually very readable.

Most modern history has such an academic slant that its written primarily by academics to impress their colleagues or to promote a certain idea. Older history was written so fluffy that its laughable. Maybe if you start reading about the philosophy of history or the history of philosophy (but not Russell’s version) . . .

Try some novels too like The Edge of Sadness, Disry of a Country Priest, etc.

You should get into art too. I took a basic western art history course and it literally changed how I look at the world. Art is philosophical and historical and religious all at once. Maybe just look at one renaissance work per day and find a meaning to it.
 
For philosophy, I always recommend Peter Kreeft. He’s very clear, very easy to read, full of wit and wisdom. Any of his books would be good. A book like A Refutation of Moral Relativism is fun because it’s written in the form of Socratic dialogue, which makes it quite engaging.

If you want a book on Church History that isn’t dry, try Triumph: The Power and the Glory of the Catholic Church by H.W. Crocker III. It’s got personality to spare. 🙂

Can’t help you with the science books.
 
biblio.com/books/7025306.html

American Catholics, a history book about the Church’s work in America, is a superb read, in particular if you are interested in modern Church history.

I found it a fascinating read, and a great historical resource for both “the American church” and America itself(taken from a Religious point of view).

I was looking for a good book that covered obscure topics like the Catholic Church in the “old west(specifically Texas)” and the history of the Church’s work with Native Americans, and I happened to spot this gem in my local “Op Shop” book bin for less than $2. Co-incidence? I don’t think so.
 
Thanks for the recomms. I will look into them. I didn’t get email notifiocations on thread updates so I thought there were no more replies. And I started a new thread (specifically for philosophy books) in back fence. Anyway, thanks.
 
Okay, I guess you people don’t like the Jews. Anyway, I’ve ordered Plato and got the popular science book A short history of nearly everything by Bill Bryson on my list. Is that a good book?

Now I need recommendations on archaeology books. I remember reading Holy Blood Holy Grail which had a bit of archaeology, history, and a story to match. It was fascinating but anti-catholic, I guess. But is there any Catholic-friendly book like it which has some nice archaeology, history, and interesting? Also, any books on good archaeological findings and history of ancient civilizations that is fun and has lots of nice facts and discoveries about them? And explanation of the discoveries like Holmes explained his dancing men? I’m newly garnering an interest in this kind of stuff. Thanks. Also, please keep in mind that I can only afford like 10$ books, maybe 13$ books, but not the 20$ books. Also, I despise books which are short, so big books welcome. Thanks again.
 
I received the Bill Bryson book today and am going to read it. I also ordered the archaeology “Bible as History” by Werner Keller hearing it recommended on CAF. Any other book recommendations??? Any more science, history, philosophy, archaeology, ancient civilizations, nonfiction, any type of intellectually stimulating fat books?
 
Anyone can recommend books on the crusades/knights templars? I don’t know anything about that period of time. Is “The Templars” by Piers Paul Read a good, easy book? which book do you recommend?

I specially bought a Philips reading lamp (CFL,. I wanted LED but couldn’t find a good LED lamp at the store) so I can read. 😃
 
I could recommend a few in the vein of science history. One particular one was “Of Smoking Ears and Screaming Teeth” about pioneers in the field of physiology - men (mostly) who experimented on themselves in the name of advancing medical science. That one had a few parts that made me gasp out loud. It was a fun read and a page turner - not overly heavy on the science.

Another one is “The Disappearing Spoon”. It’s about the periodic table. It covers some history in there - the origin of the universe, for example. It also goes into reasons behind changes in society due to contamination of ecosystems or the discovery of new mineral reserves in local areas. I enjoyed the information about how aluminum metal was developed for industrial use. Again, not too heavy - very enjoyable.
 
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