The Last Days of Socrates by Plato
I generate tears every time I read poignant sections of this profound
book wishing , somehow, that I could go back and change the outcome but
… If I were successful, … the following 2,500 years of human history
would have spiralled wildly to an entirely different future and without
Socrates becoming the iconic martyr to truth, that he became, I wonder
what rules of philosophy might have manifest instead … if at all?
If you are western and haven’t read this book you should be ashamed
because you owe your every thought to this one lone individual who set
the foundations for all western philosophy 2500 years ago.
Back then, people believed “The Gods” controlled the winds, the tides,
the fate of men … or a poor harvest.
Socrates, (aside from delivering us zillions of profound ways of looking
at ourselves and our world), dared to suggest that, perhaps, it was the
weather, not the Gods, that influenced our world … and was sentenced
to death for sharing such wisdom … being accused of ‘corrupting the
young’ with his blasphemous teachings. 🙁
We have Socrates to thank for liberating our minds … in the similar
way that Newton, later showed us how our universe worked! 🙂
Meditations by Marcus Aurelius
An awesome read. Amusingly, (or seriously), this fabulous work of
stoical philosophy highlights forgiveness and is described somewhere,
(from my memory), as “The book Jesus Christ should have written”.
I think Moses, Jesus, the flood and all the bible stories are actually
recycled older mythical stories, possibly originating from the
Mesopotamian “Epic of Gilgamesh” (2,250BCE), but Marcus Aurelius gives
us a neat, pocket sized lesson on life that still reads beautifully
today. 🙂
Principia Mathematica by Isaac Newton
Before Newton, our world and the nature of all things was comprehended
through crystal balls, sorcery or magic. After Newton, (the father of
analytical science), came celestial mechanics and an understanding of
the workings of the universe.
God, I wish I could have spent just one hour in his company … just as
I lament the loss of iconic writer, Ray Bradbury, further down this
page.
Earth by Frank Townshend
You will not know this book or this author but …
This book is top of the tree … or at least level with Plato’s “The
Last Days of Socrates” … though extremely rare. A 1920’s philosophical
view of our world written by Frank Townshend, who explains that
‘paradise’ already exists in his mind and his world … simply by the
way he chooses to acknowledge his world. Everything happens as it should
in the universe to Townshend … and the mixture of pragmatism,
fatalism, Eastern philosophy and his own observations make this book the
most profound and valuable book anyone could ever hope to read.
I’ve rewired my mind … and now I can see Frank Townshend’s paradise
too. :))) … and so could you, if you could notice the biggest of
miracles in the most titchy or mundane things.
(Cars, mortgages, promotion at work or even FaceBook friends will never
truly make you happy yet merely taking the time to appreciate the
miracles, (and mechanics), of nature can utterly energise you … once
you cast off all the 21st century static and interference that society
tells you you should aspire to achieve or collect.
My Favourite fictional books?
Golden Apples of the Sun by Ray Bradbury
An anthology of short stories by Ray Bradbury. (RIP). This book gave me
my writing style and my ability to express myself via the written word.
It’s the finest work of fiction I have ever encountered in my life.
Love you, Ray x
Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse
Mmmh … Wisdom?
Following the reading of this book, I discovered that Individual life
events could easily be viewed as meaningless when considered on their
own but the experience of life and living it transforms those separate,
scattered moments into a narrative that, when placed into their right
boxes, unleashes an enlightenment so bright as to blind and burn!
I didn’t know that at the time I picked the book up but, Jeez, do I know
and understand it now.
This book done my head in … because, unwittingly, I found myself
reading a story that mimicked my own particular life except that, at the
time, I had no comprehension of where my life or I, within it, was going
emotionally.
The adventures, (in the plot), were so similar to my own; Growing up,
seeking knowledge, finding love story, being successful, experiencing
family joy, facing challenge, grief, loss … (that’s where I was at the
time I picked up the book) … but I read on … and it was if I was
being given or being shown a path I might choose to walk down myself.
(Not religious – but perhaps a tad spiritual).
I won’t spoil the book by sharing the ending BUT … something happened.
I realised something so simple, so profound … so life changing …
and, after reading Siddhartha, I think I found something out about the
world, (and myself), that put everything into perspective for me.
Not claiming I can explain it either but … well … perhaps these very
words offer a hint or clue.
I don’t have to explain it anyway. I just have to … “be” 🙂
Truth is, the story is so familiar(A bit like a Disney Heroic Journey
plot, that EVERYONE will probably see themselves or their lives tucked
inside its jacket.
A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess
A book about a thug? Hardly. Clockwork Orange does examine the mind of a
lawless ‘Droog’ but it also explores ‘the power, responsibilities and
morals of the state and society’ … and the concept of free will.
Sophie’s World by Jostein Gaarder
Owning or reading this book is like having your own personal guide to
gently introduce you to philosophy throughout the ages, from the ancient
past right through to our current time.
Johnathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach
Why fret about living, chasing shoals of fish or being like every other
seagull in the flock … when you can fly to the limits of your own
potential? I have kept this book close to my heart since I was a boy.
Frankenstein (The Modern Prometheus), by Mary Shelley
Published by the 21 yr old Mary Shelley in 1818, this work has become a
metaphor to represent the danger of man’s dabbling with science,
technology and the unknown.
As an inventor, I already know what it feels like when your own
technology turns into a monster. (I provide a clue relating to that
cryptic statement in my photo galleries).
About the Author
