Ask HN: What book impacted your life the most and how?

Same with the book "How To Win Friends And Influence People" [2]. It's written decades ago and still holds the principles true.

"How to win friends" offers an (behaviourism?) insight into what you do can make others feels what. It's like a handbook really!

I double this. Listened to the audiobook recently.

"How To Win Friends And Influence People" helped me a lot with social skills

Zen and the art of motorcycle maintenance. As a scientist, it helped me to realise that the quest for truth is only a tool: I have to choose my own goal.

I've never thought of Meditations as religious or non-religious. It's all about really appreciating what you have and understanding the way you feel is derived from your perception of the world. I think that's pretty universal.

I always think this is the closest thing to a 'Bible for atheists' that I've ever found. Seriously awesome stuff

Meditations is a book I come back to over and over

for contributing to helping me come out of excessive questioning of everything (philosophy) to science that helps towards actually answering the questions answerable.

On a personal level the Selfish Gene by Richard Dawkins

Feynman Lectures in Physics [3] and Surely You're Joking Mr. Feynman [4], with no need to explain "how".

As the Basic Instruction Before Leaving Earth "The Bible", changes the way I look the world by showing more love and more compassion.

It showed how big a role chance plays in our lives, and how to make the most of it.

As a young teen, I was instantly enamored by revenge and adventure.

"Masters of Doom" had a profound effect on me.

"7 Habits of Highly Effective People" [1] - I listened to the audio book and it was really an eye-opener. It changed my perspective on people and personality a lot. Highly recommended.

"Getting Things Done" by David Allen